Monthly Archives: May 2020

Evening Walk – Abingdon Bridge and Prize Sudoku

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Evening Walk
Abingdon nightlife is still closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and there were a lot of people out walking this evening on the banks of the River Thames in Abingdon.
Evening Walk
We crossed Abingdon Bridge.
Evening Walk
Then walked along, seeing St Helen’s Church silhouetted with the sun setting behind.
Evening Walk
Somebody has hung up masks from a tree, and they caught the last sun of the day.
Evening Walk
We then walked back towards Abingdon Lock. There were lots of geese and insects about in Rye Farm Meadow.
Evening Walk
The Environment Agency said on May 7th ‘Government restrictions due to Coronavirus 2020: these restrictions aim to stop all non-essential travel and minimise contact to slow the spread of the virus. A transit van is blocking navigation in the Iffley reach. Osney Lock has a mechanical failure. Sandford and Abingdon Locks have been damaged through misuse. Marsh Lock currently has a tree blocking vessel passage. Sunbury Lock has a sunken boat in the main channel above the lock cut.’

The water in Abingdon Lock is looking stagnant through not being used.
Evening Walk
There is a long narrow pathway over the weir and people walk both ways, and so advice is given on observing social distancing rules. Evening Walk
Back in Abingdon there is a shop in Lombard Street that is between lessees, and the windows have been covered with newspapers from April 1st and before.
Evening Walk
It includes Prize Sudoku and people panic buying toilet paper.

These days the supermarket shelves are full of toilet paper. When I went shopping last week, for a house I support, the things on the list that I could not find were self raising flour, and soda crystals. It varies. The previous time it was eggs and frozen fruit.

Abingdon Probus Club gift to Abingdon Community Hospital

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Abingdon Probus Club
The members of the Abingdon Probus Club gave a cheque for £500 for Abingdon Community Hospital. They wanted to thank the hospital and League of Friends for all their hard work  in these difficult times. They would like the money to be spent on staff welfare and for Abingdon Emergency Multidisciplinary Units (EMU).

This presentation was carried out using social distancing as required.

Probus is a national organization which through it’s member clubs seeks to bring together like minded people who have worked in professions and/or in business.

Before the lockdown they met on the second Wednesday of the month for lunch in a local hotel, often with a guest speaker.

It addition during the year there are a number of social events, the theatre, Christmas lunch, ladies summer lunch and a host of other organized visits.

If anyone is interested in joining them, though currently on the national lockdown, please contact their President, Marcus Smith, on 01235 201174 or by email m.smith90@ntlworld.com

Walk round the park with head in clouds

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Walk round park head in clouds
On today’s exercise walk, we set off through the Brewery Development in Abingdon where there is a sculpture called Barrel – seen here darkened against the clouds.
Walk round park head in clouds
We walked up Conduit Road – where the Plane trees are growing back after being pruned last year.
Walk round park head in clouds
The pavements have been decorated like a school playground in one place.
Walk round park head in clouds
In Albert Park there are many trees.
Walk round park head in clouds
Prince Albert stands above them all.
Walk round park head in clouds
He must have noticed a difference in recent weeks. There has been blue sky and clouds but no jet trails.
Walk round park head in clouds
There have also been fewer cars and no school students. People are not going to church. There are no weddings.
Walk round park head in clouds
No bells. Everything has slowed down. The economy has gone into recession.

Today was the day when the government started to ease the lockdown rules to restart the economy. People are using the phrase ‘the New Normal‘ and wondering what the New Normal will be. New Normal was a term that referred to the financial conditions following the 2008 banking crisis.

Bottles and Cars

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Bottles and Cars
Tony says ‘Following an article in Round and About . . .

Two pensioners went for an exercise walk today, litter picking as always, and in addition to the usual found a cache of rubbish chucked into the nettles alongside the Thames. Somebody had been having a big party.

They filled two bags but had to leave a box of bottles because it was more than they could carry to the nearest bin by the lock. They are constantly amazed at the amount of litter in the streets. Drinks cans and beer bottles often still half full, crisp packets, tissues, soda bombs and so many blue plastic gloves. What sort of people leave this stuff lying around?’
Bottles and Cars
The cars are coming back but not yet to normal levels. This picture is of Ock Street today.

Di says ‘For my walk this morning, just before 11, I went down the Radley Road from Kingfisher School to the St Edmunds roundabout and back and thought I would practise & being Alert! Last time it was very quiet but today I counted 69 vehicle movements, about a dozen of them commercial.  It felt pretty much like a pre coronavirus normal working day, probably due in no small measure to the mixed messages we are getting.  I wonder how it is in other parts of the town.’