StoneRoad2013's photos

The vaccination rollout is having an affect, in that the death rate seems to be staying very low, as the most vulnerable have built up a significant level of immunity. Not my Image : Fair Use & public information

The three different results from alternative ways of counting the pandemic's fatalities. Not my Image : fair Use & public information

The Third Wave of infections [driven by the 'Indian' variant] is beginning to be reflected in increases in hospital admissions [and staying as in-patients]. However, the number receiving mechanical ventilation is rising less slowly at present. Not my Image : Fair Use & public information

Certain regions (eg NW England) have seen a sharp increase in hospital patients, but others, like Northern Ireland have seen a continued decline. These are signs of the Third Wave, as cases of the 'Indian' variant are spreading in some areas. Vaccination is providing protection against severe symptoms, but younger people with more recent jabs have not yet developed sufficient immunity. Not my Image : Fair Use & public information

All regions showing "R" above 1.00, therefore cases are expected to increase. AKA the Third Wave, dominated by the 'Indian' variant. Not my Image : Fair Use & public information

Still a large number of new cases [aka Third Wave] of the 'Indian' variant. Vaccinations also at a high level, especially administrations of first doses. Not my Image : Fair Use & public information

Slight uptick in deaths and hospitalisations. More seriously, the number of New Cases has a significant increase, due to cases of the 'Indian' variant. Vaccinations are still continuing in a race to protect people from the Third Wave. [unfortunately, the first jabs are about five to six weeks behind where they should have been in order to provide the optimum protection]. Not my Image ; Fair Use & public information

[some 2,000 of those new cases were avoidable as they were the predictable result of over-close social contact & drinking whilst watching football on TV screens] Third wave continues to grow, very unfortunately the stupendous efforts of the vaccination rollout will not reach enough younger adults fast enough to prevent a significant number of cases. [it takes time to build up immunity ...] Not my Image ; Fair Use & public information

Bit of a jump in reported deaths, probably included a number who died over the recent weekend. New cases still climbing. There was a problem with reporting vaccinations, which is why the figures are so low. Not my Image ; Fair Use & public information

March 2020 to late June 2021. The second wave is bisected by the Winter Solstice. Personally, I think the high degree of social mixing that went on during those holidays contributed to the severity of the death rate in January 2021. However, the Third Wave has yet to produce a similar deluge of mortality, which is the result of the protection provided by the vaccinations, the rollout initial priority was to the most vulnerable and the care / medical professionals. Not my Image ; Fair Use & public information

Third wave continuing to grow. Vaccines appear to be keeping the death toll down, but growth in new cases is worrying. Not my Image ; Fair Use & public information

Horden in East Tanfield station, with the train for guests invited to the launch of the restored locomtive. [12th June 2021]. Taken just prior the the speeches and presentations. (I took a few other pictures - to follow, please check the album)

Progress with plants. Growing under cover - the weather has been disappointing and in here growing things are protected from pests. One watering can has diluted liquid feed, the other has plain water, both have been left standing to degas and acclimatise (ie temperature).

The climbing plants at the back right hand side of this view are cucamelons. So far, they are doing a bit better than last year's attempt. Hopefully, I might get to taste the fruit !

Brilliant yellow flowers of the Laburnum, as a close-up. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laburnum This Laburnum cultivar was bought as being sterile, as in does not set seed (as they are poisionous). However, it does set seed some years - I must see if they'll grow ... this tree often flowers in the autumn rather than the expected May / June period.

Brilliant yellow flowers of the Laburnum, with fresh new leaves growing strongly. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laburnum This Laburnum cultivar was bought as being sterile, as in does not set seed (as they are poisionous). However, it does set seed some years - I must see if they'll grow ... this tree often flowers in the autumn as well as the expected May / June period. It has stayed a decently small size.

Several years ago, I bought some Aquilegia [Granny's Bonnets or Columbine] - now, I have them growing as volunteers in various places around the garden, very popular with the bees ... and prolific with spreading their seeds. Three different colours here - closest one is pink and white, the middle plant produces deep red and the far one is all pink ... no blue ones so far this year. Only problem I have is that the stems and leaves are easily damaged by strong winds, so I need to provide some supports and tie-in the floppiest stems, and these are growing in - or very close to a dwarf stone wall that raises this bed up about 9 inches. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquilegia

close-up of an all-pink columbine flower.