Another day in lockdown

We had a good rain yesterday afternoon and this morning everything is looking very fresh again. Our weather seems to go from too much rain to too little rain with no moderation in between that. We had switched on the irrigation system two days ago as the garden was already looking very dry, but nothing beats a good rainfall. 

Gavin and I had a pleasant morning walk with Xena. I wanted to get some more photos of the bluebell woods near us before they faded, as they never last that long. The only good thing about when they finally die off is that it signals the end of my seasonal hay fever. I decided to do an ICM of the bluebell woods to try something a bit different.

We enjoyed our take away curry dinner last night - the restaurant was very busy getting all the orders through so that is good news for them. I think people are starting to suffer from lockdown fatigue and I don't know for how much longer the small businesses can sustain this. Gavin has noticed on his early morning runs that there is already more traffic in the morning with white vans and service vehicles as contractors and other service providers are busy at work. In our area gardeners, window cleaners, plumbers have continued to work, either because it is outdoors work and there is no contact with anyone else, or in the case of plumbers it is due to emergencies. I read a report today where the opinion was that a suitable exit strategy would be where people in their twenties return to work first, as they are the least to be affected seriously by the virus and they are the ones to suffer most from the economic downturn. The >70 and vulnerable would have be the last to exit the lockdown. It does seem a sensible approach. The negative affect on the economy may soon be of more importance than the effect of the virus on healthy, non-vulnerable people, when one considers the mental health issues that this economic crisis will cause.

While I was uploading this Thomas was doing his Gordon Ramsay thing in the kitchen (cooking steak at very high temperatures) and of course the fire alarm went off due to all the smoke. The company that monitors the alarm phoned and I told them it was okay - last time this happened I was out and Thomas ignored the phone ringing so the fire engine arrived :(  I wish Thomas would not believe every thing Gordon Ramsay says, some of his cooking methods are fine in a professional kitchen but too much for a home kitchen - he also uses far too much butter. As with most professional chefs, when in doubt, add lashings of butter to improve the flavour of food - so unhealthy!