Covid-19 Lockdown

Quote for the day:

“If you want to succeed, you should strike out on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success.” – John Rockefeller

Welcome to day 14.  Two weeks of isolation – at times I wonder where the days have gone.  How have you found the isolation so far?

In case you have missed day 13’s posts here they are: Day 13 posts.

Good news

The good news for today is the issue with my blog site (people not being able to add comments) over the last couple of days has been solved.  Not by my ‘expert’ even though he assisted in broadening my thinking about possible solutions, but by sharing my blog issues with a fellow colleague and coming up with possible options – which then lead to a solution.  So feeling pretty pleased that my ‘problem solving’ skills are still OK!

Snake update

The latest on the snake, now know it’s a python, so that is good news.  On Saturday Phil was moving an unused door inside their house (their house is actually a large shed, but they’re making into a home and doing a great job), when the snake literally slid onto him which did initially give him a fright.  But thankfully Phil is an Aussie, used to snakes and he’s a snake catcher so he stayed calm and took the snake outside and put it into the garden.   The snake hasn’t been seen since, probably come back inside to find a nice warm place to sleep.  Who knows???

Reflections on 14 days of blogging

As I was out walking this morning I decided it was time to reflect on the blogging process so far.  Its been 14 days of consecutive posts, a record for me.  These are my reflections:

• It’s been a series of highs and not so highs, meaning some days I had plenty of content, other days I struggled and it showed, and I”m OK about that.
• I am pleased with myself for completing a daily post.
• I’ve loved receiving and reading all your comments.  Thank you to those of you who comment daily, it makes my blog so much more interesting.  Thank you to those who have given me verbal feedback, appreciate it.
• I often realise a day or so later that I should have said this or said that in a particular post and feel disappointed with myself for not thinking broader.  But I have to remind myself if I wait for my post to be perfect, it would never get posted.
• I’m getting better and feeling happier about sharing my thoughts and ideas even though I’ve quite a private person.
• I much more comfortable writing than talking about my ideas and thoughts because I can re-edit them.
• I’ve enjoyed having to think outside the box to comes up with ideas and thoughts, while at times it’s been challenging it has also been rewarding.
• Writing this blog has been a huge learning experience, thank you Prudence for encouraging it but at times I have wondered??

Have you enjoyed posting your daily activities and reflections?

Signs of autumn

To-do list

• Made my feijoa chutney today, the smell still lingering in the kitchen
• Did some more sanding on my out-door furniture – going to try and spend an hour a day – here’s hoping

Well that is it for day 14, what did you do today?  What are your reflections on posting your comments daily?

Be kind and patient with each other, take care and stay in your bubble – Goldcard Gal 🙂

Quote for the day:

“Life only comes around once, so do whatever makes you happy, and be with whoever makes you smile”  from quoteideas.com

Comments not working 🙁

Just what I need, something not working properly on this blog.  You may have noticed that you couldn’t post your comments today, sorry about that. I spent quite a bit of time searching on Mr Google for any possible solutions, but no such luck today, probably because I wasn’t asking the right questions.  So I’ve organised an appointment tomorrow with a professional ‘WordPress expert’ so here’s hoping he can sort my problem out.

How was your day 13?  What exciting happenings did you get up to?

My bike ride this morning involved getting organic apples and feijoas from over the north side of the city.  Thank you Maureen. While cycling to and from Maureen’s place I forced myself often to stop and take photos of ‘signs of autumn’.  This constant stopping is something I find hard to do, but I was on a mission – so to speak.  I got a lovely surprise as I passed a house where an older couple were out side on their deck ‘dancing’ looked a bit like folk dancing.  The music was  turned up quite loud.  When they saw me we both exchanged big waves and big smiles – they were having fun.  What a way to start the day – do you do any dancing in the mornings just for fun?

To-do list

After I’ve posted this blog my intention is to get out in shed to do some sanding or create something!!  Otherwise nothing has been crossed off my to-do list today.  How about you – is your to-do list getting smaller or what??

Making feijoa pickle/chutney is on my list for tomorrow.   

Signs of autumn

Thank you “I-Solution Wanaka” for your ‘signs of autumn’ contributions, very much appreciated.  The rest are my signs of autumn.  I particularly enjoyed taking photographs of the tractors, which were busy today.  The photo on the left: at times I couldn’t see the tractor because of all the dust; it does show how dry the soil is.  I look forward to seeing what will be growing there in the weeks to come.  

