It’s been a quiet almost serene week – I guess we must be between storms. Do start sending in your suggestions as to what the next storm should be called – it needs to begin with “C” after Storms Arwen and Barra.
And, it’s been disconcertingly mild for early to mid-December. Although it’s been cloudy, it was so mild on Thursday that I was tricked into going out on the bike for what will likely be the last road ride for the year. It was, in one sense, lovely – as I say, mild for the time of year and almost completely wind-free. Still, I guess “fresh” would be an appropriate adjective, especially on those sections when I put my feet up and freewheel downhill.
And speaking of cycling, I continue my progress on the virtual ride along the length of Route 66. I’ve reached New Mexico and passed the “official” midpoint of the ride in the charming community of Adrian, Texas. As you can see, there’s not a lot here apart from the Midpoint Café and a sign marking the halfway point. On the other hand, Tucumcari, New Mexico has the wonderful Blue Swallow Motel and the Tee Pee Curios shop. Just in time to pick up some Christmas gifts for everyone!
Our corrupt and deceitful government continues to fail to protect us from Covid, as they have done all along. With new cases rising at their fastest rate ever (even faster than in the catastrophic peak last January), the PM finally announced that the UK would be moving to “Plan B”. Working from home is to be “encouraged”, masks are mandatory in shops and on public transport (but not anywhere else) and, horror of horrors, people will need to show that they have been vaccinated or have had a recent negative Covid test in order to attend a limited range of activities. This so-called “Covid pass” was too much for more than 100 Conservative MPs who voted against. The measure was only carried because the opposition parties voted in favour. Indeed, our looney Conservative MP said during the debate that she had a constituent who was more afraid of Covid restrictions than Covid itself. I wrote to her suggesting that she take that constituent to a hospital and show them the people gasping for breath or talk to those in agony waiting for a hip replacement because hospitals are overwhelmed with Covid patients. If the constituent was still of the view that restricting his/her “freedom” to cough all over people was more important than protecting us all from Covid, she should tell him/her to stop being such a selfish prat. Surprisingly, I’ve not yet had a reply.
If anyone needed any more examples of this government’s incompetence, one need look no further than what happened when Plan B was announced. The essentials were drawn up five months ago. Yet, when the PM announced that everyone over 18 would be given the opportunity to book a Covid booster jab by the end of the year, the web site for booking the jabs fell over and they ran out of lateral flow tests. Five months and clearly no advance planning or upgrading of capacity took place. Absolutely shameful.
There was some good news on Friday morning though. The Conservatives lost the North Shropshire byelection which was called because of the resignation of Owen Paterson. He, you will remember, was the MP who broke the rules on lobbying not once or twice but fifteen times. This was one of the safest Conservative seats in the country and had never had anyone other than a Conservative MP. Perhaps the corruption and parties during lockdown is finally starting to resonate with the voters?
STOP PRESS
The Cabinet Secretary, Simon Case, who was due to head up the Downing Street enquiry into all those alleged “illegal” parties/gatherings held during lockdown last year, has had to step down. Claims have emerged that he too hosted an event over the same time period. Interestingly, he didn’t stand down last week when it was announced that he would carry out the investigations, only after his own participation in a similar event became known, (allegedly).
And, STOP, STOP PRESS
Lord Frost, the Brexit Minister, has also just resigned. He, you will remember, is the one who negotiated the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement including the Northern Ireland Protocol, and who, at the time, hailed it as a brilliant deal. Within months of the UK formally leaving the EU he decided that the deal he had negotiated was rubbish and needed to be cast aside and completely renegotiated. He’s now resigned largely, it seems, because of the imposition of the latest Covid restrictions but there is a lot of chatter in the media about the timing of his resignation. He’s going now just before the various extensions expire and the real Brexit shit hits the fan in the New Year. Surely a coincidence.
Honestly, you could not make this shit up!
For those of you unfortunate enough to be on our Christmas list, our annual message of goodwill has been posted. If your copy didn’t arrive either by post or via email you can avoid it by not clicking here.
And finally, finally, how about a video of a young lady with lots of Christmas cheer?
Merry Christmas to you all.
Meanwhile, keep happy, keep smiling, keep isolating as much as you can, wear a f**king facemask when you go out and keep your distance. And keep safe.
Lots of love to you all,
Greg