Update – 16 April 2020

Hello everyone,

We hope you and your families are all well in these uncertain times.

As some of you will have noticed, after a bit of a hiatus the blog had an update recently. Unfortunately not a very positive on from the perspective of getting the house built. Covid-19 precautions here put us in a Level 4 lockdown from March 20 which, in NZ at least, meant the halting of all non-essential activities. Of course this included construction of anything other than hospitals. We count ourselves very lucky that the NZ government took such measures quickly and comprehensively as the infection rate here never got above 85 new cases a day at its peak, and is now down to 18 and falling each day. Of course, its a small nation, geographically isolated and with a general attitude of mutual responsibility towards neighbours (yes, the ‘u’ is meant to be there – no Mr Webster and his dictionary here; thank you!). We hope the US and UK manage to control their outbreaks soon, but feel that this may not be the case. Yesterday they announced that the ban on all incoming flights will remain in place for the foreseeable future, at least until such time as they have a  robust control at the borders for testing. Right now anyone being repatriated to NZ goes into government run isolation for 14 days. 

Linda was actually planning a trip back to the US last month to visit her mother. Of course, this had to be postponed until the Covid restrictions allow safe travel – and she would no longer have to go into isolation on her return. I would have been heading to the UK this month…same problem of course.

The weather here is definitely moving into its Autumnal phase. The last few days have seen. Distinct drop in temperature, rain and some very chilly winds. Not quite enough to stop me wearing shorts yet, but certainly enough to deserve a nice warm sweatshirt! I have worn shorts evert day since landing here on Nov 2nd though. Linda moved into jeans yesterday – a little too chilly for California Girl! 

We are very lucky in some ways, our rental place is located on the edge of town and we don’t need to drive anywhere (forbidden unless accessing essential services) to get our exercise. We can walk for miles from here or access the mountain bike park with more than 30 great trails to ride. We are actually planning a 25km ride this afternoon – weather permitting!

So, construction on hold, international travel on hold, NZ travel on hold, life on hold in general! 

Stay Calm, Stay Sanitized.