8am

Swim on a very cold, windy morning and possibly the coldest swim I have ever experienced.

Ireland is in partial lockdown - schools, universities, museums, galleries all closed til 29 March. No public meetings advised. Working from home where possible. Retired Health workers encouraged back into the workplace and up to a thousand retired Gardai volunteering to assist in tracing people who were in contact with anybody who falls ill. We have to keep an eye locally for anyone who is elderly and lives alone to get groceries and medications delivered to them and to only travel on public transport where essential.

It’s a new world order. But keeping calm and following guidelines is the best way.

But you worry about your children. My mammy who will be 96 next month is praying for everyone and she says we will have to go back to eating more cabbage and only eating strawberries in season. (Her advice)

We need strong leaders to make tough decisions and forget the political mindset.