WHY GARDENING IS SO IMPORTANT

Even when she was a magazine editor, Lynda tried to do most of her writing at night so she could be outside in her garden as much as possible.

“I could be writing right now, but I'd rather be outside weeding. I'm a much nicer person when I'm outside in the garden. I can be kind of abrasive – it's true! – and I'd be an awful person if I did a corporate job. (Gardening) literally keeps me grounded.

"During the 2020 lockdown, I was quite anxious because I was worried lots of people would die. This time it felt like endless days. I know there's an economic hit for so many people, and I've had to cancel a few (work) events. But I wouldn't be surprised if some blokes – like my workaholic husband – end up living longer because they've had to stop working for a few weeks.

“It's a freaky time, there's a weirdness to it all. Our kids don't understand that we've lived our lives until now without lockdowns – to them it's ‘normal.'

“I definitely think it must be easier to be in the country during these times.”