Very nice Colin, what a nice thoughtful sentiment from one so young. You are lucky to have a grandson like that.

Cheers, Nerys

Present from my grandson, thought it very pertinent.
Cheers Colin.

By the way -- A Happy and healthy New Year to you and your families. As my late Grandmother used to say "This too shall pass". Hope she was right...

Ranting is good for you. Holding it in just makes you miserable. If enough of the idiots catch the virus maybe it will clean out the gene pool to some degree. I'm still working (more to stay out of the wife's hair then anything ) and if I get a customer that won't wear a mask, I simply tell them I'll find someone else to help them. The fact we're all armed to the teeth (it's a gunstore) tends to keep customers complaints to a minimum...

Ah but Colin, if the idiots or their family members caught it, that would be the government's fault, for not doing enough.
Couldn't possibly be down to them, or how they've conducted themselves.

I believe in Adelaide, an outbreak before Christmas resulted in total lockdown but, there were apparently helicopters and drones in the air and lots of police presence on the ground.
Both the drone and helicopter pilots were reporting gatherings and people travelling to the police who were then going to check it out, question them and deal with it.
If only the UK was as hot on it as that.
I know the resources needed to carry out that sort of thing over a period would be extremely high, but hell, if it means pushing towards getting over this virus and dealing with 'stupid' then surely it's worth doing.

Will, "RANT ON" shipmate , like you say the only cure for the idiots is to catch the bug.
I have to take regular trips to hospital for both me and the wife, this trip means that we pass by the student halls of residence where those same students(our future) blatantly gather in large groups without masks or social distancing.
Yet the police drive by and say nothing.
Maybe if all the idiots who refuse to abide by the rules were killed of by the virus life would return to normal sooner.
Cheers Colin.

Hi Will,
Rant as much as you want! We have a variant Covid 19 here causing a second wave. Irresponsible people and teens that go to illegal nightclubs, end of year event, No masks, sanitiser causing over 100 infections of teens in 8 hours. Unlike the UK we in SA don't get social assistance as such. Unemployment rate at 40%, Small businesses shutting down due to lockdown. They don't seem to care. At present a complete ban on alcohol.
Ian

We have the same issue over here in Wales, well all of the UK in fact.
The sooner everyone realises that their behaviour and how they conduct themselves has a direct affect on how long this virus will have such a mass effect on us all, the better.
How many of these people who are of the 'I'm not being told what I can and can't do, where I can and can't go', we're happy enough to accept the furlough payment, yet bitch if there's any talk of job loss, or even their employer closing down. Do they not realise that each time they go to their mates for a night of drinking with a hand full of other mates, they're just prolonging economic recovery?
I had to go shopping yesterday for a couple of bits and in the superstore (Tesco), I saw 4 lads walking around the soft drinks isle. I overheard them talking about getting mixers, then they went down the alcohol isle and picked up half a dozen slabs of cans of beer and some spirits. When I got to the checkout, I was told I couldn't buy two packs of toilet roll, even though I explained one was for my parents as I was shopping for them too and the other for us. Those 4 lads were at the checkout beside me, all 4 went through together, not each paying for some of their drinks so it didn't look like for a party.
It was blatantly obvious, yet nothing was said.
I don't know about other countries, but the UK is far too soft.
Frustrates the hell outta me.

Apologies for the rant 😔

Will

In SA we have a certain population group that don't believe in Masks, Sanitiser etc. So we are on a level 3 lockdown. Due to the current Government than man in the street will possibly see Vaccine in the third quarter of 2021
Let's hope for a better 2021🤞🤞

Well Guys after a very uncertain and frustrating year there is now light at the end of the tunnel ( perhaps i should say more light below deck ) with the announcement of the two vaccines.
It is looking like this year 2021 will get better and we will have a lot to look forward to.

I am certain that if we all stick to the rules and look after each other we will pull through this and have the Corona virus on the run.
So please don't relax just yet as we still have a way to go.

So remember HANDS, FACE, SPACE.

Stay safe and a Happy New Year.

Martin555.

Merry Christmas to all!

And a happy New Year!

With no more Covid-19!

Well, this is my dream for the world!

No more Pandemic.............


