Mad Darby Diaries

This weekend has brought out the worst in people.  Large groups gathering together with no attempt at following the rules or guidelines.  They are selfish and ignorant.  Even my sister, although being ultra careful herself, thinks that in a few weeks the virus will just disappear.  Young people believe they are invincible, that's nothing new, but now their ignorance is endangering the lives of others.  They probably think it doesn't matter because it is only old people who will die but the young die too and the virus can leave lasting damage to the body. Considering I live in a hamlet with only 5 houses, it is full of drama at times.  A lady came to my door this afternoon saying she was the mother of my neighbour.  Had I seen her and did I have her telephone number?  I thought that was a bit odd and wondered if I had misunderstood.  I said I hadn't seen her but the shutters go up and down so I assume she is alright.  Marie Jo, from th...

A politician in the States said that old people have a duty to die to save the economy.  Really?  With millions unemployed and businesses going to the wall how exactly do we help by dying?  Ok maybe it would relieve the health services a bit but that is not what is causing the crash of the stock market or the unemployment issue.  There is only one response to a comment like that - live for as long possible just to annoy him. I have two friends in the hospital at the moment, neither with the virus.  I asked them both whether they had reading material.  One said he had a trilogy, written by a Swede, each book having 600 pages.  That will take a while to get through, assuming it is in English.  If it is in Swedish it could take a lifetime.  The other friend said he had a brochure, written in English, on how to complete your French tax return.  Do you suppose there is something missing in his life?  Not that I can talk.  The hig...

My son says that lockdown is causing a problem of regression among children.  Maybe adults too.  Rummaging in my freezer I came across a packet of English back bacon and a sliced wholemeal loaf from the UK.  You cannot imagine my excitement and the sheer childlike pleasure I gained by smelling and then eating a bacon sandwich.  Yes I regressed. Trump lives in a permanent state of regression.  I am reading a book written by two journalists from the Washington Post called 'A very stable genius', his description of himself.  They explain that he has an attention span of a two year old, he is incapable of understanding or absorbing any facts and that all explanations have to be given to him in picture form because he doesn't read or even comprehend the written word.  The mind boggles as to what the post it note says next to the nuclear button. Pompeo is under investigation for using a member of staff to walk his dog, taker his dirty laundry to the cle...

According to the British press there is a 100% anti-body test available now.  The plan, apparently, is to let all  those people with anti-bodies back into work and society.  Now the way I see it is all the old people, who let's face it are far more obedient than young people (most of them anyway), stayed at home and therefore had zero chance of catching the virus.  Ergo none of us have anti-bodies and therefore we are doomed to stay indoors for ever.  Fat chance., Yesterday I had a call from someone asking me in French whether I was depressed because of the coronavirus.  At first I thought it was the Mairie finally getting round to ask if the residents are ok but no that would be too much to ask.  After a while I twigged that it was the Jehovah's Witnesses, especially when she asked if I was getting comfort from the bible.   I assured her that I had never been so happy, that life was great and I was busy, busy, busy.  Today, after I...

Today marks the day when I can walk further than a kilometre from the house and I don't have to carry a signed form either.  Yesterday I eagerly  told my sons on Skype that I would be driving to Thouars, walking through the old town and down to the river.  I leapt out of bed this morning ready to embrace my new found freedom and looked out of the window.   Typical.   It was, and still is,  pouring, not just raining, pouring, as in cats and dogs pouring.  I think though, just to show I can, I will put on my coat and boots and go anyway. Today also means that primary schools go back.  The television showed lines being drawn on the floors to keep children apart from one another and tables and chairs placed further apart to avoid contact between them.   In France children go to school at 3 years so good luck with that. I received an email from the tennis club who are making preparations for re-opening, although they don't know...

I was woken this morning at 5.30am by a loud knocking on the front door followed by the door bell.  I knew who it was because I recognised the shrill voice talking to herself.  I went downstairs and opened the door to my neighbour, Marie Jo.  She was irate; she frequently is but usually with Jean Pierre across the street, not with me.  'Have you taken the wrong bin?' she demanded, in French of course.  Standing there in my dressing gown I pleaded innocent.  'I heard them empty them about half an hour ago,' I said trying to  be helpful.   'Come with me,' she ordered.  If she had been dressed in a police uniform I would have followed but I draw the line at going out in the street in my dressing gown to look at bins, although many French people do, even to the shop.  I ran upstairs and pulled on jeans and t shirt and followed Marie Jo to  the corner of the street.   I stood staring at the three bins and I couldn't deny ...