The birds are still singing

Saturday, May 16th 2020…waking up to a cool calm morning, the sky is just starting to lighten at 6.30am and the Tuis are yelling to each other from the treetops. We wonder what the first Saturday of level two will bring; humans, cars, social gatherings (of 10) and undoubtedly a shopping frenzy for retail starved kiwis.

As the sun set on Friday night, a calm descended on our neighbourhood, the wind had dropped and the outsiders trickled in to their holiday Baches setting up camp for what promises to be a fine winter weekend.

Riverhaven will once again come to life, without the Bonnici-Carter’s who are now free of padlocks, warning signs, rules and ridicule! The lump in my throat had gone and is replaced by the warmth of family and friends, as we settle in for a kiwi winter.

A week of computer lockdown will be replaced by domestic activity and coffee catch ups.

With only a little more than a month away from the shortest day, we can look forward to next summer when, hopefully, the virus is swept under the mat and we can all get on with our plans and dreams and maybe go fishing!

The last two months, where time has stood still, we have had time to ponder our lives, our goals and our (uncertain) futures. This time has provided a welcome break from the treadmill we had come to accept as normal! The new normal has become tracksuit days, working from home, flexible working hours, planning the weeks meals, talking to each other and getting to really know our neighbours. We have shared our resources, reduced waste, had carless days and early nights and we have learned to give each other space (they now call it social distancing).

Yes the economy is uncertain (probably an understatement), but kiwi determination is strong to rebuild and renew all we have to work with. It is the time to be kind to those around us who are less fortunate, some may be jobless, some may be homeless, some may be hungry! (Well George always is).

And now the sun is up and the birds are still singing, let the weekend begin!