Tuesday 10 November
Yesterday it was announced that there was a vaccine that had been successfully tested and trialled and had 90% success rate.
Everyone was understandably buoyed by the news and were excited that it could mean then end of the virus. Within a few weeks, the vaccinations could start with forty million doses already ordered by the UK government. Each person requiring two doses each.
I don’t whether it was a reluctance to believe the hype (a sign of synicism in older age?) Or a fear that it would be followed, a day later, by a punch-in-the gut climb down over its plausibility. But I didn’t mention it in yesterday’s post, instead waiting twenty-four hours to see if it was all for real.
I found a very weird fungus at the weekend whilst walking. Helvella crispa, White Helvella, is like something from another world, an underworld. In fact, it is sometimes referred to as ‘Elfin saddles’ probably deriving from its Latin name and the ‘elvin’ link. It’s great how common names, or regional names develop usually because of local folklore or name adjustments.
So, I sat in my office today, opened both windows and pulled the blinds back. I was getting daylight withdrawal fatigue. At the same time tits, sparrows and a robin sang and fed at the feeding station that has been set up by then staff.
This has been one of the toughest effects of the season changes. Neither myself or Lisa are back in time to take Mabel out for a walk in any daylight. My thinking has been more jumbled of late, a cluttered mind and a struggle to keep focused. I think I’m still reeling from the chaos of last week and the weekend and the fact that there has been a further 532 deaths. This was the highest daily total since May 12.
The Bald Birder 