Cheers, Ed

A safe and healthy Christmas and New Year to all.

A Merry Christmas to all and Best Wishes for a healthy and happy New Year

Hi JB,

Thanks for your comments. The rules are that everyone wears a cloth mask. Staff when attending to patients, also wear a plastic visor. There are the minimum number of staff around, we are told that we can only have two dialysis sessions a week instead of three, because of staff shortages, but I think the more experienced staff have been filched to man the covid ward(s). Whatever precautions they are taking,it hasn't stopped two people dying of covid when in hospital for something completely unconnected. The infection rate in Wales, I heard tonight, is one person in 60

Cheers, Nerys

Hope you are insisting on a mask at the very least Nerys, and for unnecessary staff to stay away. A lot of us are in the vulnerable age area, and even down here in NZ where we are lucky enough to be fairly normal (at the moment) I still keep away from people in the supermarkets etc,-just in case. Being an ex smoker, I'd be knackered if I got it. Had to go to the doctors a few weeks back to have a biopsy on a leg, hated sitting in the waiting area with 20 others (even with compulsory mask wearing there) I'm sure you'll be ok if you are in a room away from the masses. From reading some of your boating history, you've probably got enough salt in your veins to kill the bugs anyhow😁👍

Best wishes for the Xmas period,

JB

Nerys don't despair, you tell the hospital staff that if anything goes wrong your 5,791 shipmates will come and sort them out.
As Martin said keep your pecker up young lady, being afraid can help as it gives you strength to fight on.
Best wishes to you and Alice, try to have a peaceful safe Christmas .
Cheers Colin and Caroline.

Colin, Cash, Nerys, Sy,and all others facing up to particularly difficult situations at the moment.
I can sympathise with you all, having gone through a traumatic experience myself a few weeks ago.
Recently in the 'Nautical Knowledge' thread Colin (our new Head of Personnel and HR😉) posted the following-
"Maybe we should have a section called nautical nutters, for those of us with a sense of humour.
It certainly brightens my day."
I can assure you that the High🙊 Command will be following up on Colin's excellent suggestion.
The humour and camaraderie on this site certainly brightened my days and helped me to cope with the situation. Better than anything the Doc could give me😊
Although I must admit that I do like to have a chat with HER😉 from time to time!
Keep up your great contributions folks, you are helping others in more ways than one or you know👍👍👍
Happy building, and I hope Happy sailing in the New Year🤞
Yours sincerely,
FLEET; CO Stuff and Nonsense Dept.😎
FLEET STANDING ORDERS:
#1- Keep on keeping SAFE and Healthy. All ranks.
#2- Never lose your sense of humour. All ranks.
#3- KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON: England Expects ....! All ranks.
#4- KEEP CALM AND DRINK WINE: Senior Officers only!😉
Other ranks may apply for an increased grog issue during the festive season.

Hi Nerys,
What ever you do don't let it get you down.
The Doctors and Nurses know what they are doing and do everything they can to stop this spreading.

It is extremely unlikely that you will catch Covid on your trips to Hospital.
And like most things one rare case gets exaggerated to hundreds.
So as Doug has said Keep your Pecker up.

Marry Christmas to you and Alice.

Martin555.

All the best and let's hope a better 2021! In SA the hospitals are stretched at the moment as Covid 19 a different strain has hit us in areas.

Pecker up 'Old' Gal😉
Given your grit and determination no virus would dare to take you on!👍
Wishing you and Alice the best Christmas possible in these crazy times, making lots of delicious sausage rolls I trust😋 Garry Chrimbo😀
Doug

Watching the news tonight there was a piece about elderly patients going into my local hospital for totally unrelated ailments, contracting coronavirus and dying, evidently it's rife on the wards. I go there twice a week, three times this week for dialysis, linked up to a machine for four hours. I'm in the vulnerable group. I'm frightened.

Nerys

Colin, so glad everything is working out with your mom and her dog. Stories like this make me feel better about our species. Thanks for posting this.😊
Cash

Nice ending to what could have been such a different story Colin.
Take great care.
It’s nice to know the boys and girls in Blue are helping.
That’s good old fashioned police work.
Regards Bill.

