Another week beckons, though – after more than a month into this lockdown – it’s only the little calendar on top the fridge that is keeping this household on track.
We cross off the days. Throwing them away really, but what can people do? Only fill their time as usefully as possible.
My walk into the countryside this morning was a warmer experience. Much more like a day in May – my favourite month of the year.
Funny isn’t it, we are so focused on the pandemic we have forgotten the challenges faced by global warming. I have often stopped to wonder – recently – why temperatures have been so low overall and are likely to dip again soon.
Having said that I hear the shut down has certainly improved things for people living on the London Road with pollution levels halved.
I fear for the future though as people may consider the best way of getting back to work will be to take the car.
The safest mechanical bubble they can think of. Chaos on the roads. Government – both national and local – has got to bear this in mind.
Back to today’s walk. A selection of images and a couple of quiz-type questions for you.
The S-shaped bits of metal are attached to cross ties and hold the wall against falling outwards as the weight of the roof tends to flatten its “A” shape and push the walls out. Cheaper than putting in a buttress, but possible only if there are two walls tending to move in opposite directions.
That was quick Julian! Well done. Yes – they are indeed anchor plates. Wrought iron clamps attacked to metal roads and used to prevent two walls from spreading apart.
In these warmer months and for short distances bicycles and electric bicycles would also provide safe transport. Many people have been really enjoying the quieter roads to cycle including whole families. For the first time in my local forum cycling has been discussed. It’s not for everyone and not all the time but even if 20% of journeys were undertaken by bike or on foot that would help. I am 67 and cycle in the summer, I also own a car and notice a huge saving on petrol during the summer. I cycle on the road and don’t jump the lights etc. Not all cyclist are terrible just as all car aren’t either.
We need safe secure parking in the city centre for residents and visitors.