CANUNGRA - MAY - A SLOW EMERGENCE FROM CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS

Another month has passed in this new world of Covid-19. I'm still living in my van at my daughter's property in SE Qld some 10 weeks since my hasty arrival to beat border closures back in March. We are all well and life is pretty bloody good!

The past month has seen the easing of some restrictions in all states, albeit in varied ways between states and territories. Whilst social distancing, frequent hand sanitation and self-isolation/Covid testing if unwell are a requirement nationally, in Queensland the kids are all back at school, 10 people can dine in at a restaurant, most shops are open and we are all free to be out and about within 150 km of home base. We still can't go off caravanning, however. At least, not just yet in this neck of the woods.

The weather has cooled significantly through May. Once the sun starts to go down it's definitely time for jeans and long sleeves, though the days tend to sit in the mid 20's and are delightful. My nightly fires are now a necessity beyond that of my mental well-being alone. The daily routine is as follows:  heater on, onesie on, kettle on between 6 and 7AM; coffee, computer, ABC TV news and knitting in bed till 9ish; housework and exercise till lunchtime; then out and about for golf, shopping, blood bank etc; pick up Lachy from school at 2.40, to the shops for food for him then home by 3.30; change into warm clothes, split the wood and make the fire; 5ish, pour a wine and sit in front of the fire before retreating to the van for dinner around 7.

Picking Lachy up each day is a highlight. With adolescence looming and the desire to grunt rather than converse being something of a norm, the relief of escaping from school combined with the anticipation of food leads to animated conversation. It's a joy to my ears to listen to his excited  chatter.

Golf is yet another joy. Most days I either go to the driving range at Jimboomba Hills golf course or get nine holes in at Tamborine Mountain course on the way to getting Lachlan. I treated myself to a lesson a couple of weeks back and it has made a huge difference to how cleanly I'm hitting the ball. Shelley and Lachy came to the range with me one Sunday prompting Shell to buy herself a set of second-hand clubs on Gumtree. That was a great day's outing. We went over to the Gold Coast to pick up the clubs then checked out a couple of the big golf retail outlets buying a new bag, putter and balls. From there we drove up to Clancy's Irish Pub on Tamborine Mountain (where we had pre-booked to meet the 10 person seating rule) and enjoyed a delicious sit-down restaurant meal and wine. It was excellent!

One stunning day Shell took me for a drive to a place called Lost World, a short drive south of Beaudesert. The surrounding mountains and geographic formations look like something out of prehistoric times. Really stunning scenery. We stopped to walk the dogs at a camping spot by a river called Darlington Park. It was closed off to campers due to restrictions, but open for day trippers. Definitely one to keep in mind when I hit the road.

Saturday just gone we enjoyed a family outing to the quaint little town of Boonah for lunch then up into the Koreelah National Park where we stopped to enjoy the amazing views at The Head. We ended up doing a 6 hour loop that took us via the beautiful Queen Mary Falls to Killarney on the south-western side of the range. The quickest way home meant we had to go across the border into NSW. With border restrictions that meant we could get into NSW but would be stopped at the checkpoint crossing back into Qld. Shell phoned a friend who just happened to be a cop and he talked her through doing an online application to get border passes downloaded to her phone. That did the trick and the drive home past stunning Mount Lindsay where our permits were checked by police as we returned to Queensland was very scenic.

Throughout May, with much help from Adam, I did some work on the van. The ceiling lights, one of which had actually fallen out and the other two of which were not working, needed replacing. I picked up 3 much more modern and very pretty new ones from Jayco. Adam put them in and they look amazing!

My bathroom/toilet cubicle had been giving me the shits for ages as the molded plastic had gone from white to a disgusting dirty brownish color, one of the mirror doors to the cabinet had smashed long ago so was missing and the other door was looking manky and rusty. One day when I was out walking I got talking to a neighbour who was a painter. I quizzed him about painting over the surface and he gave me details of the products that would do the job. A trip to Bunnings provided me with all the stuff I would need, and I set about the week-long task of prepping, priming and double spraying. It was messy to say the least as it was oil-based paint and airborne paint specs got everywhere...ugh! I eventually got it all done and with Adam's help one again, also installed two new mirror doors that I had made at a local glazier's. I was very happy with the end result!

