I felt I could not take any sort of risk, because I tutor 11 children on literacy, at home. I put a sign on the door to say I was now in self-isolation.

At this point I felt I had the plague, because I saw friends approach the door then recoil in horror and almost run out the gate!

I contacted all of the homes, set up on-line lessons using Facetime, audio/phone calls, and some families emailed photos of the completed work each week.

The next issue was getting food. I had an emergency kit in the garage, but it wasn’t complete. I tried to have my groceries delivered by Countdown, but their registration form wouldn’t accept my address. Suddenly offers came in from friends and the families I work with. I was so grateful when they would ring and deliver to the front door.

But the big question soon surfaced: how do I keep the mind under control and keep a healthy routine each day. I have always lived with The List each day, which gives me the necessary routine to step into.

I needed a balance, so I used the following daily format:

• Up and dressed by 7.30
• Cleaning anything at 9
• Knitting at 10 am (down to knitting cushion covers!)
• Send out emails and texts at 11 am
• Prepare food
• Watch the COVID report at 1 pm
• Catnap for 1 hour
• Gardening/baking
• Go for a walk
• Watch the News on 1
• Make contact with family via Facetime and phone
• Dressing up in good clothes just for the fun of it
• Recording the world events unfolding in this time: (balcony concerts by Andre Bocelli, China’s lack of transparency, the nightmare unfolding at Rosewood Resthome in Christchurch, the Bluff wedding cluster, the meaning of ‘bubbles’, watching the horrifying spread of COVID-19 in countries round the world.
• Keeping a daily diary
• Television and Radio NZ became really important links to the outside world. The absence of planes flying overhead was slightly unnerving. (I hear and see every plane coming in and out).

A heart health issue surfaced unexpectedly, at this time.

The Doctor detected an irregular heartbeat, so scans were required. Atrial fibrillation was diagnosed, and 2 medications were prescribed.

After 6 weeks of this routine, I hit the wall.

I began to feel my ‘family tank’ was empty.

I was used to flying up to Christchurch during the terms, or driving to Dunedin to see my family. Because this couldn’t happen, I was now sitting on 3 cancelled flights. I am not good at talking about my inner feelings but realized I had to tell a family m ember that the isolation from family was getting too hard. They responded and we began Zoom games meetings, bringing 3 families together. These were organized by my son in Dunedin. We had 2 nights of Family Feud, working in teams. It was great.

During this time, I knew of a friend who lived in a flat nearby. She lives on her own and had no family here. When we got to level 3, I put 2 plastic chairs in the garden and carefully placed 2 metres apart, so that she could come by on her way to the New World. She would call by at least twice a week to pick up means and baking. As a result, we are now close friends who help each other out in many ways.

In conclusion, I hope this window into my Lockdown is helpful.

All the best with the Project!

Kind regards