With the UK in it's fifth week of Lockdown, I have been largely ignoring the news as much as I can do, something that I urge a lot of people to do. People got fed up of Brexit, last year and Sky News, launched a news channel that was completely free of Brexit.

Now we are faced with a pandemic and the media are full of fear-mongering.... Surely the media could find other news and positive stories happening around the globe, surely news channels and media outlets could launch stand alone news channels and news outlets that do not cover the pandemic, it really would not be hard to do, you managed to do it with Brexit, when we got a little bored of Brexit, now people are bored of the pandemic. We want positive news.

I earlier took a little look at the news, yes a little look and it really was repulsive and full of scare-mongering.

So far both journalists and politicians have been fantastic at installing fear into us all, which is sad, especially within a day and an age where we are perhaps even more reliant on technology than ever before. Was fake news a thing during the Spanish Flu pandemic? Simple answer is no. Now it is. Finland educates it's younger generation and it's population in general to spot fake news. Finland has even taken the approach to enlist it's social media influencers to help stop the spread of fake news.

America on the other hand is a hot bed for fake news, having said that the UK is not that much of a hot bed for fake news, but even so, fake news within the UK is still in existent.

And no more so than today, where a headline going around the country, is of and i quote "A New Disease within children that displays itself like COVID"

How low can the media get? They are already distrusted enough which is a natural reaction during a global emergency, but this new disease is not new.

Rare; yes..... New..... No. It is actually Kawasaki Disease, Earlier on today, Matt Hancock was seen as a health expert... I shall leave that open to discussion, talking about this new disease, sorry Kawasaki Disease, as being something new. It quite simply as I have stated, not new, just rare.

Now if that is not fear mongering then I do not know what is. Kawasaki Disease is one of those things that actually happens and sadly occurs when the immune system is lowered. The immune system generally needs to be healthy regardless of.

However with the pandemic and the Lockdown, people's immune systems including those of children will becoming lowered.

And yet, somehow the media like to push fear at the population. The same kind of fear that happened during world war two, the kind of fear that creates a two tier society, that stirs up hatred of people. A clever move? No, to keep people safe? No?

What I also find astonishing is that the media love in general to blow things out of proportion alongside with politicians.

But, Kawasaki Disease, which I repeat is not new, is something that is an effect of having a lowered immune system, and surely that could be something to do with being in Lockdown? An indirect lowered immune system struggling because of a lack of healthy immunity, surely this is something that needs to be addressed? Also where is the evidence to suggest that Lockdown actually does work?

Who knows.

But please, I beg the media in general, such as Peston, Laura Kuenssberg and other journalists, to stop putting a spin on what is in effect nature. The world at the end of the day will never be virus free, instead let nature do what nature does, and stop printing and spreading fear into people.

Is it any wonder that there is so much distrust, and when we see the above, with a new disease that is not new, it is clear proof that you are just scaring people.

Stop it, as it really is not true, again your news articles and reports are simply adding to people's anxiety which again can result in unhealthy mental health, lowered immunity and anxiety.

Instead, try to promote good news and positive news, it really is not difficult is it?

Podcasts, Something Different for Lockdown.

With so many people working from home, finding the balance between concentration on work projects and relaxation, after work or when taking a break from work. That perfect balance could be a walk around the garden, catching up on a Netflix episode or something on Amazon Prime. Perhaps even listening to music or even a spot of gaming. The Sims and City Building games are perfect for relaxation; however there is something else that can be the opposite of music or television and gaming.... That is spoken word.

When I say, spoken word, I am not talking about audio books, although they can be just as fantastic to listen to.

What I am talking about are Podcasts. Something that are really becoming slightly bigger and more accessible for everyone. Apple I suppose decided to make podcasts actually "known" and the iPod made them even more popular. If it was not for apple, then would podcasts have actually become popular. They to begin with did remain popular, but then they dipped in popularity and podcasts became less popular.

However with various new advancements within technology, podcasts have gained a new following and have undergone a major regeneration. It is also easier now, to produce and release a podcast, and even more you can do it on your smartphone with a smartphone app, such as Anchor.

