Necessary caution

I woke up just as the seven o'clock news was starting, and was cheered to learn that Wales has the lowest covid infection rate at the moment, and this makes it possible for a further lifting of restrictions Monday next, including large controlled groups at sports events. Owain announced on Instagram yesterday that he's one of the crew of deejays at a first post lock-down techno gig in Bristol's newest hospitality venue 'Strange Brew.

Meanwhile, numbers of Indian covid variant infections continue to grow, althought the impact on numbers hospitalized is not yet major cause for concern. A push to vaccinate the overwhelming majority of the population continues. It's seen as a key means alongside existing hygiene precautions to curb the virus growth rate. The government has imposed amber status travel restrictions of travel to and from Portugal, with unexpected consequences for holidaymakers and the Portuguese economy The logic of this move is being questioned by everyone affected, but the justification for this move is around what is unknown about the contagion potential of a new Nepalese derivative of the Indian virus variant.

Radio Four's 'Desert Island Discs' today interviewed Amanda Khosi Mukwashi CEO of Christian Aid. An unashamedly Christian African woman from Zambia with a wonderful story of faith in her life journey. Great inspiration for a Friday morning. 

I walked to St John's for today's lunchtime funeral. The coffin was transported in a glass panelled hearse drawn by two white horses wearing purple plumes. After the service I rode in a car with Ian, one of the attendants, up to Western Cemetery for the Committal, instead of having to drive myself. We had to sit in the car and wait half an hour for the hearse to arrive., in beautiful warm sunny weather. Thanks to the Jag's comfortable seats and room to brace my feet against the bulkhead, I survived the misery which sitting down involves at the moment, and returned home no worse for wear.

I walked for an hour and a half in tbe park after returning home and spotted a mating pair of goldfinches roraging in the newly mown grass alongside a misseltthrush.

We had mussels and rice laced with  diced fried veg for supper plus a delicious bottle of Frascati - my go-to summer white wine.

In the evening a  another awe inspiring 'Springwatch' hour on BBC2 and an emotionally powerful Rocco Schiavone episode on More Four. Extraordinary gritty  Italian movie storytelling. Sadly, tonight was the end of the first 2016 series. We'll have to wait for the 2018-19 series two and three to be screened.