The Land of OZ

Waking up this morning I wondered if Trudi and I had been transported to the Land of OZ! The weather bomb hitting us in a last ditch attempt to remind us that we are still in the throes of winter, attacked my little house with a vengence last night.

It started to rain buckets around 5pm last night, accompanied by a ferocious easterly wind. While we sit a few hundred meters from the beach the hill behind us acts as a wind funnel….and sweeps in off the beach, circles the bay with the hill behind us and culminates in mini twisters along the side of my house. We were first alerted to this when the deckchairs were rearranged (tipped over and spun around) about 8pm….and the rain.

The whistling of the wind against the back of the house and down the side meant we were in for an interesting night. I send thanks to my Roofer who secured a new roof on this house about a year ago…..and our plumber who dug drains along the back of the house to divert the waterfalls off the hill. However for the first time this winter, I do have a garage half full of water.

Sleep was a light one, with the storm hitting my back bedroom wall and all I could think about was if one of the 100 foot trees behind me came down we would have a very short house! But apart from a few broken branches and probably gutters fill of trees bits we are still in one piece.

Many years ago and not very far away, there was a Bonnici day out childrens party, when George (Toto) was a baby, Daniel the tinman, Dane the Scarecrow, Jaxon the Lion and I was Dorothy….all outfits made by Mary and I….for a moment last night I thought I might be transported back to that time.

So now it rains, it blows, but we are still able to be locked down in our house….actually a treat as we hardly wish to step outside, and we did not get to meet the Wizard!

The Birds are singing

Another week gone of kiwi lockdown, morning coffee on a Saturday morning after a night of heavy rain and the sun is peeping through. The weekend lockdown list that encompassed only indoor activities may need reviewing!

Last weekend saw a rexample of the driveway fence – all hands on deck – now waiting for level three to weedmat and rock!

Midweek activities (for those not sat in front of computers) saw Trudi paint garden and paving edges to match..

And the last corner of my house (which was still green from where the heatpump had been wall anchored) got a slap of pink to match last summers overhaul!

The week was interspersed with short strolls after work, outdoor activities, a relaxing beer or wine or two and hearty dinners prepared from our very full fridges – only one trip to the supermarket and we eat like Kings!

As we (in Auckland) roll into the next two promised weeks of lockdown and the first day of spring looms, we notice the temperatures rising (apart from evenings) and look forward to our Summer! Lockdown is a little more miserable I must say in winter!

Floyd has certainly reconnected with George – his new 2nd best friend (after Dan), Trudi and Sue well down in the food chain….unless they are cooking food!

One thing we have learned with this whole new world is that there is no point in looking too far ahead and enjoy the moments. We are lucky, I have two sons and my BFF in my bubble and to be honest it’s pretty much our regular social network!

I talk to Dad most days as he is bored in town and Jaxon and Steph are packing down the road – still hoping they can make their anticipated move to Katikati in a couple of weeks. The grandbaby is now crawling and sitting in his high chair and Jaxon sends me pictures of his milestones daily! Long distance Grandma…good practice for when they move!

Spring Bubbles

Day four of Kiwi lockdown and a weekend of bubble activities. Yes here we go again. This time we know what we can and can’t do and the supermarket excursion is not so daunting, as we circle our fellow humans.

Here in Waiwera the buses still keep the roads active, not a person to ride, the birds are loud and the fridge is stocked!

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of work, family stuff and house stuff! Visits with Dad, final clean on renovated flat (which now can’t get rented as no one can view), a cultural outing to the NZ Ballet(thank goodness not a covid hotspot) and rugby tests to watch.

Then on Tuesday night we found out the inevitable (delta) covid had hit our city and all activities ceased. Thank goodness we are all au fait with the working from home lifestyle and for some of us…it’s business as usual! For others it’s the opportunity to take a much needed rest.

And for Floyd…he’s the happiest dog in the world as he has all his humans at home!

Mealtimes means the broom and mop doggy gate goes up blocking (?) the entry to the kitchen!

George is bubbling with Dan and using his work station, Trud is bubbling with me and communal meals and activities!

Yesterday’s grocery stock up (I waited three days fir the rush to be over) saw the last 2 boxes of Speights, last 2 bags of rice, and an organic(very) expensive flour jump into my trolley – lucky no toilet paper was needed as aisle was empty!

Well, another four days of this until we know if we can venture out our gates – somehow doubt it in our part of the country!

Happy days! And family time!

Be like Floyd

Another weekend has flown by – the new dishwasher is in but doesn’t work, the rain is halting the painting jobs, the colds and flus are making our loved ones lie low, covid is keeping us locked out (not locked in), the ongoing debate about vaccines is a personal choice and we know we have another month or two of winter!

BE LIKE FLOYD

When the winter sun peeps through just LIE

When your favourite human is due home from work don’t take your eye off the target (even though a day with mumma Sue watching artistic gymnastics had been riveting!)

Wear the hat! Even when it is monthly Friday drinks with the locals (who no doubt question your wardrobe choices) – there is nothing like a warm head – sporting your new favourite (free) acquisition from the very successful trade show!

AND

When one of your people are sick, you do your best to make their world a little better – with the biggest hug you have to give!

While we are free to go about our days here in relatively covid free NZ….we wait for vaccines…..we wait for borders to open…we work……we watch the crowd less olympics….we eat…..we sleep….and we wait for our world to open and provide us with a freedom lost!

We rush from A to B and fill our days with busyness when we all should take a moment to “BE LIKE FLOYD” and smell the roses!