Joans jottings

Seven days to Christmas. It’s looking as though our family gathering is dwindling to three adults and four children. Where number one son is living in Sydney has had an outbreak of the virus and there has been a three day stay at home order which depending on numbers of cases may extend longer.

I’ve had a short holiday visiting my sister on the beautiful Comboyne Plateau. The weather was kind and I returned before the predicted rain that has caused extensive flooding on the north coast of NSW. We had a beautiful bush walk in the Boorganna Nature Reserve to see Rawson Falls.

My latest knitting project is progressing well. I sewed all the squares together and made the decision to add another row to the main piece so that means another 10 squares. Now I have to spin up more alpaca.

Our end of year lunch was a special festive one.

Looking back on 2020 I’m sure that Chris has been spared a lot of frustration and disappointment. Many of the interests he was involved in or with have been severely affected. Church, golf, Illawarra Folk Festival and travel. None have fared well and are subject to major change.

Wishing everyone a happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

What will 2021 bring?

Today I’m basking in the feeling that it doesn’t seem possible that I’ve almost reached my three score years and ten, how can that possibly be. The thought is always worse than the reality. The mirror doesn’t accurately capture the way I perceive myself. But I do feel reassured by my peers who have entered this realm and surprisingly appear to have not suddenly changed into a needy geriatric overnight. On the contrary I embrace whatever the future holds.

My latest project is a challenge. I am expanding my knitting skills. After watching lots of YouTube knitting podcasts, this project looked interesting so I downloaded these patterns and got busy.

Things are improving for our Victorian neighbours as the lockdown restrictions have been lifted. Border closures remain between the eastern states so travel is restricted. Flights are being arranged to bring overseas Australians back home. The second wave of the pandemic is rife in England, Europe, America and many other countries.

I have been late getting my veggie patch underway so that’s my next challenge. The rain we are having has inspired me again.

Happy to say that life is good although quiet, fortunately there are less restrictions.

I can see how people could choose to continue to keep a low profile and fly under the radar. The weather is the determining factor and we have been having some beautiful days. School holidays again and daylight saving is back so no chance of becoming a recluse.

It’s a relief to have the Family Court matters behind us. Paul can now concentrate on moving forward with full custody of his three children.

I have been busy researching types of masks and sewing enough for all the family. Just completed some more as a request from one of Sharons’ friends.

Since the arrival of my new spinning wheel, I have been spinning madly or madly spinning and it’s been a joy. Van is not so thrilled but is having to adjust to sharing my attention.

They say that time is a great healer but it doesn’t get easier.

This year is a milestone one for my amazing Tuesday Lunch Ladies as we are turning 70 ( shock, horror). How fortunate to be part of this group.

Busy day ahead. Sharon is having her niece stay for a few days. I’m driving her up this morning. It has been so long since I driven to Sydney. Looking forward to seeing Sharon’s new unit.

The purpose of my jottings has been to have an ongoing record of the events beyond my control and how they have brought about change in my life. I started the blog fully expecting to have Chris an integral part of my life for so much longer than he was. The time we had I shall cherish forever.

I’ve enjoyed having the grandkids company over the school holidays. We enjoy having the rare one on one time together. They miss poppy and want to talk about him and their memories.

As I await my new spinning wheel I’ve been doing a stocktake and spending hours watching amazing knitters, spinners and fibre artists with enviable photography skills, on their own YouTube channel. It’s like stepping into another world. I’ve found a selection of podcasters from the northern hemisphere who not only share their skills and knowledge but also give a visual commentary on seasonal and current issues affecting them. I find it interesting seeing how they deal with COVID-19 restrictions where they live and an in-site into that country. They podcast from their house, show off their garden and surrounding countryside set to music. If they haven’t got a dog then there is a cat warm and cosy by the fire.

Paul and the kids have come down with winter sniffles and cold symptoms. The boys succumbed first and GP refered them for COVID swabs which both came back negative. The girls also followed suit. So school for them has been interupted for a week. We won’t know until tomorrow when they go back to school again. Trying times for everybody.

I shall be meeting up with the Tuesday Lunch Ladies tomorrow. Feeling like a return to normal.

June brings with it the relaxation of travel although some states maintain border closures. Schools are back. More people on the roads and at the shops.

