Tuesday April 28th, day 1 lockdown 3…7.30am sleep in after disturbed night! There will be a few tired kiwis around Waiwera this morning.

So it has come to this…images of cooking…yesterday afternoon welcomed the Anzac biccies, quiche and meatball prep in one hit. Time out from my work keyboard catch up, rather an inside day on such a blues sky, warm, winter is never coming, day!

The darkness now falls early around 6.00pm and dinner is no longer a 9 o’clock event, often by this time we are already counting sheep (sound asleep).

This was the case last night for yours truly, only to be rudely awakened by my flat mate (George), this time not for snoring!

There’s cops everywhere!!! Yes he was right, four cars at the beach roundabout, and a black unmarked one right outside my gate (still running). About 20 boys and girls in blue running around in all directions. Lucky Miss Marple had put the padlock on the gate, Riverhaven was safe.

Ok, from 50 metres it was hard to ascertain what all the fuss was about, and the police did seem a bit more relaxed, but waiting for the paddy wagon…so no answers with the big van now blocking my view from the gate. It was time to call Johnny on the spot. Evidently a 20-30 something, chemically induced man (and possibly a couple of female offsides) had decided to drive to Waiwera and have their domestic differences out. The locals alerted to the disturbance called police, who in turn called more police for the sideshow that unfolded…pants down, pants up, abuse and extreme agitation….needless to say, they were removed from the area relatively forcefully!

So with event one over, I had just lain back down to return to my nighttime slumber, and Jaxon rang, very concerned about our Steph…stomach pains…call the ambulance for medical advice…who advised to take Panadol and call back if worse, next thing I see an ambulance circling past and over on the grass opposite looking very lost….I was up again and back to the gate in time to see them stop by Dan and Jaxs houses! Oh oh within ten minutes they came! So I donned the birks, sweater and puffer jacket and walked to my second bubble….yes there they were and loading Steph up to take to hospital, no one can go with her with the Coronavirus thing, and it was hard waving off your loved one knowing there was no point in following as you can’t be with them.

Anyway, I wandered back up the deserted street to my bed for the third time, now after midnight and officially in level 3, which kicked in at 11.59pm last night. Jaxon went in and collected Steph around 4.30am, tests all done and pain managed and not life threatening events about to happen. So there will be a few tired kiwis in Waiwera, but all safe in our bubbles for another day! An uneventful one I hope!

Monday, April 27…day 33 lockdown level four.

In 24 hours we will be waking to level 3, when we can graduate from a moccona packet latte to a contactless cafe takeaway. Along with online shopping, which actually may get delivered, closed shop manufacturing, contractors working and Macdonald’s, KFC and Burger King drive through. A slight bubble extension we may add 1 or 2 people…but still maintaining a two meter distance and only getting in the car for essential travel within our area or to and from work, if we are the lucky ones who can return.

For the rest of us it’s work from home if we can. Leisure activities will include beach fishing, swimming local (although the water temperature may limit this activity) and more of the same walking exercise.

The last two days have seen George and I travel into the city (venturing out of our local 5k radius) to pack up my workplace and begin my new career (same company) as a relentless remote keyboard warrior!

The motorways were deserted and a journey that used to take up to two hours in Auckland traffic was just inside 30 minutes…not a policeman in sight either day, just a bit of revenue collection going on……a couple of vans decked out with speed cameras to catch the odd motorist who couldn’t resist the temptation to leadfoot it, just because they can!

As I said goodbye to a workplace, in the vibrant hub of ponsonby, that has been my go-to for five years, a little sadness crept in with the reality that the world is so changed in such a short few weeks.

We returned to our Bach and safe bubble, and a few more “moments” as reality struck that this is soon to change….

After the last six months of losing first my wonderful Russell and then a couple of months ago, my beautiful Mum, and now the fragile plans made to keep going this year have been thwarted and job changes ahead…the thought of being a gypsy at 59 kind of loses its attraction! I’m sure it will gain some momentum one way or another. There is kindness in the Waiwera community and people are willing to help and support!

In the meantime, Floyd is learning to skateboard, Jaxon and Steph have settled into their house, Dan is working on his renovation plans, George is having a week off and the “Great Speights Sports quiz” is looking to be a major event! (earmarked for when we can all gather at the cottage again). As each day goes by the bowl is filling up with happy isolation hour bottle tops (all with pertinent sport questions and answers)

Saturday April 25th, day 31…Anzac day

6am at the waterfront with Russell’s boom box, we listened remotely to the dawn service….there’s always one in the crowd, Trudi couldn’t quite get the heart!

Jax and Steph in their bubble…waiting for the sun to rise….and

Waiwera bubbles came out to share the service on the waters edge, with small waves crashing, 1ZB live podcast, we could almost feel the shores of Gallipoli!

However, now back to yesterday’s activities, work and Miss Daisy shopping expeditions and…

Larry our limping duck, still hanging out under the feijoa tree (which is now rather lean on the ground for fruit), has finally found a friend. This one other guy has been hanging with Larry for the last couple of days, while the other 100 in his family hang out down the road!

Stranded in Waiwera, we felt some kindness from the locals and looking for a forever home for the next few months may be solved! Time will tell…

And as we are all up early (very early) George and I are heading to the showroom (my work) to pack up and collect supplies to work from home for the duration.

And as the Sun comes up, we will remember those who fought for our country and those who are fighting now, albeit in a much different arena.

Friday 24th April, day 30…more cars, more people and more anticipation of what is to come….

In January, we all hugged, we shared food, we tasted a new drink, we all touched the same surfaces, drove each other’s cars, ate takeaways and all shared the same bathrooms.

NOW..it’s like smile, wave hello to total strangers on the other side of the road. It’s getting tedious thinking of something appetising to cook everyday and finding a private place to pee (outside, if you can’t get to your own bathroom) is not always easy. (With increased foot traffic on the streets)

We all gear up for the next phase, preparing for what we have left of our work lives…most of yesterday was spent in front of my computer screen and the weekend should (legally) see me venture into my workplace to pack up and gear up to perform remotely from here on…..now just need to settle on a destination that is my remote base, one thing for sure it won’t be Malta this year (sad face).

The levels 4,3,2,1 of lockdown have many grey areas….it seems in 3 (next week) we can move one way, and drive through Macdonald’s on the way! But can’t come back….so as George and I will feel the pressure of a push we will try and find a home for the rest of the year…. Dad is wanting us back (he likes his people around him) but we cannot compromise him in this world of distance! Never thought I would be this homeless at nearly 60! Russ would have sorted this for me, I keep getting ideas (you know brilliant ones) of what we can do…..but the truth is I don’t actually want to move, temporarily again…

Think it’s time to let the universe make some decisions for me!! And the sky is clearing and the sun will come out again!

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!