Lunacy in Lockdown

When we were at the Home Show the other weekend, the folks on the Civil Defence stand suggested that we download a GeoTech app which reports on all the earthquakes that happen in and around Aotearoa. I took up their suggestion of “winding down” the alert level that generates a text so that I didn’t receive one every few minutes, as there are small quakes all the time. This drying out crusty old mantle isn’t as stable as it appears on first inspection. However, we now have our own home and accidentally made seismometer:

I haven’t been able to calibrate it yet, but the angle of perch of the pot suggests to me that a 5 or 6 on the Richter scale will have it tumbling. Alternatively, another good downpour will turn it into a rain gauge! Or, maybe I’ve just spent too much time at home this week.

With our Level 4 lockdown being extended to the end of the month, outings haven’t been an option, other than for essential visits to the supermarkets. The weather for much of the week has been gorgeous, with lots of sunshine and so lots of time on the north patios. Last year, putting teddy bears in the window to entertain passers-by was suggested. This time around, fairy lights have got the nod. As you will know Dear Reader, we don’t need much persuading to get the lairy fights out. We have a set permanently installed. At Exminster Street they adorned the willow branches, and being an “essential item” were packed into Luna along with the bedding and necessary equipment for 5 days camping in our new home last Christmas Eve. As soon as we discovered we had power, they were up in the space between the big windows on the north wall in the living area. They were also our only source of light in the evenings for a few weeks. Our outdoor ones, which had also been packed, refused to work so were replaced, but only this week have we pressed the new ones into service. They are 240 coloured LED’s which now drape along the front fence and around to the flax. Our indoor tree lights have gone up in the car port in an effort to protect them from the weather. So far, so good, and very illuminating.

The enforced residency hasn’t made much difference to us; pottering outside in the garden when the weather is good, and pottering inside when it isn’t (sunshine and showers for this end of the week). Nicky made a birthday cake for Eleanor who lives just down the road and delivered it while maintaining 2m physical distancing. Lemons and lemon birthday cake were reciprocated later in the week, and some of the lemons have gone into lemon curd. We have had phone/video conversations with Felicity and Katharine, Gill (it was her birthday), and Maria. Some MacOnSite remote support has been done, and a couple of jigsaws, along with laundry and ironing. When transmitted, our days have been punctuated with briefings from the Beehive.

Our evenings have been occupied with Rummy-O, Mah Jong and telly. We particularly enjoyed watching Chariots of Fire, which I recorded when it was on during the Olympics. I recall seeing it at the cinema when it came out, but I don’t think we have seen it since. Nicky made pancakes for tea last night and is making focaccia for tea today. We are keeping up with the Covid kilos challenge!

Take care, Rick