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Word came late this afternoon that the UK will be closing all schools and universities as of Friday. Emma's primary school will move to distance learning, but details are still being ironed out. This is a good thing, as Emma's days have been a light on academics. She is spending a lot of time on her computer, playing Minecraft with friends and cousins, and watching shows on Youtube.

We are still working on getting outside each day. She and I took an 45-minute walk (well, Emma scootered) along the river. And I did take her to her horseback riding lesson this afternoon. It's a pretty hands-off activity and I knew it would be the last one for a long while -- perhaps her last one before we move back to the U.S. Who knows?

This morning I managed to run to the grocery store to pick up a few things. Still no pasta or canned goods, and no toilet paper or paper towels. I need to hunt for the latter, as we will be running out soon. I find it interesting what people are hoarding. There's plenty of fresh vegetables and meat and fish; very little in the way of canned or dried goods. Very little bread and eggs.

I found it harder to be positive today. The news is so dire, it's hard to be motivated to do much of anything. The general vibe here in Cambridge -- and probably across the entire country -- is not great. There's a weird, nervous energy, a little panicky and grim, out in the greater world.

One piece of good news: the National Trust has opened its properties to everyone. And while the restaurants, gift shops and stately homes themselves are closed, the grounds will not be. We are already members so this news doesn't affect us directly, but it's still a wonderful gesture. I am hoping we can go for a walk this weekend at one of the nearby properties. The more I can walk around outside, the better (albeit while observing social distancing measures).

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