The latest from the Parkers in Innellan

A couple of deer munching on tree cuttings. They seem to be enjoying the off cuts from my spring clean of the woodland area at the bottom of our garden. I have been piling up the trimmings to dry them out prior to burning them. The deer hunt them out, it’s their take on visiting the fast food restaurant of the animal world.

Europe have put the Astra zenica vaccine on hold based on bias, jealousy and rivalry. There’s no rational basis to it. It’s a perfectly safe vaccine. Yet Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden have suspended the vaccine due to scares about blood clotting, even though there is no evidence. 

Even the European regulator has publicly publicised that the vaccine is safe. 

But when you have a foundation of fear emanating from Europe, its begs the question. Is this based on fears or just childish bickering, in reaction to Britain’s exit from Europe, along with the speed of which we have managed the distribution of the vaccine. More than half of all U.K. adults have now received the vaccine.

Back in January the French president fuelled the myth surrounding the vaccine by issuing a statement “AstraZeneca doesn’t work the way we are expecting it to, today everything points to thinking it is a quasi ineffective on people older than 65”. Macron was totally wrong. 

The truth is Europe hates Britain because of Brexit, it’s surely a political move. Even Italy’s director of medicines stated that the halting of the Astra Zenica vaccine is a political one. The EU structure encourages and builds on a collective anxiety within the European framework. It’s the way Europe wields it’s power over its component members. All are fearful of being out of step with the unions policies, or at least in public.

Unfortunately European’s are reluctant to take the AstraZeneca vaccine. The Belgium medical advisor reported that the Belgium people have nicknamed it the “Aldi vaccine”, after the supermarket brand, because they see it as the budget option. Yet today American research came out in favour with results showing 79% vaccine efficacy at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 and 100% efficacy against severe or critical disease and hospitalisation. Nevertheless, Macron has agreed to restart the vaccine operation using AstraZenica, but only for OVER 55s.

And now Europe wants to ban exports of vaccine. Vaccine nationalism.

What everyone needs to understand - No one is safe until everyone is safe. 

After reading and listening to even more bad PR and false claims surrounding Astra Zeneca being pumped out through the media. It’s my strong belief that it could be based on financial grounds. People in power may have a vested interest in badmouthing OAV. Perhaps they benefit from the distribution of the higher priced vaccines circulating  around the globe. 

The Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine, being a not for profit making drug could be curbing their profits. Greed, corruption and self interest may be behind the consistent barrage against the company.

At long last the government is getting to grips with people flouting the travel restrictions. Too many people are heading off to warmer climates, even though they selfishly put everyone at risk. 

A recent article showed thousands of Germans heading for Easter breaks in Mallorca despite warnings from Berlin against foreign travel.

Would imagine the majority of people can’t wait to get away from the lockdown. Although l for one would prefer to stay well away from the risk of catching COVID 19.

Another surge in Covid cases in Europe, as well as the slow rollout of vaccines across Europe has put a stop to getting over to France for a holiday. We have had a booking on euro tunnel since June last year. It’s been changed and put back five times now. It’s now booked for the 17th May. But from the news today of a third wave hitting Europe, that is unlikely to happen. So as it will be over 12 months, it will be another credit note, to add to all the rest.

As Judith keeps reminding me, When life gives you lemons make a G&T.

Staycations, the new buzz word for the travel industry as overseas trips are likely to be on hold this summer. Travel companies are selling no landing cruises around Britain which are proving exceedingly popular.

The non landing cruise have no set itinerary. P&O explain in their blurb that their ships master will hunt out the good good weather around the British coast. 7 days pottering about around the south coast.

Some of the other lines are venturing further North, companies like Hurtigruten will be seeing views like this. And to think these are on our doorstep. Are we lucky or what.

Thank goodness for TV. There are some great programmes to transport you to Lala land. Recently we have been watching a French detective series with subtitles, called Spiral, or Engrnages in French

A gritty French police drama on BBC iPlayer catchup. Each episode teasing you into a darker and darker world of crime, pain, and - as everywhere - a convoluted legal system that is totally corrupt, or so it seems.

Its so refreshing to see a non-US drama on British screens? A large cast perform excellent dialogue, an engrossing single theme backed up by numerous sub plots, each one driving the characters forward as all the best drama should. All with their own human frailties and flaws.

Its so good, we are already into series five. With eight series in total, we will be kept occupied for a few more months.

As it’s quite bloody in parts, in fact many bloody body parts, we end the evening with a calming programme, such as the “great pottery throw down”. 

Once again on catchup, this time on all4.

On a different front, wondering it it’s time for a new car, a hybrid or totally electric. The latter as yet isn’t efficient enough, plus there isn’t the charging station infrastructure. More importantly l can’t afford a new Tesla.

Nevertheless, it’s interesting to see the latest developments.

France as a new concept car. Mind blowing. Yet in my mind ugly.

Renault has designed an all-electric concept car that can be physically expanded and have its range extended based on the needs of its user.

Called Morphoz, the electric car has an extendable body that can be switched between a shorter, city-car form and a longer version for travel.

Click to read more.  Renault unveils shapeshifting Morphoz concept car

Australia is going through a bad time at present, with the arrival of what could be seen as the four horsemen of the Apocalypse landing on their shores. Bringing with them Draught, famine, pestilence and plague. But you need to add fire and floods along with the destruction of habitat by human activities.

So what’s next? 

They are hoping for torrential rain to rid them of a plague of mice.

My worst nightmare, millions of mice dashing around. Fortunately they are amassing in Australia, not Scotland. Click on the link to see hoards of mice swarming around hay bails on a farm in New South Wales.

http://news.sky.com/story/worst-mice-plague-in-decades-swarms-across-new-south-wales-as-three-hospital-patients-are-bitten-12250474

Still plenty of traffic on the Clyde. The Fugro Frontier a research survey vessel heading out on another trip.

Fortunate enough to get a live view of the new aircraft carrier, a strange looking beast. Presumably the peculiar shape has lots to do with its ability to hide from aggressors. The outline made it very difficult to photograph. Well that’s my excuse for the poor photo.

A few photos of our present home office, our workplace for the foreseeable future. Not a bad place to work. Especially as it produces the link pin to my existence. Food. The motivation to keep me going throughout the day. 

Realistically, the photos are just an excuse to use my new full frame camera body. A reconditioned Canon EOS-1 Mark IV. Purchased from MPB, a company that buys and sells second hand photographic equipment. They took all my old lenses and cameras, gave be a good price which l put against the new addition. 

It has some brilliant features. Presently trying to get to grips with all the nuances. 

 

A roll of duck tape can be found in my workshop, another is in the car, even Judith has a roll in her odds and sods draw. It’s just so useful. In the past we have held a wing and light onto the car after a crash, just to enable us to get to the garage in France. 

It has thousands of uses, but the following few photographs take it to a new level.

All the deadwood and fallen trees cut up and used, either for firewood or as barriers to distribute the flow of runoff water. 

The light can now get in between the trees, so hopefully new species will be able to emerge and establish a foothold.

A milestone that none of us will forget. A year that has changed everyone’s life in some way or another. Will the world be a better place? 

Looking forward to the future. It’s time to try something new and different.

Watch the Ted talk, short story.