Day 85, Level 1: Day 1 of 2021, last day of blog (maybe), Ziggy's race and rain

-

It's the first day of 2021 ... and I think this may be the last day of writing my Beyond Covid blog! I've written every day for 285 days, since lockdown was announced. 

We seem to have got Beyond Covid here in NZ - and long may it stay that way. Alas, most of the rest of the world is in a state of shambles and, far from being "beyond" Covid, many countries are immersed in the thick of it. 

I may continue this blog - but my aim is to start a new blog, with a different theme and purpose ... keep an eye here for details!

Meanwhile, I headed back to the city today to go to Ellerslie races to watch our boy Ziggy run. It was a glorious day weatherwise, and a superb racing spectacle. Ziggy's race was a torrid run affair, they were motoring start to finish. Ziggy got back from his wide draw and then kept trying hard but couldn't get up to the front runners. It was a decent effort and he banked $1,000 stakes money for coming downtrack!

Jockey was happy with his effort and his sectional times were very good, in the top half of the field of 12 for virtually all stats except the first 400m (he was restrained from the wide barrier). The run was better than it appeared. And he will run again - perhaps a slightly longer race, and hopefully an easier field. The 1200m sprint races are hard going - especially when the going is hard, which it was today. 

Anyway, to have a horse run on New Year's Day at Ellerslie (premium race meeting) is quite something and it made for a very memorable day. Two years ago he ran on Boxing Day. As an owner, to have a horse race on those two big days is a real thrill, regardless of where they come. 

The winning post under blue skies

The parade ring (taken from behind glass in the member's lounge, hence the reflection). The flower bed is a riot of beautiful colour, although you can't tell here through the glass.

We're very lucky to be able to attend events like these - no masks, no restrictions. Around the country music festivals are happening and holiday revelry taking place. We're encouraged to sign in on the tracer app, keep washing hands and being vigilant etc. But generally, it's life as normal.

Except it's not normal - the world is in chaos and we are completely isolated from everywhere. For quite some time too, it would seem. It is a disheartening situation. 

I drove back to Omaha (the traffic was minimal), and collapsed!

SHARE-NOTE OF THE DAY:
Rain ...

Tomorrow it is supposed to rain. While sunshine is better, especially at the beach, we need rain. The grass is brown and parched and crunchy. The tanks are running low. The gardens and plants are thirsty. 

Sometimes the rain skirts around Omaha, rains heavily in the surrounding hills but not a drop to be had here. Other times, down it pours, often in short sharp bursts. I wonder what it will do tomorrow ...

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day Thirty - Celery, Michaels and Queenstown

-
Image
Another glorious day in lockdown - I'm talking about the weather! Again, today was mostly spent on the computer being gently productive. I brought some art stuff up with me, but I haven't done any painting. Not yet, anyway. Perhaps over the weekend ... I went for a twilight walk to the beach at 5pm, it was absolutely beautiful down there with interesting cloud banks and sky of a cerulean blue hue with a lemon tinge that spread far into outer space. The light at this time of the year is outstanding. Omaha Beach photo of the day - 5:15pm Same view, half an hour later The waves were curling perfectly and it was mesmerising. Twilight perfection Curling waves I called in to the Superette on my way back from the beach. I only needed a few things so just a quick pit stop. I have not been to a proper supermarket since lockdown. I may never go again - the local stores have everything I need and I haven't wanted for anything. I bought some very fresh
Read more

Day 12, Level 3: Still in L3, lilac flower, romping dog and starry sky

-
Image
Today's big announcement came at 3pm - and Auckland will remain in Level 3 for another four days, until 11:59pm on Sunday night. The rest of the country stays in Level 2. There's not a lot of clarity but it seems that even when Auckland goes to L2 on Monday, there will still be restrictions on gatherings - maximum of ten people, which is likely to remain in place until 6th September.  This is bad news for those in hospitality i.e. my sister and her bar Pym's of Milford. It's also not good for the likes of me in travel. But, like a good jockey, we'll ride this out and hopefully get past the post in good shape. Masks will become compulsory on public transport. And encouraged in every other sphere of life. Finally! It's virtually impossible to plan anything. And there's no point in dreaming up anything to plan. For someone like me, this is very difficult.  I suggest that "Impromptu" is going to become the new modus operandus . Which is okay for me as
Read more

Day 51, Level 1: For the love of Skiing, Heavenly Lake Tahoe, and Pita bread

-
Image
Day 51 of level 1 ... It's kind of a meaningless reference these days. No one refers to levels any more in NZ! We're just living life - a little differently. Eyes are turning to the NZ election, coming up on 19th September. Already, the political fisticuffs are out, and shambles is being well and truly spread across the floors of parliament for the unwary to slip on, slither over and end up in. Surely the slopes of parliament can't get any steeper or slipperier? But they will. Meanwhile, it's winter in NZ - and talking of slippery slopes ... people here have been enjoying the skifields which were very busy during the school holidays. There's plenty of snow in the south, but ideally more is required in the central North Island at Mt Ruapehu to get it up to full speed. Being a rocky volcano, the mountain needs good coverage to get fully operational. It's best for spring skiing, with bluebird days and corn snow, so patience is a virtue. Michael went down to ski Mt
Read more