Illustrated Epistle Extract: Going Down the Lockdown Levels in Lyttelton, New Zealand

We are going down the levels of Covid-19 lockdown in New Zealand. When I last wrote we were at Level 4 and most of the country was quite happy to be constrained to their homes or thereabouts. We then spent a couple of weeks at Level 3, with a few more degrees of freedom, including the ability to paddle board (yay, trip to Quail Island!) and for work to restart on our renovation. We have now been at Level 2 for just over a week and things are getting a lot more fun as we have more ability to socialise. I have been around to a couple of people’s houses and met up with my Lyttelton cartoonist friend for a walk yesterday. She was sporting a new hair cut, but that hasn't been high on my list of things to do in Level 2.

Another important Level 2 activity was to go and see a dog we had only seen on Facebook.

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Perhaps next time we will find the right dog for us.

The most important Level 2 milestone for Lytteltonians is probably the reopening of the bars. We went last Thursday (the first night you could go and just have a drink) and I found it weird, but I guess, like everything else we will get used to it...

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Living in New Zealand: Lockdown Levels of Fun in Lyttelton

The Port of Lyttelton did seem quieter during Level 4 of lockdown. But it has been fairly busy in Level 3 and I'm sure there will be even more trade during Level 2 as everyone is allowed back in the shops.

I wouldn't be in a hurry to go back through the tunnel to Christchurch, but I have to try out a bath tub for the new bathroom as this is of vital importance! Even more so than sharp pencils.

We are also allowed out today to see dogs that are up for adoption. We'll see how that goes, but I'm not raising my hopes too much.

Living in New Zealand: Level 3 Trip to Quail Island to Gather Walnuts (Fail)

Level 3 of lookdown in New Zealand means that we are still not allowed to travel too far, even within NZ (though I am buoyed by the news that we may soon be in a trans-Tasman bubble with Australia). But we are now allowed out on the water, as long as we aren't in a powered craft.

Suits me.

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The autumn often means calm conditions in Lyttelton harbour, with very little wind and flat water. It has been very difficult to resist going out in Level 4, as the Harbour looked like a millpond then.

Conditions in Level 3 have been pretty good too. It was amazing to be on my paddle board last week with no jetskis or boats with outboard motors around me. The birdlife must be loving lockdown and there were noticeably more shore birds around the popular beaches of Quail Island/Otamahua.

Lepers Beach, Quail Island, Lyttelton Harbour, New Zealand

But there weren’t any walnuts.

Scrumped apples and walnuts

I brought back a big bag of apples and they cooked up beautifully. Stewed apple (with a couple of added feijoas) Is one of my favourite comfort foods.

And it's probably better for me than chocolate.

Arctic Circle's Frank and Oscar Send a Virtual Hug

Today we move from Level 4 to Level 3 lockdown in New Zealand. Which is still socially-isolating.

So I'm sending a virtual hug to my friends and far-flung family.

Living in New Zealand: Exercise and Social Distancing Around Lyttelton

Normally I walk a lot around the local hills (it helps me come up with ideas), but now that people are in lockdown at home and only allowed out for essential trips or to excercise, there are many more people in the hills. And the walking tracks are very narrow sometimes, so it’s hard to keep two metres apart.

I wish I could get to Quail Island but no stand up paddle boarding is allowed

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Some parts of Godley Head are out-of-bounds because of Covid-19, but you can bike up to Evans Pass with views out over Sumner and then cycle along to see the quiet surf of Taylors Mistake and the not-too-busy trails beyond. I think the campervans in the photos below have probably been moved on by now.

We are three weeks into lockdown. I hope that a week from now we are at the end of it.

ttfn

Living in New Zealand: Lockdown is Easier When You Have a Garden and New Compost Bays

I received a text message yesterday - the Swiss Army made it back to Zurich and their flat. It is a shame they had to cut their New Zealand trip short and I hope they will be back.

Maybe when we have a kitchen and bathroom.

Christening the new bays… with kombucha

Gilles and Tania put in the first load

Happy Campers

It is nice to be in the middle of harvest as we are minimising our trips to the supermarket during lockdown.

Over half way to the end of lockdown. I hope.

Living in New Zealand: Covid-19 Lockdown in Lyttelton

We have now spent just over aa week of a minimum of four weeks of lockdown in New Zealand. That means we don’t travel unless we need essentials like food. I have been to the Supervalue little supermarket once since we returned from kayaking (Duncan misses shopping more than I do and has made a couple of trips through the tunnel). It was too busy, with people struggling to maintain their two metres apart. Luckily, we don’t know of any virus here yet, but I was extra careful and wiped everything I bought down with detergent and bleach before I brought it into our house.

And the house. All construction work had to stop on lockdown, which means that we have no proper kitchen or bathroom.

So we have a camp kitchen.

And a loo on the lawn.

And we are sharing this interesting situation with two Swiss tourists who had nowhere else to go.

Thank goodness I have my studio to work in.