Thursday 14th May
During last night’s Zoom visit to the pub, Richard, mentioned that he and Chris had been tested for Covid 19, after reporting vague aches on an App supported by Kings College London. There was clearly no point in asking last night – me remembering details after two bottles of Old Crafty Hen wasn’t going to happen – and so on my request he tells more details today. I am rather hoping that this is as close to C-19 testing that I will get, and so will share the experience in full.
Richard and Chris had mild nausea and aching joints for one day which they reported via the app, and accepted an offer of a test for Covid-19. Richard received a link to the Dept of Health and Social Care web site to apply for a test for himself and anyone else in the household, with guidance on how to answer the questions. He opted to be tested at a site at a Hinckley supermarket car park, where appointments were readily available. The entry gate was manned by a soldier, and Richard lowered his window to explain that he was early. The soldier promptly bawled at him to close the window forthwith, if not quicker. Communication was by phoning a number held up on a board. Richard and Chris were directed to an empty vehicle lane, windows closed.
A second soldier held up a contact number for communication purposes, and explained the process. The invitation for a test was scanned, and the test kits passed cautiously through a lowered window. They were directed to a parking slot, with the instruction that if assistance was needed, turn on hazard lights, or, if dying, sound the horn. Maybe the latter depended on a dying person falling against the horn. There didn’t appear to be any medical staff present.
There were 3 or 4 other cars, the occupants of the nearest gagging as they tried to swab their tonsils. Richard and Chris introduced their own swabs to their tonsils, also gagging in the process, and bagged the swabs. A soldier at the exit presented his phone number for a chat, checked everything was in order, and gave permission to lower a window and to deposit the samples into a tray. The process took about 20 minutes, and results are expected in 2 to 3 days.
Back to life today, and the comfort and security of Thurlaston Lane. I dog walk a little later than 
normal, working at home until Ellie makes it clear that we need to go out, or she will continue to run around inside with Tia, while barking loudly. Croft Hill is busy, with cars parked opposite the gate onto the Hill. I do a couple of circuits of the Hill with our friend and her dogs. Couples and families, some with dogs, are accessing the Hill from all directions, with a few small groups at the “summit”, but the area is large enough for people to maintain social distancing, and all do so. A friend greets me, shouting across the slope. I haven’t seen him for a while, and initially don’t recognise him. I have never seen him with long hair.
The rest of the day is spent “at work”. A consultant wants to measure noise from late-night street activity outside some proposed city centre flats before specifying the acoustic glazing required. I required this when the plan was submitted three years ago. There is a problem; pubs etc are closed, and there is very little noise from late night street activity to measure. After some head scratching, I propose some measurements that may at least give an idea of noise on a normal Saturday night in the city.
Chantal receives a call from an orthopaedic consultant following a second x-ray of her broken ankle. He is pleased with the early healing; the orthopaedic boot is doing its job. He tells her that he is happy for her to walk around while wearing the boot, and yes, she can go shopping. This evening we head for Sainsbury at time when we know it will be quiet, with no queues. Boris’s lockdown-relaxation speech seems to be the cue that retail-addicts have been waiting for. The queue stretches along the store front, and down the side. We have a list of items from Andree that “must” be purchased from Aldi, a trip planned for tomorrow, and so we abandon Sainsbury for the nearest Aldi, just for a short visit. The queue is short, the shop quiet, and Chas unstoppable. The Trolley overflows. And we still have a Sainsbury trip tomorrow.
Technically we live in Oaktree House, but sadly the tree had to go.
We now have a thriving Oakstump at the front of the house.
