Covid-19 Lockdown

Quote for the day:

“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”
— Dale Carnegie

Welcome to day 29.  Not many days to go in total lockdown.  Are you looking forward to a little more freedom come next Tuesday and perhaps extending the size of your bubble?  What will level three mean to you?  Back to work or more of the same?

Today here in Matangi it has been another enjoyable and rewarding day.  Had a bike ride this morning which involved, dropping off excess fruit, picking up mail for a friend, supermarket shopping and after some lunch mowing my lawns.  The best part was having drinkies late this afternoon with good friends via Zoom.  We caught up on the gossip – not much there and what each of us have been up too.  Using Zooom is a great way to keep in touch and see each other’s happy smiley faces.  Wonder what you have been up to today?  Do you Zoom/Skype/Whats App/Face-time your family and friends?

In case you missed out on day 28’s comments, click here.  Some of my regular subscribers have a knack for making their daily activities interesting and funny.  Thank you for taking the time to comment, it’s what makes this blog more interesting.

Today’s feature image

Thank you “Prudence of St Andrews” for today’s feature image.  Isn’t it beautiful, the way the colours blend randomly and how the yellow stamens contrast with the colours of the petals?  During this time in lockdown I’ve become a big fan of camellias.  Guess that is partly because I’ve taken the time to really look at the flowers and taking close-up photos has opened my eyes to the beauty of them and the variety of camellias.   

Signs of autumn

Zero waste ideas

I saw this article is NZ Lifestyle Block magazine.  Thought you may find it useful if you are cleaning out cupboards and looking at ways to reduce your amount of waste.

Well that is it for tonight.  Remember to be kind and patient to yourself and everybody in your bubble.  Take care – Goldcard Gal 🙂

Quote for the day:

“Winners are not people who have never failed, but people who never quit.”

Welcome to day 28.  Another foggy start and so much colder than yesterday.  My HRV system is not working in transferring the heat from the attic in my home to my living quarters.  Gee I can’t get over how cold my home is when the HRV is not working.  And to think I have put up with that coldness for so many years!  After wasting quite a bit of time chatting online to a customer service representative, the problem is still not solved.  So hopefully it won’t be too long before a technician can come and fix the issue.  Hence tonight I’ve got my wood-burner stoked up and the fire is roaring.

Who watched Paul Henry last night?  His interview with Nick Mowbray was excellent.  What an inspirational and down-to-earth young man, offering advice to wanna-be and business owners in NZ.  I could have listened to him for the whole episode.  What were your thoughts?

The sun was very welcome this afternoon. I was able to finish one of my to-do list items.  Replacing the edging of one of my raised vegetable gardens.  I debated about getting untreated timber like I’d always done, but of course we’re in a lockdown.  The idea to use what I already had at home, bricks and pavers came to me while out bike riding.  It’s not perfect but it will last a lot longer than untreated timber.  Would love to have had railway sleepers but the price of them encouraged me to think of alternative solutions.  Now I need to plant my broad bean seeds and a cover crop.  You gardeners out there, do you sow a cover crop for winter and if so, what do you plant?

In case you missed out on day 27’s comments, click here to catch up.

Today’s feature image

Today’s feature image comes from my Zimbabwean friends Meg & Mike’s garden who are across the road.  It’s always exciting to see new bulbs popping their heads up and waiting for the bubs to open up and display their beauty.   What are your favourite bulbs?

My Feijoa ice cream

I finally made my feijoa ice cream yesterday and was able to sample it last night.  It is super delicious. Highly recommend making it. 🙂

Seven simple ways to bring luxury getaway comfort to you home

My blogging friend Denise of “Magic Moments” sent me the above link thinking that some of my readers may like to add or bring a little luxury to their lockdown experience.  Let’s know if you try any of the suggestions.  I like the idea of “baby your feet with the perfect slippers”.   What appeals to you?

Signs of autumn

Today’s signs of autumn come from “Patricia-Rose”, “I-Solution” and Brad from Taranaki.  Thank you for your contributions.

How has your day 28 been?  Love to read about your thoughts, events or happenings.

