Week 42
I skipped Week 41, simply because I felt like I had done very little - but in fact, we had a big week catching up on a lot of paperwork in anticipation of the 2nd Audit.
It all paid off, as we passed the 2nd Audit with flying colours!
As part of the audit, we had to smarten up on some of our electrical "bad habits". Basically, too many extension cords! So, we put in some more powerpoints - fairly simple, but time consuming. (and this in the kitchen where I had already planned (in 1997) for 10 powerpoints using the theory that "you can never have too many")!!
We also checked and updated our list of 23 "groups" (circuits) in the rear section.
The emergency lighting batteries are all out of date but instead of replacing them, we'll be looking for an LED alternative.
My title for week 32 refers to a podcast that captured my attention...
Bog, mire, fen - all words for peat areas - In Dutch the word is "veen". pronounced "fane" - so probably closest to "fen".
Much of our boating, particularly in Friesland, relies on canals that were dug for the peat industry from the 1600's until the early 1900's.
It seems that even today's (world-wide) peat bogs still store twice as much carbon than the rest of the world's foliage combined.
A few weeks ago there was a TV program showing the management of a peat area not far from us. It is actively maintained as a peat bog, including the measure of cutting down any trees that might think to grow there!
and, speaking of words, I was delighted to find this one...
Around the farm...
We cut down some more trees - now that the neighbour's corn has been removed...
Cornfield cleaned up...
...and speaking of corn....
The dairy farmers get subsidised to grow corn as feed for the cows. It is totally unfit for human consumption, unfortunately.
Next door to us, the farmer grows a "normal" variety, using fertilizers. About 2 ears per stem - it has all been harvested and transported to nearby drying kilns. To be used as feed over the winter when the cows are confined indoors.
One of our nephews has been growing a different type of corn - directly behind our place. I have been pondering the difference for a few months now... this type of corn attracts an increased subsidy as it is deemed to more ecologically sound - presumably less fertilizer, for one. It actually looked more like weeds than feed, but apparently the "weeds" are also a feed sort.
The corn stems are only as thick as a little finger...and my source (Janny) tells me that the corn is a variety from Australia! (I haven't been able to find any more information on this)
Also of note...In this photo there is a short row of oak trees on the right. There used to be an old house there - it was cleaned up about 15 years ago. The forestry/lands management people have just begun works to make a new walking track through there - which we will make use of, no doubt.
They are also transforming a large area at the back into a new "heath" area... it should end up like this...(these photos are from the other side of the road).
Partial Lockdown
Support for the government’s basic measures to combat coronavirus, such as hand washing and social distancing, remains high but confidence in the overall approach has fallen, according to the latest survey by public health institute RIVM.
The survey, conducted ahead of Tuesday’s decision to impose a partial lockdown in the Netherlands, showed that while 84% of people thought the government was trying to do its best, just 57% thought the measures were being properly explained. And only three in 10 said they stayed home if they had mild symptoms or had been in an area considered to be risky, despite the guidelines.
‘Organising the practicalities remains the main obstacle to self-isolation,’ the researchers said. Six in 10 said they would stay home if a someone else in the household tests positive but only half said they would stay in if contacted by a health worker as part of a track and trace programme. And only four in five said they would stay home if they had tested positive for the virus. Health minister Hugo de Jonge slammed people who ignore the recommendations to self-isolate, saying ‘advice is there to be followed.’ ‘If the health board tells you to sit on your backside on the sofa, that is what you do,’ he told reporters after the Friday afternoon cabinet meeting. ’Don’t start thinking you know better than the health board.’
Positive tests The number of positive coronavirus tests registered with the public health institute RIVM reached just three short of 8,000 by 10am on Friday morning. The increase takes the number of positive tests over the past week to an average of 7,171, compared with 4,837 in the week earlier period.
The number of hospital patients rose by 27 overnight to 1,533, of whom 345 are being treated in intensive care wards. The RIVM survey also showed the number of people who are worried about catching coronavirus has almost doubled from 10% in the previous survey six weeks ago to 18% now.
Things to do in lockdown...
We're very lucky here, of course
The day work clients are still coming (with one exception). The kids are here this weekend - but we couldn't combine them for the school holidays this time.
Our one exception is strange indeed - the girl's mother "has done her research" (Facebook anyone?) and believes that it is all a hoax!!! They are both in a high vulnerability group, but they refuse to wear facemasks and so the taxi company won't bring her to us!
Janny did her best to remain diplomatic on the phone...(imagine that... :-) )
Pumpkins...
My pumpkins were another EPIC FAIL this year. I did have one! which I made into Jamie Oliver's Pumpkin and Ginger Soup.
...and this one grew by accident where I had been mucking around with the seeds!! Oh well, maybe next year...(I'm trying to get my Volunteer interested - he has green thumbs).
I also made some Aussie meat pies. and some bread in the bread machine.
...and walking, walking
The Dayworkers
The Christmas gifts for the Church are all finished - nice and early, this year. So, they have been working on another Christmas idea...
and a new Ferrari...
🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
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