I have a new spinning wheel on order and now have to be patient for the 10 weeks it will take to come from America to the agent in Victoria to  send to me. Not that my wheel isn’t working but it has seen better days and has been a very productive wheel. I do love it.

On a positive note, our Tuesday Lunch Ladies group have been able to book a table and resume our weekly lunches. The cafe reopened to the public 3 weeks ago and comply with the restricted numbers on a limited time basis. To their credit they have been operating as a meal pickup and take away coffee only. They are pleased to see their customers return.

Pleased to report that I wasn’t required for jury duty, what a relief.

The Family Court is using a telephone hookup to conduct any court proceedings. Paul had a court date recently and the court orders remain the same.

I, like all the family and my friends are adhering to the current lockdown restrictions and rules. Apart from not being able to see the family and be more helpful to Paul and the children, it’s not been too difficult to limit shopping trips and unnecessary travel.

One noticable effect of lockdown globally is cheap fuel prices. All vehicles have full tanks but nobody is on the roads apart from essential travel because we are staying at home. Someone commented that it’s been a long time since the dollar display showed less than the litres.

Last week I needed to go to the GP to renew a script so I rang to make an appointment. The practice is limiting face to face visits and as a result the GP rang me at the appointed time and will send the new script to my chemist. Very seamless. Now I need to check on facebook to see when I can book in for a flu injection.

My dentist saga continues. At the beginning of the year on the second appointment for root canal treatment the file broke and couldn’t be retrieved from the tooth root. A referral to a specialist was arranged. It was cancelled due to COVID closure. When they were open again post COVID restrictions, another appointment was made for two weeks ago. At that time we experienced a cold weather change and I had sniffles and felt chilled so in this COVID time I rang them and it was agreed to cancel and wait two weeks. So finally my appointment was last Friday. I entered the surgery and stood at the line taped in front of the reception desk keeping the required distance. Sanitizer on the desk. I completed the paperwork and was directed to the bench seat that ran round two walls of the waiting room. It amused me to see taped crosses on the cushions indicating just where to sit and at the required distance. Patient numbers also restricted so less people waiting. After a consult and decision to go ahead to save the tooth I had the first of three visits. This is turning out to be a very expensive tooth. I’m amazed how dentistry has changed in my lifetime and it’s certainly for the better.

The garden is looking good. I only have a small area but big enough for some spinach, lettuce, wombok, dwarf broccoli, lettuce, snow peas and rhubarb. I left a few selfsown tomatoes to see how they go. Also herbs in pots are growing well.

Now that cafes can open with up to 10 customers Tuesday lunch can resume. We decided to have a picnic lunch next Tuesday so I look forward to seeing everyone in the flesh. Our Zoom meetings have been good but it’s not the same. Reminds me of the Brady Bunch introduction.

It was so good to share lunch Denise and Torbs recently when the weather changed our plans for a walk in the Botanic Garden. Hard to beat Torb’s pea and ham soup on a cold day.

Mother’s day was last Sunday and I enjoyed seeing my family. I’m truly blessed.

It’s one week since I returned home from Tasmania. Although it is such a relief to be here the restrictions now imposed take some getting used to.

I fully understand and agree with the guidelines but reality is that it’s tough.

Being isolated from family is not easy as I am unable to physically help. We can and do communicate by phone etc.

Keeping busy is not a problem for me, l like my quiet times but also miss social contact with friends. The challenge now is to learn to use the technology available to socialize. I will be tested today as the Tuesday Lunch Ladies are launching our zoom meeting app. to retain our contact with each other.

The gym I go to has also gone down this route so no excuses, I can participate in the comfort of home. Walking is back on my agenda after enjoying the beautiful Tassie walks. Van needs exercise.

Yesterday I went shopping, the first time in a week, and conformed to the lining up, sanitizer, social distancing and minimal handling of items. People are taking notice. The carpark was only two thirds full. With Easter Celebrations this weekend the usual traffic/ shopping frenzy is non-existent.

Church services will be televised. People have been advised to stay home and not travel to be with family or to holiday. Police have the power to enforce these rules.

It’s now essential travel only.

The last of my travel companions has safely crossed the borders of their home states.

