Blue sky morning before the rain. Lockdown? Voting issues.

Today began with a ride in the sunshine to the market in Uppermill. What a pleasant surprise to look out of the window and see blue sky, albeit with a few clouds but they were truly just a few. The weatherman had promised rain and I suspect it will come later as clouds were definitely moving in by midday. The Donkey Line was looking particularly fine.

The market was somewhat depleted. No fish man! And I was planning to buy some fish for this evening’s meal. Less crucially there was no cheese and biscuit stall either. And the bakery did not have the bread I wanted. They had other good bread but still ... we creatures of routine like to know that our routine supplies are available!

Our ploy for going out for walks come what may seems to have worked so far but it is early days yet. It takes a lot of willpower to make yourself get up a little earlier each day to take advantage of the reduced hours of daylight. 

With increased calls for another total lockdown I think we need to be strong and keep up with our early rising efforts.

 

However, we managed a walk with our daughter and offspring just after midday, avoiding most of the rain.

 

At the end of Newsnight on BBC2 last night Emily Maitliss said farewell for a while as she is off to America to cover the upcoming elections. I can’t say I would fancy the prospect of a transatlantic flight wearing a facemask but there must be compensations for her, I suppose, 

On the subject of US elections, on Facebook yesterday a friend of mine posted this from Occupy Democrats:-

“SHAMEFUL. For those of you who don’t know, the Supreme Court just allowed North Dakota to ban from voting anyone who doesn’t have a residential street address. Most Native Americans in the region use PO boxes because they live in remote areas. The Native Americans were the last to gain the right the vote, and are now the first to have it taken away.”

Then on the Radio on Tuesday’s Today Programme, an American expert was describing voting systems over there. It seems that basically there is no one system. It varies from state to state. Within states it varies from county to county. Democrats want a uniform system because it is fairer, and as such favours them. Republicans, he said, oppose it because it makes it harder to suppress voting. He described a drive-through voting station in one state, rather like a drive-through Covid-testing station. It was working very well. Republicans want to close it down. I wonder why.

Reports say that turnout at early voting stations has been very high indeed. Interesting times!

And at the back of it all there is the sneaking fear that however well Biden seems to be doing in the polls at the moment there is always the possibility of another four years of Trump. Interesting times indeed.

 

Life goes on. stay safe and well, everyone!