22nd April 2020: Coronavirus Day 38

Still the lockdown continues.  The media is full of bad news about deaths, especially of minorities, and government incompetence.  Today the UN warned of famine of 'biblical proportions' for people in the third world.   We wake daily to sunshine and our little sheltered existence.  It is quite unreal.  Apart from giving money, we are unable to do very much.  I add neighbours' shopping to my online list, but it's a infinitesimal contribution.  

A highlight of the last week was a brief visit from Rupert, Laura and Etty.  Etty has developed so much! The three of them stood outside the house and we talked to them from the front door.  It was hard not to give them a hug.  They had come to collect some antibacterial wipes which Laura is finding hard to get.  I've added some to my online shopping order for them, so we shall get another distanced visit soon.  We also passed over a bag of Rupert's stuff we have liberated from the loft!   

Seagull in the study!

We also liberated a mobile - a large wooden seagull.  Peter went to great lengths to fix up a fishing line from one corner of the study to another in order to hang the bird.  Pull the string and it 'flies'.   That's the sort of thing you get up to when you're hunting for something to do!   I've finished a sweater for Pearl for next winter, and have returned to the large sloppy sweater I'm knitting for myself, which is taking ages!   I must persist with it.  

For Pearl

Two large plastic troughs have arrived for growing more stuff in the garden.  Now to decide what to put in them!  Flowers or vegetables! Definitely some basil.  


We have two films to watch before a cinema club meeting by Zoom on Friday.  We have seen one, The Last Metro, and did not enjoy it.  We are hoping for a better experience from the second film, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, which we'll watch tonight.  

Looking through my diary is an interesting experience at the moment.  It's full of things that aren't happening.  This week Rupert and Laura should have been in Spain and Peter should have been in China. I should have been going to an art lecture at the university and Peter should have returned from China and gone to watch the football at Norwich City.  We were supposed to be having friends for Sunday lunch.  Instead I have three Zoom meetings (one with the Walking Group, one with Etty and Pearl for a story, and the cinema club discussion) and an online shopping delivery!