I’m having fun making a photo book, probably books, of the Tassie Tour.

I am almost in the high risk category for age yet the Nurses Registration Board has sent out a request for ex-nurses & doctors to consider returning to duty if required. My sister received a letter to say that she was again registered for a 12 month period and would be put in a sub-register for service.

The local ABC is keeping me well informed and regular gov. updates. It’s difficult to absorb the enormity and suffering this pandemic is causing globally. The world is changing.

My son is juggling being Mr Mum and home schooling my 4 grandchildren. Some relief coming with school holidays next week. (still restricted to being under the same roof though)

On a positive note, Ian mowed my lawns at the weekend. The garden needs my attention. I’m planning on getting some winter veggies planted.

I’m not happy that the Ruby Princess cruise ship was berthed in Port Kembla harbour this morning with out local consultation. Only the crew of 1040 is on board and they are not permitted to leave. Crew with viral symptoms needing medical attention will be looked after in ? Sydney Hospitals. Our local hospital cannot take an influx (200 identified crew with symptoms and 16 of those confirmed cases of COVID-19). The ship is the subject of a criminal investigation so can’t return to home Port so has to go somewhere and the crew should be looked after as they didn’t asked to be in this situation. We are told that they will be here for 10 days.

Lucky me, I’ve been called up for jury duty on the 14/4/20. Waiting to see if it goes ahead or not. I don’t particularly want to be selected to be on a case that could last two weeks under current conditions.

Just heard that Cardinal George Pell has had the child sexual charges dropped and he will be released from jail today, a free man.

Interesting times……

The week started as we expected but early Wednesday the tour leader called a meeting 9:30am to tell us that due to COVID-19 the Tasmanian government was planning to go into lockdown hence any tourists were being recommended to return home ASAP. Therefore our tour was to be disbanded and we were advised to make arrangements to leave. Then she drove off…….

We all went from feeling stunned and abandoned to then into a planning frenzy to change our booking on the SOT by bringing it forward. We had accommodation paid for in Strahan for the next two nights so that took some immediate pressure off.

The SOT number was in overload, some got through but I and others had to get family members on the mainland to book for us.

So here I am doing the day crossing, hopeing to be able to drive through the NSW border tonight. Just waiting for the inevitable announcement that the Victorian and NSW border will close and a 14 day isolation period will be enforced.

Addit: The SOT arrived at St Kilda Pier 7:40pm and I was amongst the last called to drive off. There was a cruise ship, the Golden Princess obviously with no passengers berthed beside us. Two other cruise ships were at anchor in the bay.

By now it was dark and the streets were deserted. Google wasn’t a lot of help. The street lighting and signage left a lot to be desired but I managed to get through Melbourne by 8:30pm. It was another 3 hours to the border so I settled in for a long drive. Being a dark night, new moon, I was more than happy to put Flo into cruise control and follow the taillights of an Australia Post semitrailer knowing he was also heading for the border and beyond. A couple of caravans pulled into a rest area just north of Albury so I felt safe pulling over too for a few hours sleep and an early start in the morning.

It was a relief to be back in NSW so the urgency was gone. I filled with fuel at the service centre in Yass and saw a woman coming back to her car with a pack of toilet paper. So when I went to pay I saw a pallet of toilet paper in their shop area. I was allowed to purchase 2 packs of 8 rolls and couldn’t believe my luck. Having been on the lookout for Paul as he couldn’t find any to buy.

I needed some shopping so went to the shops in Dapto and checked with Paul to see if he needed anything. He is having difficulty shopping with the 4 kids home from school. It was strange not having any physical contact with the kids. They were on their newly purchased tablets doing their home schooling.

It was good to reunite with Van. She seemed happy to see me.

Home again now. Robyn had done a cook up and left me some soup for tea. The next door neighbour was over to welcome me home. Van checked out the house and settled in, in no time at all.

The garden will keep me busy for some time, it needs a lot of attention.

So good to be home.

We are now finding that COVID-19 is closing many of the places and activities we had planned.

Latest is that we have approval to continue under strict rules. Keeping our required distance of 1.5 m or 5 m for strangers. To be in groups of 5 when shopping. If not adhered to then we are out.

Lot’s of challenges ahead.