Monthly Report, April 2021

Still in LockDown (mostly) - but it is good to feel that the LockDown is gradually lifting - just soon enough to allow a dash for the North at the end of the month - so the blog post gets written in a Premier Inn just outside Carlisle en route to the ferry from Aberdeen.

The routine of the local walks has been enhanced by the emergence of the signs of spring, with just the occasional reminder that the process of warming up isn't always linear.

• Reporting Days: 30
  
  
• Location: Mostly Oxford
  
  
• Miles walked: 88 (no excuses, just lack of enthusiasm for the local walks)
  
  
• Miles driven: 650 (almost half of these on the last day of the month)
  
  
• Gardens Tended: 2
  
  
• Puffins Seen: None (except on the Sumburgh Head webcams)
  
  
• Photographs Taken: Dozens (mostly bluebells)
  
  
• Vaccinations Received: None this month
  
  
• Laternal Flow Tests Completed: 3 (all negative)

Always good to see the fritillaries reappearing

The bluebells are running a bit late this year

Some days were warm enough to sit out

And warm enough to encourage the blossom

Bird life gets ever more active during April

And occasionally there is a wee reminder that winter has only just gone

Monthly Report, March 2021

While we continue in LockDown (we are still in LockDown?) there is a distinct element of deja vu in these monthly reports. I've continued to stick (mostly) with the regular rota of daily walks - taking in the local park and nature reserves, often dreaming of exotic far flung places such as mountains and beaches.

So, what was Memorable in March?  

We've marked the first anniversary of LockDown (what already, and we're still doing this). 

We've finally have glimpses of spring - and it has even been warm enough to drag the garden furniture out and have morning coffee outside.  Being able to sit outside made a big difference during LockDown One (as we didn't call it at the time) and hopefully while we're still 'minimising travel', it'll help this time too.

And I've had a first vaccination, so at least my left arm should be safe now.

And, by the numbers

• Reporting Days: 31
  
  
• Location: Oxford
  
  
• Miles walked: 99 (I'm blaming boredom with the local walks)
  
  
• Miles driven: 350
  
  
• Gardens Tended: 2
  
  
• Puffins Seen: None (but the usual garden suspects feed requirements are pushing me towards bankruptcy)
  
  
• Photographs Taken: Dozens (mostly daffodils)
  
  
• Vaccinations Received: One 

Having attempted to use my map collection to ward off Wanderlust (#MapBoxAtoZ) in February, I turned my attention to the guide book shelves during March (#GuideBookAtoZ) - and in April I'll dig out some favourite photographic locations and themes (#photosAtoZ).

GuideBooks: Reshelved