Tuesday 28 April:

Went for my dawn walk in the rain (see image)! I’m pretty sure it was the first early morning rain we’ve had since the start of the ‘lockdown’ (and there’s hardly been any at other times either)… and it was actually quite lovely. I was well protected in my waterproofs and, somewhat predictably, there was hardly anyone about (just two joggers, a cyclist and a dog-walker – whose ‘companion’ seemed distinctly unimpressed by the experience!). Back for breakfast (toast+coffee).

I spent some of the morning reading (Bryson and ‘Virgin Suicides’) and also scribbling out a ‘reflection’ on my other ‘coronavirus blog’!

Bob and Christine (Fieldsend) rang and we ended up having a good WhatsApp ‘screen meeting’ (or whatever it’s called). They seemed in good form – but obviously concerned that Dan might have picked up the virus (he’s apparently on the mend and at home – but it’s clearly caused difficulties as he’s also had to self-isolate himself in their small house.

Ruth popped round briefly to collect some printing materials from her studio.

I wrote a blogpost (on my ‘normal’ bigdaddy blog) about the virus – essentially after seeing a couple of brilliant covid-19-related videos expressing people’s hopes and wishes for when we eventually emerge on the ‘other side’. My post attempted to balance such determined efforts (which I fully support) against the government’s poor performance (in its preparations and implementations). I later watched the BBC’s ‘Panorama’ programme making similar criticisms.

Second ‘Wolf Hall’ episode in the evening, followed by a rather lovely ‘zoom’ chat (actually ‘jitsi’) with six lovely friends (Damaris, Lee Ann, Ann, Noelia, Karen and Kate) from my time in 2012, volunteering with the Iona Community.