The period of lockdown for us (wife and I) was simply one of the best times I’ve experienced. We are lucky enough to live on a lifestyle block about four kms from Palmerston North, we had daily mail and newspaper delivery, and had no difficulty in popping in to the “local” Four Square to pick up milk and eggs when and if we required them. We have a garden although we didn’t manage to get lettuces and greens planted – similarly we didn’t have chooks – although we got four in level three. With a bread maker and being lucky enough to be able to get supplies of yeast and flour (many apparently didn’t) we wanted for nothing. The weather throughout was superb and we quietly worked away at “at home projects”, getting out veg garden weeded, a berry enclosure built and a raft of other projects about the place.
The flower garden got attention, fences were repaired, stock was looked after and we began a major project of cleaning up (prepping) and painting of our big shed. Repairs were made and it was all water-blasted (we have all of the gear in the shed!) and the only thing we had to wait for was obtaining paint once we moved to level three. Buying that online as a pay and collect exercise was fascinating and much more pleasant that going shopping old style. The family had Zoom contact with our three grown-up children and their families, phone contact and one social-distanced visit by one of the family who called in for a chat – didn’t come inside though.
ANZAC was special going out to our rural road at dawn and standing there with a social-distanced neighbour as only a few cars went past – normally a busy state highway!
We wanted for nothing, we had warmth, power, ample supplies and it was peaceful and a happy time. A trip by one of us to the supermarket about once a week got anything else we might need and any luxuries we thought we might like… soooo good!
Having our small farm gave us lots of space to walk, we fed out using our tractor, fixed fences, moved stock, talked to the neighbour over the fence, burned clippings and generally did a raft of things that normally we didn’t have time for. The place got spruced up, lots of maintenance was done, and in short we were thrilled with what was achieved. Nights were quiet – no traffic and few planes going overhead. It was really neat going down our drive (500metres) to get the mail and paper and only seeing one or two cars on the main road. Just like life in the past. Driving in to the shop on the occasions that one of us did, was great. Almost no traffic, people out walking and waving – the only drawback being that on two occasions I ended up in a queue to shop. But even that was ok as it was fine and not windy or cold. Good humour and lots of chat if one wanted to. The daily check in with the PM and the health guy was a must-watch as we shared the updates and news. Missed that when it stopped.
Also followed the train-wreck that is American by daily following CNN – that was/is still, fascinating and served to show the differences between the administrations of our countries. We are/were lucky in the we have our isolation and the ability to pull up the drawbridge as we have done. We hand-washed and sanitised, took great care to make sure that our bubble was secure and kind of still do – although being able to shop normally and live life as we do is something that we will remain grateful for.
In short – a great time and something to look back on positively. I for one, miss it.
Cheers.