Remember to be kind and patient with yourself and everybody in your bubble.  Take care – Goldcard Gal 🙂

Quote for the day:

“Change can be scary, but do you know what’s scarier?  Allowing Fear to stop you from Growing, Evolving and Progressing.”
by Mandy Hale

Welcome to day 27.  Today was my first autumn foggy morning bike ride.  And the sun hasn’t appeared all day – that is a first for a long time.  Mind you we have been spoilt with having so many beautiful sunny days earlier in April.  My Zimbabwean friend Meg said something today which made me laugh, she said “I finally understand what fine weather means in NZ.  It means it’s not raining”.   

Did you watch Paul Henry’s “Rebuilding Paradise” last night?  What were your thoughts?  I was hoping for more, but it is only episode one and I guess it is hard interviewing people on Skype or through Zoom and getting than ‘connection’ with them.  I did think Sir Micheal Hill went on the little too long about his house fire 40 years ago, but then that event was the catalyst for him to go after his goals.  I will continue to watch Paul and look forward to the variety of people he will be interviewing.  I do like his sense of humour and the fact that he reads out all positive and negative texts/emails.  

Click here if you missed day 26’s comments.  

Feature image for today

Today’s feature image was provided by “Sue of Matangi”.  She had picked these flowers from her garden just before she came inside after spending time working in it.  The variety of flowers and diverse colours make it an eye catching little bouquet.  Like nature, nothing seems to clash or is ugly.

The Pandemic Pack Collaborative Cookbook

I read about this group in the Waikato Times this morning (published 15 April, back of my puzzle page) and thought I’d share it with you.  Sixteen Wellington eateries have co-authored a digital cookbook providing recipes (adapted to be cooked at home) of their signature dishes.  Under level two and level three the group created a contactless delivery service for their restaurants.  Once the level was raised all non-essential businesses, such as restaurants and cafes were forced to close.  Jackie Lee Morrison of Lashings cafe came up with the idea of creating a digital cookbook as she knew local chefs wanted to keep sharing their food. I have purchased a copy of this cookbook in PDF format and landscape design.  Each restaurant/cafe published includes a photograph of their eatery, blurb about their business and either one or two recipes.  Some tasty looking recipes.  I make plunger coffee every morning and looking through their book have read that I don’t let it brew long enough – it’s recommended 4 minutes!  Here is one recipe that really appealed to me, because I would never have thought to put broccoli and feta together least of all on ciabatta bread and look forward to making it sometime soon.  It’s from Capitol Restaurant, owned by Tom & Kate Hutchison.

Signs of autumn

While out of my bike ride this morning I captured the following signs of autumn.

What did you do today – day 26?  Look forward to reading about your adventures, daily tasks or something else.

In the meantime, be patient and kind to yourself and everybody in your bubble.  Take care – Goldcard Gal 🙂

Quote for the day:

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
by C.S. Lewis

Welcome to day 26. A day of anticipation regarding our current lockdown status.  I’m currently listening the Government announcement regarding moving from level 4 to level 3 at 11.59 pm next Monday.  That now means we are currently in day 26 of 33.  As ANZAC day has been Mondayised I guess government don’t want people going away over this coming long weekend hence extending level 4 lockdown.    How do you feel about this?  What effects will this have on you or your business?

What concerns me is if we eliminate Covid-19, what happens when we open our borders again?  Am I missing something here, the rest of the world isn’t eliminating the virus!  Or do we keep our borders closed until there is a vaccination – wonder how long that will be?

We need to still keep our physical distancing until 11 May at least.  A little time to go before we can have that big hug, drink that coffee and sip that prosecco!

In case you have missed day 25’s comments, check them out here.

Country Calendar is one of my favourite TV programmes, did you see last night’s episode?  It was about Linnburn Station, situated on Maniototo Plain, Otago where they carry out regenerative farming practices.  Before seeing this episode I didn’t understand the meaning of “regenerative farming practices” but now I do and find it very interesting.  It’s all about protecting and creating soil health through the use of over crops/ companion planting, zero till, biological stimulants & high intensity grazing with zero use of artificial fertilisers etc.  Peter Barrett’s (owner) believes Healthy Soil = Healthy Water = Healthy Animals = Healthy People. It was an inspiring episode and made me think about my own garden.  Click here to view it.  If you saw it, what were your thoughts – did it prompt you to think about and perhaps garden a little differently?

