Iris

After a quiet start, the day picked up speed when Ruth rang to tell me that all the staff at the small High Riggs farm, where she and Josh work, have now tested positive for Covid (or are already off sick with it).  And Eben is at home with chicken pox.  So I went across to look after Eben while Ruth and Josh got some essential jobs done at the farm.
Eben has masses of spots, but they don't seem especially itchy and he was in very good spirits. We played board games amicably and chatted.

At home we have an old friend and anthropology colleague of Richard's staying for a couple of nights. He and Richard haven't seen each other face to face for years - the friend lives in Canada now - so I think some thorough catching up, over a few glasses of wine, is due.

Jack is on the train home as I write, so I'm hoping to spend some time with him tomorrow, and to see how the work in Moldova has gone. The news from Ukraine itself is as agonising as ever.