Common Gorse

H and I went for a walk this morning on Kelling Heath, I led and think I know the route ok now to lead it with other friends. Hardly anyone was around once we'd got past the dog walkers doing a short walk from the car park. The gorse is coming into flower already, I'm sure that's earlier than usual. It was a very grey day with very little to photograph, and too little light to do anything justice. I did some moving of contents and furniture before the other carpets are done on Monday, but I've still got a lot to do tomorrow. 

So awful to hear about geese and swans dying from avian flu (H5N8) in Devon, Dorset and Gloucestershire and the Guardian has reported a number of dying swans in Cumbria found spinning in circles and bleeding from the nostrils. If you see anything of concern on your travels, the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has asked you report it. 

Day 258 / Day 24 of Lockdown 2 (for my record only)
UK deaths up 479 to 58,030 (revised basis), with 15,871 new cases, 15,712 patients in hospital and 1,417 on ventilation. Over 1,300 people were recently incorrectly told they had the virus following a lab error at T&T, those affected are being contacted to ask them to take another test and 1,283 cases were removed from Govt stats. Globally cases pass 62m. The PM has appointed a vaccines minister, Nadhim Zahawi, to take charge of the vaccine roll-out. More than 60 arrested in clashes in London between anti-lockdown protesters and the Police. Gatherings are now not allowed under lockdown rules and protest is not a permitted exemption (quite rightly as it's a pandemic!). Free vitamin D is to be offered to 2.7m vulnerable people. For xmas, SAGE has issued the following tips: get together virtually but if you meet up in person you should ideally celebrate outdoors; no touching, no games or rowdy singing but try quizzes instead; members of the same household should share a room if staying over; limit numbers visiting; make hand sanitiser available; don't share the same food i.e. no 'double dipping'; post gifts rather than deliver them; and keep the house well ventilated.