Lockdown edition: Week Fifteen and Sixteen Roundup
Days stayed in lockdown location: Thirty-three days in place on the fabulous Canterbury Plains.
Audiobook on deck: We finished Fear The Survivors (pretty good), and then hit the sequel, Fear the future. It was a disappointment, so we decided to skip the third and final book in the series. Now, we are well into the awesome The Shadow of What Was Lost by Aussie fantasy writer James Islington. It’s a 25-hour epic, so we should be kept well-entertained for a while yet!
Currently watching: We have started a new marital ritual that we alternate choosing an episode or movie. So far I have chosen Lion King (1994 version, obviously) for a singalong and Booksmart (not a huge fan of that to be honest) and Wind River (amazing!!).
We were grateful for: Geraldine Butchery opening up for contact-less pick up of delicious, tasty meats.
We missed: Being able to hike on the many awesome DOC tracks around the country. But aside from that, lockdown has been good to us and we haven’t missed much at all.
We learned: That homemade apple and quince nectar goes really, really well in a gin and tonic. Like, dangerously well.
Weirdest moment: All of the local cows (you know, the non-snoring types) all love Kratos. Whenever we walk past, they follow along behind us. It’s like they think he is a tiny cow that has been taken captive and they want to help him.
Best save: Buying up plenty of gin before the lockdown so I was in no fear of running out. This was a total accident, of course. We just happened to visit two different distilleries before this all happened. Honest.
Best spend: I splashed out and bought a pair of proper, sheepskin, NZ-made ugg boots. My tootsies are so damn toasty!
Biggest adjustment: Limiting our internet usage! With all the news and daily updates from Ash and Aunty Cinda on, we have chomped through a heap of our data. Dan has been organised, however, and gets up early to download the day’s quota of YouTube videos before 9am so we can get the “off-peak data”.
Most interesting fact we learned: That the zombie sound was not a field full of snoring cows - it is actually a bunch of randy stags roaring all night as they roam around looking for love. Oh man, the hilarity when I mentioned to the locals hearing the sound of cows snoring. I am such a JAFA.
We recommend: Checking out YouTube channels for some excellent recipe ideas. Our faves are: Joshua Weissman, Chef John on Food Wishes, Marion’s Kitchen, and Adam Liaw.
Number one bright side of this lockdown: We have gotten to know a (small) bunch of very cool people on the property where we have been locked down. It’s been awesome to feel connected and a part of a community while all this is happening.
First thing we want to eat at Level 3: DUMPLINGS AND NOODLES! Also known in this household as dumps and noods. We can’t wait.
