New Zealand In Shut Down Due to Covid 13. No Travel This Year.

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Oh Wow!!! In the words of the song from Star Trek. " It's Life Jim, But Not As We Know It ".

World wide this is the cry. Whats happened? Life has suddenly changed. Different Countries, Different Continents, Different Societies, Different Cultures.

But we are all affected. I hear and read stories from around the world but really only know, what, where and when, about how we are affected in NZ.

So!! As I don't pretend to know all, but do have a first hand knowledge of how this affects me and my family I will give a brief "here's what".

NZ is at Covid-19 alert level 4, now 2 weeks out of 4. The main gest is that we are in lock down. Only essential businesses and retailers are open. Schools, restaurants etc closed. and the phrase of the moment for over seventy year olds, "Stay At Home." The population in general has been asked.... Don't drive to the beach, parks or to other unnecessary locations. Very much the same as elsewhere in the world. Do your normal exercise but remain in your "bubble" and at least 2 metres away from other people's bubble..

So, Di and myself {we are both in our seventies} are hunkered down at our home, having enough provisions to last for the 4 weeks of lock down, plus we are also very fortunate having Tony and Sarah next door who get us necessities when needed...milk, bread etc. Oh, and possibly the odd bottle of wine. We are extremely lucky as we have each other for company. We have room in the house for individual space and we have an interesting outlook to stare at for hours. Our days are much the same as we have enjoyed for much of our retirement except not being able to get in the car and drive to the beach or to a different location for a walk or other recreation activities. Our daily walk is now around the block or close by. We have a few painting jobs and other minor maintenance to do around the house. So lets see what happens over the coming weeks.

Our children, Amy and family in Hawkes Bay and Chris and family in Bergen, Norway are both settled in for the long haul and are doing ok. Both families are basically doing the samething as both countries have very similar shut down policies. School lessons, working at home and making sure there are interesting things happening around the house.

Travel.

This is something that is going to be affected for an unknown time. We had plans for this year which have now been scuttled and I know so many people who have had their big and little travel plans affected. At first there was the denial stage and it takes a little time to accept that nothing is probably going to happen this year. Our annual trip to Norway won't happen and with disappointment we realise that Chris, Hege and the two girls probably won't be coming from Norway for Christmas . Also the uncertainty of when will we actually see them again. We are unable to travel to the Hawkes Bay to spend time with Amy, Jeremy and the girls at this time. Perhaps latter in the year.

So instead of travel I dream of all the things I would like to do and read about them and look at pictures. Dreams are free.

Staying At Home In our Bubble.

I'm spending time sifting through all my old photos from my the past. Childhood, our first years of marriage, our young family through to their adulthood and all our past travel and adventures we had prior to the digital age. Very very time consuming as memories come flooding back and it may be necessary to look at a photo for quite some time. Oh the Memories.

Over the last couple of months before this lock down we did manage to spend time in Hawkes Bay and also in my happy place, Taupo. So as is the custom we were not spending a huge amount of time at home until the events with the Virus have bought us home for a long stint.

We spent a great weekend with extended family at Annemaries old farm which over the last few years has been developed into "Mangarara Eco Lodge". People can rent this for weekends, holidays etc. Very nice surroundings with lovely farm land, native bush blocks and a lake in front of the lake. A refreshing place to be.

I also spent a couple of days in Gisborne staying with Warwick enjoying a ride with him on the "Gisborne Railbike Adventure". This is a ride on the rails of the old track that took trains from Gisborne to Hawkes Bay. Due to a number of large washouts during a storm the track has been closed since 2012. Now it is now used as a tourist trip which takes you through farmland, forests, stands of native bush and along the spectacular coast south of Gisborne. Thoroughly enjoyed the ride which is very easy and leisurely giving Warwick and I time to chat.

Di and I have our health, our extended family have their health and hopefully, with time, the world will return to some kind of normalcy.

I wish everyone the best of health, keep safe and may we be able to create more travel memories in the future. Pip/Rod.

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Photos

Fish And Chips.
Yah!!!! Acacia Basy Taupo.

Amy.
Paddling across Acacia Bay

Family.
Watching the Bungi Jump. Taupo.
No, we didn't participate.

Mangarara Eco Lodge.
A Nice weekend spent here with family.

Proud Girl.
Ella at the end of the Weetbix kids Triathlon.

There He Blows.
The man in the moon appears over Pahatanui Inlet.

And Then the Sun Sets.
Magic. Over Pahatanui Inlet

Morning Coffee.
Warwick and I enjoying a coffee at Amy's coffee cart in Gisborne prior to going for a ride.

Our Transport.
On the Rail Trail Gisborne.

Just Keep Peddling.
One of many bridges you have to cross.

One Of The Tunnels.
This one is 1500 mts long.

The End Of The Line.
One of the washouts that closed the line. This as far as you go and then turn around. The view was great. Had lunch here then returned.

Great Coastline.
Just beautiful riding along this coast and through the countryside. The history of the track and the surrounding areas is very interesting.

Evening Drinks.
Enjoying a well deserved drink after doing nothing all day.

Keep The Distance.
An evening drink for a quick catch up while keeping the distance. Also an opportunity for us all to discuss with Tony next door what our urgents are for his next grocery run to help the oldies.

Beautiful Views.
A walk to the top of the hill above our house.

Yes: Actually Doing Something.
A cleanup and a bit of painting on the house.

Reading.
Passing the time away until the urge to do something takes over. Yes, get up and make a cup of tea and have a biscuit.

Oh Oh. Sleeping.
Being so busy I sometimes have trouble keeping my eyes open.

Comments

[Home and Away]

I think that this is the first time in world history...
that everyone around the globe is doing the same thing! As for travel, I have planned a trip to Scotland in September, but the excitement has gone out of it as I am preparing to cancel if this virus thing continues.

[Pips Travels]

Yes, It Is So So Strange.
I feel for you. Having to cancel a long awaited trip is just so disappointing. I hope that we can all look forward to a not to distant future were we can once again start planning a trip.