MAY 2020 COVID-19 STATISTICS & SITUATION

1/3/20

Global Infections:  86,604              Australian Infections:  25

Global Deaths:   2977                  Australian Deaths:   0   

1/4/20

Global Infections:  871,371            Australian Infections:  4763

Global Deaths:   42,107         Australian Deaths:  20

1/5/20

Global Infections:  3,322,966            Australian Infections:  6766

Global Deaths:  234,408         Australian Deaths:  93

1/6/20

Global Infections:  6,259,224            Australian Infections:  7,195

Global Deaths:  373,691         Australian Deaths:  103

I think we are very lucky here in Australia. So many countries in the world have been hit incredibly hard by Covid-19, the USA alone approaching two million cases and over 100,000 deaths. Europe, UK and Brazil have also been hammered. The official global death toll and number of cases is most certainly well below the actual.

As restrictions lift in Australia there is a growing sense of relief but there is also growing concern over our future. Relations with China have deteriorated, the USA is a mess and our confidence in their role as the world super power is crumbling. The stability of our economy, as well as that of every other country is a an unknown, and while our internal and external borders remain closed and restrictions on numbers of people who can gather is limited, it's difficult to see how life will ever return to normal.

CANUNGRA, QUEENSLAND - APRIL WITH COVID-19

As of today, May 1st. I have been in government-enforced lockdown at my daughter's property near Canungra for five weeks and three days, so there's not a lot to write about from a travel perspective.

Having said that, the 'stay at home' rule does have some exceptions. We can go out for essential shopping, medical appointments, education, work or exercise. My son in law Adam, who is a tradesman, still goes out to work although he is not doing the number of hours he normally would. My daughter Shelley is a saddle-maker who specializes in custom hand-made bridles. She has a workshop on the property and is surprisingly busy. They both leave home to ride their bikes, shop or do work-related travel. Grandson Lachy is remote schooling under the daily direction of his classroom teacher via a web link. Shelley and Adam oversee that in the home.

As for me I have managed to keep pretty busy. I'm doing lots of chipping and putting practice, going on 8-10 km walks, working out on the rowing machine or doing Pilates on my yoga mat. I've started a new 'paint by numbers', done a few jigsaws, I'm knitting a jumper, reading, learning macrame, spending a lot of time on the internet and watching more 'catch up TV' than I have ever done in my entire life. Every now and then I make myself a gourmet lunch, pour a glass of wine and pretend I am sharing it with a friend, as I have so often done in the past.

My big outing is a fortnightly trip to Robina, some 30 km away, to attend the blood bank and give plasma. Woohoo! That's except for today. My appointment was canceled due to the blood bank running out of some pieces of equipment, necessary to the collection, that come from overseas. That's a worry for those who need blood products. Could it be the shape of things to come I wonder...shortages of imported goods!

The weather has been stunning. High 20's cooling just enough in the evening to warrant a daily campfire. That's the best part of my day. I collect and split the wood before lighting the fire around 5. Shelley joins me for a drink and a chat beside it - Adam as well sometimes. Even Lachy (who is umbilically attached to his computer) comes over and toasts the odd marshmallow from time to time.

  

I have lots of long phone calls with daughters Emma and Fiona in Victoria, as well as staying in touch with my sisters and a handful of close friends. Everyone seems to be making more of an effort to connect. That's an upside to this devastating pandemic.

We are all exercising 'social distancing' here at my new home as required but we have shared a few meals both beside the fire and in the house. Lachlan's 11th birthday was a special event celebrated by just the four of us with pizza and ice-cream cake. I reckon he'll remember it as his Covid Birthday.

Lachy and I did share another special time on Anzac Day when he came with me into Canungra to get take away coffee and brunch. We walked across to the park in the centre of town and were fortunate enough to share, inadvertently,  in the 11am Ceremony. It was very moving with an old bugler playing the Last Post. I did shed a tear or two.

I'm loving the wildlife and the King Parrots are now so cheeky they fly into my van in the morning to sit on the back of my seat and look at me working on my laptop in bed! Clearly they want some sunflower seeds.

Yesterday Shelley and I flauted the rules and went for a drive to a nearby lookout where we shared a couple of glasses of bubbles. I have been missing my outback pub visits, so Shell took me out. That was a lovely treat. Big (distance) hugs for number one daughter!

