Keep on smiling

I haven't blogged for a while, but in the interests of history I feel I should record a little of what life is like here at No 5 during the Covid-19 virus crisis.

Basically, we are being careful but not letting it get us down. In fact, there are lots of advantages.

The local library closed? No worries. We've got our own library. I can sit here, put my feet up and read for hours!

I still have to read a couple of Arthur Upfield's I've been saving. Maggie gave me Daphne du Maurier's Jamaica Inn, and while I've seen the 1939 movie and a recent TV series, I've never actually read the novel. I've been reading a gardening book since Christmas, savouring each chapter about Australian gardens that survive in challenging locations (such as the edge of a desert, along a dried-up river, in the mountains, historic gardens that need revitalising), and still have a few chapters to go. And finally, a book about the English artist Eric Ravillious from the 1920s and 30s who I (and Kate and Kim) adore. It's heavy going as it's so detailed but I'm getting there as I pick it up every now and again.

Here are two examples of his work. The one on the left (1933) is called Two Women in a Garden and right is Resting in the Shade (1938) from a series he did for Wedgwood. He did lots of watercolours as well as woodcuts.



Steve and I spend more time together chatting over a cup of tea in the courtyard. There's no need to hurry because all our community activities have been cancelled. Here he is sorting out his old slides, a project he's been wanting to do for ages.

And here is what he was going through: our camping trip to South Cape Bay in southern Tasmania in 1989. It's good to reminisce on the good times, how fit we were and the amazing landcapes we passed through. I remember encountering no-one at all. We drove to Cockle Creek, the most southerly point we could drive to, then crossed Blowhole Valley, loaded up with tent, food, clothes, medical supplies. I loved the sense of utter freedom - though I can't remember how I managed to cope with that backpack.

I used to love cooking on our Trangia and setting up camp.

This was our first tent in Tasmania and I'm glad to say we upgraded as we camped more. This one looks so tiny and fragile.

The vast Southern Ocean and expansive beaches spread before us. I remember feeling so invigorated.

 We walked back ...

...passing Lion Rock, a huge massif that certainly dwarfed me.

Back to the here and now. We stay home most of the time but we went to Middleton Beach for some fresh sea air the other day - no backpacks required! No-one around as you can see.

Fossicked in the rock pools.

We stay well away from friends and neighbours, respecting the designated distance.

However, everyone is keeping morale up. Interstate friends are calling. A local friend dropped around, depositing a bag of freshly picked figs for us. I made stewed figs plus an almond and fig tart. Yummy.

And neighbours left a tray of cupcakes and this note on our doorstep.

Of course Bix is oblivious to all of this. Playful as ever, he's giving us loads of pleasure, even when he's being a firecracker and getting into mischief.

And with all the time in the world available to us retirees, I'm cleaning out the shed, planting a new garden near the water tank, going through old photos to add to the 'memoirs' I am writing, making recipes I've long wanted to attempt (the fig and almond tart, for example, that was easy with my newly gained horde of figs) and generally keeping busy in a relaxed, I'll- get-on-to-that-when-I-feel-like-it way. It's rather refreshing.

Here's my latest gardening project. I had a few straggling plants growing around our massive water tank (which, while good to have, is far too big for us and takes up virtually half our backyard). I want to disguise it but suggestions so far  - a mural, a creeper, a fence - are not what I want. So I decided to remove any plant that was already there and make a fresh start.

 I added good soil and have slowly added more plus compost, manure and pea straw. So far so good, especially with the rain we've had this week.
I chose two shrubs that should grow quite large and detract from the tank's bulk: a hibiscus and a murraya. You can barely see them in this photo. The stake is where a small rose will grow. I've ordered one called 'Adorable' which will arrive in June.

  
So..... we're happy, healthy and keeping sane at the moment.