Local Excellence Market on the Market Place as Covid-19 restrictions are increased

New and Repaired Bike Racks
There was a Local Excellence Market on the Market Place in Abingdon today. Waterfahl were busking in the sun.

The Market had a lot of stalls, and people looking around, many with face coverings.

A lot of new rules have been put in place this week to keep the transmission rate of Coronavirus down. Since June there has been an easing of the COVID-19 restrictions and this week saw them being tightened again as we head into autumn.
New and Repaired Bike Racks
Anybody going into Pablos now has to wear a mask from door to table, and try to order from the table using a phone app, and check in to test and trace.

Shop staff and serving staff are now all wearing face coverings – not just customers.
New and Repaired Bike Racks
A NHS COVID-19 app has been released and you can now scan a QR code when going into The Narrows, and many other places, as a record for test and trace.

In pubs there is now only table service with groups of up to six allowed. Pubs all close at 10 pm. There is the anomaly that some supermarkets are open after 10 pm – selling alcohol.

As schools returned two classes at John Mason were sent home because of a confirmed case of Covid-19 in their bubble. (A bubble is usually a class or two. Pupils do not mix inside school outside their bubble.)

There have been the normal autumn coughs and sneezes but they are having a much bigger effect on attendance this year. Students have to take time off to get tested or wait for a family member to be tested.

Yesterday, there were some people on the Market Place in Abingdon asking people to sign a petition against any new lockdown.

New and Replacement Bike Racks

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New and Repaired Bike Racks
Over the last couple of months new cycle racks have been put in Abingdon town centre. One set are at one end of Broad Street by the new flower containers

The other matching set is opposite the Black Swan beneath the Great Western Railway train times.

The bike racks on High Street were also recently replaced . These used to be the most well used bike racks in Abingdon but cyclists have not got back to using them again yet.

The previous racks were all ploughed down by a vehicle.

Work on the cycle path through Abbey Meadow – part 2

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A number of trees have been cut down as part of the start of the work on the cycle path through Abbey Meadow

There is a much clearer view along the Mill Stream now on the one side.

Work is now underway widening and improving the cycle way.

Barton Fields in September

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Barton Fields - September
The footpath along the lower part of Barton Fields is very close to the River Thames and next to an overflow channel.

Reeds and sedges grow where there are pools and boggy areas in the lower part.
Along the upper edge of the meadow runs a cycle way. Trees hide the buildings the other side, above the flood plain.
Barton Fields - September
A couple of weeks ago the grass was cut in the grassy flower meadow on the upper part.

It got piled into several heaps. Green grass is already growing back.

But we have reached the tipping point of the year at Barton Fields. Flowers have turned to seeds.

Woody nightshade berries can be seen, dangerously red, at the lower end.
Barton Fields - September
Hawthorn berries at the upper part are a less striking shade.

Teasel grows in both the upper and lower parts of the meadow. Spiders find their spikey heads an excellent place to spin webs.

Autumn is Here – but not a normal autumn

Autumn
Seeing St Helen’s Wharf this evening, made me realise autumn is here. Today’s date – September 21st – is on or near the autumn equinox.
Autumn
Green leaves have turned to browns and gold on some trees opposite St Helen’s Wharf.
Autumn
Autumn events like the Michaelmas Fair and Craft Fair will not be happening this year – like so many events in Spring and Summer that were cancelled. The rate of transmission of Covid-19 is on the increase again in the second wave. This will not be a normal autumn.

We had a few days away as an alternative to the holiday abroad that was cancelled. See the Not Abingdon Blog.