As I write this post I am in a position of looking back in time from a present in lockdown and self-isolation. A new language with phrases like social-distancing, COVID19, Coronavirus, flattening the curve, isolation and lockdown swim around us. I was late to take this seriously, I have lived through swine flu, bird flu, foot and mouth with no effects on my life except to make me sceptical of the world we live in. Fear-mongering I was thinking but this is different. This is very real and the world has changed forever. I am still processing what this means for us all, we all are.
As we left Womad we started to hear more and more about the seriousness of the COVID19 crisis. (so far there have been no cases that have stemmed from Womad, I write this 11 days after the event so it is looking good). I was still sceptical but as we start to move about in the world again and see the news, I slowly realize that something is happening. We continue as normal though and explore around Taranaki a bit. New Plymouth is a very nice, colourful town with lovely art and cafes. With Marie and Chris, we head to the hills for a hike through the Goblin Forrest with stunning views of Mount Taranaki.
We are offered a remote farmhouse in Taumarunui so we decide to head there to catch our breath a bit and come to terms with what is going on in the world and plan our next move. We travel through the Forgotten World Highway. This takes 3 hours, driving through a rugged country of valleys and saddles. We pass through small towns, halfway is the Republic of Whangamomona and we stop here for lunch. A tiny pioneer town with a population of 20, one hotel and a couple of small shops. It is here that I really realised that the world has changed. As we are having lunch the landlady comes behind the bar talking loudly on the phone, she is being told that there will be an “announcement” on the TV at 1 pm. The hotel goes a nervous quiet as we see Jacinda arrive and tell us what is going on. It still feels unreal and we are just urged to keep washing our hands, sneezing into our elbows but that there might be a lockdown. We enjoy our lunch quietly and let it all settle in.
The farmhouse is as you would expect, surrounded by farm. The house is large and spacious, with a wood burner and it is a perfect resting spot to catch our breath. The house is in a bit of a valley and Autumn feels all around us. Mornings are foggy and cool, the house is quiet and restful.
We eat and play games. There is an amazing stack of records we barely get through but get great enjoyment listening too. Picking albums at a whim, some known and loved by us, others unheard of by us but now loved. We keep the news at a distance but in our awareness. As the news escalates, we see our path. With the first mention of level 2 alert system, we plan to head to our homes. On our last day at the farmhouse, the alert system is raised to level 3 with advice that it will be moved to level 4 in 48 hours. Level 4 is a lockdown, wherever you are, that is where you are to stay for the next 4 weeks. It is all moving very fast. We head into town to stock our larder. The supermarket is calm but busy, with a queue right the way around the market. People are respectful and there is a bit of good humour.
Gabby and I head to the George family bach (kiwi for beach house). After a 7-hour drive, with a stop for one last lunch before the world shuts down we arrive at the bach. I feel really grateful to have access to this place. There is lots of space and fresh air. We are here for the next 4 weeks at least.
Day 3 of self-isolating and all is good, I’m still full of gratitude that we have this place. Settling into a life of video conferencing family and friends, writing and deep feeling. I have even caught my first fish to eat. I will try to see if I can capture a bit of the nature around us to share with you. Till then, lots of love, look after yourself and your bubble.