No Early Birds, but Stranded at Sea

1918 flue pandemic - masks!
Niday Picture Library as see in The Guardian

Recently (night of 30th April) a woman walking off our beach stopped us to warn us of UFOs 'out there' at sea; details not provided. No joke, but it appeared to be the planet Venus that spooked her.

Nothing new under the sun ... masks required in 1918!

The early birds aren't out getting worms:  the beach (pre-opening) is fairly quiet in the mornings before 10 am - quieter than before COVID-19. Seems people are getting up later for their morning beach walk/jog  However, this isn't to say it doesn't get busy in the afternoons. And there are many more bikes - some electric which could be a hazard if the crowds return ...

Taken with my smartphone and my telescope!

These two Royal Caribbean ships (Brilliance of Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas) aren't UFOs, but we can clearly see them on the horizon this first day of May.  Apparently the crew are stuck out there, no longer being paid, but with free balcony rooms, board and WiFi. Several freighters come and go too and are lit up like Christmas trees at night.

May started with  a lovely cool front today - great
weather - only 22C or 72F at 10:000 am. But a drought ....

Due to the current drought conditions, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) issued a Phase I Water Shortage Order [no potable water use for irrigation] . The order goes into effect on May 8, 2020.

Yesterday the beach was closed so crowds not too bad . . . although by afternoon a few more came out in anticipation of Monday's opening and the beach had far too many dogs on it (not permitted as health hazard) . . .

Sunday afternoon -->





. . .today the beach is open (Phase I of reopening Florida).  This morning the water had a strange color/ripple effect.

dark blue ripples and sheriff thankfully patrolling this morning

By afternoon we had all sorts, the public works crew (sans masks) couldn't seem to remove the frame of an abandoned beach tent, the advertising boat was projecting beach safety rules (ie social distancing) and plenty of kids about - some jogging in groups of <10 and others who tried to jump the fence into our swimming pool.

I like my turtle illustration of 6 feet better (blog of 21 March)

Sans masks --  I despair at the lack of role modelling/leadership by people in public eye! 

It's fairly quiet out front of our condo, but up by the beach park & parking lot it is very busy.

I had to laugh at this group who started out well, but as they rotated their positions with the sun, lost track of their 6 foot circle in the sand and instead of sitting in the middle are now at one of the edges - how's that work for social distancing?

Now onto positive things to recommend:

1945 & 2020

• Extended family video calls - we did one on the 3rd May and it was great!
• Very interesting and informative PBS TV series, 'H2O The Molecule That Made Us' starts a bit slow, but gets better!
• Kentucky Turtle Derby - necessity is the mother of invention
• Looking on the bright side - sent to me - a silver lining in everything:

NO school shootings, TRAFFIC is gone, GAS is affordable, BILLS extended. KIDS are at home with their FAMILIES. PARENTS are home taking care of their CHILDREN. FAST FOOD replaced by HOME COOKED MEALS. Hectic SCHEDULES replaced by NAPS, REST, and RELAXATION. The AIR seems CLEANER. The WORLD quieter. PEOPLE are conscious about HYGIENE and HEALTH. MONEY doesn't seem to make the WORLD GO ROUND anymore. DOCTORS, NURSES & TEACHERS are being praised and recognized instead of athletes and celebrities.

WE now have TIME, finally, to STOP & SMELL the ROSES. YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND SOMETHING POSITIVE IN EVERY NEGATIVE SITUATION!!

PS:  Some news stories are positive about the beach re-openings:  Pinellas beach opening a ‘successful day,’ sheriff says while others health officials fear a resurgence/new wave of COVID-19. In the meantime Trump visits mask factory, but does not wear a mask.

And we have our first loggerhead turtle nest!