Wednesday 22nd April, day 28…..the day that was the target point of isolation level 4 – goalposts move and we just roll with it. There is still uncertainty around what we can and can’t do, even though we are in lockdown 4 for another five days…it seems many can now go to their workplaces and set up to work (or in fact work and open online sales) right now!

Yesterday morning was spent at Emergency medical centre nearby – me in car outside for a couple of hours, waiting and watching people drive in and out of the loading bay for their Covid 19 tests…as busy as the supermarkets. There are other medical issues (apart from Covid 19) that need attention and I must say this place is doing a great job, and providing a regular medical service that our own GP seems unable to provide over the phone! (Or even in person)

Well, as you may or may not be aware, all public toilets are closed and three hours in the car (only the patient allowed into clinic) and a further car wait at the blood test place…upon my return to place of abode, the sight of a familiar porcelain bowl was the best thing that I’d seen all day!

By now the morning had gone and I still needed to put on my Miss Daisy hat and head to the supermarket!

Another three hour round trip (to orewa 5 mins over the hill) shopping for our world and delivering on the way home…‘‘twas almost happy hour!

Today will see me in a work from home position (as work took a back seat to medical issues and food issues yesterday). I need to confirm I am able to head to ponsonby and pack up the showroom.. in readiness to home office it moving forward!

Tuesday 21st April, day 27…

It is rock up, shop up and stock up day for all our local lockdowners for another week! Yes we are nearly out of food again.

We are staying in limbo until after Anzac weekend, with a slight deviation where businesses can get ready to work online and send out stock and prepare warehouses for safe working environments in with some easing of rules from next Tuesday.

Yes it’s time to get up close with your bubble buddies, even if that is a number of one ….get these guys all doing something around the cottage and fill it up like summer days! As you can perhaps see, George is using his lunch breaks constructively and with innovation….let’s see where we go with this.

Yesterday was a day in limbo and anticipation and speculation only to learn that one of our theories was correct and lockdown four is extended another week…a day of wandering to computer to check work, and gentle up and down the street exercise. Four pm announcement and the day was practically over….today the Miss Daisys will venture out and stock up the neighbourhood fridges! Far more exciting and adventurous!

Monday, 20th April, 2020 day 26….

Yesterday was a typical autumn day in our neck of the woods….rain, sun, hot, cold and wind (four seasons in one day)

The morning window of fineness saw me “Dig” in search for a footpath under the buildup of sand and dirt outside the gate…the job was a bit bigger and I ended up with about 5-6 trolley loads of dirt/sand. Len, our caretaker, suggested I fill up some of the holes, in front of cottages, left by recent renovations…(it’s ok Guys)

By the second load I had to enlist George’s help to pull the 40kgs of dirt from the front gate through camp to the designated spot. He also took over the shovel and I manned the rake! Didn’t mean, however, that I wouldn’t be sporting a sore back by early afternoon…I was!

So that was yesterday’s activities, dotted with a movie, hamburgers (again – menu is now on the 2nd rotation) and a couple of Speights!

Today however is best said…..

Today’s the day at four pm,
When government will advise,
If level four or level three,
Is the next step in our lives.

Either way not much will change,
No social life, no face to face,
Still stay at home and contact trace,
Full steam ahead to win this race

A few can head to work,
And others work from home,
Online shops and tradies,
And those who work alone

The economy is crippled,
The business experts say,
Tourism a disaster,
And retails had its day

 

And while we humans start to question,
This need for overdrive,
We must remember; Lockdowns been an exercise
In saving people’s lives!

 

And just when everyone is challenging each other for digital proof that they were actually a baby….this pops up….Kev and I good friends then and great friends now!

 

Sunday, 19th April, day 25….

When this is all over we will be ready for a big family sports quiz night….Russ would be proud of us, honing our general knowledge!

This sides clear…now I need to start on the messy gardens and evil spiky plants on the other side! With the autumn winds blowing the leaves everywhere, we are fighting a losing battle in keeping a clear grass patch.

Yesterday began with a cooked breakfast, by Dan, in our other bubble….Floyd protecting his humans from the back house, making sure that we maintain social distancing, even though he doesn’t know the meaning of this new flash phrase!

After breakfast the action began……a clear out of summer clothes and a bring out of winter woollies…and another cull. George and I decided that, about a week after retail can reopen, the Charity shops are so going to be worth a visit….with the entire country at home for a month and the seasons changing from summer to winter in this time…..the charity shops will be bursting at the seams!

Next Job – inside windows cleaned in living area, and all blankets washed! Dinner prepared and off for a small stroll.

Catching the afternoon sunshine on the sea wall at a respectable and acceptable three meter distance. There is always someone to have a chat to, not always human!

The mornings rain and wind had blown away and left us with a picture perfect late afternoon to watch the shadows lengthen as the sun dropped behind the surrounding hills. And yesterday, the fish were jumping only about three meters offshore! AhHa beach fishing allowed in level 3!

7.30am…Saturday 18th April, day 24. Speculation is rife, will we, won’t we, do we want to?

Sales people are safe, even if we move to level three they cannot work!

