Good Friday 10th April
Last night we are both woken by Chantal coughing, just for a few minutes. Today she has a sore throat. The cough cannot be described as “continuous, coughing a lot for more than an hour”. A sore throat is only a “reported” symptom of Covid 19, Chantal has no breathing problems, and doesn’t have a temperature. On balance, we conclude that she is not displaying Covid 19 symptoms. Total isolation for 14 days would be a 
challenge. We go for a gloriously warm and sunny morning dog walk along the ridge of the “New Hill” around Croft Quarry, deserted apart from a Dad striding behind two young sons, each frantically pedalling ahead on small bikes. This route would normally be busier on a fine Bank Holiday morning. Buzzards soar and swoop above, and the dogs patiently wait for us to take photos. At the far end of the New Hill we come across two bags of rubbish, the waste and left-overs from a BBQ. To some folk Social Isolation means gathering where you won’t be seen. We retrieve the bags to bring home. Later Steven cycles along part of the New Hill, and finds it very busy, a stream of couple and families walking along the road from Huncote and along the Hill, all stepping aside or waiting to maintain social distancing. Neighbours deliver cash for the shopping that I have done for them. Shops encourage contactless payment, and I use my phone at the checkout. Consequently, I am accumulating cash. I call John, our electrician, due to visit next Tuesday to install power to the patio at the bottom of our garden. Three weeks ago, he developed a cough, felt terrible, and hasn’t been out since, although the cough has stopped. Under the circumstances can we play it by ear on Tuesday, and see how he is? Under the circumstances, I say, we will postpone until post lockdown. I think that 
he is relieved. During the first week of lockdown we were due to have a concrete base constructed for a new greenhouse. The civil engineering was postponed until further notice. Fortunately we hadn’t ordered the greenhouse. Instead Chantal has purchased a small metal-framed plastic covered greenhouse as a temporary measure. This afternoon we erect this, after a lunch that included, for me, a pint of full-strength cider. I can see that the greenhouse is essentially a frame tent, and I know what I am doing. Chantal has the instructions, and knows that I don’t. After an entertaining hour or so we have a greenhouse.
Technically we live in Oaktree House, but sadly the tree had to go.
We now have a thriving Oakstump at the front of the house.
