How are we getting through it?

[Orcs]

Dwarven miners are heading your way at full speed.

Corrected

[Steve J]

Second jab done and dusted and most likely to get a booster again in September, along with the flue jab according to the nurse. Feeling fine at present.

This morning I saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker in the garden for about a minute, which was nice as it's been a while since I've seen one here. In our old house we used to see Green Woodpeckers on the park quite regularly, but only very early in the morning.

[Heedless Horseman]

NOT sure about this... I rather distrust 'News' articles on MSN! Frankly, can't be bothered to look into it. 
However, this does sound 'just a bit NASTY'!!! 

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/coronavirus/fungal-attack-everything-you-need-to-know-about-indias-black-fungus-and-similar-pathogens/ar-BB1gzPdf?ocid=AARDHP&li=AAnZ9Ug

Does anyone else think 'Something' is trying to get rid of Us?  ...

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Yes it's me - I'm really a 30 ft tall reptillian, carniverous obviously

[Heedless Horseman]

Hm. Used a home test kit for 'Presence of Antibodies' as part of a 'Study'. ( I have had 1st Oxford Astra Zeneca jab.). Test 'appeared' negative to Antibodies.
NOW, That DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY AREN'T THERE! Tests... esp. 'home testing' are NOT reliable... but was rather hoping to see another couple of 'bars' on the filter paper stick!

As I do not have a modern Mobile phone with a good camera to upload/send relevant result photo... may not be useable... have not tried yet.

However, 'adjusted' and extrapolated nationally, statistical results from 'tests' may go to form 'advice' on policy...

[Steve J]

My UK Biobank study test result came up negative too, after having my first AZ test . The same happened with a friend's Dad. I'm hoping my recent second jab has done the job...

On a more positive note, we saw a pair of Siskins on our birdfeeder yesterday. We've never had them here before and they are rather pretty finches .

[Techno II]

Pleased you've seen some siskins, Steve.
Like I said,a while ago...haven't seen those around here for a few years.

Cheers - Phil.

[Ben Waterhouse]

That reminds me I have a 1/72 kit of a Siskin that I need to build...

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Take it Siskin is a small brown job, or an interwar biplane

[Ben Waterhouse]

The second, but my painting skills might make it the first as well...

[mmcv]

Holy crap, we just saw a woodpecker!

That may not seem strange to most of you but they're incredibly rare in Ireland. I think there's a small, growing population on the far south but up in the north here there's only been occasional sightings, like a couple a year and only really in the past decade. I had read recently that there might be some nesting in the area, so we may see a population of them in the future for the first time since they went extinct here.

Also had a blue jay come right up to the window. Nice looking birds.

[Techno II]

A BLUE jay ? 

Are you sure, Matthew ?.....Bloomin' heck !

It would be definitely be something that would have 'twitchers'  very excited, our side of 'the pond'.

Cheers - Phil 

[mmcv]

A BLUE jay ? 

Are you sure, Matthew ?.....Bloomin' heck !

It would be definitely be something that would have 'twitchers'  very excited, our side of 'the pond'.

Cheers - Phil 

Apologies, I may have been mistaken on that. Google let me down, think it was just a normal jay. Was brown with a crown up top then blue lower down and on the wings. Picture I'd found online was mislabelled. Further digging looks like Eurasian jay 

[Techno II]

Awwwww...... I was getting excited !

But still, OUR  type of jay is still a handsome bird.
We hadn't seen one 'in the flesh' until we moved over here.

Cheers - Phil.

[mmcv]

Yeah I only started seeing them when I moved here, they seem to not like people too much. Wise birds.