Marty

Heard on the car radio while heading home late tonight... One of a number of songs the DJ played as a result of restrictions put in place today by the Irish Government in response to the covid-19 pandemic.

Progressing slowly. Will be away tomorrow for 9 days, but have left the key for the builder. Hopefully there'll be suitable weather for him to fix the roof and fit some attic stairs whilst I am away.

And who is it that was complaining only recently about the dry weather...?

Hi, Gary!

All good here, thanks. Yourself?

Sweet dreams, Mr B

Hi, Albert! Just to say that I'm not intending to head to bed any time soon... But I will be heading to the new, old house shortly. Have to re-hang curtains that were taken down for washing, and then clean and disinfect kitchen cabinets. If the rain stays away I might even do a bit more tidying of the garden.

And the breaking news in Ireland is: "THE GOVERNMENT HAS announced that schools across the country are to close to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The decision applies to all schools and third-level institutions, and none will open tomorrow. It will also apply to other public facilities. Furthermore, all museums, galleries and tourism sites will shut. Mass gatherings of over 100 (indoor) and 500 (outdoor) are cancelled. All these measures will take effect from 6pm today until 29 March. The significant development comes as confirmed cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus in the Republic of Ireland now stands at 43. One person has died from the virus here so far." https://www.thejournal.ie/coronavirus-school-clsoure-5039700-Mar2020/ Interestingly this announcement was made by Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar whilst on a visit to the USA as part of the annual exodus of Government ministers to the USA to celebrate St. Patrick's Day (although fewer than usual have travelled this year, but this may be in part due to the fact that we currently only have a caretaker government following a recent general election). I also read in The Journal that President Trump is suspending all travel between the US and Europe for 30 days from tomorrow, but that this doesn't include the UK or Ireland. https://www.thejournal.ie/coronavirus-case-trinity-main-points-5043197-Mar2020/

Hi, Albert! As so often happens, you have greeted me just as I am thinking of going to bed Almost 1:00 am here.

Hi, Page

I heard on the radio today that at least one popular restaurant in Dublin didn't open last night (Tuesday) as a result of all its bookings having been cancelled...

With a total of 43 confirmed cases in the Republic of Ireland, the Government has cancelled all Saint Patrick's day parades (actually that happened on Monday, when there were only 24 cases), and is now talking about the possibility of closing schools for the foreseeable future. I'd say more, but I might run foul of the No Politics rule here on GA...

Nor did he agree with it...

Hi all Nearly midnight here, so hoping to go to bed soon. But waiting for bread to finish baking first...

Hi, Page.

Hey, Gary. It's a bit milder here, as well. Although a stiff breeze is making it feel cooler than it really is.

That's good to hear, B

Hey, Albert! Being retired, I don't actually mind Mondays. But I don't like wet and miserable Mondays, Like this one is turning out to be...

Ten chapters or so back we learned that Jeff's last relationship ended somewhat disastrously. His partner (Karl, if I remember correctly) was a year above him in the same college. I'm wondering if this is what's stopping Jeff from directly asking Simon for the date @Danners mentions below: My gut feeling is that Jeff is interested but feels that, should he ask Simon out, he might just be taking advantage of him for the few months that they would still be at college together. Also remember that Simon's already told the others that he doesn't know if he wants a boyfriend just yet... We know Simon's interested in Jeff. The problem is that he's had no previous real-life experience in the dating game. He met Max through a dating app. He's only 16 and his only other experience of dating didn't go well at all. And Jeff's only 17, remember. And they've really only known each other about 2 weeks. Two boys: the older perhaps worrying the about taking advantage of the younger; the younger maybe feeling the older is simply out of his league. Will their hesitancy prevent them getting together? Will one of them finally say something? Will they, won't they? Who knows? Well I don't know, anyway. I suppose we could try asking the author, but he keeps telling us this is a no-spoiler-zone as far as his comments are concerned, so that wouldn't likely do us any good. Oh! Before I forget... Are the gang ever going to go to Hades? And what about the planned trip to the Valeside LGBT youth group?

Ná h'abair é! (De rien!) (Don't mention it!)

Well, just in case I get sidetracked tomorrow, I reckon I should take this opportunity to wish you a happy International Women's Day a day early....

Hey, young man. All well with you?

Of course the other side to that saying is... Fools never differ.