The Old Fire Engine House

This is the fabulous Old Fire Engine House restaurant and art gallery in Ely where G,M and I met our great friends M&M for xmas lunch. It dates to the mid 18th century, and Ely’s horse-drawn fire engine was kept there at the turn of the last century. It’s been run by the same lady since 1968 with 4 generations of another family having worked there as cooks. It’s always had an aim of using local, seasonal ingredients and recipes. Needless to say the food was excellent as was the company. 

Day 632 / Day 143 of Step 4 of Roadmap Easing (for my record only)
Exactly 1 year after the first member of the Public received a Covid jab in the UK, Boris called a press conference to announce that England will be bringing in Plan B. It’s required as Omicron cases are doubling every 2-3 days (mirroring South Africa), reaching 568 cases with Boris saying the true number is much higher. From Monday people should work from home where they can. From Friday the requirement for mandatory face masks is extended to ‘indoor public venues’ like theatres and cinemas, with exceptions for when eating, drinking, exercising or singing. The NHS Covid pass will be mandatory from Wed 15th (s.t. Parliamentary approval) for nightclubs and places with large crowds. The Pass can show either proof of 2 vaccine doses or of a negative lateral flow test (a weak control as self reported). Instead of a period of self isolation for Omicron contacts, daily tests will be introduced. I still believe these controls, whilst a positive move, are too weak. Boris is still saying people should not cancel Christmas parties - unbelievable! The UKHSA says that if the growth rate continues, it will be the dominant strain in the next 2-4 weeks. There were 51,342 new cases today. In a laboratory test, 3 doses of the Pfizer vaccine produces a neutralising effect against Omicron. The Pfizer 3rd jab increased neutralising antibodies by a factor of 25. The PM’s advisor Allegra Stratton resigned today over a leaked video from 20/12/21 of her and her team practising for dealing with questions about rumours of a recent downing st party and laughing and joking about it. Boris apologised for the actions on the video, has asked the Cabinet Secretary investigate the party allegations, but says he’s been been repeatedly assured no party took place, and says if it did there’d be disciplinary action for all involved (a poll suggests few people believe him over the issue).