Colin good to hear your mom is on the mend.Getting her dog back and having your sister stay should help.In my mind having a dog with you is so therapeutic the love they show. Seeing their tail wag when they come to great you.Even if your day was not good they don't care they only want to be with you.
Rick

Hope everything works out ok Cash. I'm hoping your daughter will be fine, and I'm sure she's not alone with feeling a bit less than 100% with what's going on in the world today. Tough for young people everywhere, - even down here in NZ, more young people than ever have been feeling stressed, as they have been deprived of friendships/contact during the lockdowns, (very important for young ones to be able to meet up with friends). Now we are pretty much back to normal here, you could see everyone cheer up tremendously, (hope it lasts).

On a positive note, American magic is looking good for the Americas Cup. Here's their site if you want to have a look at what's happening with their team. They beat Team NZ in their first race in the 'Xmas cup' (semi serious racing) with ex team NZ skipper Dean Barker helming the American boat (the swine😁) Sadly only 4 boats in it this year and with the UK boat unfortunately having foil problems . Hope they get it sorted soon, as it has looked quite fast in decent wind. Would be a shame to end up with only 3 boats as it would lose a bit of interest I think.

JB

This time a happy outcome but it could so easily have been so much worse.
Even my driving could have had bad consequences.
We have arranged for my 2nd eldest sister to stay with mum till this virus is beaten.
Cheers Colin.

That's a very worrying story Colin, so glad it had a happy ending, I bet Mum is worrying about her dog also, hope she gets home safe on Thursday, and has a special Happy Christmas.

Pete

Nerys I can't complain about the way I was treated nor for the help given and offered by the Welsh police.
I was driving very fast at the time as it was the early hours and no traffic and a road I know extremely well, the officer joked afterwards that it took them 22 miles to catch up in their BMW.
Its the first time I've been given a blue light escorted. I hope it's the last.
Well done Welsh police, and thanks for your assistance.
Cheers Colin.

Colin, I'm so pleased that things have in the end worked out for your mum and her little dog and soon they will be home together, but isn't it dreadful to think we live in times when you were virtually arrested for going on a mercy mission. Thank goodness you were stopped by a sympathetic police woman who understood your dilemma and was prepared to go out of her way to help.
Do hope all will now be well.
Best wishes to you and Caroline for Christmas and the New Year, surely next year can't be as bad as this one has been.

Cheers, Nerys

Hi Colin,
I am Very very sorry to hear about your mum.
But pleased that she is on the mend and her little dog.
These are terrible times we are living in at the moment.
And in cases like this i think everyone would do the same as you had done.

It is nice to know that the police understand and no action will be taken and the vet for doing a good thing.
There are still some good people about.
Even with everything on your mind right now i hope you and your's have a very nice Christmas.

Continue to stay safe.

Martin555.

Pete, you are not alone, my mum is 95, and can't have visitors due to covid, her little dog is her permanent companion.
Recently the dog started having fits and collapsing, she had to send for the vet and the dog was admitted for tests, mum was worried it would use up her savings.
For 4 days she was really upset but not able to see anyone from the family she took an overdose of her medication, fortunately her neighbours were worried at not seeing her and called me.
To hell with the restrictions I drove over to Wales to visit, got stopped by police for speeding by a very nice police woman, she radio in my story and then escorted me all the way to my mums and we were met there by an ambulance. I opened up for them and they took mum to hospital. She is now on the mend, I contacted the vet and told him what had happened, although very old mums dog is getting well again so they can both be together soon.
Thanks to the police who aren't taking any action against me, and have arranged for a local community officer to call on mum daily, and keep in touch with me.
And a big thanks to the vet who is only charging her for food and lodgings till mum goes home on Thursday.
Miracles do happen,
Stay safe and well, happy Christmas to you all, cheers Colin.

Thankyou very much Nerys, for your kind words, some people who are not pet lovers don't quite know the closeness we have with our pets, my Yorkie is the son I never had (only daughters) and I would do anything for him, a sign I had in my shop read ' The More People I meet, The More I like My Dog', a pets love is unconditional.

