Pop!

The moth trap light bulb has died, so activities will cease for a while - not that they have been exactly strenuous with the run of very cold nights. Impressively, the various moth trap-supplying firms are continuing business online, but in the long-term, the issue of mercury vapour bulbs is problematic.

As the website of Anglian Lepidopterist Supplies, one of the main specialists, explains:

Most of the remaining bulbs also seem to have screw threads, whereas my ancient Robinson trap has a three-pin bayonet fitting. I think I've sourced a new bulb but, as it happens, I have two unused screw bulbs in storage, one of them shown left with the newly defunct bayonet one. So if anyone handy in these matters is passing by and reading this, I'd be grateful for any tips on converting my system. I guess I need to find a new bulbholder with a screw thread to link up to the wire shown right.

Meanwhile, you may like to see how much rubbish - quite a lot of it insect-based by the look of it, -accumulates in the base of a bulbholder whose owner has not cleaned it out for 12 years:

Now that I have cleaned it, I will give the bulb one last try but I doubt, sadly, that the fluff and bits of wing and leg will have stopped the power getting through.  As a consolation, and a relief from the virus misery, the Spring countryside is fantastic at the moment. Here are blackthorn, violets and cowslips which Penny and I saw on a very ordinary footpath near us yesterday. 

Back home, we are very much enjoying the spate of witty internet posts on what to do at home during the lockdown. There is a brilliant one in which people create their own twist on Old Master paintings, while this is a guide to mountain-climbing using your stairs - apologies if you live in a bungalow:

With our holiday plans completely wrecked, like so many other people's, one of our sons also kindly emailed these suggestions for tourism at home:

And finally, here is a little brain gym for you, to keep the grey cells alert:

Warmly wishing everyone the best in keeping safe and well during  these difficult times.