Lockdown

Probably early next year for travel and border openings, I reckon a vaccine will be on the table before the years end and it will be mandatory for travel o/s.

Travel is going to be a while!

Here in NZ at 100 days community free infection with only cases being imported from NZ Citizens retuning and discussion to open travel bubble with Cook Islands.
Then yesterday 4 probable cases from one family that is all over Auckland. Yesterday we got indication that Auckland going to level 3 (4 the most restrictive) and rest of country less restrictive level 2.
It comes down to contact tracing and notification of people who went to the same places.
The Government is going hard early to get the virus under control!

Helmy sent me the lyrics the Richard Clapton's "Down In The Lucky Country" this morning, as a comment on our sutuation here in Vicco.
Thought I could have my own go at a version.
Probably for fans only.
Apologies to rights holders and musicians, especially Richard....

Standing on the corner with a mask over my face.
The streets are full of covered up girls.
And Covid Warning signs.
The radio counts the cases, the Premier calls them out.
We've got bets each way on a losing streak.
And no one can leave town.

We're going mad in the Covid county.
Imprisoned in our homes and drinking plenty.
Down in the Covid county.

People sit on their doorsteps, depressed and on their knees.
It's a lousy life if you can only go out for less than an hour twenty.
"Those were the days" I hear you say,
When we could go down to the sea.
You could go out for a beer on Saturday night.
And never have to leave.

We're going mad in the Covid county.
Imprisoned in our homes and drinking plenty.
Down in the Covid county.

People following impossible rules.
Stuck at home sweet home.
They buy up toilet paper, just to wipe their bums.

Life goes by, Oh my.

Been doing once a week Covid cooking from the bloke that did the "End Of Days Bolognaise".
Two weeks ago Pumpkin and Rosemary pasta, which is really weird for me since I don't really like pasta, and generally require meat in a meal.




Last week a re run on "Chuck a sickie soup"




This week, "Fancy Pants Beef Stew", or Osso Bucco.
Really suss on cooking this, he described the meat as "strange looking **** you see in the butchers window. For me it reminded me of weird crap my mother used to try and cook.



All have been really good, although I don't think the Osso Bucco will get a second run.
Fills in an afternoon when the alternative is standing outside in 12 degrees temperature with wet feet, water blasting the paving I should have done two years ago






It's taking rather a long time.

Are hookers still working?

Three weeks in to six weeks of stage 4, the blasting continues.
No progress over the weekend with constant rain verging on snow, howling wind.


The furniture gets done on the way past.
I have decided workboots without socks is the best - bit of air around the feet rather than sodden socks.
I could go gumboots, but in 30 years of working outside as a surveyor in mud, I couldn't come to terms with them. You sweat in to the socks, so everything ends up wet anyway. And the socks end up bunched up around your feet.
Continued next day.


I thought I was in to a lighter soiled area, but just as slow.


I think you can pick where I am up to.
Some of the pavers, particularly the honed ones around the pool are going to need bleach or something.
Today I continued on from there, managed to finish the pool surround bit.


And Greeney, don't be shy, the active constituent so far has been Coopers Sparkling, for cooking and pavers.
Lucky I have another 3 weeks to fill in, or if Chairman Dan has his way, possibly 12 months.
That will require a lot of Coopers.

Down here we've got this scale.



I finally got brave enough to decide electric skateboarding is allowable exercise.


Off around the car park - it's quite a good circuit and maintains the water connection.