Lockdown loaf

Also known as Chelsea’s Beer Bread.  One of my regular readers Sharon who loves to cook recommends this recipe, she says “it’s easy to make and tastes delicious.”

Click here to get the ingredients and instructions – happy baking.

Today’s feature image

Thank you “Susan of Hamilton East” for today’s feature image.  The colour of the nareens is quite stunning.

Signs of autumn

Thank you “Susan of Hamilton East” and “I-Solution Wanaka” for our signs of autumn.  Have you noticed that as autumn progresses the colours are becoming more vibrant and diverse?

Remember Paul Henry is hosting a TV series titled “Rebuilding Paradise“, starts tonight at 9.30 pm on TV 3.  I’m looking forward to seeing the format and who he’ll interviews etc.

What did you do today, and what are your thoughts regarding extending level 4 lockdown until next week?

Remember to be patient and kind to yourself and everybody in your bubble.  Take care Goldcard Gal 🙂

Quote for the day:

“Families are like branches on a tree.  We grow in different directions yet our roots remain the same.”
from Good Housekeeping

Welcome to day 25.  I wonder how you spent your day?  I had a quiet day, short bike ride and rest of day at home pottering around in the garden and doing odd chores inside. I wonder if you are waiting for the big announcement tomorrow afternoon at 4 pm, whether we’re going to level 3 or staying in level 4?  Someone jokingly said “level 3 is like level 4 but with KFC takeaways.”

Click here to catch up on day 24’s comments.  “Unhurried in Hamilton” comments are under Goldcard Gal because of technical issues.

Feature image

My feature image tonight comes from “Rafer of Byron Bay” thank you, it is eye-catching and the colour is striking.

Women in charge!

“Unhurried in Hamilton”  has sent a link to a very interesting article regarding which countries have been most successful in combating the Covid-19 crisis. Food for thought?

Poem for The Heroes

The following poem was in today’s Canvas (supplement that comes with NZ Herald)
written by Daniel Lovewell, 11 years old.

Dear supermarket workers,
Thank You.
For putting up with this epidemic enough to keep us eating.
It must be hard having to leave your bubble
To sort out food fights
And toilet paper turmoil
And disinfectant dramas
And rationing rules
Keeping up with ever-changing regulations
Not knowing if the people who visit your store are sick
Or if you might get sick
Or what will happen next
You soldier on for the greater good
Spending your days on the front line
In the war against Covid-19
You are the everyday heroes
And on behalf of the people in my isolation bubble I say
Thank you.
Yours sincerely
BUBBLEBOY (A boy in a bubble)

Signs of autumn

Tonight we have signs of autumn from Byron Bay and Wanaka, scenes couldn’t be more diverse.

 

What next?

I’ve been asking myself this question for a few days now.  Initially 28 days seemed such a long time away and I was’t sure I’d still be posting!  Of course no definite decisions can be made until tomorrow’s Covid-19 announcement.  So what if we go to level 3, shall I continue with posting or what?  If we go to level 3, I imagine my readers over 70 will still be in a ‘lockdown’ of a sort,  would you still like a platform to be able to share your photos, events and happenings?  Would you still like a daily post from someone who is keen to make a digital connection with her readers?  I welcome your thoughts, ideas and any suggestions.  I will miss my daily digital contact with you! 

It has been a goal of mine to become a better travel writer of my own adventures.  My friend Denise recently recommended this book to me “The Travel Writer’s Way”.  To see her review of the book, click on this link (you could also check out her travel adventures, she has done some amazing trips). This book guides you through a series of assignments along with advice from many renowned travel writers.  Perhaps I could share my journey with you as I attempt to complete the various assignments?  As I type those words, that idea frightens the hell out of me.  I would be exposing my shortcomings and lack of vocabulary but then again, there is only one way, and that would be up!   Still thinking about this journey. On a positive note, it would ensure I go off and have more adventures and that is a bonus – right?  Have you got any advice to give me?

In the meantime, trust you’ve had a great day 25 and I look forward to hearing about your adventures and happenings.

Remember to be patient and kind to yourself and everybody in your bubble.  Take care Goldcard Gal 🙂