That is it for today, apologies for the hiccup relating to posting your comments. In the meantime, take care out there, and stay in your bubble – Goldcard Gal 🙂

 

 

Quote for the day:

“Follow your soul, it knows the way”.

We seem to be flying through these lock-down days don’t you agree, just about half-way there.  But of course we don’t know how long it will last, and we can’t control that, so why not make the most of the moments we can control.

Thank you for your posts, I always enjoy reading what my blog readers are doing in their bubbles and what you have to say.  In case you missed reading yesterday’s here is day 11.

Today has been a mixture.  Early morning walk then unexpectedly one of my ex-students (from couple of years back) emailed asking for some help in MS Word, so that is where the rest of the day went more or less.

To clear my head it was a welcome change to do the grocery run (on my bike) to the supermarket for my over 70’s neighbours and myself.  I have found the best time to go grocery shopping is around 4.30 – 5 pm ish (probably already said this once before!).  Today the security guard offered to sanitise your hands before entering the supermarket.  Is it me or have you noticed that grocery shopping now is so much more relaxed, people taking their time, or is it because of the time I go?  What has been your experience?

Girls in the shed night

Monday night is Beth and my night in the shed, playing with our tools.  We create stuff mostly from re-cycled materials.  But of course that is not happening just now.  I miss you Beth not coming over and keeping me honest and on track. I haven’t made it out to the shed tonight but promise I will tomorrow night. Instead I’ve had a long conversation with my brother Ben. Great to hear from you Ben and good to know the grape harvest has been completed successfully. Thank you for your complimentary feedback.  Let’s hope we get to celebrate your 70th in June???

Five things to be thankful for today:

1. Another sunny day in paradise
2. I have great neighbours
3. I have everything I need in my bubble
4. I don’t own a cafe, hospitality or tourism business (my thoughts go out to those who do)
5. I haven’t just lost my job (my thoughts go out to those who have just lost their job)

What are your five things to be thankful for?

Signs of autumn

Thank you “I-Solution of Wanaka” for your signs of autumn.  Come on readers you must be seeing signs of autumn in your bubble, please send some of your photographs through.

How has your day 12 been?  What has been happening in your bubble?

Take care out there and stay in your bubble – Goldcard Gal 🙂

Today’s quote is from one of Tim’s travel diaries:

“The best part of holidays is anticipation and then recollection”

Another stunning day in paradise!  Thank you for all your posts and feedback, if you have missed reading them here is the link to Day 10.

A good and inspirational friend has departed

Today I received sad news that one of my old cycling buddies and valued friend Tim Reep had passed away.  Tim was 86 yrs old and has been an inspiration and a good friend to me over many years.  It has been an honour and a privilege to have had Tim in my life and to spend many happy hours with him cycling our roads and enjoying many cups of tea.  Tim you were a true gentleman, gentle in nature and in your actions, with a great sense of humour and quietly determined – you will be missed by many.

Peter, Les and I recently visited Tim and it was a day well spent enjoying lunch together and sharing memories.  Reflecting on the time we spent together highlighted the importance of having experiences which then create memories which last a life time.

I thought I’d share a few words from one of Tim’s first cycling adventures “A Bike Ride in Europe” July 1998, where he rode 4,067 kms.

“Age has certain benefits, one may have to look hard for them, but they are there.  The sudden release from day to day responsibilities coinciding with a few years receipt of the old age pension was a marvellous excuse to take off and test oneself with a reasonably strenuous bike ride.  Continental Europe is a mecca for cycle touring, so I dug out the map, considered where the prevailing wind was likely to come from, and decided that bottom to top seemed the obvious route.  Gibraltar to John O’Groats. The best part of holidays is recollection, then anticipation, so the middle part has to be memorable.” 

Tim was one of those riders who had incredible endurance and seemed to require very little food or water. We will miss you Tim, but we know you will be in good company up there with fellow cyclists: Brooke, Peter S, Peter E, Bevan, and Dave.  My thoughts are with you Kim, Wogga and rest of the family.  Look forward to celebrating your life Tim sometime soon.

A story of Peter and Tim riding a tandem

Peter has just sent me this memory, so I thought I’d share it with you. Hope you enjoy it.

My favourite memory is from the days when Tim and I rode tandem – enabling us go fast enough to make life difficult for younger/faster riders in the “Tuesday Group” who would normally leave us in their wake.