There's no doubt I'm one of the lucky ones. I have a safe and beautiful space to sit out this absolutely weird time of Covid-19, I have family to interact with, we're all well and Australia is in a better position health-wise than pretty much any other country in the world. I know there are some of my fellow OZ travelers out there who live permanently on the road and are locked down in some not-so-nice spaces and circumstances. That could have been me! Lucky me!

APRIL 2020 COVID-19 STATISTICS & SITUATION

1/3/20

Global Infections:  86,604              Australian Infections:  25

Global Deaths:   2977                  Australian Deaths:   0   

1/4/20

Global Infections:  871,371            Australian Infections:  4763

Global Deaths:   42,107         Australian Deaths:  20

1/5/20

Global Infections:  3,322,966            Australian Infections:  6766

Global Deaths:  234,408         Australian Deaths:  93

In Australia restrictions have remained in place, with plans to start easing some state-imposed restrictions as I write.

The world is heading toward recession, if not depression, due to job losses, business closures and the economic consequences. Trillions of dollars are being spent by governments world wide to support individuals and businesses, and to prop up their economies.

Global debt is unprecedented.

Not only have we all lost many of our fundamental freedoms, but our future generation will be hamstrung by debt for many years to come.

The upside for our earthly environment is that because there are very few factories operating, almost no planes flying, a fraction of cars on the road and a huge drop in air pollution generally, the world can breathe again. The skies over China are blue and dolphins are swimming in the canals in Vienna.

There's always a silver lining.... 

COVID-19. REALITY BITES IN MARCH 2020

My decision on Thursday, March 18 to do an about face on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia and head to my daughter's place in southern Queensland instead of to Western Australia proved to be a timely one. Every day Coronavirus cases were growing across the country. Federal and State governments were starting to talk about border closures and travel restrictions, making it apparent that changes would happen rapidly and with little advance warning.

I felt an urgency building as I headed toward the new place I would call home for months to come, so left Wilcannia where I had overnighted the following Saturday night intending to put as many kilometers under my belt for the day as possible. It was amazing driving through central NSW to see the difference rain had made compared to four or five months previous when much of the area had been in the grip of drought.

I had earmarked a few potential spots to prop some 400 to 600 kilometers on my track, but with a few short breaks I was feeling good so kept driving until just before dusk. That was later than I like to be on the road, however in the end I didn't feel l had much choice as some of the options were just shitful, so I kept going until I drove into the showgrounds at Coonamble. It was a huge complex, well off the highway, and even though I was the only one overnighting I did feel completely safe. I picked a grassy spot before enjoying a balmy sunset stroll with little mate James.

COONAMBLE SHOWGROUNDS is a pretty good overnighter. I stayed on the grassy area which is probably out of bounds - but there was no-one around to make me shift. Aside from that there is a spacious, flat gravel/dirt area with toilets nearby and shade. It's fairly close into town, so has TV and phone reception. Apparently you you are supposed to leave a donation of $5, but I didn't see a box. It gets 3 out of 5 stars from me.

From Coonamble I headed northwest fairly early next morning. It was an easy run on narrow country roads with barely another motorist in sight for hour after hour. Google maps sent us on a direct route through Pilliga, Wee Waa and across to Bellata where we picked up the Newell highway. The last hour was interesting to say the least. We ended up on a dirt track that Google found god knows where, navigating our way over creek crossings and along roads that would have been impassable in the event of rain. I was very glad the sky was blue! I was somewhat relieved when I spotted cars and trucks in the distance and we eventually hit the bitumen!

From there it was not far to the Queensland border. I had only 24 hours up my sleeve before anyone entering the north eastern state would be required to self-quarantine for 14 days and to cap that off there was lots of advice from governments to stop unnecessary traveling and "go home". It was a relief to actually get across the border at Goondoowindi around midday. From there it was just over 100 km to Lake Coolmunda where I planned to spend a few nights before going on to Shelley and Adam's.

Lake Coolmunda was lovely. It only cost $10 per night to camp beside the lake, the weather was perfect, there were only three other vans in and I felt the need to just relax a bit having just covered more than 2200 km in four days. I paid for two nights and found myself a great spot looking out over the beautiful water views. I couldn't be bothered unhitching by the time I arrived, so just had a chilled evening enjoying the serenity.

