Roll on 11.59pm and the burgers and fries

It's been a celebratory sort of day. There's a bit of a festive mood in the neighbourhood. Even Ernie down on the waterfront was decked out with balloons and a special party outfit, and further along a collection of critters were perched on their chairs on the front lawn with a table of celebration and a sign saying 'Hooray for Level Three!' 

Tonight at 11.59pm New Zealand goes to Level Three which, for most of us, isn't a whole lot different although everyone we spoke to on our walk today is looking forward to visiting the drive-through for burgers and fries. I am pleased that so many hospitality businesses can get back to serving food and drink even if it is via Uber Eats or curbside, at least they can get some income happening - and by the sounds of it, they will be busy.

I am not such a huge fan of McDonald's but almost think I should go up there to buy coffee just because I can. One freedom has been restored during this time when so many have been taken away, even if it is a drive through and a fleeting pleasure.

I won't be writing every day now because the total isolation is over and that was the deal I struck with myself: I would write every day of the lock down ... but I will keep up some posts now and then so don't despair! We're not out of the virus woods yet. 

I'm trying to think of what we have learned during this heavy lock down period. Here's a few things that spring to mind:
Resilience: few, if any of us, have ever been told to stay home for over four weeks but by golly, we've done it.
Joy in simple things: I cannot tell you how much seeing Ernie's different scenes every day has meant to us here in our little bay. 
An appreciation of how lovely this place really is: this is something I hear almost every day from the people we meet; how lucky we are to live in a country of such natural beauty. For once, many people have had the time to enjoy it fully.
Taking time: to chat with neighbours I never knew were there, to sit and watch the waves come in, to have some insightful conversations with my walking buddy Pam who has so many stories and wisdom to share. 
Unexpected freedoms: walking down the middle of the street without being run over by cars.

Pam calls that her 'wonderful wide footpath.' ​

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