Month: October 2020

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COVID-19 ON 24.10.20

North Somerset is on 98/100000 rising rapidly. Bristol on 247 and rising. I would have thought that merited moving up a tier? the rate in NS has caught up and over taken Chelmsford and Braintree (which have been moved into middle tier).

I went to Halden Forest near Exeter today and met Tom, Tams, Corinne and Ottie (birthday girl – 2 today). That was brilliant but when I first got there I was a little frightened by all the people, and none wearing masks! I know it was outside and lots of space but I had not been that close to so many people for 7 months! Nice place, but weather inclement!

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FUN RANT

Driving. I live in a beautiful part of the country – roads by their very nature spoil the beauty and tranquility – but are necessary. But why do we make it worse with street graffiti? Once you look at what I am saying I am sure you will agree (contains swearing!)

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COVID-19 LATEST STATS

The stats are on the next page. Only a dozen selected places. But they do give bit of a picture. Cornwall and IoW ok, Exeter falling quickly (presumably to do with students, as is Bristols rapid increased? Of more concern is the steady increase in semi-rural parts like N.Som and Chelmsford and Braintree. What number has to be hit before new level imposed? I feel missing the opportunity of half term, for a circuit breaker will be regretted.


27.09.202007.10.202023.10.2020



North Somerset315379



Cornwall203129



Bristol46143228



Chelmsford416368



Exeter283341175



Braintree425860



Plymouth3064116



IoW101724



Liverpool516660568



Manchester

458



Sunderland274281297



Newcastle445456298



Stats from BBC
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ARCTIC WARNING

Arctic sea ice is not reforming as early as it has in previous years. Forget Covid – 19 which may hang around for a couple of years, climate change is so much more important, Read

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LIVERPOOL AND EVERTON

Please copy our government by scoring as many own goals in your next matches as possible. Stand with your fans. Liverpools next match is Sheffield Utd; Everton vs Newcastle; although Everton v Man U on 7th Nov would be good – a 36-36 draw?? Please.

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COVID 22.10.20

My little survey of places in the south of England shows a 10-20% increased in last few days. N.Somerset to 64, Bristol 228, Chelmsford 68, Plymouth 98, Braintree 58, IoW 25. Only Cornwall seems unaffected at the moment in my little survey at 29. I suspect that if I did more I would find that the rate is increasing across the south. So, I am here with a laptop and can see that rates are rising fast. So act now, yes f***ing now! Not in 5 days/ 10 days time. We have been told enough times that it takes 14 days for infections to become statistics.

And stop bleating about personal freedom and the economy. Having to move to a longer shut down affecting more people and businesses will cost more in the long run.

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VEGAN M’HANNCHA

I would say that I am perhaps the world’s worst person for presenting food. Shambles and mess come to mind as adjectives! And this one was no exception – BUT – for a bit of ‘look what I have done!’ and a great taste this is worth a little effort (if you have someone who will appreciate it!). And vegan too! And there might be pumpkins going cheap next week?

M’Hanncha

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THE JET STREAM

It is a high altitude (10km), high speed (180kmph+), wind caused by the differences in temperature between the tropics and the polar regions (Well our jet stream is – I am trying to keep it simple). The polar jet stream (ours) loops around the upper part of the northern hemisphere in a variable path. Sometimes it is fairly straight and therefore faster, other times it meanders around lots.

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LA NINA

This is an oceanic/atmospheric phenomenon that is building in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Occurring every few years, sea surface temperatures are below normal, the trader winds stronger and an upwelling of colder water along the Pacific coast of South America occurs. These changes impact on global atmospheric circulation. We can expect increased storms and rainfall in Australia and South-east Asia, drought to the southern states of the USA, colder snowier winters in Canada. And whilst not directly impacting on us, it does

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HOUSING ECONOMICS

I am not sure this will all make sense as I am developing my ideas as I progress.

I am starting with a base line of about 1990 when the average house price was about 3 x average income (maybe a little higher – hence need for 1x second income). Now the figure is 6x average income and for many areas a lot higher. This is madness that has been allowed to develop. Over 3 million 20-30 year olds are now living with parents.

A vicious Tory government imposed a bedroom tax on council tenants – why not all of us? I live in a 3 bed bungalow. I think it totally fair to tax me more because of this, but I would get a reduction in Council Tax if I was alone. I am sure that many people would come up with sob stories about family, etc. But for the benefit of society, if it made more houses come on market and reduced prices that would be great. And those living in huge houses can just pay more council tax – end of! Or sell. We live in difficult times where as usual the poor are expected to give up more and suffer.

Second homes – there are a huge number! Nationalise them – why do you need 2 homes or more? I would compensate but not at full price! The poorest are having to miss meals, worry about rent, so sorry – tough!

Renting. This is an important sector as it allows the quick and easy movement of people needed in the economy. However I think it has got a bit out of hand. Landlords are making a fortune out of rising value of premises, and this is of course theoretical money. Surely there should be a fair rent ratio, and basic standards required by landlords.

Interesting in today’s Guardian (22.10.20) suggesting that council/ affordable housing should be provided for 20-30 year olds to enable them to save for a mortgage.