March 20

Christopher, Elizabeth's son, has been doing some gardening for us for the past week. The grass at the back of the house had become seriously overgrown. It actually looked very pretty, especially in the early morning and it has attracted a lot of bird life, but it does need to be cut.

There is a lot of uncertainty at school as the president's message about closing schools needs to be verified. Ellie's school sends out a message that they are closing at lunchtime and work will be given to the pupils to complete at home. I have already made Whatsapp groups with my classes and I give them work to do as I am sure many of them will not come to school next week.

However, in general, I find everyone very laid back about things. We see people in the UK and USA rushing around panic buying, but it is not something the average person can really afford to do here.

We have banned my dad from watching the news as he gets very anxious, worrying if everyone is OK. We don't have television, but he does.

John finishes the work he was doing converting the khaya into a cottage and is very pleased with his effort. However, the lady who is going to live in it approaches him to ask if he can hammer a few nails into the wall for her to hang her curtains from. This is not something to ask someone who has spent the last month repairing and painting all the rooms. In reply, John says he will nail her to the wall if she even thinks of doing such a thing. Instead, he will put up a curtain rail.