Swans and Sails

G and I went out to Cley near sunset to see if we could see the Barn Owl hunting that JohnRH saw yesterday. First we walked a couple of the paths and took some windmill photos including this of the swans flying near the sails. I've added a couple of extras of the windmill in the golden light and of some geese flying into the sunset. We did see the barn owl flying back and forth across the field, but too far away and with insufficient light for a photo. We also saw JohnRH & W when we got back to our cars and we all watched the barn owl (from different sides of the small car park) for a few minutes until it got too dark and too cold. Earlier I was doing the wall and woodwork painting I'd prepared for and filed some blu ray discs - such a shame that they come in plastic covers that end up in landfill. 

Day 253 / Day 19 of Lockdown 2 (for my record only)
UK deaths up 206 to 55,230 (revised basis), with 15,450 new cases, 16,390 patients in hospital and 1,421 on ventilation. Covid cases have fallen in 249 out of 315 areas of England. Globally cases to date passes 59m, up 1m in 2 days. Deaths in Italy pass 50,000. Excellent news about the Oxford vaccine today with initial efficacy stated as 70%, with only minor side effects and it can be stored at normal fridge temperature. This initially seemed a bit disappointing, but it turns out that 2,741 people were given a half dose followed by a full dose at least a month later and that was 90% effective (so 8,895 were given 2 full doses at least a month apart with efficacy of 62%). Also they've recorded mild disease as not effective, evidently different vaccines are using different protocols, and flu vaccines are normally 40-60% effective. It has also shown a reduction in transmission, so a reduction in asymptomatic infections. A big plus for this vaccine is its cost, estimated at c£3, versus reports of £15 for the Pfizer jab and £28 for the Moderna one - AstraZeneca saying it is available on a not for profit basis until the end of the pandemic. This is a viral vector vaccine, based on an adenovirus that causes the common cold in chimpanzees - so a different type to the other two RNA vaccines reported to date (but I think the same type as a Russian vaccine that it also reporting success called Sputnik V). The results will be submitted for peer review within 24 hours, then for review by regulators. The PM says that the vast majority of vulnerable people could get a Covid vaccine by Easter.

Confirmation today that after lockdown England will return to the 3 tiers that will be tougher (not seem much evidence of that yet) and it will be announced on Thurs which areas will be in which tier (more to be in higher tiers), to be reviewed every fortnight. The 10pm curfew will be adjusted to last order at 10pm, closing by 11pm. In Tier 1, the lower of 50% capacity or 4,000 (Tier 2 2,000) will be allowed in an outdoor sport stadium and 1,000 indoors (madness given travel to the venues). Xmas arrangements are still being finalised across all nations. Boris warns 'tis also the season to be jolly careful'. Lots of rumours / leaks. I agree with Nicola Sturgeon who said 'Just because you might be able to mix a bit more doesn't mean you have to do that if you don't think it's necessary, or if you can get through Christmas without it.'