With apps such as Anchor, it means that you can have a potential passive income, with monetisation. Anyway moving on from the passive income element, that is something else I shall cover on here.

But podcasts though are the ideal way to relax with. Music yes is fantastic to listen to, but if you want something calming, podcasts are the ideal way to unwind and relax during these incredibly strange times.

The other thing with podcasts is variety, the sheer amount of variety and issues that are covered within podcasts are as broad as they are wide, and below are a number of various podcasts and topics that are covered within these fantastic audio shows that really can and do open up curious minds both young and old.

• Politics
• Science
• Music
• Technology
• Arts
• Spoken Word, Drama
• Educational and Children's

The list really does go on. Only yesterday I was listening to a Radio 4 Podcast, which is called Open Country, a fascinating podcast about the countryside, life within semi rural areas from celebrity figures, truly relaxing to listen to. 

But how exactly do I go about listening to podcasts? Accessing podcasts are incredibly easy. And below are some methods of how to access podcasts. 

• Google Podcasts - Perhaps the easiest way of accessing podcasts is through the Google Podcasts application, which can be downloaded for both Android and IOS. Plus even better you can listen to podcasts, via your browser, as long as you are signed into your gmail account. Easy and Simple is the application, and the best thing, Google Podcasts is designed to work alongside your smart speakers. Ideal for that end of work relaxation period. 
• BBC Sounds App - Again another free application, the BBC Sounds App, works on Android and IOS plus through any web browser.
• Spotify - Again this is another fantastic piece of software, yes you can pay £9.99 a month or £4.99 a month if you have a .ac.uk email address and are within education. But Spotify has everything. Music and Podcasts, the software for Apple and Windows is fantastic and easy to navigate, plus take advantage of the Android and IOS applications. Pure bliss.
• Pocket Casts - More in depth in terms of a podcast app, but at least there is a free version, although it does come with adverts. Want to avoid adverts then you can pay a small subscription.
• Blinkist - Blinkist is a more hybrid approach. Whilst you could argue that it is a podcast application, it takes the best of both worlds, from Audible (An audio book player), and mixes this with short audio story element with podcasts. Something that could be useful between work, whilst on a break. Best of all each short story fact or fiction is sixteen minutes long. Although it might be worth subscribing. Oh and it works in conjunction with your smart speaker.

Yes there is music, YouTube and other streaming services, but lets not forget the hidden gem of podcasts.... Interesting and thought provoking for escapism during these strange times, and something that we should all be doing, escaping the news, focusing on the positives and listening to podcasts.

A Truly Heartwarming Story of Positives and Human Compassion. How Kia Tobin lifted the nations Hearts.

Good news and Positive news, is something that is truly heartwarming, and it provides us escapism and raises our spirits. What I am going to tell you, in this article, is a heartwarming true story, that shows the positives of human compassion, regardless of age ranges or gaps, and how one 17 year old carer in Preston, bought a tear to all of our eyes.

We as a society in the UK, are quick to judge, we are quick to judge people by their age, by their sex, by their sexuality, by the way they look, by their religion, by their beliefs. It really is a sad and sordid state of looking at society in general.

Society being the human race, the human race being a species of mammal. Much like Whales and Dolphins, who are also mammals.... Let that sink in for a minute.

17 Year Old, Kia Tobin, a care assistant working at Thistleton Lodge Care Home, in Preston had noticed, that 94 year old naval veteran Ken Benbow, would go to bed, with a picture of his wife Ada, in a photo frame, on a table, next to his bedside. What happened next was incredibly amazing.... Quite possibly one of the most touching things that I have seen in a long time. Human compassion but on another level.

Care assistant Kia Tobin, was filmed, one morning giving a truly special and amazing present to veteran, Ken Benbow. She walked in, to his room and presented him with a cushion, a printed cushion with a photograph of his wife, the same one that is in the photo frame, next to his bedside. As can be expected, tears of happiness, sadness and a time for pondering.

What it shows, is that as a society, we should perhaps not be so quick to judge others. At 17 Years old and perhaps not in a Pandemic, the media would have completely ignored these actions, that Kia Tobin, went to. Perhaps if there was not a Pandemic, society would have judged Kia Tobin, as a "typical teenage girl".

