Friday 3 April

Busy day today juggling work on the laptop and phone with a range of chores.

Needed to remotely help Dad to make a payment for the first time using internet banking; nightmare, so ended up doing it myself from my laptop for him.

Had to get some provisions for him so went with Stan to Aldi but Stan had to wait in the car as they only allowed one person at a time in.

He found it really strange to see everyone queuing around the car park keeping a 2 metre distance from each other.

Had another evening with an alcoholic drink and realised I had had a drink each night since the lockdown.

Thursday 2 April

Really missing Mum today, thought about her a lot.

Another strange Question Time on telly tonight with no live audience and all of the panelists sat in a semi-circle on chairs 2m apart.

Another combination of work from laptop (mainly fielding questions about Google Classroom) and on the phone (voice calls, video calls and using WhatsApp).

First day when I have started to feel claustrophobic but still have garden and lanes for a walk with Mabel and family.

Adora officially had a letter from the school and Ofqual to say that her mock exams and school work would go towards making her GCSE grades.

Wednesday 1st April

BBC News – David Hockney shares exclusive art from Normandy, as ‘a respite from the news’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-52109901

Woke up this morning to Radio 4 sharing that Trump is saying there could be up to 250,000 US deaths; a much more sombre sound coming from this arse of a president.

But also woke to a diamond-glitter of a frost outside on the lawn and across the orchards which was sparkling in the early morning sunshine.

Then returned to the radio to hear an article about 84 year old David Hockney who is self-isolating in his home in Normandy.

He had shared some spring themed art that he had created on his iPad and, via a letter to the BBC, explained how beautiful the world is.

We have just lost sight of it and that maybe, as a result of the virus, we might realise it; all we need in life is food and love – just ask his dog Ruby, he said.

Tuesday 31 March 2020

Sorted Dad’s computer out to get him internet banking and drove it round to him; this is considered an ‘essential journey’ so I can do it.

Had the windows cleaned, it’s really difficult for self-employed workers at the moment as work is drying up.

Just seen a beautiful Sparrowhawk on the patio with a blackbird in its talons; a real hoo-haa ensued with the blackbird breaking free and scurrying into the flower bed.

Did another jog with Adora as she goes for the Couch to 5k programme after doing a 4k walk with Lisa and Mabel.

Don’t know what we’d do if we couldn’t get outside.

Monday 30 March 2020

It is Lisa’s birthday today and we wonder if this will be the only one of our birthdays spent in lockdown.

Our daily walks are a gift every time and today’s was special as a rainbow appeared over the orchard and our house.

Adora made birthday cupcakes which were magnificent, that girl is so precious, creative and gifted.

Not being able to get out has been odd as we would ordinarily gone out for a meal or gone shopping for a nice gift; instead we had steak and chips and I ordered a new pair of Birkenstock sandals for her.

That said, we will make up for it when all this is over maybe with a weekend away.

Sunday 29 March 2020

In bed, it’s 11.40pm, listening to radio 5 Live.

Trump is talking BS and dumbing down the virus whilst his advisers shake their heads behind him.

They are projecting between 150k and 200k deaths with the current epicentre being New York state.

We were due to visit NYC in two weeks time to celebrate my 50th birthday; obviously cancelled

We are celebrating Lisa’s birthday tomorrow with just cards and a nice meal; we’ll do something special in a couple of months time.

Saturday 28 March 2020

Started the day with the cats jumping on us in bed, bloody annoying.

Another sunny start to the day but cold.

Went to Tesco and Aldi to get stuff for my Dad and us; there were queues outside.

Everything and everyone seems really flat but it is still so strange.

Adora made cinnamon buns and Mabel ran off the lead when we took her for a walk; life’s not all bad.

Friday 27 March 2020

So, the PM and the Health Secretary both have Covid-19.

Give is doing the briefing today on the radio and telly, dodging the questions as usual.

Beautiful sunny day again, managed to have a bonfire to get rid of all of the garden cuttings and the Christmas tree.

No work for Stan again as The Bull has now closed.

Had a series of Skype calls from Dad as he kept pressing the wrong button on the computer.

Wednesday 25 March 2020

We decided to close one of our two PRUs today and use the minibus to get three students up to Colchester.

Still beautiful sunshine but a chilly breeze.

Dad received a letter from Mum today via the kind people at the care home.

Dad read it to me over the phone and got very upset and happy at the same time.

She is watching old films, singing songs and colouring in; she is content and safe.

Wednesday 25 March

The uncertainty of how this is going to play out is being set aside for me at the moment as I focus on how we manage the newness of the situation.

At work we are getting into remote online learning and setting this up as well as managing and supporting colleagues with it is keeping me busy.

At home we are concerned with ensuring we have enough toilet roll and basic foods such as flour, rice and pasta.

Also, how are supermarkets and online retailers going to cope with the immediate demand?

I guess things will settle down into some sort of ‘normal’ but I guess that depends on how severe the virus hits and how long we will be in lockdown.