Lock up?

Freedom is. We don't have a pandemic here in Aotearoa (New Zealand). And our only lockdown (level four) was March last year. Auckland, our biggest city did go into level 3 a few times over the the year because of a couple of community outbreaks but they were only a hand full of people with COVID. And they were contained pretty quickly and efficiently. So although we have been really lucky as a country, it wasn't luck that spared us. It was following good advice that saved us from COVID spreading into the community.

Life has been relatively normal.

I've been travelling quite a bit over the last year. Storm my travel buddy came with me up the East Coast to Tolaga Bay, then after picking up my bestie we travelled across to the West Coast, up the Forgotten World Highway, then down the Whanganui river road. Really amazing countryside! Breathtaking.

I stop in campgrounds when travelling but sometimes I just pull over and park up for the night. Usually by a beach or river. You are never more than a few hours from a beach here. The advantages of living on an island in the South Pacific.

International travel has stopped obviously but I still got to travel overseas. Well, over the sea is more accurate. The amazingly named South Island (which is just below the North Island) is like travelling to a different country. I prefer to call it by its original Māori name which is Te Waipounamu (greenstone waters) The ferry takes 3 and half hours to cross Raukawakawa (the Cook Strait) The landscape is different, the bush is ancient and there are mountains everywhere you look. I'd need a few years to go everywhere. And that's on the top of my bucket list. Never mind international travel.

I couldn't pick a highlight or favourite place. Lake Rotoiti was stunning. The mountains. My god! A hot pool at Maruia Springs while looking at more snow covered mountains is quite unforgettable. The 16k (10 miles) walk in and out of Lewis Pass was amazing too. The bush is incredible with moss growing everywhere. We arrived at Lake Daniell where 5 generations of a family were staying in the DoC hut (Department of Conservation).

We had lunch on the lake shore then hit the trail again so we could get back before dark. I didn't have the right footwear for tramping and by the last 6k my heels were aching. By the last 4 I couldn't walk any further. This is why people get into trouble when hiking in the bush and mountains. Not being properly prepared. But the rivers here are all alpine rivers. Their grey, green colouring is a clue to how cold they are. I stopped and soaked my feet in the water and my heels healed. Instantly!

We had parked up (camped) at a place called Marble Hill and liked it so much we stayed two nights. The mountain air made for cold nights and even though the dead branches and twigs were pretty wet from the dew we still managed to light a fire.

We have a lot of vanlifers and back packers who have been stuck here. They can't or don't want to go home. Our Gov has renewed their visas and although a lot of them miss family and friends, they know they are in the best place they could ever be. A lot are fruit picking in the orchards or working in the vineyards. But it's Autumn here now and winter is closing in. I do wonder what they'll do once the season is over.

Mind you there's nothing to worry about. We're all blessed for being this far away from the rest of this crazy world.