Steve and I decided to relocate to Merricks Beach when the first lockdown was announced back in March. As it is an area with less people, shopping for essentials would be safer plus, we would be in a house with garden, so we thought it a better choice than an apartment in Melbourne for the six-week lockdown. Six months later we are still here.
Initially, we were able to meet with another couple and as plenty of our friends had also relocated to the Mornington Peninsula, it was a novelty to have get-togethers in houses across the coastal villages. Then the second wave hit, bringing with it stage four restrictions.
Since then, life has been very different. Baking has become a favorite activity and I have cooked up cuisine from around the globe. Prior to the 5 km limit being imposed, I also found some wonderful new suppliers: Tourello Farmgate, Peninsula Fish Shop at Benton Square and Sapori di Casa on White Hill Rd for homecooked Italian dishes and cakes. Once a week, we have aimed to support local restaurants who have done a fantastic job of moving to take away and home delivery options. We have had some delicious meals from Montalto, Merricks General Wine Store, Ten Minutes by Tractor, Le Bouchon, Rare Hare and we have even had deliveries from a couple of Melbourne restaurants.
Our social life has become our daily walk along the beach and conversing with friends at a suitable distance (which is a bit harder now with masks). Facetime, Whats App, Caribu and Scrabble on Line are fun electronic means we have employed to stay in touch with family. One of my grandsons wanted a Zoom party with family and friends for his 4th birthday and afterwards delivered cake around his neighbourhood for his buddies!
We have enjoyed watching the seasons pass as time spent by the fire has given way to glorious warm sunshine at the beach with dolphins playing among intrepid swimmers. But I feel strongly that now the numbers are down, it’s time to re-prioritise the other facets of human need. Face to face social interaction is essential for good health and prolonged social isolation from family and friends is having a profound effect on wellbeing. By prolonging the restrictions, many lives are being destroyed through economic loss. We need to resume a range of these activities now in a Covid-safe way.
Kathy Clarke