Clouds, wind and rain greeted me when I got up this morning. Yesterday's line of washing I hadn't brought in at sunset as I thought it was a bit damp. Well, it's no damper and thankfully not soaked as the washing lines are just under the back terrace canopy.
I prayed, and listened to BBC Radio Four's Sunday Worship programme, with the Bishop of London officiating and Archbishop Rowan Williams reflecting on VE day commemoration, celebrating also the life and work of Florence Nightingale in public health sphere, especially relevant in the light of the covid-19 crisis.
Dom Trulan, an army veteran and holder of the George Cross also spoke of the qualities which had enabled a generation of soldiers to defeat evil and build lasting peace in Europe. He affirmed the high quality of organisation and discipline in civilian and military bodies which provided a secure foundation and framework for everyone to rise to the challenge and give their best. What was true seventy five years ago, he said, is true of the NHS today on the front line of the pandemic battle. It was all well said, and steered my thoughts as I prayed through the texts of the Eucharistic Word and Sacrament of the day.
When I stepped outside to go for my morning exercise stint (late again), it was raining, but I kept going, although I hate getting wet, as the air would be extra fresh and do me good. Besides the birds were singing cheerily, as if it was just dawn, not five hours later. As soon as the rain stopped, small birds emerged from shelter and flew around. Some perched in rain puddles and drank. Dry weather leaves them with only the occasional farmyard rainwater tank to drink from, or waiting until it the weather cools enough for dew to form so they can drink.
After lunch I finished the weekly bible study and recorded it before going out for a walk, and then recorded the bible passage in the evening, after the family Zoom meeting, which this week went on for an hour and a quarter, instead of forty minutes. Not sure why, but it was a real tonic to see them all, full of good humour.
For the past week there has been considerable confusion about what the easing of restrictions here actually mean. It's clear they are designed to manage large populations in densely crowded areas and this doesn't make sense in rural areas. A document issued by a local community association has now clarified matters and makes sense. Thinly populated rural municipalities with populations of less than 5000 are not subject to all the restrictions applying in urban areas. It'd be unenforceable given the limits on manpower and the need to concentrate on problem concentrations of people.
Time and age schedules for those doing sports or taking their daily paseo in rural districts are done away with. Meetings of small numbers of people, not of the same family are permitted. Heaven help anyone trying to hold a party however. I suspect their neighbours would denounce them. Nobody in their right minds wants the virus or lock-down to return.
This good news should make quite a difference to my remaining weeks here.
After lunch I finished the weekly bible study and recorded it before going out for a walk, and then recorded the bible passage in the evening, after the family Zoom meeting, which this week went on for an hour and a quarter, instead of forty minutes. Not sure why, but it was a real tonic to see them all, full of good humour.
For the past week there has been considerable confusion about what the easing of restrictions here actually mean. It's clear they are designed to manage large populations in densely crowded areas and this doesn't make sense in rural areas. A document issued by a local community association has now clarified matters and makes sense. Thinly populated rural municipalities with populations of less than 5000 are not subject to all the restrictions applying in urban areas. It'd be unenforceable given the limits on manpower and the need to concentrate on problem concentrations of people.
Time and age schedules for those doing sports or taking their daily paseo in rural districts are done away with. Meetings of small numbers of people, not of the same family are permitted. Heaven help anyone trying to hold a party however. I suspect their neighbours would denounce them. Nobody in their right minds wants the virus or lock-down to return.
This good news should make quite a difference to my remaining weeks here.
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