Pete

Hi Pete, very sorry to hear about your little Yorkie. Vets can be horribly expensive and even if you are insured you can still be left having to pay out a lot of money. A friend of mine has recently lost her Boston terrier which had been having treatment for several years, I know, she just kept paying out for vets bills, because she like you would do anything to try to keep her little dog alive. So, I know very well how you are feeling. I can but offer you my sympathy and hope that your Yorkie comes through his operations successfully.

All best wishes, Nerys

Reading all these problems that members have, makes my problem look small, I have a little Yorkie, and he's going blind, I was told he could have cataracts, so I asked my vet for a referral to a specialist, that was two weeks ago, he had two appointments costing over £1100, and if I go ahead with the operation another £6000-7000, but it's only money, and not really a problem compared to Cash and Nerys.

Can I wish you all a Happy, Healthy Christmas and a great New Year.

Pete

Hi Guys,

I am very sorry to hear that our members are having a lot of personnel and medical problems as well as having to contend with the lockdowns and restrictions that are imposed on us.
Life sometimes seems very gloomy but please try not to let it get you down.

At this time of year we think of all our loved ones and friends that we are unable to see at the moment.
So please use what ever modern technologies we have available such as Skype, Zoom Face Time, Face Book, Or even the good old fashioned Telephone.

Get in touch with each other and have a good chat it will make you all feel that much better knowing that not even this Virus can stop us from spreading a little happiness.

With this in mind i wish all our of our members across the world a very merry Christmas and hopefully a much better New Year.

Martin555.

Sorry to hear of all your problems Cash, but at least you know you can come on here and know that they are being heard by a sympathetic ear. That's probably because many of us have problems too or know that it is only by sheer luck that we are not in a similar position and that's just talking about personal problems. Compound that with the many problems that could arise through the covid situation and our leaders, wherever we live, setting up restrictions and regulations in the vain hope that something will work and the threat will diminish. So come on, let's hope that the coming new year will bring a fair wind that will blow all our troubles away. So, whether you whistle for a wind, stick knives in the mast, look for cobwebs in the rigging or whatever you do to raise a wind, let's get on with it and hope that it will materialise and things can get better in 2021. Also, however you celebrate, let's make Christmas as happy a time as possible.

Hi y’all. I’ve been away from here for a couple of weeks, here’s a SITREP on the Hargett family. About a month ago, my Daughter, Grace, confesses to us that she has some suicidal thoughts. Now, bear in mind that she’s a bit like me, marches to the beat of her own drummer...also, she had a breakup with a boy she had been seeing for about a year, and she spent all her time with him either in person or online. When the relationship flames out, she really didn’t have a strong network of friends to support her, basically just Mom and Dad,and we’re old, and don’t “get it”. Anyway, she’s been in therapy, and she’s on a mild anti-depressant. She seems more grounded now, and I think she’ll wean off the medication in time. I’m worried about her, haven’t seen the bills yet but once the insurance is sorted out I know they’ll be here, we’re short handed at work, and to top it off, my upper denture broke clean in half last Thursday, and I’ve been without them all weekend and I’m 400 dollars poorer.
Still, we’re blessed, we’ll be able to make a payment plan for what we owe, and we’re still good financially. Grace seems happier, and we’re all in good health...but it hasn’t been much fun past 2-3 weeks, and although I rarely drink, I might send off 2020 with a bit of Clyde Mays Alabama whiskey!!!!
Y’all keep us in your thoughts, we survived the torpedoes but we’re still patching the hull.
Cash

And we have an idiotic curfew being imposed. What difference it will make heaven knows .............

In South Africa certain parts of our country in lockdown as the second wave and a variant of Covid 19 hits us. Due to it being summer it is beach holiday time with our Annual December shutdown in a large proportion of industry, some beaches are closed due to overcrowding! Our indigenous people are not practicing the requirements by wearing masks and using sanitiser.

