If we were having coffee, with the peculiar situation that the world is in right now, we would be sitting in our own homes, probably having a catch up over video. Coronavirus (Covid-19) has been officially internationally declared a pandemic, we’re all sheltering in our homes to help reduce the infection rate and New Zealand’s Prime Minister offically declared the Easter Bunny a key worker.

Sadly families around the world have been affected by this pandemic and are grieving for their loved ones, nurses and doctors are working incredibly hard to care for people as they fight this virus and the world is flipped on its head. 

This is such a serious time – I know people who had the virus and survived, who have lost close family members and people still faced with uncertainty. This is quite a strange post to write really – we’re very lucky to be counting our blessings, tucked safe at home – I just also want to acknowlege the 7 weeks we’ve been at home already (we were early adopters due to health) and also celebrate some of the silver linings. 

If we were having coffee, I would probably share some of the lovely moments – video chats (including Mr Kiwi with a designated Friday boys night replacing the pub), Whatsapp groups both supportive and hilarious meme heavy, surprise cupcakes from the WB, amazing news from friends adding to their families and spending more time together. The days are certainly blurring together even more than normal.

Our kitchen has never been so busy – from childhood treats like bacon & egg pie…

…to dishes that I’ve never braved making before, like Daal Makhani. I’m really enjoying wielding my spatula making delicious meals I wouldn’t normally have the time for and ordering from local small businesses when neither of us can face cooking.

I’ve adopted a cafetiere lifestyle, work has been very up and down in this strange world, I’m spending altogether too much time on social media (which I’ve partially swapped out for a Terry Pratchett podcast & dug out all of his novels) and started up a spreadsheet to plan out dinners because I worry incessantly about going to the supermarket too often and taking up delivery slots of people who need them more. 

[For the time capsule, this is because the virus can be transmitted through people coughing and in a more limited percentage via items that have been touched by coughing people. I’ve also had no sense of taste or smell for about 5 weeks which is a potential minor sympton, and had a week of breathing hassle. This could also be a hayfever or cold symptom, but I’ve not sneezed. Who knows.]

We’ve been walking around our local neighbourhood in our daily government approved excercise hour.

If I’m being honest, I’ve been taking this unexpected break from real life to simply be more cat. Catching up on sleep, occasional cat fights (bickerings), a lot of snacking and generally relaxing between emails.

There’s been a lot of fun between worriting – Madam furface was asked to appear with me in a hilarious Tiktok by Sima, The Curious Pixie who threw a virtual party, laughter with family when the home bar opens at 9pm and those memes. Oh, those memes.

Someone rather enjoyed the cocktail filming a little too much.

If we were having coffee, we’d probably be disturbed by this little thief (determinedly intent on bombing my leisurely brunches…

…whilst I’ve been spending as much time in our garden as possible). 

What an unusual 7 weeks it’s been already. We don’t know when this will be able to end or what the long term ramifications could be (bar the obvious effects). A few bloggers whose pages I’ve been enjoying of late are A Brummie Home and Abroad (her lockdown diaries are fabulous), the Maltese adventures Amy at ToothbrushTravels has shared recently and Amanda’s Sausage Dog Walk.

I hope you are yours are keeping well in these times. What has been a bright point for you?