LAKE COOLMUNDA is a fantastic spot that is a destination in its own right. The lake is large with a boat ramp so is a popular fishing spot. The lakeside camp area is massive. You pay $10 pp per night at the caravan park up the road, then open the boom gate with the card supplied. You can pick any spot in the open grassland area beside the lake. Amenities include showers, toilets, water, dump point, bbq's, fire pits, laundry, bins, tables, some shade and great scenery. It's a few kilometers out of the quaint little town of Inglewood so has full mobile and TV coverage. I rate it a full 5 *****!

I was fluffing around late next morning watching the latest Covid-19 news live on my tablet when the Premier of Queensland gave a press conference announcing that their borders would be completely closed to non-residents the following day. Mmm....time to get to Shelley's methinks! In less than an hour I was back on the road, very nervous every time I passed a police car (which I did three times), that I would be intercepted and told to go back to my home state of Victoria (where my home was being lived in by my friend Dot until the coming September). But fortunately that didn't happen and I arrived in Canungra around 2pm Tuesday, March 24.

After greeting Shelley and grandson Lachy (who was remote tele-schooling due to the pandemic) making sure to maintain "social distancing" as now required, I set up the van in the back corner of the property adjacent to Shell's saddlery workshop where I had access to power and water. In no time at all I was feeling very much at home and truly happy to be in a safe place that was also a beautiful environment. How lucky am I!

Since arriving nine days ago I haven't left the property bar going for a couple of walks. My days have been surprisingly full. My caravan received a much needed thorough wash, as did my laundry. I have developed a daily exercise regimen, set up my putting practice mat, encouraged the local wildlife to visit, and light my fire late each afternoon. I love it when the family come and enjoy it with me.

I make sure I have plenty of different things I can do to keep myself occupied and entertained, including giving myself a number 6 haircut!

The parrots are becoming friendlier each day. It is just such a beautiful space to spend in semi-isolation.

And it is amazing to see my grandson growing and learning new skills from his dad.

MARCH 2020 COVID-19 STATISTICS & SITUATION

1/3/20

Global Infections:  86,604              Australian Infections:  25

Global Deaths:   2977                  Australian Deaths:   0   

1/4/20

Global Infections:  871,371            Australian Infections:  4763

Global Deaths:   42,107         Australian Deaths:  20

Coronavirus was first reported by China on December 31, 2019 where it spread rapidly. The first confirmed death was in Wuhan, China on January 9. The first reported case outside China was from Thailand on January 13, followed by small numbers of cases in USA, Nepal, France, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan soon after. 

Australia's first case was reported on January 25. 

On February 27 Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison announced the activation of the Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus.

Australia's first reported death was March 1st.

On March 11 WHO (World Health Organisation) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. It was spreading rapidly across the globe and death rates were on the rise with Europe becoming the new epicentre of the outbreak.

 A National Cabinet was formed to deal with the crisis on March 13 and immediately announced gatherings of 500 or more people should be cancelled from 15 March. From midnight that day all inbound travelers were told to self-isolate for fourteen days.

In Australia a "human bio-security emergency" was declared on March 18 and on March 20 Australia closed it's borders to non residents. On March 21 a Social Distancing Rule of 4 square meters in any enclosed space was imposed. 

On March 23 all places of social gathering in Australia were closed - clubs, pubs, bars, entertainment venues, cinemas, casinos, nightclubs and places of worship. Cafes and restaurants could only serve takeaway.

As of the end of March there are border closures and/or strict travel restrictions in all Australian states and territories. Social groups are limited to two people unless living in the same house. All organised sport has been cancelled. Returning residents from overseas are held in strict quarantine for 14 days.

All Australians are being told to stay at home unless they have to go out for work, essential shopping, medical appointments, school or solo exercise.

Hundreds of thousands of Australians are now unemployed and virtually confined to their homes.

Multi-billion dollar packages have been announced by the government to stimulate the economy, provide relief and support for individuals, workers and businesses affected by the pandemic as well as massive funding tipped into various areas of health and welfare.

What a difference a month has made to this world in which we all live.