How far removed could those people be, could the media be even? Incredibly far removed is the simple answer.

For what society forgets is that we are all human, regardless of our skin tones, regardless of our looks, religion and beliefs and as the sun goes down, we all bleed the same red blood. A strange but true outlook, that society should look at before being so quick to judge.

And here is the thing, Kia Tobin, is one of many care assistants, who is a human being, showing extraordinary compassion during extraordinary times, and it is these people that we should cherish as we look to the future and come out of this pandemic. We as a society should put down arms, weapons and truly fund healthcare, not war, fund proper healthcare systems that can be used within the future, perhaps even we can learn from our past, and build a better future, one where the front line doctors, nurses and care assistants, get the pay that they truly deserve.

Kia, yesterday put a tweet out asking opinions, on something to do with perhaps starting a business, in the future, of doing printed memory, cushions, something that, in my opinion she should do..... An intelligent mind, that of an angel and a friendship that was truly shining through with Ken Benbow 

I shall link the article below, about this amazing young lady,

https://www.lep.co.uk/news/lancashire-d-day-veteran-ken-benbow-overcome-emotion-he-receives-touching-gift-remember-beautiful-caring-wife-ada-2544694

Along with the incredibly touching interview that she gave, to Good Morning Britain. If there is anyone who deserves recognition for this, then it is definitely young care assistants such as Kia Tobin.... And a society change in which people do not pre-judge others, regardless of age.

At 17, she is a true angel and an inspiration to others around the country. Someone worthy of recognition and perhaps it is now time to recognise these amazing young people, without the media painting a negative picture of them.

Lockdown Music Review: Mary Chapin Carpenter

Sometimes the best medicine in the world is not something that is "pharmaceutical" but is more natural. Yes we might be having strange dreams, suffering from insomnia and worrying, a good way to stop worrying is to avoid the news, and do what you love to do anyway, re-discover that old hobby, talk to friends, make time to complete that project, it really does go without saying.

But one of the best medicines available within the world at the moment, is the medicine of Music, something that is a fantastic communication method as well as a language that is perhaps more universal than Esperanto was thought to be. It goes without saying that Music itself has healing properties, it can also relax and ease our minds of worry and provides escapism from the world. Just listening to Albatross by Fleetwood Mac, has the properties to relax us and calm us. Okay they might have been slightly high when the recorded the track, but it is purely instrumental and simple within the style that it has been recorded. Whenever I listen to it, I am transferred in thought to a more peaceful place away from worry, away from the fractured world and society that we live in, to a place of peace and tranquillity, to a place where sandy beaches and the shore gently laps with waves. And it remains even today one of the most unique pieces of music ever recorded.

That is what is great about music, it is also a work of art and an art form within its own rights. Despite Albatross taking my mind to a place of Escapism, an Albatross is quite a large sea bird, and from a shoreline with lapping waves, it also makes you think that you are flying, again flight is escapism, and looking down on the world as we soar above it, is an ideal that a lot of us at the moment probably wish we could be doing. Ah, how we can continue to dream on.

I for quite a while now, have become quite accustomed to listening to an Artist, from America, called "Mary Chapin Carpenter" And I have a guess that a lot of readers of this blog, have possibly never heard of Mary Chapin Carpenter, I for one had not heard of her, until I stumbled across a track by her, called "What does it mean to travel" and since then I have kind of become hooked on her unique musical style and voice. Whilst she hails from America, her music has a mixture, no a multitude of different styles, which all come together to make something different, something that is escapism and best of all pure sounding.

Now whilst the American singer and songwriter world gave us the likes of James Taylor, who broke through to international recognition, Mary Chapin Carpenter, remained silent, definitely within Europe to some degree. Only recently have people within Europe discovered her music, much like me.

With a New Jersey background her style of music is one that borders both Americana and Folk, plus Singer Songwriter, all into one whole swoop and places it nicely under an umbrella, it really is perhaps one of the nicest sounds that I have come across in a long time. The track that originally got me into her music, is the song "What does it mean to travel" which I shall post, for you to listen to.