On one occasion, after our morning tea stop at Gordonton, Tim and I mounted our tandem – or so I thought – and set off for my home. Imagine my surprise when after a kilometre or so a car overtook us with Tim leaning out of the car window gesticulating madly.

There are two versions of what had led to this state of affairs. Tim put the blame on me for failing to check that he, as stoker, was in the rear seat of the bike before I set off. I didn’t deny this, but pointed out that I had ridden a considerable distance without noticing Tim’s absence, thus raising questions about the value of his contribution to our supposedly joint effort.

I’m happy to report that Tim and I have remained firm friends and his death saddens me enormously.

RIP Tim

Signs of autumn

Thank you “I-Solution Wanaka”  and Sue for the following photographs.

To-do list

Great news my garage door is all painted and looking like new, except the dents which have always been there seem more obvious.  The semi-gloss paint seems to highlight them, but guess like all things I’ll get used it them.

How has your day 11 been? What exciting events or happenings have been happening in your bubble?

Till Day 12, take care out there and stay in your bubble!  GoldCard Gal  🙂

Quote for the day sent in by Sue:

“When the house of the world is dark, love will find a way to create windows”. by Rimu

Another stunning day – we certainly can to be thankful for that.  End of daylight saving tonight, sure looking forward to the lighter mornings, are you?

When chatting to one of my readers yesterday, I realised I’d failed to include a link to the previous day’s comments so you can read what other people have been up to.  Here is the link to Day nine,  you do need to scroll down to comments section.  Also you can comment on a blog/post and ask “not to be published”.  

Today has been a great day

Today was full of surprises and at this stage all good.  While out cycling this morning I had an epiphany of some sort  relating to this blog.  I realised for my creative mind to work effectively I need open space, no distractions, just me on my bike cycling along enjoying the country side, and preferably with the wind on my back.  My mind is then free to go where it likes; no filtering of thoughts, new ideas popping into my consciousness, problem solving, dreaming, planning etc, the list goes on.  I got excited with some of the ideas that popped up. The problem I often have is I forget to write down the ideas when I get home – and those ideas seem to disappear into outer space!!  But not this morning.

I want this blog to be more than just a place where I record daily activities and reflections. One of my ideas is to introduce my residential, and non-cycling readers to country scenes around the Waikato, especially so as we are lock-down. 

I’m so pleased I’m allowed to cycle and walk in our surrounding countryside, this ensures my mental health needs are being meet.  How is your mental health?  How do you keep yourself balanced and in sync?

Small rural business

While my mind was coming up with many ideas, this idea I thought was particularly good.  Telling you about the small rural businesses I pass on my rides and stopping off to take photographs.  Today’s small business is Alexander Organics, 133 Flume Road, Cambridge.  They sell raw milk and are a MPI Registered Raw Milk Provider.  What was really interesting was chatting to the woman in the photograph below.  (I apologise for the quality of the photograph, the sun was in the wrong position, but you get the gist.)

This woman travels over from Glen Massey (approx 50 kms away) about every three weeks to buy milk for her family, her mum and her grandmother.  She said “It’s the best.  It deep freezes well and we love it.  We always travel the back roads to here, just love the drive.  We used to buy our raw milk from a place near Gordonton, but that has closed down”. 

Alexander Organics also provide the reusable glass milk bottles, chilly bag and free range duck eggs.  Their farm is organic and their herd is made up of mainly Dairy Shorthorn and Ayrshire with some Friesian and Jersey X cows. 

While at The Shop these old  milk cans also caught my eye.  You have to born in a certain generation to remember them!  These cans were on the left of the building.

Signs of Autumn 

Another idea I had was to include a section titled “signs of autumn”.  Here I’d love you to send me your photographs (along with little story about the photograph) of any “signs of autumn” you see in your garden, while out walking or in your neighbourhood. Please send the photographs to my email hdwickham@gmail.com.  I’m looking forward to receiving them.

Below is my favourite ‘sign of autumn’ I saw today at Te Mire Mountain Bike Park.  Last Saturday there were quite a few vehicles parked up but thankfully today I only saw two young men who had cycled over from Cambridge.

 

To-do lists

Only one item on my to-do list has been partly completed today, painting first coat of paint on my garage door.  What have you crossed off your to-do list?

How has your day 10 gone?  Anything exciting happened? 

That’s it for another day, take care and stay in your bubble – GoldGold Gal 🙂