Just when things were going so well Johnson cannot keep his mouth zipped! (or trousers we are led to believe!). Encouraging people to go back to their workplaces, when a TUC survey says half of all workplaces are not Covid safe!
IN THE NEWS TODAY 26 MARCH
Rubbish weather day wet and windy and chilly.
The Ever Given remains wedged in the Suez Canal blocking it totally and preventing the carriage of £6.6 billion of trade per day, (12% of world trade – 50 ships per day). The 200000 tonne 400m long vessel went aground on Tuesday and may take days to clear. Ships are now embarking on the journey around the Cape of Good Hope which adds a week on the journey. High winds of 30mph and a dust storm were given as a cause of the incident.
IN THE NEWS TODAY
Paraquat still being manufactured in the UK (Huddersfield) for export 14 years after it was banned here. Thousands of mainly poor farmers have died. Lets talk capitalism and greed Mr. Johnson!
Super large containership goes aground in the Suez Canal and blocks it. It may have an impact on petrol prices and other products if not shifted soon.
Covid ‘passports’ likely to be necessary in many pubs and restaurants. I have not put all the statistics into perspective yet. North Somerset has lower levels of infection than in September. The oldest half of the population has been vaccinated and school children tested. I suppose we do not know the long term effectiveness of the vaccines yet. Being old and vaccinated I would want everyone possible vaccinated, but does it really matter if 30 year olds are not? If the vaccine protects successfully against infection what is to be lost? It would seem sensible for mask wearing in winter everywhere inside to protect against flu? Personally I would not go to a football ground now, or a concert, and will continue to plan my shopping trips to quiet times.
TASTE TEST
Pesto and lemon drizzle cake both passed the taste test. Cake especially. Pesto is different but I was requested to make a jar. I think fresh parmesan and less of it next time – it can be added later if required.
I have decided I don’t actually like the garlic pesto! I will try adding some tomatoes but will not make more. The garlic might be good on the garden to deter the slugs?
JOHNSON STALLING FOR TIME
He regrets but will not call a public inquiry. Why? Too much dirty washing to be revealed?
Ignoring scientific evidence on a major scale, mask denial, his own Covid denial at the start, the lack of preparedness of the NHS despite warnings, lack of PPE, dodgy contract arrangements, mixed messaging and lack of clarity throughout, lack of quarantine until too late, farce that is test and track, Cummings, eat out scheme, opening schools and especially universities in September/October, the list is endless. For sure some things were probably as good, or even better than expected (the furlough scheme and financial support seems to have been successful so far). Vaccination has been a huge success, although whether this was driven by capitalism and greed is plainly a comment by someone who has had too much brandy? I am sure someone will have trashed this comment much more succinctly than I could. But for the record, what about the thousands of volunteers at vaccination places (presumably not motivated by greed or capitalism), I am sure many companies are motivated by capitalism and greed (that is fundamental to their existence) but the scientists working on vaccines are, in general, not. I guess he must have been talking about the cabinet and their cronies.
COVID
WILD GARLIC PESTO
Recipe here. I am going foraging tomorrow, and washing them in Milton Liquid – just in case! It is not illegal to pick the leaves, but it is to dig up the bulbs!
and hot cross buns to try out next week, or maybe a Cornish Saffron Cake?
SOME OF MY HOUSE PLANTS
Date slice
Cashew nuts, almonds, oats, spelt flour, lemon, cinnamon, butter, sugar, bicarbonate of soda, salt, dates. Melt butter, sugar and dates with lemon juice. Mix oats and butter and nuts and cinnamon and bi-carb to make base and topping. 15 minutes at 170c.
SEEDS
More seeds planted, sunflower, night scented stock, field poppies, wild bird mix, Himalayan Poppy (which will need to go in the fridge!), just cornflower to go (not sure how I missed them), and then a second sowing of herbs like basil. I need to get some more greek basil and at some stage go to a garden centre to get extra tomato plants, 2 cucumbers, some peppers and some chilli – or maybe I will get seeds for the latter 2?