MINTED

Lovers of mint look no further. I am just planting out 18 types of mint and hope to have a few more shortly.

I am not sure why, but I have Japanese;l Spanish; Moroccan; Inguano; Curly; Garden; Mojito; Strawberry; White peppermint; Banana; Pineapple; Chocolate; Basil; Berries and cream; Apple; Eau de Cologne; Spearmint; then Lemon balm and Lemon bergamot. And I am on the lookout for a couple more!

I think I might offer a Christmas collection of dried mints, or experiment with a tea mix.

I also have sage, rosemary, tarragon, oregano, sweet basil, greek basil, lemon basil, lemon thyme, thyme, creeping thyme, dill, pot marigold, nasturtium, fennel, parsley, hot and spicy oregano, bay. Donations welcome!

BREXIT IMPACTS SO FAR

It is difficult to separate Brexit and Covid impacts, especially as both are virus’ which keep mutating!

But lets have a go. Northern Ireland is slowly descending back into troubled waters with the government stuck in its dogma. Industries like fishing have been hit hard – I guess that as most fishermen seem to have voted for Brexit, that they cannot read? Imports from Europe have slowed, prices have risen. We might notice this more in the summer when fresh fruit and veg from the Mediterranean is due. A shortage of labour is reported across hospitality and agricultural sectors – whilst Patel is busy trying to send Europeans home, the industries are trying to recruit. I am not sure the dire shortages in the building industry are down to Brexit or Covid, probably a bit of both. New trade deal with Australia has not been welcomed by farmers or environmentalists.

Basically the Cabinet was selected to be Pro-Brexit with people of undoubted ability cast aside (by Cummings? Certainly by Johnson). The trouble seems to be that they did not, have not, got a plan (or a clue) on how to deal with the problems (entirely foreseeable) that have and will ensue.

They are still basking in the view that this is a government which gets things done – KILLING OLD PEOPLE IN CARE HOMES, BREXIT, ENRICHING THEIR BUDDIES, SELLING OFF PARTS OF THE NHS, VACCINES, and maybe they dissolution of the United Kingdom, and more likely the selling of patient data from the NHS. This last one has not been touted yet – but wait and see!

BANK HOLIDAY – GARDENING

Bright and sunny with bit of a breeze. So garden.

Pot out sweet basil, greek basil and lemon basil; lemon bergamot and dill and tarragon in round pots. Flowers to oblong pots or plugged into meadow at the front. Lemon tree into larger pot in conservatory. And some of the other house plants to bigger pots with enough soil! Hanging baskets ready for flowers tomorrow.

COVOD – PLEASE TELL ME!

I am not particularly bright, but not stupid either! letting Johnson and co died on whether to release all restrictions on 21st June is akin to asking a monkey to type out “A mid-summers night dream”. there are 2 basic questions I believe I would like answers to, and then I will make my own decision.

Firstly there seems to be a rise in infections in some areas (although thankfully not here at the moment), does this matter? Is it young fit and healthy people not really being affected? And therefore not a medical problem or issue.

And secondly by the 21st June we will hopefully have about 80% vaccination. Is this enough to prevent another wave?

If the answer to these questions is yes I would guess we can go ahead with no restrictions. However if there is any doubt at all, the reduction of restrictions must be nuanced. there is no place for politics here. Any chance of another wave of serious infections must put welfare before economics. And I am sure lots of people suffer from metal problems due to the lockdown, but these should be dealt with properly, not just ascribed to lockdown and used as an argument to do away with all restrictions..

Why can’t we have an honest government which sets out the risks clearly and concisely. I suspect modelling would be able to put potential figures on different activities. If you want to criticise me that is cool – but I would suggest that all outside activities are fine. Family gatherings should be governed by intelligence (anyone feeling ill?) and limited hugging, etc..

Indoor gatherings are much more complex. Restaurants might have to reduce capacity to ensure more space, pubs might need a limit on numbers or opening? Weddings with mix of ages and alcohol are possibly the most difficult to judge. But the government needs to be firm and set out the problems. Would a wedding with make inside and social distancing, or vaccine passports work? Everything should be done to ensure a new normality returns, but not at any cost.

FOOTBALL

Time to look forward to new season. Lots of business to do first though. Where will Harry Kane go? Who will manage Tottenham, or Real Madrid? Will Messi move? Who will ManC and Man U sign? Or Liverpool or Chelsea? Will Arsenal splash out?

CLIMATE CHANGE

Interesting votes at major oil company annual meetings. But Gazprom and Aramco are outside the ‘democracy’ of shareholder votes. So governments should adjust their tax take according to the zero carbon credentials. It can be that easy!

But of course we have a government that is long on rhetoric and short on policy and action. They will continue to import goods from abroad and not add these products carbon footprint to our total.

COVID

It is becoming increasingly obvious that many major and avoidable decisions were made. Hancock should be the first to go. However it seems there is no honour left in government. Having sacked anyone who was competent and trustworthy if they were pro-remain in the Brexit debate (and where did Cummings stand on their dismissals? – was he responsible?), those who are left have been beyond any normal levels of competence!

21 JUNE 2021

Will this be the day when we really start to return to normal. Mighty mouth gobspit Johnson cannot leave it alone. Of course he is correct to wait for 14June, except he hasn’t, almost announcing full opening now.