Reporting in once again….A kindly reminder from a son that it is 8 weeks since my last update !!!
We are still in Alexandra and hunkering down at our friends, Robert & Annette Kvicks lovely property in Central Otago (Been here since first week of January). This is our ” lock-down home”. Our lives have all been changed since the Corona Virus set foot in our fair country. More on this later…..
Our most exciting news for this blog is the addition of the newest member to our family, born in Auckland to Andrew & Sarah on 9th February 2020….Eddie John Ross was born weighing 6lb 10 oz. A brother for Harper and Otis. Unfortunately we were to fly up in late March, but due to the pandemic we could not go. I am waiting for my cuddles and hope we can get to Auckland very soon.
Our time in Alexandra to now. Wayne was working at Trail Journey’s, averaging 5 days a week. His work days varied with eg. 2 days on and 2 off or 4 days on & 2 days off. It was difficult for us to plan anything as we did not know what his roster was till the end of each week. He was enjoying his job and the variety it gave him. This all came to an abrupt end on Monday 23rd March when the Company pulled all their clients off the trails and closed the doors with the introduction of Level 4 lock-down to take affect that Thursday.
We have managed to keep the exercise up and have been getting in the odd bike ride, swimming at the local pool for Sue, and running for Wayne. Our social life has involved many a happy hour in the camp, catching up with friends, and a couple of meals out:
Sorry to bore you all, but I will write these events as a diary entry (it gives us a record of what we have done).
- Bike Ride – Sue with “Bumz on Bikes” – 23 km return – River trail to Clyde & back on the Rail Trail. Also the usual Wednesday morning Coffee catch up in Clyde and the odd Sunday morning bike ride.
- Bike Ride – Both of us. Pinders Pond to Millars Flat – 30 km return (Wayne rode onto the dam at Roxburgh, so that added another 14 km. Sue just too lazy!!! I drove there to pick him up.
- Bike Ride – Wayne from home to Lauder return – 80 km – 3 hrs 32 mins
- Bike Ride – Both of us drove up to Cromwell and rode from the Old Town out to Pisa Mooring (west side of Lake Dunstan) return – 30 km. Coffee stop at Pisa Moorings, then Beer & Chips at Olivers in Clyde on the way home.
- Bike Ride – Drove to Gibbston Valley – then biked to Arrowtown , this being 2 trails, Gibbston Trail and Arrow River Trail – 23 km one way. It was up & down and I only whinged once…..all the way there. I decided why whinge all the way back when Wayne could ride back & get the car and came to pick me up. Just what he ended up doing. We had a lovely lunch at a cafe in the township. The town was packed with visitors as the Motatapu Race was on that weekend. On our way home we stopped at the Cargo Brewery in Gibbston Valley. Did some sampling & will definitely visit again.
- Kaye Keys (friend from Picton who Wayne & I worked with in the Bank in Blenheim) was down visiting a good friend ( also in my bike group), so we had a lovely catch up morning tea with her.
- Wayne had a work dinner at Paulina’s in Clyde. Lovely restaurant and such a shame partners could not attend. Not that I am holding a grudge!!!!!
- Lovely afternoon/evenings drinks and nibbles with Peter & Margaret Gibson in Cromwell at their lovely home over looking the lake.
- Sue went with 4 other campers to the “Cavalcade” at Patearoa. Wayne was unfortunately working. It was an amazing sight to see. Horse & riders, Wagons etc. coming in off the original trails traveled 100 plus years ago. They also had stalls and entertainment, such as terrier racing, line dancing (Yee Ha), sheep shearing and the good old Beer Tent. We did spend a moment or two in there before we headed back!
- 9 of us from the camp went to the movies in Clyde to see “Jojo Rabbit” . Great little theatre and we enjoyed the movie.
- 7 of us went up to the Upper Fraser Dam Power House. They had an open day for the public with $5 per person donation to Relay for Life. Not the best weather and it was on an unsealed road, but well worth seeing.
- The same 7 of us went to Ferris Road Brewery that night for pizza and beer as a farewell to Garland (camper, who was heading back up to Motueka). It was a very sad event that Garlands husband, Johnnie passed away in the camp on 14th February from a massive heart attach. A sobering time for us all.
- Wayne and I took the kayak up to Lake Dunstan (Cromwell) and kayaked the top of the lake from Lowburn. A rather windy day, but we survived and it was defiantly a quick return trip.
- We had two lovely meals out at Amigio’s Mexican Restaurant with Ray & Marylyn Cowles (campers From Waikanae) and also Simon & Michelle, Wayne’s boss from Trail Journey’s.
Well, as we know Covid 19 has really changed our lives and apart from me working on as normal, Insurance is classed as an essential service. My hours have increased a little due to my boss, Stephen being diagnosed with Kidney cancer and secondary cancer in the lungs. He has been one of the fortunate ones to get his surgery done last week and they removed a 6 kg (13 lb) tumor from his mid-section. He is now home recuperating and waiting to hear what the next round of treatment is. A big shock for us all, We are all working all remotely and keeping the business ticking over.
Wayne luckily is getting the government subsidy and will be paid till 10th May, this is when his contract was due to finish. We are certainly grateful for this. Wayne is our nominated Supermarket dweller and rubbish disposal man. We are both bike riding and walking and Wayne is running up on the hills behind us. Eating rather well and I have been baking bread, biscuits, muffins and anything else that takes our fancy. A weight gain coming I think!!! As like everyone our plans for the immediate future have all been cancelled, so as far as we know, we will remain here till lock-down is lifted and travel is allowed again. We did have a visit from the police on the day of lock-down, and they seemed happy for us to remain where we were. I could write another story about that, but I won’t bore you all. Our plan will be to travel to the top of the south island to get into a warmer climate for the winter, so fingers crossed lock-down will not be too long.
Hope you like the pic of our covid-19 haircuts. We cut each others, Wayne a no. 4 & me a no. 8. It should do till lock-down is lifted! !!!!
We wish everyone to stay safe and healthy and be kind and help others but most of all stay home and save lives.
Till next time…..love to all
The Travelling Gypsies xx