THE DAY BEFORE LOCKDOWN

I started the day with the usual walk around the streets.  Only a short walk just over 1.5 kms. in about 15 minutes.  Doug didn't come today as he was going to do the "weed eating" and mow the lawns.  While Doug did this I did some washing and cooked making a batch of dog food for Sophie and then roasting some aubergine and cooking a tomato and capsicum mixture and getting our lunch.

At 6.30 p.m. we received Emergency Alerts on our phones to say that the National Emergency starts at 11.45 p.m. 

We will still be able to do the walk around the streets from here, around the park behind us or even go to the larger park a short distance away in our neighbourhood but must keep to ourselves.  As we are over 70 we cannot go to the supermarket or pharmacy but must get things dropped off at the door.  This is for a minimum of 4 weeks.

A lot of Kiwis are stuck around the world not able to get home and tourists are going around New Zealand in campervans which could prove a problem.  Anyway, I am sure it will all sort itself out.  The main thing is to keep home and keep safe.

We have not been offered flu vaccinations yet but as we are not going to meet anyone we shouldn't contract the flu.

Keep safe and well everyone.

LOCKDOWN

Things are moving quickly here in New Zealand.  There are now 102 confirmed cases of Covid 19 and we have now moved on to Level 3 alert and on Wednesday will move to Level 4 which is virtually complete Lock down apart from essential services.

Doug's Grand-daughter's wedding on Saturday has had to be postponed.  His two daughters and grand-daughter work for essential services - delivering mail, working in a Rest Home and grand-daughter is a nurse. 

Four of us from the Parkinson group had a walk this morning keeping our distance as required but they have stopped from now on. 

I am not completely sure exactly what we are able to do under Level 4 - I think we will still be able to go on isolated walks (just the two of us).

After the walk this morning we went to two garden centres to buy seedlings or seeds and there were NO Vegetables at all.  I then tried to buy seedlings on line with no luck but am hopeful of getting some seeds of things like broccoli and swiss chard. Will try and do that later. 

We are not sure whether the Growers' Market will continue but hope it will and will go in there first thing in the morning (about 6ish) to get our vegies and eggs if we are allowed.  The supermarket we go to has reduced its hours and now does not open until 9 a.m. to give them time to replenish the shelves.

At least we have plenty of books to keep us occupied - just wish we had some seedlings to plant.

COVID 19

We had an enjoyable Parkinson's Walk yesterday and planned where we would go on the next two walks however, this afternoon, I received an email from the Northland Parkinson Nurse telling me that all weekly groups are to stop on Monday until further notice.  A shame as one lady who lives alone told me it is the highlight of her week and everyone enjoys the walks and catch up after.

We actually had rain in the night, not a lot but it freshened up the plants.  Tomorrow is forecast to be fine so we are going to the other end of the walk we did last Wednesday.

Doug's grand-daughter gets married a week on Saturday.  Doug's sister and niece had already decided not to come from Perth and now her father's family from England are not coming as all travellers must self-isolate for a fortnight so they would miss the wedding even if they did come.  We don't know what other rules there may be, at present groups of over 500 have been banned and rules for things such as weddings and funerals are to be announced later in the week.

Self isolation has not been brought in here for the over 70's or 80's yet.  One is also able to go outside to garden or go for a walk or run as long as one keeps ones distance from other people.

A large financial package was announced here today and I have not yet caught up with all of it.  

It is a rapidly changing situation.