Kia Ora,
The Waikato region finally dropped to back to level 2 of lockdown half way through the month which meant that schools could fully reopen and people could return to work. The region has been moved between levels 2, 3 and 4 over the past four months depending on the number of Covid cases found locally. Some people have found the strict lockdowns a real challenge but we’ve been grateful for the safety and security it’s afforded us and the country as a whole (NZ’s infection rates and deaths are some of the lowest in the world).
Some of the rural roads Peter and Sox walk along don’t see many pedestrians so the young cattle in the fields alongside the road can get very excited when they walk past and will run over to the fence to watch the strange phenomenon of man and dog walking by.
We had several days of heavy rain resulting in the large water tank overflowing – twice in one week! If we run out of water in February we will not be amused!
One of New Zealand’s popular laws is a limit on the number of days when fireworks can be sold. You can only buy fireworks in the 3 days leading up to November 5th. That’s it – no more fireworks for sale for the rest of the year. It doesn’t stop lots of bangs and noise which freaks the dogs out but at least it limits how many fireworks are set off (cost and forward planning play a big part in this). Sox was particularly upset this year and wanted to hide.
We’ve been involved in running beginners bonsai classes for a few years with other club members. Covid has had a huge impact on us getting the latest course (normally run on Thursday evenings over 6 weeks) completed. Whilst being in lockdown we managed to do some one to one teaching with a couple of newbies – all masked and socially distanced, of course.
The following morning Peter and Sox went downstream (north).
As the month went on, their walks got longer and now they regularly walk over 12 kms.
Honey, however, has gone for quality rather than quantity. She and Ann manage 3 kms (maybe) with lots of stops, and chats with friends and other dogs owners.
Covid Delta has meant no bonsai club meetings for the last 3 months and twice having to rearrange our annual club show. Fingers are crossed for a freer December!
The weather’s been warm and humid – great conditions for growing things – we’re now picking strawberries and salads – yum. It also means the grass is growing fast and the mower is now working much more frequently (at least once a week).
The girls love their treats – a small piece of frozen peanut butter and yogurt hidden in an empty margarine tub.
We now both have permanent fortnightly afternoon volunteer shifts at the Hamilton Gardens Information Centre. Ann does a Tuesday and Peter is on a Wednesday afternoon.
Whilst in Hamilton early one Friday, Peter took Honey for a walk around Hamilton Gardens. The new location and all the new smells did not make any difference to her stubborn attitude and she still went on strike several times during the 3 kms walk.
