PAWS & Rewind.....CoVid inCarceration

Well, as predicted the sun has set on our 'Adventure' for the time being. Not long after I completed the previous blog, a little over a week ago, we received news that the separate states here in Australia were tightening up borders and placing restrictions on movement. For a while there has been plenty of conflicting information and bickering between State and Federal Governments which hasn't helped at all and lead to increasing anxiety amongst the travelling community...that would be us!

We left you in Bermagui, on the coast, within touching distance of Victoria, and made it to Eden before making the decision to turn around and head back to sanctuary in the shape of Kangaroo Valley, where we commenced this journey. It feels very 'boomerangesque' (I'm sure that should be a word) having also left and returned due to fires earlier this year. 

We are so very lucky that we do have somewhere safe to return to, unlike many travellers who, like us, have sold up for the Big Adventure and don't have that option. Some we spoke to (2m apart) had only just started their trips and rented out their homes and others lived permanently on the road. Our sense of social responsibility lead us to our decision and having seen footage from other parts of the globe, and also speaking to family in the UK, and friends in NZ, it was the right decision to make.

So before we hunkered down we did manage to get a little further down the coast and stop in some great little spots; Tathra,

.. significant as it still has the the original coastal Steamer wharf. It is heritage listed and has been preserved beautifully and a new coastal path has recently been completed which conveniently finishes at the pub....rude not to! We got chatting to a couple of locals and apparently the pub used to host all the big Aussie rock bands back in the day. Midnight Oil, Jimmy Barnes, Men at Work. Yes, I know in the UK everyone is going who?.....well, apart from the latter perhaps?

All conversation was tending to revolve around Coronavirus though, and this was no exception as the couple we were chatting to were musicians in Melbourne, and were now effectively out of work like so many others. They, as many others, also wanted to steal Jacinda (NZ Prime Minister) to run Australia! We were, and still are, very proud of being Briwi's. 

From Tathra we headed to our campsite in Eden, which had been a large whaling centre way way back in the day and so had a Killer Whale Museum which I was keen to check out. Sadly this was just as Armegeddon descended and it was shut - as was any further travel. 

Eden, however, is home to one of the largest fishing fleets in NSW, and also has a large commercial wharf as it has deepwater. It accommodates the Australian Navy at various times, and is utilised as the final rest stop in the Sydney to Hobart (Tasmania) Yacht race ,which usually commences on Boxing Day every year. The campsite was directly opposite a doggy friendly beach which Dennis was happy about....despite snake signs!

roll on April .....;

In Eden, we made the hard decision to turn back and head up the main Princes Highway rather than dawdle along the coast which we had done on the downward route.

A quick stop in Bega to see where the baby cheeses were trained ??? Bega Cheese is a popular brand in Australia and NZ.

blessed are the baby cheeses.........

We overnighted in a lovely campsite in Dalmeny which is a small holiday village with just a small local store and looked over the beach. We had started to try to self isolate at this time by not using the communal facilities and there was a certain eeriness of atmosphere within the campsite. All the travellers very reluctant to be drawn into conversation and probably ,like us, alone in their thoughts and anxieties. Most who did speak were trying to work out where to go as it was becoming quickly apparent that state Borders were closing as were various Camping grounds, show-grounds and free stays; thus narrowing down options. We weren't so bad as we were still in our 'home' State but others were quite a way from theirs.

We did manage one final swim in the ocean on the morning we left, and promised to return by doing the same whenever this is all over.

So that was that and we were welcomed back to Kangaroo Valley by Derek and Irene, albeit 2 metres distance apart. We decided, in order to protect them, we would self isolate for 14 days as we had no idea whether we had come into contact with anyone infected by the virus. As Derek is a sprightly 84 and his birthday has been this week. We did celebrate by passing him a beer using a pole!

We have also taken to meeting them both each evening at cocktail hour for a 2 metre distanced drink to catch up on news (and provide a Dennis Fix).

For those who use Facebook you will have seen the walkthrough of the cottage we are staying in on their property. We are now using Cilla as the office as the wifi is up and running in her. She has been cleaned, fridge defrosted and tanks emptied and gets a run up and down the lane to keep the batteries in check.

                                    

Now, being a Navy wife I am used to the naval idiosyncrasies so Von is in her happy place. Cleaning routines and physical exercise routines....routines for routines. And cooking amazing meals using very little ingredients with the odd sneaky visit to Irenes veggie patch.

We have a designated 'Quiet Time' in the afternoon where we can read, do jigsaws, and craft. To be fair I made the list so I think I am Navy indoctrinated in some respect...a favourite choice of mine was 'Dance Time' which falls just prior to Happy Hour where we get to pick a dance track of our choice and dance to it. We have discovered Von has dyslexic legs when trying to attempt the Tiger Feet routine from the 70's Mud song !!

Dennis is doing his best to join in; 

downward dog......

 

afternoon naps...

walking Shazza.......

Thankfully he is still speaking to us after his hairdo.

Dennis normally gets 'handstripped' by a professional and this was planned for Melbourne, mmm, no chance of that. After we had to cancel, I messaged his Auckland groomer for some top tips, and with 'marigolds' donned I set to it. He was so good and so patient and actually seemed so relieved to be free of all his dead hair. No clippers used at all, just slow methodical pulling of his coat which I am pleased to say got approval from his NZ groomer after I sent her a photo. 

Before

.......and you can then use his hair in Craft Time to make a Kiwi !

So, here we are with everyone else around the World in lockdowns of various strictness depending on your Government and your own self preservation. That said, a huge shout out to all our friends and family who are still having to work in 'essential' services. It does all seem a lot more orderly in the supermarkets and we are finding food...still no toilet roll.

And for all I hate, at times, social media, it has been awesome keeping the connection with everyone. Whether a Zoom conference call to our friends in Auckland or the Pickled Kiwi in Whangerei Heads or Skype to Leeds, Video Messenger to Manchester or WhatsApp to the Gold Coast and Sydney, all are keeping us connected. 

   And, most importantly, a re-discovery for everyone of the simple things in life.  Kia Kaha.