Here in sleepy South Australia, we in Adelaide dodged a Covid crisis last month, a mini lockdown and restrictions which are now mostly eased. Most of the country was nearly open across borders and families, some of whom haven’t been home for months or longer were just starting to reconnect with loved ones. Particularly tough year for Victorians here, and those with WA families due to hard border restrictions.
Things were looking good nationally but unfortunately our NSW folks have a quite the challenge now on their hands with a cluster at their northern beaches region. Looks like most of that state, and Sydney residents are going to be locked in again from the rest of Aus, and restricted or locked down for the festive season.
Quarantine continues to be our challenge, Adelaide had a UK strain in November get out from a worker at a quarantine hotel, now NSW has a US strain from an Air crew being taken to quarantine getting out via the bus driver I believe.
It’s a long road ahead, and by comparison to many others Australia has done well, at times been led well, and we have for the most part been blessed to be somewhat isolated. It would be fair to say we’ve also been lucky at times.
Mostly our leaders have worked well, and I think they have done their best in the craziest of years. Unfortunately people have lost loved ones, lost businesses and livelihoods and in honour we’re having a quiet and low key Xmas focussed simply family and gratitude for our lot in life.
The vaccine I believe may start rolling out to high risks workers and other high risk people in March/April, I just hope that it safely works to give everyone some hope at normality(whatever that is).

Wherever you are this Xmas, stay safe and well.
Stay safe.
Chris

So how is Christmas working out for everyone this year? It looks like the UK prime minister is now only allowing people to meet Christmas Day (up to 3 households) and only in some areas of the country. High risk areas being told to stay home even on Christmas Day.

So what’s it like elsewhere around the world and what are peoples plans?

It’s ironic that people joke about Christmas being cancelled but it looks like it’s a reality for many.

Stephen

Here in Hamilton Canada we where in fairly good shape but Toronto , Peel & York just down the road had to be locked down so all 0ur big box stores opened up with longer hours and guess what we in Hamilton are heading for a lock down this Friday maybe and it's all about money . These people from other areas that help kill there elderly in there zone have decided to come here and infect our elderly because they only think of them selves . What a messed up world we live in.

Hi Guys,

With all of these different lockdowns and restrictions world wide I just want to say please be extra careful over this festive period.
It is still going to take time before everyone is safe so the more you can avoid contact with others the less chance you have of catching it and spreading it.

I know it is not going to be easy as we all have loved ones that we have not seen for a very long time, but please protect your self and others.

Remember HANDS, FACE, SPACE.
Stay safe.

Martin555.

We are having lockdown restrictions in certain areas as it is holiday time! The SA Government has decided to lockdown certain beaches during this period and placed a 5Hour night curfew and restrictions on times to purchase take away alcohol as certain members of our citizens follow no social distancing wearing of masks etc. Due the end of the school lots of Matriculants have these parties and it sad to report that over a 1000 teenagers in 1 day tested positive, so now large parties etc. The SA Government are now arresting people for not wearing a mask in public, avoiding sanitiser and overcrowding. Our first hard lockdown in April we couldn't even buy cigarettes or alcohol for five months! That became a black market with underground connections

Hello All.
Well today saw a milestone in my little village just outside Exeter,Devon.
The first Covid vaccinations to our more elderly community....over 80 years.(not me I’m only 66).
The scramble of zimmers and wheelchairs with the smell of burning rubber brought the local Police to start crowd control as the race began to get the vaccine.
Let us hope that 2021 brings a more safe and secure community for us all.
Regards Bill.👍🍷🍷

In SA it looks that the release is Mid 2021! For People under the age of 80.
The first vaccines will be given to Health Care Workers, Government and people over 80.
We are in a curfewed 'Level1' lockdown. Which means that Curfew Midnight to 4 am Social distancing, sanitiser and masks
Pubs, Bars and Restaurants are open with social distancing. No gatherings of more than 150 indoors 250 Outdoors.

Hi Guys,

As you may of heard in the news a Coronavirus Vaccine has been rolled out and has started to be given to people in the U.K.
Although this is fantastic news it could still be some time before we have this Virus beaten.
So Please do not let your guard down, we have a long way to go yet.
I know this festive season will be very difficult for many but please do all you can to stay safe so that you can enjoy many more.

Remember HANDS, FACE, SPACE.

Stay safe.

Martin555.

No need to apologise Nerys.
I'd concluded it must have been a 'slip of the keyboard'😉
Pob un o'r goreuon i chi'ch dau,🤞
Cheers, Doug 😎

Doug, I have amended my post where I stupidly mentioned the words goodness and Boris in the same sentence. My deepest apologies.

Nerys