Cinnamon and ginger iced buns

Well it is dark and damp outside so I. am going to make some Xmassy buns. I have just made the dough to prove overnight. If I get up early enough I might take them down to the shop for breakfast.

Recipe adapted a bit as usual, so who knows. Brilliant.

COVID BRISTOL

Article in Guardian today which looks at why Bristol is now 18th in list of English LA’s. And Bishopsworth with 1365/100000 is one of worst hit areas on England. No explanation found other than it was not hit badly first time round. Ominous for North Somerset too.

FOOTBALL AND HEADING THE BALL

Interesting hearing Sir Geoff Hurst on this issue. he made the point that it was practice that was the problem, not actual matches where he might head the ball once or twice. I guess that might be true for a forward meeting crosses, but a defender heading back goal kicks might be different. possible rule changes here?

AID

I am sad about this. Aid shows that we as one of the richest nations on the planet can help others. Not under the mean tories though! It seems a no brainer to me that aid to countries in need would restrict the spread of virus’s and others like it. But populism (basically saying what you think people want you to think), is a sensible way of government.

WHAT HAVE THEY BEEN DOING?

The second wave has been predicted sinceJune, been happening since the start of October. And still there is no clear message from the government. Apart from stay at home unless you have to go out, work from home unless you have to go to work. Hey you incompetent excuse for a human being – yes you Johnson – stop spending hours making your hair look like a mess and get a grip.

Your first job should be to emphasise the horrific nature of this virus and the number of deaths and the impact on the NHS. Secondly a strategy for dealing with it, not reactive rumblings that would embarrass a 14 year old, but a proactive policy.

Some suggestions. Shut schools early for xmas. 2 more weeks, but cut Easter and summer holidays. Possibly staggered across the country. teaching unions will complain, but I am sure a deal could be reached. Bars to be shut until further notice. Restaurants with enough space and proper arrangements could stay open with reduced hours/numbers. Quarantine all from flights abroad, all lorry drivers to be tested on arrival back in uk (should not be a problem as they will be spending days waiting to get on ferries etc.). There lots of spy cameras around, especially on major routes. Everybody with a car has to register to confirm address and then not allowed to travel outside a certain area/radius. And omg that is total government control – there should be both parliamentary approval and an automatic cessation of rules once stats come down. This would need to be passed into law by parliament who would add necessary provisos.

Oh and M.P.’s taking a pay cut, and maybe moving Parliament to Wentworth House. It is big enough, M.P.’s also need to adapt how they work – video calls etc. A compulsory purchase order would be interesting as I would expect the cost to come in close to £1 billion. But with 365 rooms and huge outbuildings and stables it could house Parliament no problem.

Covid – stats

Latest stats. No real let up in increase in NorthSomerset and Bristol. Cornwall and Plymouth still increasing, as is Chelmsford. Wales and Northern Ireland both falling. National average is 223. Liverpool and Manchester are the only parts of the UK to have a falling infection rate since Locdown 2.0. The BBC web site seems to be slowing down? Government instructions?