What are you doing?

[Yildez]

For the past 2 weekends Turkey has been on total lockdown - no one allowed out, enforced by the police who’ve fined thousands of people across the country. Beaches, parks, open areas are all banned to the public; dogs can only be walked within 20 metres of your home. Bakeries were instructed that they had to deliver bread to all areas - a staple food, as in Egypt - and gas and bottled water deliveries could continue. Nothing else.

Thursday is “Children’s Day”, a national holiday instigated by Atatürk, with school bands and pupils parading through towns, giving folk dancing demonstrations, followed by parties and picnics - it’s always a big event in Datca and well attended, as it is throughout Turkey. The government have banned public gatherings because of Corvid 19, but the only way to control the public on “Children’s Day” is to shut the whole country down.

The government know that Turkey should be on permanent lockdown until the peak has passed, but won’t take that step because of the huge economic consequences. By adding Thursday and Friday to next weekends lockdown, they hope to achieve a slow down. Only time will tell.

[HEPZIBAH]

I’m usually happy with my own company, have plenty to read and watch, play bridge online etc. I keep the TV on as background noise...even though the content is mainly about the virus and how people ( particularly NHS and Care workers) are coping.

newcastle, I've not played bridge since before Christmas and as most of the people that I play with are of very mature years, I hope that I will be able to play with them again. I've often wondered about playing online. Are you playing against yourself, or are you linked to other players? How does it work? Can you recommend a programme that I should perhaps look at with a view to joining? I'm not a club style bridge player but I do enjoy and good game of contract bridge when I can get one.

Ohh... and I understand your thoughts regarding the photograph on a cushion. I find things like that quite mawkish. However, if it bring comfort to someone then it is serving a useful purpose.

[HEPZIBAH]

For the past 2 weekends Turkey has been on total lockdown - no one allowed out, enforced by the police who’ve fined thousands of people across the country. Beaches, parks, open areas are all banned to the public; dogs can only be walked within 20 metres of your home. Bakeries were instructed that they had to deliver bread to all areas - a staple food, as in Egypt - and gas and bottled water deliveries could continue. Nothing else.

Thursday is “Children’s Day”, a national holiday instigated by Atatürk, with school bands and pupils parading through towns, giving folk dancing demonstrations, followed by parties and picnics - it’s always a big event in Datca and well attended, as it is throughout Turkey. The government have banned public gatherings because of Corvid 19, but the only way to control the public on “Children’s Day” is to shut the whole country down.

The government know that Turkey should be on permanent lockdown until the peak has passed, but won’t take that step because of the huge economic consequences. By adding Thursday and Friday to next weekends lockdown, they hope to achieve a slow down. Only time will tell.

Thanks Yildez, for your explanation.

Personally I wish the UK Government had taken stronger steps on Lockdown - which although we've been using that term, we've not really had - and brought it in from the start. I'm also concerned that the restrictions we have will be relaxed too soon, which so many people want. I can't see how it will help our health or our economy, in fact I think it will be detrimental to both. Time will tell.

[newcastle]

newcastle, I've not played bridge since before Christmas and as most of the people that I play with are of very mature years, I hope that I will be able to play with them again. I've often wondered about playing online. Are you playing against yourself, or are you linked to other players? How does it work? Can you recommend a programme that I should perhaps look at with a view to joining? I'm not a club style bridge player but I do enjoy and good game of contract bridge when I can get one.

Ohh... and I understand your thoughts regarding the photograph on a cushion. I find things like that quite mawkish. However, if it bring comfort to someone then it is serving a useful purpose.

There are a number of online sites....and it’s just like playing in a club. You play against members from all over the world either in competitive duplicate scenarios ...or just socially if you prefer. There’s a ranking system for the more competitive amongst us and, even at social bridge, you can see how you’ve you’ve fared against others playing the same hands.

I use www.bridgeclublive.com

I think you can play in some rooms as a guest..or join up. Annual membership is about £15.

It’s an easy site to negotiate.

[HEPZIBAH]

Thanks newcastle, I'll look into that, although at the moment I'm not finding too much time to miss playing.

[carrie]

Well I have had a smashing week, now down to only two mugs. Just as well I have no visitors they would be reduced to drinking from jam jars. No chance at the moment of replacing them.
Don't know whats wrong with me I don't break anything for months then seem to have a mad flurry.

