The Extreme Staycation

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Lockdown In plant news, things have grown which is exciting.  Today we planted things (potatoes, carrots, peas) in the ground outside and I stuck in lots of poles - not because I'm imagining plants are going to grow over night, like Jack and the Beanstalk - but because I don't want any of the many cats and squirrels that frequent our garden to start digging or pooing there. We transplanted the courgettes from their original pots to individual ones and they seem to have immediately taken a turn for the worse... send prayers! Tomatoes, cauliflower and brussel sprouts are all growing, they are still small and need further cultivating. It's all a bit scary.  I really want them to grow but I really don't know what I'm doing!

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Lockdown VE Day Today marked 75 years since the end of World War 2.  Many street parties were planned and the early May bank holiday was moved to a Friday to aid in the festivities. Lots of people around the country still marked the day with at-home celebrations and of course there was a 2 minutes silence at 11am. Now feels like an appropriate moment to reflect on how, as a nation, we can work together to triumph - whether that is over an evil dictatorship or over a rampant disease.

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Lockdown A short & silly play, written to a rule, in 26 lines Brian: Actually Graham, I think you’ll find I was here first Graham: Brian, c’mon man, I’ve never seen one in real life Brian:   Can’t see why that’s my problem.   You should have got up earlier Graham:  Don’t start with that again Brian:   Exactly a year ago I think it was… Graham:  For fuck’s sake… Brian:   Got up, drove to you, waited for 45 minutes until you finally appeared Graham:  Here we go… Brian:   I had coffee, warm toasted bagels- Graham:  Just trying to make me feel worse aren’t you? Brian:   Kronuts, those half doughnut half croissant things Graham:  Look I said I was sorry Brian:   Maybe I don’t believe you Graham:  No?   Why? Brian:   Oh I don’t know, because when we finally got there you told everyone I drove slowly and that's why we wer...

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Lockdown I have a funny relationship with quizzes.  I enjoy the testing of knowledge element of a quiz, but what I don't really enjoy is the competitiveness. Since lockdown I have done more quizzes than in the last 10 years, easily.  It's fun to get questions right but what I've really enjoyed is being together with friends and family over Zoom and having the regular contact with these important people in my life. It's my turn to help set the questions for the next family quiz - something I've never done before - and I'm looking forward to this new challenge!

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Lockdown The Streets - a poem The streets The streets they are different. Where once people jostled Now they avoid. Discarded coffee cups replaced by surgical masks Rainbows in chalk, Chairs at ends of paths, A shouted conversation. On Thursdays at 8 people emerge with a roar A moment of union before isolation again. Families walk together New exercises are run Courtesies extended where once they were absent Selfishness ignited in defiance or ignorance. The streets, the streets are still busy But the hubbub is ordered and queued The streets mill with the people still working, Once maligned, now key. The streets will be the same again. We will bump, shove and excuse a touch once more. But for now the streets are quiet As people listen and stay indoors.

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Lockdown May the 4th be with you - AKA Star Wars Day OK, I am going to admit something pretty huge - I've never seen Star Wars. Yes.  I know.  I'm sorry. Why?  Honestly, I don't know.  I think I saw some of one of the original three when I was young as I remember liking R2-D2 and C-3PO.  Then I went to see Episode 1 at the cinema with a friend in 1999 who was a big Star Wars fan and I thought it was... a bit pants. I know that it has been resolutely derided by the majority of Star Wars fans and critics as being the worst one but it really put me off. However, as a self-confessed film fan/nerd I know that I need to see them, certainly the original three, as they are such hugely important film and cultural reference points.  So, I am going to watch them before the lockdown ends, I have decided!

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Lockdown I always think it's great when you see an actor perform a role that you never would have imagined them doing. One example is Hugh Grant who has thoroughly shaken his foppish persona in recent years taking on roles such as  Jeremy Thorpe  in A Very English Scandal , the baddie  Phoenix Buchanan  in Paddington 2 and probably my favourite, the tabloid journalist (who Grant is well known for detesting) called Fletcher in The Gentlemen . Another such performance for me was Benedict Cumberbatch in Frankenstein , this week's NT Live.  I have always thought he was a good actor, but I've never seen him take such a physical role as that of the Creature in this production.  He totally commits and is on stage for the majority of the 2 hour run time - it must have been exhausting!  Catch it while you can: Benedict Cumberbatch as the creature: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=...