Stunning, Haunting almost isn't it? And it is one with questions, questions about being alone, but taking the time to explore and seek out new places. Something that a lot of people will be keen to do, when Lockdown is ended.

The way the track is produced is simple, a guitar and some light drum patterns make it mellow and ideal for relaxation, ideal for long summer days and light nights. Yes it really is music to pass the time with during Lockdown.

Having listened to her music for quite some time, it is perfect and a blend of styles and instrumental patterns develop to shape the songs, songs that reflect the personal life and somewhat turbulent life that Mary Chapin Carpenter, has lived through, including her battles with depression. Something that a lot of musicians are sadly not capable of doing due to the media hounding them, something that the media even today carry on doing.

Just remember the hashtag #BeKind, something that was long forgotten after the sad death of Caroline Flack.

Reserved, is Mary Chapin Carpenter, with the way she sings, but she also wants us the listener to experience what she has experienced, a strange way of looking at things, but reviewing music can be a strange thing to do as well. 

"Sometimes Just The Sky" was the first album of hers that I listened to, and whilst it is the most recent album, it flows, it flows with aspects of self help, self isolation, and personal experiences that can help us in the long run become better throughout life.

All of her discography echoes self help and how to be better at all parts of life that we are in, and no matter what part of life we are in, her singing just helps with that. A unique self help book, in song form, being communicated through song instead of by pure reading that we would normally do. Relationships, Travel, Social Isolation (before it became a coined phrase) along with physical distancing, all of the songs on each of her albums deal with life, including some of life's questions that are answered in a unique song form.

But amazingly, the songs about relationships involve songs about break-ups and love, all be it sung with a unique style, but the songs about love are sung within a platonic way, something that these days, should be discussed. Platonic relationships are something that we should all have, and are the best kinds of relationships no matter what.

A piece of Carol King, also shines through, so if you like Carol King, Bruce Springsteen and James Taylor, I dare say as well, but Leonard Cohen, then you are in for a treat with Mary Chapin Carpenter, add her to your music collection, you really will not be disappointed.

But it is this style of music that I really do like, the obscure, and yes I do like a whole plethora of music, but Chapin Carpenter, really is a diamond gleaming and is a pleasure to listen to.

And within these strange times, we really need music like this to listen to, music for pure relaxation and music that is ideal for anyone working from home, who wants to switch off, and get work done.

I must also point out, that Mary Chapin Carpenter, has a fantastic YouTube Channel where she has been uploading music to, guitar sessions, and this is fantastic, so give her a listen to, for escapism and transporting to somewhere that holds good memories, positive energies surely is the best place to be, and the style of her music helps to take us there.

Please, Please do give her a listen.....

A voice of calm, a voice that can teach us all something about life, our own life and others in life, a voice of peace and harmony.

A full 10/10 and a musician and artist who is yet to become, more discovered over here in the UK.

Things that are NOT cancelled

I want to share a little something. A friend of mine, sent me the following, which is a list of things that are not cancelled, which we should all be looking at, the best things in life are free and these are some of the best free things that you have with you at the moment.

So Let's embrace what we have.

Photography is Soothing..... Photography by "Baggy's Photos"

One thing that this "Lockdown" has proven is that everyone around the country has an artistic talent, and that is incredibly true. Something that has more than likely helped a lot of independent artists within their own rights. Independent artists and creators who under a normal situation perhaps would not have been discovered for their talents or overlooked by the pace of life before the Lockdown, compared to now, where we have slowed down.

It is that slower pace, that has made us all pay attention to the hidden talents and skills that a lot of people have. Only the other day I saw a fantastic drum solo by "Owain Wyn Evans", a BBC Weatherman who presents the weather on North West Tonight, the BBC Regional News, for Lancashire, Cheshire, Manchester and the surrounding north western regions, yes a little further north than The Isles of Scilly, but for someone who is much loved by the people who watch regional news, viewers also discovered that he himself had a hidden talent; which he showcased at the end of BBC Northwest Tonight.

