Monday 30 March:

Grey morning. Read first thing then decided to work on my ‘Stephen Quiller’ sketch(!)… featuring bits and pieces in the back yard and using watercolour (my first time for ages). End result was somewhat strange)(see image), but I quite enjoyed the process (and also listened to music at the same time – lots of Irving Berlin). I also started to get my head round a Paul Nash-related sketch (but am finding it tricky).

I spoke to my friend Steve (the one who sent me the Chiltern Line DVD!) – to thank him, but also to see how he was coping (he lives in a multi-occupancy house and not too many friends, as far as I can make out). He seemed fine and I’ve said I’d phone him again over the coming weeks. I also chatted to my Spanish friend Ana (also an Urban Sketcher); she and her partner have also been self-isolating over the past week (even stopping going out for their daily jogs) and simply limiting their time outside to food shopping (but doing so as little as possible). We discussed the possibility of us sketching together using Google streetview and, if possible, also Zoom… choosing a particular location. If we can make it work, we might try to encourage other sketchers to join us ‘elsewhere’.

Moira went out for a walk, but I was attempting to understand Zoom technology!

Chatted to Alice+Dave+Mikey+Dan+Jemima in the afternoon (yes, I DID manage a Zoom connection!), which was very good – they sound as though they’re all coping pretty well… “taking each day at a time” (in Dave’s words).

Later chatted to Ruth+Iris+Rosa via Zoom (Stu was working at the plot)… and, again, they all seemed in good form.

We’re very lucky people.