Social distancing in The View from the Terrace

What a difference a week makes. This time last week we went to the park for our Mother’s Day outing. We were being careful, keeping our distance from other people, but it still felt Ok to go out. The next day a lockdown was announced. The parks are still open but just for exercise. The children’s playgrounds are closed, and no contact with people from outside your household is allowed.

I had sad news from a friend yesterday. Her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimers two years ago and had to go into a care home earlier this year. He is now very ill and she is unable to visit him. She didn’t say he had the virus, the reason she can’t visit may be a general precaution but it is awful for her and for him too. He was a good friend, a life and soul of the party type and they are a devoted couple. It is so sad that this could be how his life ends.

Louise and I spent an hour in the garden this afternoon. We planted some lily of the valley and some peacock orchids and generally tidied up. It has turned chilly but the sun was still out. The fountain that she made last year out of an old Belfast sink creates a lovely relaxing atmosphere. It is solar powered and, now that we are getting more sunshine, it plays for most of the day. They say that gardening is an act of faith in the future and that is what we need right now.