April 5-12 2020 Slow blogging days!

You know it is a slow week for blogging when the biggest thrill is getting a pack of toilet paper (Or    "loo rolls" as some call them here), baking yeast, and Cadbury eggs.  Yes, we have been in the country 5 weeks now and have yet to actually find any of the first two items mentioned. We've gone early in the morning for senior shoppers. We've gone later in the evening which is clearly a mistake.  We've tried Saturdays but that is a total bust. So one of the directors in our office building sent his wife to find them at some shops near where they live. Bless her heart.  We are set for awhile.

So many of the young missionaries from all over the world have been sent to their home countries due to the pandemic.  Here in the Pacific Area we had to see that all the missionaries from Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islanders could return home.  Some of the islands had already shut down and some of those missionaries cannot get home and will stay here.  Last week, while Don kept track of legal business in our office, I was asked to help oversee getting our missionaries ready to head to the airport.  Charter flights were waiting to take everyone back to the states and Canada.  Many had left throughout the week, but this was a rather large group.  Self-distancing was a bit of a challenge as they ate, weighed their luggage, turned in SIM cards for phones, and received the documents they will need. But they were troupers.  A lot of clothing and what they consider non-essential items were left behind as they saw the scale.  

Two young sister missionaries arrived a little behind schedule and still had to lightened their luggage of nearly 18 pounds.  All of these young people were so sad to have the leave what they consider their newly-adopted country.  Most of them commented how hard it was to leave all the people they have met and come to love.  As hard as it was to see them go, I know some parents that are going to be happy to have them back.  Some will be released from serving if they were nearing their time commitment, others will be re-assigned to another mission at a later date.   

So now we have the fleet of most of the mission cars sitting outside on the office grounds.  The missionaries that couldn't return home have come with their companions to clean, wash, and vacuum the vehicles.  We walk by them everyday; it was funny to see how full the dumpsters were after the cars and the flats were cleaned.  I mentioned to the senior missionary in charge of transportation that I'd heard there was a recall on this brand and make of care  He thought I was kidding. What a headache he'll have if all of them really have to be checked over.

With little we can actually go see right now, we spend our time in the office since we are pretty much self-isolated not only in our office but we are pretty much alone on our floor.  In the evening we take a nightly walk trying to find a new route around the neighborhood.  We wanted to go to the Sydney Fish Market as it was shown on television still operating and people were allowed in, but no one is supposed to be out except for necessary shopping, medical appointments, essential work that cannot be done at home, or for exercise.  We just couldn't justify a trip there right now, so the fish market will have to wait a bit.

One night we walked here to the Ponds Walk.  A lovely area right off the main roads preserved for regeneration and animal habitat now.  Originally part of aboriginal homeland, it was an early settlement site for several convicts and their families. But they gave up on farming and it was sold to others, farming gave way to orchards and eventually residential holdings.  The remaining bushland is protected and along with the creeks are being restored.

We thought we would start using the outdoor gym equipment in the grassy area near our home and planned how we would use our disinfectant wipes before and after; we would wear gloves, maybe masks.  But it was announced that all parks were closed including the outdoor equipment. You can walk through them and exercise with no more than one other person (or as families), but none of the benches, playgrounds, or picnic areas are to be used. In other words, no lounging. The next day it looked like this-all taped up to discourage anyone from ignoring the order.  Last night Don walked over to just do some laps around the perimeter of the park and sure enough, two men were using the equipment in the dark.  Apparently, tape is not a deterrent or at least they were working around it.

Actually, most people are very respectful and careful to follow the guidelines. The beaches are all closed, only take-out from any restaurants allowed, most non-essential shopping is closed; theatres, museums, tourist sites all closed. The malls are nearly empty.  Police have been given broad powers and are trying to be very reasonable in their requests.  But some are receiving tickets and fines for not obeying the directives as they stand.  One of the New South Wales ministers was fined and even resigned his post for not adhering and leaving to go to his holiday home.  Everyone is taking this seriously and no one is inclined to excuse a politician from the same orders.

We think we live in a lovely neighborhood.  Not only are the homes large and appear spacious, but gardens are tended well also.  Many of the homes show up on Google maps with swimming pools.  I am going to have to get to know a few better for next summer!  The weather is warm and pleasant right now.  It's hard to believe we are heading into winter.  Days have been in the upper 70's recently.  

A Saturday walk in the bush again near the Hunts Creek where we've gone before.  Then we headed to Paramatta Lake Reserve which is a man-made reservoir with an arch dam that was the first of its kind in Australia.  The dam was built in the mid-1800's and the area has become a protected preserve due to the threatened wildlife and species found here.  As we were beginning our hike, loud buzzing sound began overhead.  It didn't let up and seemed to increase in volume.  I thought Crocodile Dundee was calling in the bats!  Fortunately, it stopped as we left the carpark area. We really enjoyed our hour and a half hike around the lake.  Like so much of the land, this was also early aboriginal territory. We were delighted to see the rock shelters and even what I thought could be pictographs in the area.

The trails were easily marked.  Lots of tree roots and boulders to climb over and around.  A beautiful Easter weekend to be outside.  So this site is not closed and we passed many people out "exercising" with family.  However, the swimming area was closed.  But if you  rented a paddle boat or kayak, I guess that would pass for exercise.

Rock shelters

Masonry Arch-walled Dam

It is easy to see from our daily walks why Sydney is considered one of the most liveable places to reside.  In the almost six weeks we've been here, I have yet to see a kangaroo, dingo, or wombat or even toilet paper in the wild!