AN
EVENTFUL MONTH AT HOME.
The
coronavirus pandemic is upon us and even the global warming deniers,
Holocaust deniers, and EU corruption theorists, cannot contradict
that fact. It'll be galling for them but there y'go.
No
doubt there will still be self-centred sods sidestepping the rules of
commonsense right up until there's a copper on every street corner to
stop them leaving home, but that's humanity for you.
As
I write this nearly thirty two thousand people have died worldwide,
around a third of them in that family-oriented and sociable country
Italy.
Now
poor old Italy's sociability has rebounded on it in the most dreadful
way. At close on eleven thousand deaths that lovely country has
sounded a stark global warning.
COVID-19
may well be the Black Death of our time.
So
let's just do as we're told in the fight against it, eh?
Unless
we're embarking on essential work or a truly imperative trip to the
shops, let's park our arses at home.
I
have a soft spot for Italy. Way back in the nineteen fifties an army
'schoolie' and I were driven from Austria to Italy in a very small
sports car owned by R. Signals pal Clive Rook. We finished up at
Udine, which turned out to be a place bursting with festive joy. It
was one of the most cheerful weekend experiences of my often less
than happy military career. In the way that soldiers do, I lost touch
with Clive when I left BTA for BAOR. He was a good buddy and I hope
he fared well.
ANOTHER
GOOD BUDDY.
Ian
Dillow (pictured with his wife Jean) who lives many miles from us in
Hampshire, has recently undergone a delicate medical procedure and is
having a tough time making his recovery from it.
Sadly
it can happen to the best, of which he is one. Our
love and heartfelt good wishes go to him and Jean throughout this
arduous and worrying period.
HERE
ON THE ISLAND.
The
happy and the sad. Starting with the half century birthday of
daughter Roz, the only one of our brood actually born on the Island.
Her birthday was a happy occasion at a time when she is still in a
vulnerable health state. The family gathering in our local restaurant
was a lucky one: it immediately preceded the coronavirus warning that
curtailed our mainland attendance at the funeral of Maureen's sister
Pam.
Mo
now has only one remaining sister from the original seven. So many
goodbyes over so many years.
AND
LAST BUT NOT LEAST.
Sky
Arts can still please.
No, they have not reintroduced my Barenboim
and Vogt recordings yet (well not so far as I can see) but they have
provided another one to hold on to.
Simply Red: Live in Holland.
Magic!
Stay
safe.
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