Rahui - Alert level 3, day 7

A week ago New Zealand went down one alert level, to level 3. Basically level 4 but with take out, which I read somewhere 😝 it made me laugh. It was a little bit more than that of course, some work places were able to return to work, as long as they were able to practice safe distancing etc as advised by the government.Some schools reopened allowing children of parents who were able to return to work but had no other child care available to them. It also meant you could travel up to 40kms for exercise. Not really sure how I feel about that, far too many thinking that it was all over and decided to hold parties etc, the NZ police page wrote "Under Alert Level 3 (as at 6pm (30 April) yesterday), there have been 281 breaches of the Civil Defence Emergency Management and Health acts, with 77 prosecutions, 180 warnings and 24 youth referrals.
I only have one thing to say about that, f*cking idiots!!

Anyway moving on, this level meant we could use the car to take the dogs to the beach, it's less than 5 mins drive.

Joe got home from work earlier than usual on Thursday,

 it was a glorious day so we went to the beach.

During the past week there was a fire on this cliff, it burned quite a long way along the stretch you can see in the photo

 It looks deserted but there were a number of people on the beach, 

all in their own bubbles and enjoying the sun

At home the dogs have been sunbathing on the deck

I made more feijoa relish and passionfruit syrup

That's me done with the preserving for now, I've used all the jars

I tried this

Nice but very sweet

Level 3 meant a start was made on connecting us to Ultra fast Fibre

Not sure how long we'll need to wait for connection

After I just said I was done with preserving, I found these photos

Lemon honey/curd, but made with Seville oranges that were still on the tree back at the farm, it worked ok but it's a little bitter. In case you don't know, Seville oranges are marmalade oranges, high pectin content, very sharp and not suitable as eating oranges.

I made an attempt at Lemon meringue pie, even though it looks okay I'm going to try a different recipe next time, and I'm  not good at making pastry

Saturday we were back at the beach, bright and early this time, 7am to be exact, the aim was to avoid lots of people s we could let the dogs off the lead

Warning! Loud whistling in the first video!! Turn the volume down, I might deafen you!

The obligatory dogs posing on rock photo

Level 3 means fishing from the beach is  now allowed

In a week we find out if we are able to drop another level. I hope we do but only if our Covid 19 cases remain low, or as was the case today, '0' new cases.

Not sure it will continue like that, I hope it does, it really depends on the behaviour of others and whether they stick to the rules or not. 

I'm not a lover of rules but if I break the rules of lock down, my actions could affect someone else, and that's not acceptable. So even though I could venture further afield outside of my bubble, the question is, should I?

So stay home where possible, stay safe.

We've almost beaten this thing.

Rahui - What day is it?

As of midnight tomorrow, Monday 27th April, we go to Alert level 3, so out of level 4. What does that mean? Technically it's pretty much the same as level 4 but some can return to work as long as social distancing is observed, some businesses and food outlets can open, as long as they can operate in a contact-less manner. We can now use the car to drive to the beach say BUT only of you stay local, if you need to drive more than 20 minutes then it's not deemed as local! Also you can extend your bubble but only by one or two people. Some schools are reopening for those people who can return to work and have no other childcare options available, those who prefer to keep their children home can do so. So basically we all have to continue what we are doing, as what we have been doing to date is working. All I hope is that some people don't think that this is an end to it and carry on as usual, it is NOT as usual, so stay home.

Joe is one of those who can return to work and he has already been in this past week to organise other staff's return. It's been rather stressful as it's not really going to be quite the same as it was before and some hard decisions may have to be made in the not too distant future.

So with all that in mind I was thinking Shit!! he's going back to work and not all the jobs got done!!
Yesterday we made a start hanging pictures

Edited to add the artist

https://www.joanneboweartist.com

Below is a gift from my brother, we sat on that hill looking at the view when the seeds of a life change were planted. We didn't know at that stage that we would end up in New Zealand we just knew that something had to change and as our 16th anniversary of our arriving here was Last Wednesday the 22nd, it seemed fitting that it was hung this week.

The inlet heads into Fowey harbour in Cornwall.

The picture of the fishing boat on the left was taken by me at the Wharf in Raglan, so it's come home.
The other of the sailing boat was taken at Lake Taupo
and the Tui was in the garden at the farm

Souvenirs from Australia

Now known as Aussie way

Another water colour of Fowey harbour

When we left the UK, a teacher I had worked with drew this for me,she is a very talented artist.

My Lazy Susan platter that becomes wall art when not in use

A new home in the hallway for the wedding frame

Uncle Don with some bloke called John Lennon!!

In the evening we sat outside and had a few drinks, it really is such a nice space and considering we are living again in town, very peaceful. I downloaded a star gazing app and we searched for the constellations, that was pretty good and very interesting

Joe tried my home brew apple cider. More like scrumpy really.

  

Enjoying a blush gin and tonic

This morning I found a praying mantis inside our bedroom window, it had just emerged from it's chrysalis, so I put her in the garden.  

I made some more feijoa relish and passionfruit syrup today, I've just printed off the labels, so I'll head off now and put them on the jars and bottles.

Be safe and stay home unless you are returning to work.

We can beat this thing, and we are beating it but we just need to be patient a little bit longer