SteveO

Going back to cracked windscreens, I read just now that the Government has announced a 6 month amnesty on MOTs. Grendel might want to check this out: https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/big-new-change-mot-rules-17975662

Everyone left just as I went in, so I came out again

That's why he's called Basil. Boom Boom!

Always up for a quiz. Nik and I are in.

The bloke at the pub who sold it to me said it was a long-legged Irish Corgi. He answers to the name of Basil. He loves sunbathing in the garden but he's bloody useless at walkies.

I'll second that rant!

He did look tired, and what surprises me is how the senior people, who are meant to be steering us through this still congregate on a daily basis for press briefings, both in this country and elswhere. Maybe wearing a suit confers immunity, but I wouldn't like to see our senior leaders fall under the proverbial bus by failing to observe social distancing themselves. Time to dig out the video-conferencing kit methinks.

We received our first Tesco order this afternoon. Apart from the fact that they sent us 3 packs of oranges when I ordered one, we got pretty much everything else that we had ordered including a pack of toilet rolls. Flushed with success or what?

Can't be much fun with pubs and restaurants closed except for takeaway services in some cases and shops holding limited stock. We are staying away from our boat until things return to some kind of normal. No point in putting ourselves or other people in the firing line. Still, at least the weather has been good.

I just wonder what will happen at Easter. If people travel, especially from "hot-spot" areas like London and the West Midlands, to country areas, this will provide a golden opportunity for the virus to spread. Given that people are clearly not taking this seriously, I suspect that the Government will ban unnecessary travel in the run up to the Easter break, especially as a significant number people seem to be incapable of doing the right thing.

I inherited a Rawlplug kit from my Father in Law following his passing in 2005, In addition to the Rawlplug tool, I have a wide selection of the brown fibre plugs. More worryingly, there is also a metal tin containing something that I suspect is some form of asbestos, which you can use to make a paste, which is intended to fill irregular shaped holes and will take a screw. Needless to say, I haven't got too close to this.

We are down to our last half dozen bog rolls and are staring having to use newspaper in the face, so to speak. I have last Saturday's Daily Telegraph and Monday's Mail, but even newspapers seem to be in short supply here. I am pondering sacrificing some of my extensive collection of books to the good cause. For some reason Lord of the Rings comes to mind.

I used to have one very like that, many years ago. Unfortunately it was an Airfix model.

Same thing happened to me this morning. I am 66 and my lovely. helpful neighbour is 70.

Sensible under the circumstances, but very disappointing. We are more or less in lockdown here, due to Nik's Asthema and Type 2 diabetes, I have given my apoligies and won't now be attending my Brother-in-Law's funeral, as there is no reliable information as to the incidence of this thing and I would never forgive myself if I brought an infection home that Nik could then catch. Meanwhile we haven't seen Windmill Lady since mid-February and have no plans to visit for the foreseeable future. Talk about an annus horibilis.

Much prefer talking about beer making to this bloody virus. I remember sampling some of your beer at one of the NBF bunfights back in the day and it was very good. I buy my hops online - eBay as we don't have a home brew shop in the area at all. I have a number of varieties in the deep freeze, including fuggles and cascade and am working through them slowly to discover good combinations. At the rate of 2-3 brews per year, progress is very slow but enjoyable.

I used to full mash, but gave it up when I worked out I could drink it much faster than I could make it. Nowadays I use kits but personalise them by adding things like spray malt and dry hopping. Because I age the beer off the yeast in bulk before bottling for around a month to six weeks, I have managed to avoid the dreaded "home-brew" taste and the results are pretty palatable, even though I say so myself. The dry hops I use are a mixture of Mosaic, Citra and Columbus, which give a character very much like Adnams Ghost Ship. Fortunately I don't drink anywhere near as much as I used to, so 2 or 3 x 5 gallon batches per year is sufficient for my needs.

Fortunately I do make my own beer. Just hope that the pillo*ks don't start hoarding sugar.

Following Boris's recent pronouncement advising against visiting pubs and restaurants, we won't be guzzling or sipping anything except at home. Following tomorrow's out and out panic buying of alcohol, we won't be guzzling or sipping anything much at home either. You couldn't make this stuff up.

Did our weekly shop this morning at Aldi and Sainsbury's. No toilet rolls, hand-soap, hand-sanitiser, skimmed or UHT milk available at either. Eggs strictly limited to the more expensive types (hand-picked, golden yolk etc). Canned goods in short supply. Most fresh goods were available though. Kitchen roll scarce but available - maybe people have found an alternative use for it . No visible rationing of wine at Aldi, but the stocks did seem to be somewhat depleted. Have moved to home delivery from next week where most goods seem to be available, again with the exception of hand soap/liquid soap. Was planning to self-isolate on the boat for a couple of weeks, but not sure a) whether we will be welcome in Norfolk as the screw tightens and b) slightly concerned as to whether we will be able to buy food when we are there.

Presumably the generation and delivery of electricity requires human intervention at various stages in the process. How can we be sure that this will work 100% of the time when 20% of those involved are ill with the virus or self-isolating? Only yesterday we heard that the NHS which, according to its own spokespeople were prepared for the outbreak, is now in disarray with shortages of key medical equipment and disposables, and this with only 1400 active cases in the country. It is clear that the people doing the planning have a very sketchy view of the situation on the ground and that many of the so-called contingency plans are tinged with wishful thinking, so why not expect power cuts?

Fine unless we have power cuts, Not so clever then.

My bad! All the tables should have an ample supply of those. I also think there is a place for beer glasses with handles and local's personal tankards hanging behind the bar. While I'm at it, a dart board would provide additional diversion, were that needed. Oh and beer should be two shillings a pint

Pubs should have black beams, horse brasses, a wood burning stove, random memorabilia hanging on the walls and from the ceiling. Yellowing embossed wallpaper between the beams, a carpet that is worn and smells slightly of spilled beer and curtains of a reddish colour. There should be a few friendly locals by the bar and mine host should be jovial and welcoming. There should be good draught beer, pickled eggs, crisps, peanuts and pork scratchings. a selection of lagers for the ladies and wine/spirits for those that need them. A full catering service is not essential but sandwiches of the cheese and onion/ ham and mustard varieties should be available as should good quality locally sourced pork pies. Tables in catering pubs should not be permanently regaled with place settings, but should be set up for drinking, with cutlery, table mats and menus available where needed. A selection of games, such as dominoes, cards and backgammon should be available. As well as the bar and tables, there should be a snug with a few comfy sofas and armchairs for those who wish to relax. Sky TV is not a pre-requisite, but free wifi, is always welcome.

Very sad news. He was a really nice bloke and will be missed. Sincere condolences to his family.