Life at No.22, Monthly Updates, Musings, The Changing Seasons

The Changing Seasons – May 2020

Suzanne

After literally what seems many years, I have enjoyed reading various blogging friends monthly roundups of what’s been happening in their lives. It was time for me to try something new, a different approach to my blogging. I’m joining in with many others via “The Changing Seasons” – Su from Zimmerbitch . She happens to be another kiwi lass who with utter ease, writes and captures images with expertise.

So, here I am joining in and learning more.

Fingers on the keyboard, ready to tap out a few words hopefully not too mundane and they could even border on the “interesting and thought-provoking”.

Along with words, there will be a splattering of photos.

Hang on to your seat, cuppa in hand, here I go with more energy than the southerly breeze that’s whistling through my open window.

Discoveries

Since our return from visiting the East Coast, we have enjoyed the arrival of coffee beans to our door via a Hawkes Bay Coffee Roaster, which I still wholeheartedly recommend. If in the area, give them a go. Not only is the food scrumptious, so is their coffee – “Hawthorne”.

After some debate, we decided that we could support a smaller business closer to our door. Then there is the carbon footprint to consider—all in all, a better move in more ways than one.

Enter – Coffix.

Since a few days ago and with a stroll down the road, we haven’t looked back on how we maintain our caffeine fix. There is only one drawback with entering this establishment is their ginger crunch. One of us can’t resist the temptation. No, it wasn’t me.

Years ago pre-Squire time, I spent many hours working in a Trade Aid establishment, I believe in their philosophy and still support them when I can. Hence, my pleasure to read that Coffix buys their beans via Fair Trading. Let’s hope it’s true as sometimes all the guff isn’t always correct.

Issues without Tissues

Opening the door to head outdoors still leaves me feeling slightly uncomfortable. I have never approached people with fear or trepidation; my usual approach is with caution until proven right or wrong. I appreciate all of those that make an effort in keeping their distance. It’s always rewarded with a smile and a cheerful, “Good Morning”. I don’t understand those that aren’t making an effort and staying clear of me. Perhaps they think the virus is no threat to them? Perhaps they have no one in their lives with compromised immune systems?

Here are a few very quickly taken snapshots where I’ve walked trying to keep my distance.


I do need to head out to capture our neighbourhood when I’m not training as my current style of stopping and starting isn’t the way to improve my stride or time. Which needs to be quicker if I’m to get myself over the finish line. All that’s to happen in September when I compete in my next half marathon. I’ll share more about how that is going at the end of June.

Have a good week,

Suz X

https://zimmerbitch.wordpress.com/2020/05/31/the-changing-seasons-may-2020/

 

Published by Suzanne

Travel and Life Musings from New Zealand and Beyond. . . . . . .

66 thoughts on “The Changing Seasons – May 2020”

  4. I have fully fallen in with social distancing and it does worry me. At some point soon we will need to go back to our previous normal or so much of how we’ve lived our lives will go and with no obvious replacement. How we get from the here back to the there i have no idea and it seems no one does. Like you I’ll go and support my local businesses and hope for a glimmer of light

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    1. You’re right Geoff, none of us that includes Govts know really what goes next. NZ was fortunate in that we made the move to shutdown sooner than later. One way or another we will pay for that decision.
      I think we need to get used to having these viruses in our communities and to find a way to copy with it. If I didn’t care for elderly parents or a husband with terminal cancer I would still keep a reasonable distance without the anxiety attached to it.

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  5. Ah! As ever your photography brings me right in. It’s superb

    Suzanne, will you tell me about the active aging gym, and would you mind if I sent the picture to a friend? She runs a government programme- Age friendly Belfast. I suspect she would be really interested!

    Hope you are well – (I’m celebrating being able to correspond on your blog, normally my phone tanks at the idea 🤗 I tried a different route today)

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  6. Life is certainly much better with a nice cup of coffee, Suzanne. It looks amazingly sunny there. I find that walking with a camera is like a beacon, people veer toward you. A good excuse for that faster exercise walk. Glad you joined in Su’s lovely challenge.

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    1. Tracy, that’s very true, one of my life’s pleasures is enjoying my first coffee watching the sunrise. It was sunny and warm today. Yesterday it rained for most of the day. Welcome to winter 😎

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  8. I was shocked to recently hear that a UK friend and her mum had tested positive, and that another had lost 4 friends to the virus. That makes it very real, however distant I may feel from it all. 😒💕

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    1. Oh, that must’ve been incredibly hard for you and your friends, Jo. I am beginning to believe that these random events are something we will all have to live with. We will get used to it, absolutely loath it at the same time.

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    1. Janis, that’s what I think when we change to differing seasons. We have a treasure box of memories regarding Spring on the the other side of the world. Talking of walks I had better get myself ready. Enjoy your day that’s coming up soon.

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    1. Thanks very much and yes it is annoying. Though it is coming up to a stage here in NZ where no one is really doing it as much due to us having only 1 active case. I’m not sure what will happen when we open the borders. A matter of “watch this space”.

