Ireland day 1530. Saturday 06 December 2025- Flu

Today’s summary	Took delivery of a Flu test kit from Amazon this morning and subsequently discovered that I have been suffering from Type A (probably the new variant H3N2 subclade K). It’s good to know why I have felt so ill. Used the rest of the day fairly productively to deal with most of the rest of the Christmas cards. Watched another “Knives Out” film and a travel documentary on Montenegro in the evening.
Today’s weather	Showery and windy most of the day. Strong to gale force westerly wind. Appx 10c
Today’s overview location (The blue mark shows the location of my route)			Close-up location (The blue line shows where I walked) (No GPX today)

Commentary

When I first started feeling ill a few days ago, I just assumed it was an ordinary cold. But as a precaution I did a Covid test – and it was negative. But as the symptoms got worse and worse, I wondered if something else was going on, so as a precaution I ordered some Flu tests from Amazon.

Anyway this morning the test kits arrived – ironically it was just as I was starting to feel a little better. Anyway I tested myself and discovered that I was positive for Influenza Type A. Probably strain H3N2 subclade k, a particularly infectious new variety that is going around at the moment.

In a way I was quite glad to find out what was wrong with me because I’m not sure I have ever felt quite as ill as I did on Thursday. And as well as all the horrible physical symptoms, I also found it made me feel very introspective and stopped me sleeping. Totally unpleasant and in retrospect I really regret deciding not to get the flu vaccine this year. A big mistake, which I won’t repeat in a hurry.

I was also quite glad that Val is away at the moment. Living in the close confines of a small flat, it would have been almost impossible to isolate myself and she would have probably caught it as well. That would made us both very miserable.

Anyway – the day wasn’t a complete write off because I managed to get almost all of the Christmas cards finished and posted. It’s a lot of work (and to be fair Val did most of it before she left) but definitely worth it.

I should also return to the subject of evening TV viewing. Last night I finished off watching “Knives Out” on Netflix. I hadn’t enjoyed the first half I saw the night before, but I have to say the second half was much better. Overall I’d give the film 6 or 7 out of 10. In fact there is a sequel called “Glass Onion” and I was sufficiently intrigued by its predecessor, that I think I will devote a couple of hours of my life to watching it tonight.

But even better – one of my favourite travel vloggers – Lucas T Jahn – has just launched a new video on Montenegro. So I’m going to round off the evening by watching that. Plenty to look forward to!

Today’s photos (click to enlarge)

Essential sustenance – especially when you’re losing so much electrolyte by blowing your nose all the time	Off they go!
€12.50 for two, on Amazon.   By the time I tested today, my “A” line was already fading.   I think I was at my worst on Thursday and it would have been better to test then.   But the tests took three days to arrive so I think I’ll try and keep one or two in stock just in case either of us ever gets symptoms like this again in the future

Interactive map

(No map today)

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