Locked in

Yes, we in New Zealand are also locked into a looming kiwi winter, surrounded by family and friends. The government and the airlines cementing our decision not to travel at this time has put our immediate plans on hold!

And we wake up to this each morning, one could almost believe the worldwide pandemic to be a hoax! Sadly it’s not and Kiwis, like the rest of the world, are emptying the supermarket shelves, drinking less coffee, cooking more meals, not watching any sport (as none is being played), not partaking in cultural events, working from home and generally keeping our distance…..not a natural way of living for the gregarious, outgoing kiwi culture. On a brighter note, it costs less to put gas in our cars!

We returned from Whanganui on Sunday, same route, more delays and another seven hour trip!

Sues turn to use the powder room at Otorohanga, with the mandatory 5 minute hand wash.

A leg stretch up close and personal in the makatote gorge….toi toi in the foreground!

For those of you who have been enjoying the life of Russell Rose, I do need to clarify that in fact the name is one of our making, being our name for this cute little miniature yellow rose given to us as a memorial to Russ….

He is in fact a beehive Gold….Graeme, Russ’s brother has ordered a Russell Rose to plant in his garden from their local centre! So it will be interesting to see what he is presented with. We all had a good laugh and Russ would have enjoyed this miscommunication too. Just goes to show, we shouldn’t always believe what we read in the media and social pages! ….. And just an update, Russell Rose is not liking the cooler mornings and evenings, it appears he is preparing for winter hibernation, as we all are destined to do in the foreseeable future.