Yesterday disappeared before I realised, several work hours consumed the bulk of it….peppered with a couple of 20 minute strolls and and a quick trip to drop books at Dads and collect avocados for Jacquie (who’s hubby had posted from the bay of plenty)

Icing knees after exercise to break the work day for George…

Was pondering what we had learned from this lockdown, a situation many have never experienced…

1. We can actually cook every day.

2. We only need 2 changes of clothes.

3. There was nothing on TV when we were kids and there still isn’t.

4. Talking to your family is actually good.

5. Even with two people the other person is always using the bathroom when you need to.

6. We talk about the weather a lot.

7. We can smile and wave and talk to all our neighbours (from a distance) We actually know their names now!

8. More people phone you and have time to talk.

9. Anxiety levels are reduced, bubble buddies become best friends.

10. We CAN put off until tomorrow the things we don’t want to do today!

Thursday, 16th April, day 22…At the three quarter mark of the lockdown period, yesterday reminded us that the vacuum we are currently living in may be nearing its end. For many of us a return to work is imminent, if we are the lucky ones who still have work! My workplace will certainly look different as remotely I will we joining George for morning tea and lunch! Hanging out at the bach for a bit longer than anticipated!

I took my shadow….new best friend….for a stroll between showers along a deserted beach

With a vicious offshore wind this image actually captures a Fiji like illusion. It was very cold and heat pumps were changed from cool to heat for the first time this year. However, the sand is white and clean and the water so clear…the fish were jumping a few meters offshore, clearly visible.

A relatively productive three quarter day was had…work is starting to get interesting, and the “Miss Marples” put on the “Miss Daisy” hats and Trudi and I set off, with about seven lists, to do the communal bi weekly supply shop! The policemen who stopped us didn’t want to see our lists, I guess we are believable characters!

Two hours later, after the grocery drop offs we rewarded ourselves with a 50cent Moccona latte coffee!

The last international flight back to Europe leaves our NZ shores next Tuesday, so for anyone who doesn’t make that will be stuck with a kiwi Winter..and for some time in true Kiwi fashion we will all be flightless.

Wednesday 15th April, day 21, 6.30am.

Out of the ashes we will rise, it’s been an odd few days, of inactivity, and with the declining weather pattern, motivation appears to have flown out the door.

We can’t get these moments back and ponder our wasted days…as we swallow our 2nd Speights and stuff our home cooked dinner into our well fed stomachs!

Some you win and some you lose, but for those with a second chance – grab it.

It’s a lonely road we walk with our shadow…they say in autumn the shadows get longer- just noticed.

Here in NZ there is much speculation that in a weeks time, we will be doing something…back to work, packing up work, lining up for the dole queue, looking for somewhere to live, putting gas in the car, rushing out to socialise, boating, fishing, etc….personally I am nervous, that with all of the above, the norm that humans have come to expect, we will lose sight of our shadow once again and the lockdown calm and safety we have enjoyed. No road fatalities this Easter….only the 2nd time in recorded history (last time was probably when the humans mostly rode horses)

It is a welcome peace with no mean, angry, demanding impatient, humans around….just our bubbles and we have learnt to be quiet when bubble buddies need quiet, and talk and listen….to those around us.

And when no one will listen there’s always the shadow, touching our toes and keeping our feet on the ground!

Tuesday 14th April, day 20!

Yesterday, A break in study, a stroll between raindrops, well almost…it was impossible to dodge a downpour if outside for longer than 20 minutes.

The beach circuit was deserted, just after the turn of the tide and sinking into the soft sand (at waters edge) has got to be good for some unused muscle..

The locals just don’t leave or move when a human appears, as this is not often and doesn’t interrupt the gathering!

There was definitely a conference going on around the point! Nestled in hundreds, distinctive groups of oystercatcher birds! Same size, same shape, same red beak….one gathering all black and the other black tops with white bottom half!

These feathered species did not flinch or give up beach space as the distance humans walked past….the black and white group was also littered with little brown Dotterels (an endangered species) but flourishing in the human void! Must have been at least 20 of these little guys at a glance! Very camera shy though…

Photo credit – google!!

The ever changing landscape with the high and low tide movements, currents etc. has produced a Sea snake pointing out to our Sugarloaf island!

Back into our bubble before the next downpour and looking at the already greener vegetation behind our boat shed, checking out the boat in lockdown. The birds have been having a field day with that too…sitting on the bow doing their business – will need a good clean before winter lockdown!

The rest of the day produced…rain, shine, wind and a roast dinner!

Monday 13th April, day 19 lockdown, and hunkering down for weather lockdown…

Yesterday rolled in cloud, a few rain showers and a promise of more to come.

A morning of cleaning and clearing and tidying up the loose ends around the cottage…rain and strong winds and a cold blast predicted for the next week…I think another BBQ spring clean is still on the list! The Morning finished with a 40 minute walk to the other side.

My back is still recovering from taking Floyd for a walk about 10 days ago, he has to settle for free running inside his own property…until he learns that he doesn’t need to be a tow truck!

Today, one of our bubble buddies leaves us to head home to Croatia….and his family, after two cancelled flights and hours of planning for his arrival lockdown! Armed with sanitizer and safety equipment and a huge amount of determination!

The number of daily corona cases appears to be reducing, and we still have nine days of lockdown…eradication is the objective….with winter coming, we all wait with baited breath to see what the next stage is

Meanwhile….limping Larry has all but put an end to the feijoa harvest. He is very adept at drilling a hole in the fruit and sucking all the insides out!