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  11. I love that your coffee machine is called a Prima Donna! That’s exactly how ours behaves, always throwing tantrums. I feel every time it’s my turn to make coffee it demands beans or water, or wants the grounds emptied. Sometimes a triple whammy. I once came across the word “resistentialism” for the theory that inanimate objects demonstrate hostile behaviour toward us. My coffee maker hates me 😉. Good coffee though.

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    1. Well Anabel, you made us both laugh this morning, and yes it was over our great tasting coffee. Our experience with that coffee machine sounds deja vu . The regular scenario goes like this when the beep goes off, “Why didn’t you fill up the water or empty the grounds?”, we blame each other is a teasing way. Couldn’t be without the machine now, we are bonded for life 🙂

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  12. It’s interesting isn’t it? As you know I walk daily & most people are still keeping their distance, it does concern me though seeing the congregations of people around the surf club & the coffee shop in the morning – almost as if the panic is now over. As always, great images.

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    1. Hi Jo, we shall see what happens at how Level 1 and eventually the opening of borders go before we get too carried away with travelling. Though it would only be to Australia if we did decide to travel as Les can no longer get travel insurance.
      Luckily for us all down this end of the planet we have so many beautiful local areas to explore.

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  14. A nice time to train for your half-marathon, as long as people stay out of your way! 🙂 Do you wear a mask when running? That seems awfully uncomfortable to breathe… In Massachusetts some joggers wear masks and others not. People, in general, keep their distance on the paths and sidewalks. Love the autumn colors!! Don’t care about coffee. 🙂

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    1. What is wrong with you Liesbet not caring about coffee 😉 Not sure I could motivate myself without that fix, some addictions aren’t so bad. Could be worse! I am not sure any of us know what really is the best policy. I haven’t worn masks, as I haven’t felt under the weather and have kept my distance with numerous handwashing and other habits to keep our home free of most “bugs”.
      In the beginning I was thinking a taking a 2 metre stick with me while training, then thought better of it 🙂

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  15. Great to see you’re able to get out and about a bit there in New Zealand Suzanne. It’s just freeing up here in Australia as well and I need to make a concerted effort to make the most of the lovely autumn/ winter weather we’re having!

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  17. I love the Autumn colours Suzanne and I noticed that as the restrictions have eased in Queensland people’s attitude has become quite lax. They think ‘it is all over’ and social distancing has been quickly forgotten. I’m taking a cautious approach still. Thanks for sharing Life at No 22 with us at #MLSTL and have a beautiful week. x

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    1. Hi Sue, I like your new blog title. Yes, unfortunately, it is nowhere near over, and like yourselves, we are still very cautious in our movements. No hurry, we are still enjoying our small part of the world. Have a good week too x

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  19. Thank you for the lovely complement — and for joining the Changing Seasons. So good to have another Kiwi onboard.

    Coffee and ginger crunch is a match made in heaven, so I’ll add Coffix to my list of places to go next time I’m in Tauranga.

    I don’t get the crowding and lack of social distancing either. I nipped into Onehunga Mall at the weekend to use their loo and was absolutely appalled at how busy it was, and how many people were queuing (very close together) outside some of the big brand stores. We stopped counting at 90 in one queue.

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    1. I’m not a big fan of malls in the best of times. Fresh air in between shops is far more appealing. Though haven’t had the urge to spend – apart from the odd ginger crunch 🙂

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  20. Pingback: The Changing Seasons, May 2020 | Zimmerbitch

    1. Thanks Wendy xx No coffee in your life, that’s a very sad life 😉 Ok, seriously I couldn’t slide out of bed without the thought of having one and I’m a morning person. Though a good quality leaf tea could perhaps indice me to the other side.

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        1. A cup of tea sounds just as good 🙂 I am only a 2 cup a day coffee person, and a cup of tea in the afternoon does me 🙂 Hopefully you aren’t getting too much rain.

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  22. Great to see you joining in with Su’s changing seasons, I’m reminded that i used to join in too!! Lovely photos and stories, i always look forward to reading what’s happening in your part of the world. Hope your training is going well 🙂 #mlstl

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    1. Thanks Deb, and my training is up and down. Still clocking up 30+ kms a week just haven’t started to increase my mileage past 12kms. There’s only so many times a girl can go around a field and suburban blocks 😉

      Hope your knee is feeling better soon.

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  23. Hi Suzanne – lovely getting a little snapshot of your world – I love taking stock type posts because they’re always fresh and personal – and give a little snippety peek into the lives of other bloggers. Great coffee machine BTW!
    Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 😊

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    1. Hi Leanne, it’s taken me awhile to get used to the idea of sharing via this type of post. You’re right they do give a fresh and personal approach .
      We love our machine.

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    1. I don’t think they’re necessary if you practice social distancing. Wash your hands regularly. Keep outdoor clothing separate from clean etc.

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