Inside every tulip

The virus was brought into swift focus last night when I heard that Paula Radcliffe's dad has died.  The family were our neighbours for more than twenty five years and we knew them well, recording all Paula's races when they were away with her, looking after each other's gardens when the other was on holiday (pinching and cultivating cuttings) and using their swimming pool.

I have no idea whether Coronovirus was the cause, but it brought it home to me that when a partner dies, the other is left home alone with no family able to visit.  It's particularly tragic here because their son lives in Australia and Paula is in Monaco.

Peter was a wonderful family man and both he and Pat instilled a good work ethic into their routine.  They were never still, always dashing off here there and everywhere, whether as school governors or down at the Athletics track.  He'll be sorely missed by his family and the wider community where they chose to spend their retirement.