Working from home and presenting the weather, Owain, had finished his slot, and immediately went to his drum kit, where he started playing in tune and time, to the BBC News, music titles, and immediately he went viral. Is it any wonder, the timing is fantastic, and the video is linked below.

A true and incredible talent, and it would seem as if the Lockdown is bringing out the best of us, including our hidden talents. But not only is it hidden talents that people are showcasing. Last night history was made within the musical world. A series of globally renowned musical artists played a global music festival.

Now a musical festival is something that I can imagine a lot of people would love to attend. However due to the Lockdown, music festivals are not happening..... Or are they? You see technology has helped connect everyone, from video calls and emailing loved ones or friends and creating things such as virtual pubs and pub quiz nights, the ability to adapt has been something that we have all had to do across the globe.

Last night though saw a musical first, a global first and was quite possibly the worlds first virtual festival. The festival/concert was called Global Citizen, and if there is something that can link us all together, it is music. Music has the power to heal, to calm us and helps us to cope. I did catch a little bit of the concert and it was sheer bliss. Now if it has taught me anything, it is that maybe concerts and festivals should more than likely be virtual and live streamed on YouTube, something that maybe some of the artists at Glastonbury should consider doing.

And a lot of musicians have been gracing YouTube as well, well known ones to lesser known independent artists, who I am sure, in the future we will be hearing more of.

If there is one thing that the whole Lockdown has taught a lot of people, it is that community matters and that music, art, photography is something that we can all appreciate and raises our spirits and that friendships are things to cherish quite literally.

Another art and communication form, is photography and for a lot of landscape photographers especially, the Lockdown has meant that they have had to adapt. A lot of photographers are either writing blogs, or creating vlogs on the tutorial aspect of things, or how to do a different style of photography, even a different style of photography can mean that as a photographer you end up learning something new.

As a lot of people are aware and a lot of us on The Isles of Scilly are aware, many people who visit the islands often come back time and time again..... The Isles of Scilly, have a photographic charm that visitors love and that as residents we all cherish.

Over on the fantastic Scillywebcam Appreciation Society, on Facebook, which is a truly fantastic group, a lot of people share their photographs of the islands. Loved by both residents and visitors to the islands, some fantastically talented photographers share their own works. If you love the islands and can not get to the islands, due to the Lockdown, then head over to the Scillywebcam Appreciation Society and join it, for it really is a fantastic group.

And it goes without saying that photography really is soothing, again it is an art form and is creative yet is also a method of communication. The Isles of Scilly, however are unique and are incredibly picturesque within their own rights, each island and the ocean paint a never ending scene which changes each minute and each hour, something that a lot of photographers love and why a lot of people love landscape photography.

Regardless of, a lot of landscape photographers, are whilst self employed, still making money, and photography is something else that is purchasable and safe to do so. If anyone reading this is a photographer, now might be the time to start a website up, and start selling your photographs.

One of the Photographers, over on the Scillywebcam Appreciation Society, is Baggy Robinson, I am sure a lot of people have seen his photographs and they are truly fantastic and incredibly calming, and it is something that landscape photography is good at doing, calming us and soothing us all. Baggy Robinson, has been kind enough to supply some of his photographs, which were used on Thescillyindependent, to begin with. However, since that has been changed, instead anything that is not news related will be posted on fiveislandseye. A new online blog, for art, life hacks, technology help and positives.

Baggy Robinson, is known for his unique photography styles, of editing and colour, something that I really do like quite a lot. The following photographs are credited and copyrighted, to Baggy Robinson. 

Kayak in Eastern Isles

On the way to Tresco

Palms on Tresco 

Round Island

Sailing into the bay 

Samson

Star Castle

Toll's Island

St Martins - Phone box

Hugh Town Panorama

Scillonian

So for anyone wanting a fix of the Isles of Scilly, then here are some of Baggy Robinson's fantastic photographs. Simple and soothing and that is what photography is. Whilst Baggy, does not sell his photographs, he does share them and you can see more of his photography over on his Facebook page, which is here: https://www.facebook.com/BaggysPhotos

Please be sure to check his photographs out.

