Just been looking at Lord Drakeford’s latest edicts. In summary nothing changes – you can go up to 5 miles for a walk but no further, no shopping, no pubs no restaurants, and if you want to get your hair cut forget it. And no firm indication that anything will change any time soon, just a vague indication that possibly a couple of things might be considered in 3 weeks. Unless you want to join a protest rally, in which case that’s alright then.

Does the man not comprehend that at some stage the Welsh economy has to start to function again. Especially tourism. It is reasonable to say that for the moment we can do without hordes of day trippers all heading for a few popular spots, spending little money and just making a nuisance of themselves. But look ahead to the main tourist season. Like it or not a lot of the Welsh economy is based on tourism, 9% directly and probably another 9% indirectly. So lets look at the tourism sectors and what Drakeford has to say to encourage people to think about coming to Wales to spend money in Wales.

Caravan Parks. No indication that they will be allowed to open at all (English ones are gearing up to start in the next few weeks).

Hotels. No encouragement to think about bookings so all those jobs going.

B&Bs. Have you read his latest. It would be very difficult for them to open at all it would seem. Why? Because guests would have to share facilities apparently. Obviously the affluent Mr Drakeford has not stayed in one very recently. The vast majority now have en suites for all rooms. Breakfasts then? A lot of B&B establishments have between 3 and 5 rooms. Social distancing should not be a problem especially with staggered timings. Anyway what about a breakfast tray delivered to out side the room (which some offer now). There are a huge number of self employed families running B&Bs but also providing other jobs, especially part time ones which are a lifeline to parents with young children. Ah but I suppose evening meals could be a problem. (see next)

Restaurants and cafes. No you can’t open – more jobs gone even though some are valiantly trying to provide a take away service

Theme parks, castles, museums etc. No encouragement of opening up any time soon.

Shops apart from the essentials. No you must stay closed – no way can you be trusted to work out a “safe system”.

So how could anyone holiday in Wales if the border is opened and no sign of that yet? He gave a ray of hope. He supposed they might be able to come to a self contained self catering unit so long as they could completely self isolate in it should they get ill. So bring all your food etc with you in case you get ill. But hey given all the above who would want to go out anywhere anyway.

On the home front yesterday was an uninspiring one as far as the weather went so in the evening the stove was lit to attempt to bring a little joy. The Front Stalls were immediately occupied by the totally non productive member of the establishment, the cat, who elegantly draped himself covering as much space as possible. More of him in a moment. Junior Management commandeered the rest of the Front Stalls. This left me in the cheap seats at the rear, wondering who had actually laid the fire and brought the wood in. Mind you I gather in the near future I may be banned from using wood cut down from trees round the estate. Something about my carbon footprint I gather.

When I see the size of the food and medical bills for the occupant of the front stalls I do wonder what will happen when he finally does the decent thing. Given his liking for the position in front of the fire perhaps he will not be too discomforted if he descends below rather than ascends to the cat heaven in the sky. I have vision of St Peter interviewing him at the gates. “And what great deeds have you performed?” Given that he has failed miserably in all normal duties I wonder. The odd minute mouse is about his greatest triumph. It reminds me of the words of The Ballard of Spiro Agnew, that great America politician. The words went as I remember -” I will sing of Spiro Agnew and all that he has done ………………………… ” End. On the other hand perhaps he will catch St Peter on a good day.