Someone recently asked me how I coped with lockdown. I was initially embarrassed to say that I was OK until she said that it was quite acceptable to admit that. When I was furloughed, this part of the UK was experiencing glorious, sunny weather. Gardening is my favourite hobby so for two months I was being paid to be out in my garden. When I was working from home, I could look out and watch the wildlife in my garden. I am blessed with lovely neighbours, some of which were shielding at the time. We had socially distanced chats across the hedge. We clapped together, but separately, in our front gardens, and arranged afternoon teas, so we were two metres apart on either side of the hedge. My cat, Whisper, was my constant companion throughout this period. When I was working she would sleep on the chair next to me. The moment I started a video call she would climb onto my lap and peer into the camera to see who I was talking to. She supervised my work in the garden and on cold evenings she would curl up on my lap as we binge watched crime dramas together.