For some April 12th couldn’t come quick enough as COVID-19 restrictions were lifted for non-essential retail, gyms, hairdressers and nail bars, but most importantly beer gardens. It’s been a very long, dry journey and sadly 1,200 people died in Bucks. With over 250,000 now taken up their first dose of the vaccines available it looks as if Bucks has almost shrugged off this dreadful pandemic as we currently only have 27 cases per 100,000 people recorded. However, I wouldn’t be too complacent as a third wave has already been predicted in the autumn. I think face masks and social distancing will be the new normal for the near future.
Leaving the EU has had an incredible bonus on the vaccine front with the UK leading the way forward at the top of the table and an enviable position but it is a worldwide pandemic so until the whole world gets to grips with this we are certainly not immune. As for taking foreign holidays I would definitely stay put as it may not be just a sun tan you will be bringing back. Plenty of great places to visit in the UK and support our country as the hospitality has really suffered and a much safer place to be this year.
At writing this article HRH the Duke of Edinburgh has sadly passed away at 99 years old. An amazing man who tirelessly supported the Queen and Country until the very end and I’m sure he will be sadly missed by everyone even the republicans! (apart from the 100,000 people that complained to the BBC that they cancelled EastEnders and the final of MasterChef to report on his death!). He was a frequent visitor to our Vale of Aylesbury and old pictures have circulated of his tours of Quarrendon School, Market Square, Edinburgh playing fields, Stoke Mandeville hospital and Hazell’s the printers. I loved his gaffs as he often spoke his mind asking people the most inappropriate questions. He leaves behind a massive void that can never be filled by anyone, and our sincere condolences are sent to Her Majesty the Queen who celebrated her 95th birthday on April 21st and will then again on Saturday 12th June at the official birthday trooping of the colour ceremony. The Queen has always had two birthdays as April is deemed to be too cold and wet to have an official party.
March and April were very cold dry months with the North East wind giving us freezing conditions with snow fall too. April gave us some very frosty mornings and we have hardly had a drop of rain now for a month so once again it will be another record breaking cold dry spell.
May gives us two bank holidays to look forward to, the first on May 3rd known as May Day where May Queens are crowned with Maypole & Morris dancing performed as old folk lore fertility rituals and celebrated for centuries in our Vale. I’m not sure how these celebrations will pan out under Covid rules this year as the next date for an update is May 17th when hopefully we may be allowed to actually visit restaurants and eat inside and stay away in UK hotels. The Morris dancers are a feisty bunch, so I would advise against trying to stop them especially with their batons drawn! The end of May heralds the spring bank holiday so good luck with getting away in the traffic on Friday 28th! My advice: stay at home!
The rooks are building their nests high this year which tends to forecast a good summer and at writing the oak and ash are slow to show whose first in leaf due to the cold spell. Normally the oak comes into leaf first meaning oak before ash, there will only be a splash of rain, but ash before oak means we’re in for a soak. The flowering cherry blossom is making a spectacular show this year and now taking centre stage from the wilting daffodils. I hate to say it as seemed a very long winter, but 21st June is the longest day so the nights will be drawing in again! Midsummer Day is when the sun is in its highest position for the longest hours and is often celebrated at Stonehenge.
Let’s all be upbeat about this summer because if you are reading this article you survived the COVID-19 pandemic. We can start to socialise again and get back to some sort of normality that was cruelly taken away from us in the past 12 months. Last year’s summer was truly amazing with record high temperatures and bright sunny days and the rooks predict another one. We don’t realise that we are all solar powered as when that sun shines it gives you energy to get out there. So, when it does shine put off all those mundane inside jobs and get outside and soak up those rays of sun while you can. Treat every day as if it is your last day on earth as one day it may be!
Enjoy Yourself
The Countryman