Newsletter Extract: Coronavirus and Covid-19
What a difference a month makes. At the beginning of March a friend of mine visited from New York for a few days. By the time she left, her company had cancelled the European leg of the trip and she was fortunate to be able to get home before borders were tightened all over the world. Whilst she was here, we visited Akaroa where a cruise ship was in the harbour. Locals were mildly concerned, but I am sure they were more worried this week when a passenger had to be tested for coronavirus (they tested negative, to our relief, as the ship had been in Lyttelton the day before).
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It seems that all that anyone can talk about now is the novel coronavirus. And as a biochemist who worked seven years in the pharmaceutical industry, I do find the virus and the associated disease fascinating. But like everyone else, I worry about the older and more vulnerable members of my family and our community. Tom Hanks may be able to Instagram his way out of it, but this virus will take its toll on those with impaired lung function or weakened immune systems.
My parents are in their 70s. They still live where I grew up in Dorset in the UK. Dad has stopped going to lawn bowls and choir and Mum has stocked up her already well-stocked pantry. This is a good thing as the UK government has said Britons over 70 will be told "within the coming weeks" to stay at home for "a very long time". Thank goodness…
This is an extract of my Illustrated Epistle, which goes out in the middle of the month. It is a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a cartoonist (specifically, mine). I'd love it if you signed up at the bottom of this page, or here:
http://eepurl.com/cCOOeD
Or head to the archive to read more here.
Living in New Zealand: Eels
I guess you get eels in the UK, but I’ve never encountered any. I’ve seen plenty in New Zealand, though their numbers are declining because of human activities around rivers and out at sea.
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We saw these eels when we were staying in Okains Bay. But only when we fed them.
Opara Stream eels in Okains Bay
Mrs Grey makes an appearance
Mrs Grey is ready for her close up
Living in New Zealand: Okains Bay Getaway
I’m so glad that all our travel this year is domestic. It’s lovely to live in a place where people like to holiday and the Banks Peninsula has so many places worth staying. I love Le Bons Bay, but it is hard to find accommodation there now, so Okains Bay was a good back up plan. Great bach, great beach and a general store that is well worth a look (even if I only bought enamel bowls for my pot plants).
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Arctic Circle Cartoon - Living a Slow Life
My life is fairly slow and low stress in New Zealand, but there is always room for improvement (getting on top of deadlines and not trying to do so much in the garden would help).
