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Rainbows: Covid Diaries in November and lockdown 2

22/11/2020

1 Comment

 
PictureRainbow over Scout Scar
The rainbow is an emblem of hope and optimism. Always has been.  Non sine sole reads the motto of  Elizabeth 1st in her rainbow portrait.
Non sine sole  where there's a rainbow you'll find the sun.   
The rainbow has become an emblem of  the Covid 19 pandemic.  Yes, let's be hopeful.  Hope underpinned with  good sense and compliance. All of us, all the time. 
Out on Scout Scar I find three rainbows.  And I overhear conversations on Covid non-compliance and the anger it causes.  


Let's begin with hope and rainbows.  As I set out there's  a bow over Kendal Race Course.  
Sometimes you can't help overhearing snippets of conversation. And, inevitably, lots of folk are talking about this second lockdown of 2020 and how their friends are following Government guidelines,  or not bothering to follow them. 
'Everyone who met him should be staying at home and self-isolating,' the speaker was angry that this wasn't happening.  Advice on Covid 19 ignored.
Last week, I came across someone who was both anxious and angry.  His friend was sick,  didn't bother to get tested, asked to be given a lift to go walking.  His second request was refused.  
I doubt in either case those who should be taking a test and self-isolating have any idea how  angry their friends and contacts were.
So lets have rainbows a plenty. And good sense and compliance too.
Next morning, 23rd November, the Government recognises the Corona virus Reproduction rate ( R) is not falling as they hoped because contacts of those tested positive are ignoring 14 day quarantine.  They're  also aware of those falling sick and not bothering to take a test in the first place. 
The wonder of rainbows never fails.  Three out on Scout Scar although it doesn't rain until I'm hope again, in time for my fourth rainbow.   The physics and optics of rainbows fascinates me.  I meet someone I 've met before and we talk fieldfare- he's seen lots feeding on pastures near Staveley.  And we talk rainbows. 
Looking to the north-east,  I spy a faint bow and watch its spectrum of colour intensify- and fade.  I know it's a bow but all that shows is this band of colour at its foot.   Why is it that sometimes you only see a fraction of a bow?  And how close might a rainbow be?  What determines where we see it?
On rainbows, I remember Bifrost- that rainbow bridge of Norse Myth that spans the world of men and the world of the gods.  Come Ragnarok,  you need not only the rainbow bridge of hope but good sense in abundance. 
1 Comment
David tibbett
25/11/2020 04:54:17 pm

Marvellous words married to splendid pictures. For a few minutes I am transported from Lincolnshire to Westmorland.

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    Jan Wiltshire is a nature writer living in Cumbria. She also explores islands and coast and the wildlife experience. (See Home and My Books.)

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