Another morning of Observer training. Still tweaking the routes that are used to avoid long stretches of roads with 20 mph limits although there will be some.

My son has arrived back from France after visiting his Mum. He flew from Bristol airport changing flights at Dublin. While in Dublin airport he bought me a copy of A Pictorial Guide To The 1916 Easter Rising. Irish history and Irish music is a particular interest of mine and I’ve given a number of talks on various key parts, including the Easter Rising.

Training a new local observer today. Three of us in the car, windows letting in air and face masks worn. Covid infection rates are soaring but we’re doing all we can to minimise the risks.

I’ve received my appointment for my third Covid jab, hoping that I don’t experience side effects from the Pfizer vaccine – only time will tell.

I have to say that I am so very glad I own a number of fans with the temperature over 30 degrees.

I’m drinking lots of cold drinks and staying mainly indoors.

It is lovely and cool driving the Volvo XC90, the air conditioning is exceptional.

Despite my good intentions to keep my blog up to date, once again I haven’t managed it.

Another new Rotary year has just started and it hasn’t been without its challenges for both my club and the District.

All my cars are still going which is a very unusual thing!

I need to fix a very small problem on the Volvo XC90 but it involves removing one of the front wheel arch covers, this means jacking up the beast, removing the wheel, drilling out a load of pop rivets, fixing the minor fault and then refitting the wheel arch cover.

I had my first meal out since the original lockdown started with two friends at the Ty Nant in Morganstown a few weeks ago, it was very nice to have something I hadn’t cooked myself.

Still keeping in touch with people on Zoom and social media, nowhere near as nice as meeting face to face.

Really hoping to be able to resume some regular swimming very soon.

My BMW has been waiting for the water pump and thermostat to be changed for a little while, I’ve had the parts for over a month but an opportunity to do the work hadn’t materialised. The pump and thermostat have now been replaced together with a damaged hose. Still some finishing off work to be completed.

My son David now has my Freelander and I’m driving a Volvo XC90 2.4 turbo diesel which has amazing performance, comfort and safety.

I went shopping yesterday and was delighted to bump into a very good friend of mine, it was a lovely opportunity to catch up.

Due to the recent surgery and treatment on my left eye I haven’t been doing a lot of reading recently but I’m currently reading the autobiography of Máire Brennan – The voice of Clannad. It’s a very interesting book.

We are only a few days into the new year and there has already been much change. The prime minister is back on television to give daily updates on the so far rather shambolic roll out of mass vaccination. Infection rates from Covid are soaring as are deaths and hospital admissions. President Trump’s supporters have stormed the US Capitol and the world is in shock.

A Welsh nurse received her initial vaccination and some considerable time later tested positive for Covid. The decision to delay the second dose is against WHO guidelines and will no doubt put many others at risk of infection in this untried and untested approach that has been adopted by the government in order to maximise the number of people receiving a first dose.

There is to be a further strengthening of the lockdown rules but while the majority of people seem to be obeying the current rules there are sadly many people who are still not following the guidelines on wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and meeting indoors.

It seems inevitable that Brains beer will no longer be brewed in Cardiff. The company recently sold off its public houses and is now abandoning its new brewery.