Lockdown Birthday

The whole of New Zealand is in lockdown to gauge the new Covid-19 outbreak in the community.  The Delta variant is very contagious.  Tighe is 16 today.  Lockdown means we have to stay in our bubble, no friends over to help him celebrate.

The supermarkets are open, I wear a mask, use handsanister, and keep 2m from other shoppers.  Tighe wanted donuts for his birthday, so I made a donut cake.

Happy 16th birthday Tighe! I hope this year you have the opportunity to have fun and go on adventures.

It's my birthday as well, and Black Forest Gateau from the supermarket for me.

Happy Birthday!

Tuis in the trees

A cacophony greets us as we wander through the pink blossoms at the Tree Trust / Centennial Park.

The noise of the Tuis chattering and gurgling makes it difficult to have a conversation.

The walkway is lined with these pink flowering trees, and tuis flit from tree to tree.

How many tuis can you see in this tree.?

I feel privileged to hear this birdsong.  The early settlers to Aotearoa would have heard it in all it's glory. 

I am glad the native birds have sufficient habitat to thrive.

Magnolias in the Park

 
Every day during Lockdown, I have been going for long walks in the Tree Trust / Centennial Park.

The Magnolias are in bloom, and the fragrance hangs heavy in the small valley.

Covid-19 Lockdown - Star Bread

 

Covid-19 has been detected in the community in Auckland.  We are all in lockdown until the Ministry of Health can determine if it has spread through New Zealand.

First day of lockdown, and I made half and half star bread.

Divide the dough into four. Roll out into a decent sized round. Spread half with nutella and half with cinnamon sugar. Put the next dough round on top and repeat until 4 high. Use fingers to press down and seal the edges.

Using a glass, press the rim into the centre, to create a cutting guide.  Make 8 cuts through all the dough layers to the circle.

Cut the wedge in half (going a little into the circle. Split and twist.  Press the ends together.

Continue all around the circle until all the wedges are twisted.

Leave in a warm place until doubled in size (about an hour)

Bake at 180 C for about 15- 20 minutes.

Drizzle with lemon glaze, and enjoy while warm.

JPC Ball 2021

 
The flowers have arrived, but the urchins are not ready. Covid-19 pandemic is raging around the world. Arrivals to New Zealand quarantine for 14 days in Isolation Facilities (hotels). So far, we have been Covid free for 18 months. The ball can go ahead with 500 people gathered. Really appreciative of all the workers in MIQ for keeping us safe.

Quinn went with black on black on black.

Anneke and Matthew. Anneke is wearing a Paris Georgia heart dress.

Nicole and Chad

Hannah arrived on her quad bike.

Quinn and Anika

Quinn had a quick chat with Tighe prior to the ball.

The cozzie bros - Quinn and Charlotte

Chad and Charlotte

Nicole and Anneke

Quinn, Mr Joe, Chad

Anneke and Rosa

Matthew and Anneke