Changing Direction

Nice to get a photo of this Red Kite changing direction at Felbrigg today where I went for a walk with my friend H for the first time in 13 weeks. It was so lovely to catch up in person, even though we did get a bit battered in the 40mph gusts (the kite seemed to love it)! A beautiful sunny day for the first day of the other change of direction, the dropping of the Stay at Home order. I've also included a collage of other photos from my walk.

Day 378 / Day 83 of Lockdown 3 / Day 22 of Step 1 of Roadmap Easing (for my record only)
UK deaths up 23 to 126,615 (revised basis), with 4,654 new cases, 4,560 patients in hospital, 615 on ventilation and 334 new admissions. 30.4m have now received their first dose of the vaccine and 3.7m have had their second dose. In England. The JCVI says people who live with someone with a weakened immune system should now be able to get a jab. Today was the 2nd part of Step 1 out of lockdown in England with the Stay at Home order being replaced by Stay Local; 2 households or up to 6 from different households can meet outside including in private gardens; outdoor sports venues reopened. The Novavax vaccine being manufactured in the NE will be completed in a new 'fill and finish' GSK facility, ironically based in Barnard Castle (the infamous town Dominic Cummings drove to to 'test his eyesight' during lockdown 1). The briefing stressed the need to continue to comply with regulations even if fully vaccinated, also showing a slide outlining that the vast majority of infections are among people who have yet to be vaccinated. The new slogan is 'Hands, face, space and fresh air'.