June has seen a roll back of lockdown measures, here in Tasmania. At the beginning of the month, shops reopened, children returned to school, people returned to work. Social distancing of 1.5 meters remained in place.

Covid-19 precautions at work include temperature check when signing in, also new batch of hand sanitiser.

Last Friday more restrictions eased. 500 people can gather outdoors, 250 indoors, with 1 person per 2sqm rule, thus allowing museums, galleries, restaurants, cafes, pubs, clubs to resume business. 20 visitors allowed to visit per household. Markets, food courts, garage sales, casinos, spas, swimming pools reopened. Community sport resumed.

Life feels like we’re heading back to a level of normality. Tasmania is fortunate, we have been virus free since the middle of the month and had no new cases for over 46 days.

Tasmania has used its advantage of being an island. Our borders have been closed since mid March. Anyone arriving from mainland Australia must complete 14 days quarantine, visitors in a government sponsored hotel, residents can quarantine at home. The rules are strict. So we feel safe here while we watch the news from other countries, other parts of Australia, as cases increase in some communities. Although a little worried what will happen when our borders open. Tasmania relies on tourism so it is a fine balance between economy and health risk.

We – well husband – has made this hat rack, for my one and his many hats. The wood is local Huon Pine.

We’ve picked olives from the trees in our garden and they’re now in jars. Our first attempt at curing olives. Fingers crossed.

I joined as group of neighbours for a productive clean up of our local coast path and beaches, one Sunday morning. We collected plastics, rope, a cushion, large piece of rubber, bubble wrap, wood. A worthwhile couple of hours.

We’ve had some sunny winter days so have tried to get out into nature, exploring the countryside. Walks on the beach with long winter afternoon shadows. We’ve also tried to support local businesses, where possible. A visit to the local animal sanctuary, lunches out, take away coffees.

This is my contribution to Su’s Changing Seasons.

Here in Hobart, May has been a month of autumn colours, frosty mornings, mild sunny days.

We have been given more freedoms as lockdown rules begin to roll back. We can go out more, travel further from our homes, more shops are open and cafes and restaurants can have up to ten people seated in addition to take away meals.

I took these photos of Hobart Waterfront. There are not usually so many fishing boats in port.

Therefore May has also been a mixed month, with a different feel today compared to the beginning of the month.

To occupy myself, I have knitted a couple of baby strawberry hats. Here is our granddaughter. When I posted this photo I had two orders so I’m still busy with red and green wool.

I saw this experiment so tried it for myself. Hot water in the middle of a circle of M&M’s creates a pretty rainbow. Yes I still ate the chocolates 🙂

And I have relaxed with this fascinating book.

As today is the last day of autumn I will close with this image of “the last leaf on the tree”.

This is my contribution to Su’s Changing Seasons challenge.

April has been a full month of lockdown. Hobart’s Salamanca Place is usually a bustling market on Saturdays, surrounded by popular cafes and bars. Now it is empty except for the drive through test centre.

I’m fortunate to still be working full time and work has been hectic, with some days in the office, others working from home. As well as formal Zoom meetings, our Deputy CEO organised a “Big Hello” meeting so colleagues from all three offices could meet online. Hats, backgrounds were optional as we waved at each other and said Hi. It was a fun ten minutes in a busy day.

“Time is like water, if finds its own level.” Away from work, some weekends have dragged, despite walks along local coastal paths. I painted some pebbles to leave along the pathway and benches for kids to find.

I’ve spent time in the garden, planting veggie seeds and seedlings, cabbage, radish, spring onions. We are harvesting carrots, rocket, spinach and I’m on my second jar of bean sprouts. Our olive trees have fruit.

On Monday 20th April, I noticed comments on Facebook that the Aurora Australis was putting on a show. One side of our balcony faces south, so I went outside with camera in hand. I was pleased to get a few reasonable photos of the green glow in the night sky.

I’ve drunk lots of tea and written more than usual in my diary. I have kept journals on and off for thirty years. I was happy to find new books in a local newsagent, that match earlier volumes.

We keep in touch with family and friends and I’ve enjoyed video chats and receiving photos of our grandkids.

I continue to feel inspired by “Action for Happiness” calendar and quotes. Here are just a couple from April.

Stay safe. This is my contribution to Su’s Changing Seasons challenge.

I’ve been wondering what to write for this month when everything changed. The life we knew has been cancelled, our freedoms restricted, our everyday activities challenged.

There were so many ordinary yet pleasurable things that I had planned for March… evenings out at restaurants, theatre, cinema. Trips to our weekly farmers market and local craft markets, museums, the library.

There was a special trip planned, to be with our daughter as she gave birth to our granddaughter. But I’m in Hobart and she is in Sydney. We soon realised that I wouldn’t be able to make the trip so readjusted our plans. I walked up and down our lounge while on the phone with her in the birthing suite, sharing our breathing, positive words and vibes.

So, I have decided to concentrate on the positives, on gratitude and the simple joys.

Our granddaughter arrived safely four days ago, Mum and bub are doing well. I am so grateful for Facetime to keep in touch with family and friends. We can see her cuddled up, hear her unique little snuffles and snores. See her big brother being so gentle and amazed.

I am grateful that I live in Tasmania. We are an island and our government has taken strong, decisive actions to help keep us safe. This was front page on our Tassie newspaper.

Nature continues to share it’s wonders. Rain after such a dry summer, nurturing our trees, plants and crops.

I have paper daisy flowers from seeds I planted last year. Rocket and spinach continue to thrive in our balcony pots.

A rainbow appeared as I left for work one morning.

Dolphins played in our river Derwent as I got off the bus on way home. Such a joy to watch.

There are hints that autumn is here, as our days get shorter.

I am grateful to be part of this blog community. Stay safe friends.