[Dusak]

Ignoring most things and getting on with my life, its wonderful being a hermit from day to day. In and out the pool, followed by JD, followed by gardening, a little TV, not so much now because its rubbish. Venture out every Saturday to shop for essentials, morning walks with our dogs, and looking forward to our hols at the end of June. Just love the quiet life with no interruptions. Today is waffle making day, and my wife is making a Black Forest cake. Tonight is Stiffado for dinner.

Nice to see your still waffling on MT. Hols at the end of June? Now that is a hope.

[Major Thom]

Have you seen our infection and death rate D, we are apart from Malta the lowest in the World. Our Government acted fast and has saved many lives.

[Gopha75]

Have you seen our infection and death rate D, we are apart from Malta the lowest in the World. Our Government acted fast and has saved many lives.

maybe thats summat to do with the piddling amount of people living there...

[newcastle]

Have you seen our infection and death rate D, we are apart from Malta the lowest in the World. Our Government acted fast and has saved many lives.

Mmmm....

I haven’t checked but I suspect Easter Island, Tahiti, Greenland etc are lower.

But I suppose living on a rock in the middle of the Med does constrain your perspective

[HEPZIBAH]

Have you seen our infection and death rate D, we are apart from Malta the lowest in the World. Our Government acted fast and has saved many lives.

What do you actually mean when you say '...has saved many lives.'?

[newcastle]

Have you seen our infection and death rate D, we are apart from Malta the lowest in the World. Our Government acted fast and has saved many lives.

What do you actually mean when you say '...has saved many lives?

Oh Lord.....don’t ask!

[HEPZIBAH]

Have you seen our infection and death rate D, we are apart from Malta the lowest in the World. Our Government acted fast and has saved many lives.

What do you actually mean when you say '...has saved many lives?

Oh Lord.....don’t ask!

It's a serious question and I'm genuinely interested in knowing the answer.

[carrie]

well you wont get one

[HEPZIBAH]

well you wont get one

Probably not, or at least not one I can comprehend. Nevertheless, I'd still like to know.

[Major Thom]

It said on TV last night the Egyptian Government are going to take tougher steps to prevent the spread. What does that say? To me it says its getting out of control, leading on to the question, just how many infections and deaths are really getting recorded, or even the real information given out to the people.

[carrie]

Why didn't you answer Hepzibah's question. Oh font of all wisdom.

[Who2]

Currently observing C1 OP Police Van taking 6 maneuvers to park in a 20ft long space below me.
3 policemen and 1 policewoman exit said van.
The driver finally exits it's a midget policewoman, I shout down,
"Oh! love, You need to go back to Hendon for a reversing course... laugh,larf..

Simona pops her head out two windows along, it's raining, So my solar powered rainbow effect
maker won't work.bu**er...

After a very swift check of our courtyard......
The Police head off (all tooled-up) to the CoOp one imagines, whist the midget PC totally ignores my shouted driving advice..
Shame they didn't have an email: "How good is my driving ? on their rear doors.

I'm off to find something to fix,alter,clean,sharpen,drink or just chase the cat...

Ps: When we first moved here, it was totally off limits to plod, bailiffs ect..
Weird really, as it was originally designed and built as a police fortress..

[Who2]

Well today Saturday, I hit Waitrose's at 7.30 only joggers visible..
Now...
Dumping extraneous collective rubbish, her shoe collection and handbags are well off limits..
I was presented with 3 CD's from my 10 day Xmas guests Kat.'never to be repeated!!!
So i decided to try this one called Victoriana. absolutely dire...


Now, I've known the Baebes when they were Miranda Sex Garden and they just get more
erotically virginal as they age, have kids ect,,,it's a tough life being a rock star or porn star
same thing really..imho... ?

Xmas Tardis Studios circa 1993
Ps: Whilst out shopping 3 boxes arrived containing various
bottles of booze for Sim's birthday party this Tuesday from a rich architect mate.
Pss: She had a 6 hour online party yesterday with her pals due to May Day, pretty mad really
plus we also competed in a online virtual quiz with her company..funny!
P*ss: 'She's still driving me mad.......I just ignore her ramblings...with the odd grunt of ascent..