Pretty much as expected: work from home if possible, mandatory mask wearing in more places, and Covid passports required for entry to certain venues. Mask wearing should never have been dropped if you ask me.
No lockdown like last December, which will be a huge relief to many. Christmas is still a go and my in-laws can still come to stay.
For the time being.
All we need now is for our joke of a Prime Minister to do the decent thing and fall on his political sword. That would be a nice present.
In the past couple of days we have discovered 'magic bags' via the app Too Good To Go. A magic bag is a lucky dip selection of items that would otherwise end up as food waste. As per the app description:
- Search the map to find a restaurant, cafe, or shop near you that has unsold food
- Buy the food through the app from as little as £2/2€
- Collect your food at the pre-set time, and enjoy it knowing you've done something good for the planet
We've had everything from sandwiches and wraps to yogurts and cakes to a ham joint and barbecue ribs.
Fantastic idea.
When it was announced that Jodie Whittaker would become Doctor Who I wrote:
"I have no problem with the gender-swapping and think it adds an interesting dimension to the show but worry that jodie's time as The Doctor may not be defined by her acting but by the stories she is given to work with."
We just finished watching the first episode of her final series (Flux) and the overwhelming feeling was meh. It was all a bit boring and flat.
Apart from a few early episodes, where it felt like she was trying too hard, Whittaker has been a good Doctor, making the most of what she's given, but the writing hasn't been up to scratch. On the whole, I don't think things have been up to par since Russell T Davies left so it's good to know that he will be returning for the next series ... and the next Doctor.
I can only hope that this six episode mini series (which is all one story arc) improves as it progresses. It looks as though a number of things will be coming to a head so, fingers crossed, this gives it a bit of life. Davies was a master (no pun intended) of weaving seemingly unrelated story threads into a rich tapestry that genuinely interested and surprised you. The show needs a true return to form and I hope he can deliver.
In the meantime, being all one story, rather than isolated episodes, may make this series worth being patient but, based on the first outing, it's got a way to go yet.