It really does go without saying that photography is something that we should all be supporting, photography again is proven to lift our spirits and can remind us all of happier times and where we would all love to be in the future. For photography is all about memories and already a lot of landscape photographers are selling prints, again quite a lot of people are purchasing prints for loved ones, relatives etc.....

Some other photographers who have captivated visitors and islands alike, are the following.... Again though they do also have online stores meaning you can order photographic prints, they are linked below.

Isaac Ogden - https://www.isaacogdenphotography.com/
28swphotography - https://www.28swphotography.co.uk/

Again two fantastic landscape photographers, who have also visited Scilly and captured the sheer uniqueness of the islands.

And throughout these times one of the best bits of advice I have been given is to switch off, from the news, learn a new skill, talk to friends and family and cherish life.

When we get back to normality, The Isles of Scilly will still be there no matter what. But for safety, Please Stay Home.

An Island Wide Appeal, The chance to Help in a Poetry Project.

Now as you are aware, the fiveislandseye is a completely new and re-vamped blog site, which is run in conjunction with Thescillyindependent, a website that went live, last week. Thescillyindependent is a news website, and at the moment it is still to some extent under construction, so please do be patient in regards to that.

Still though it has been built using WordPress, a Content Management System or CMS for short, which is a fantastic way in which to design and build a website, the best thing as well is it does not require any code at all, everything is modular and it can work within a lot of use cases, from hospitality, technology, e-commerce and more, so if anyone is looking into adapting their businesses in these strange times, then WordPress is fantastic. Another slightly easier CMS to use is Wix, and that works in the same way as any desktop publishing software does, although it is slightly more expensive, but it is largely drag and drop, again making it super easy to get online, in these extraordinary times.

Anyway, I shall not waffle on, digression though, regardless of is quite good and something else that I have found to be of use, is ignoring the news..... Unless of course it is in a local newspaper or on a local news website.

Thescillyindependent earlier, had a comment, on an article, from a poet, called David Redfield. He has previously been interviewed by Linda, on Radio Scilly (Now Islands FM). And he is asking if anyone on the Islands would be interested in helping with his latest project, two of which he is running at the moment, one for where he lives in North Norfolk and the other being for The Isles of Scilly. 

The project that David, is working on is called "The Lockdown Spring Renga Project". Which is a writing project to reflect life under Lockdown, one of which as mentioned above is for where David lives. However, David has also said that his other project is "The Scilly Renga".

David also adds, that he is posting "The Scilly Renga" on "Johnny Mack's Jukebox Page" and on the Isles of Scilly Notice Board page as well as the St Mary's Library Page. If anyone can help or wants to be part of and help with his project and The Scilly Renga, then the link to David's page is below.

https://www.writeoutloud.net/profiles/davidredfield

A Warm Welcome to fiveislandseye

Hello, Ah, Hello world and of course Hello from The Isles Of Scilly. Previously this website... nah blog, was known as Thescillyindependent.... Yes that was once this blog, but that has all changed, instead Thescillyindependent is now here. Instead this site has been renamed.... But why? Well because it would be pointless to waste good blog space, that is the simplest of reasons. Instead a rename to the following,

fiveislandseye

did seem the logical and most sensible thing to do, but why fiveislandseye? Well the Isles of Scilly has five inhabited islands within it's archipelago, and because as fiveislandseye is now re branded slightly, ever so slightly it is now the perfect time to change this existing corner of blog space into a blog of positives in what is otherwise a negative time. it is also a sad time for the world, but despite the sadness within the world, the thing that gets people through the bad times, is laughter which always wins, that and music, entertainment and much more. For these extraordinary times are leading to entire communities doing things to raise morale and spirits, something that is good for mental health and our overall sanity.

fiveislandseye is a new blog, for The Isles Of Scilly, and is community based, a communal blog of positives and content, but at the same time, it is one that you can get involved in, want to contribute, with an article or content for the fiveislandseye YouTube channel, then do get in contact!!!!

Another thing, fiveislandseye, is for visitors who love these islands and keep coming back, year on year and for the relatives of islanders who are around the UK and further afield......

 But please, for now, Stay Home and Stay Safe!!!!