The Americans are doing something truly wonderful. They are turning out to vote in historic numbers. I watch them in awe, as they go to the polls. A very, very old woman says, in a soft, nostalgic voice, ‘I remember voting for Roosevelt.’ In Philly, the women are turning out in droves. One man inContinue reading “Lockdown Diary: Day Two Hundred and Twenty-Five.”
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Lockdown Diary: Day Two Hundred and Twenty-Two.
Someone said the other day that I should no longer be calling this a Lockdown Diary, because we Britons are not really in lockdown. It’s true that I can do things which I could not do when the stern restrictions kicked in on Lockdown: Mark One. Then, I hardly dared go to the shop exceptContinue reading “Lockdown Diary: Day Two Hundred and Twenty-Two.”
Lockdown Diary: Day Two Hundred and Eighteen.
I start to think that all that matters is love. I mean all the loves. I mean the big loves. I mean the loves that can change minds and move mountains. I mean those loves that let you know that you are not alone, that it is all worth it, that you can hang onContinue reading “Lockdown Diary: Day Two Hundred and Eighteen.”
Lockdown Diary: Day Two Hundred and Fifteen.
In the village, a young man gazes up at the sky. There is something arresting about him. I stop and look at him as I pass by. He’s perhaps twenty-six or seven, and he wears one of those old-fashioned forage caps like the ones they had in old war movies. He’s got on a longContinue reading “Lockdown Diary: Day Two Hundred and Fifteen.”
Lockdown Diary: Day Two Hundred and Fourteen.
I adore politics. I’ve always been fascinated by politics, ever since I was a little girl and I used to watch my dad frowning at Mr Heath when he came on the telly. (I think quite a lot of people frowned at hapless Mr Heath. Looking back, it seems astonishing that such a person everContinue reading “Lockdown Diary: Day Two Hundred and Fourteen.”
Lockdown Diary: Day Two Hundred and Thirteen.
In the world, there is a person who has just written a policy paper asking the government to build beautiful hospitals. I love this almost more than I can express. I also love the fact that people get better more quickly if they are in beautiful surroundings, and work better too. Elsewhere in the world,Continue reading “Lockdown Diary: Day Two Hundred and Thirteen.”
Lockdown Diary: Day Two Hundred and Ten.
Two researchers at a computer lab in Vermont have calculated that the saddest day of 2020 on social media was Sunday, May the 31st. They did this using something called a hedonometer, which measures the sad or happy connotations in the words that people type. It wasn’t only the saddest day on Twitter in 2020;Continue reading “Lockdown Diary: Day Two Hundred and Ten.”
Lockdown Diary: Day Two Hundred and Eight.
Today was the last big meeting of the flat racing season and many of the big stars came out to strut their stuff. Some of them, like the great stayer Stradivarius, or the beautiful, tough, dauntless mare Magical feel like old friends. I know their quirks and their brilliances; they make me gasp and theyContinue reading “Lockdown Diary: Day Two Hundred and Eight.”
Lockdown Diary: Day Two Hundred and Seven.
I am in the field, talking to the horses, when I suddenly see it is half-past twelve. I have lost track of time. I have a client at half-past twelve. I am supposed to be a professional. I am supposed to be at my desk, with my special lighting arrangements that make me look tremendouslyContinue reading “Lockdown Diary: Day Two Hundred and Seven.”
Lockdown Diary: Day Two Hundred and Six.
I’m giving my clients writing exercises this week. One of them says, ‘When do you do your daily writing?’ I stop. I stutter slightly, because it’s such an odd question to my ears. ‘In the morning,’ I say. ‘Often first thing. And then after a cup of coffee and something to eat I settle downContinue reading “Lockdown Diary: Day Two Hundred and Six.”
Tania Kindersley 