Alex Hallatt 5/14/20 Alex Hallatt 5/14/20

Living in New Zealand: Lockdown Levels of Fun in Lyttelton

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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.

vintage giant pencil sharpener made in Chicago USA

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.

Alex Hallatt 5/8/20 Alex Hallatt 5/8/20

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.

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.

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.

Alex Hallatt 4/28/20 Alex Hallatt 4/28/20

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.

Alex Hallatt 4/22/20 Alex Hallatt 4/22/20

Illustrated Epistle Extract: Lucky to be in Lyttelton for Lockdown

I knew Lyttelton was a special place when I arrived here in 2004. Now I thank my lucky stars to be in lockdown in Whakaraupo (Lyttelton Harbour), Aotearoa.

My brother lives in an apartment in Valencia with his wife and young son. They have been in Covid-19 lockdown since mid-March and he has only been allowed out to walk the dog within 200 m of his home. He was super excited to tell us that from the 27th April the Spanish government will allow him out to walk with his son. Up until now, young children have been forced to remain at home all the time.

One of my sisters lives in London with her young family. The spread of the novel coronavirus has been far more extensive in the UK than in New Zealand and she worries that it may be months until it is safe to visit our parents (both in their seventies) in Dorset. And though the village of Briantspuddle is idyllic, Mum and Dad will go batty if they aren't allowed to leave it for much longer. Though I think Mum should try doing yoga classes on Zoom (a bit harder for Dad with lawn bowls).

My other sister lives in a flat in Auckland. Even there it is difficult, as she has to time when she goes out to exercise because of the crowds of people who are in the parks and at beaches.

So I know how lucky I am to be living in Lyttelton. I write this even though the back of our house is missing because lockdown started two weeks into renovations. This means we are cooking in a camp kitchen and our shower is in a toilet on the lawn. But I’m still glad to be here because we have so many more degrees of freedom than if we lived in other places during this pandemic. At Level Four, I could walk in the hills, cycle around the bays, or play dodgy tennis in my bubble. But I am relieved to hear that building work can restart on our renovation as we go to Level Three. And that, if the good weather lasts, I can go back out on my paddle board.

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.