What did COVID lockdowns mean to you? and did they change you in any way?

I decided I wanted to live more simply, so I started to talk to an amazing couple who build Tiny Houses. This was all done online to start with. I had watched every You Tube video, every HGTV episode, with tiny houses, every Tiny House Nation episode, every Living BIg in a Tiny House video, and I knew I wanted to “go tiny”.

After my chat with the owners of Cocoon Tiny Homes in 2021 during a lockdown, I started doodling, planning, measuring, collected pics, collected colours, until I had a bit of a plan on paper. This plan was just the start. Many times it changed, it evolved and I evolved too. I had already started to decide on what was coming with me, belongings wise and what wasn’t. Did you know that we really can do with a lot less than we usually hold onto?

I put the deposit down and I was on my way to “going tiny”. There were some hiccups along the way with selling the townhouse and financing a tiny. This is the boring bit so on we go to the first time I saw my tiny in the factory with my name stamped on the metal frame. I was in love with “Lil Pad”

I cant believe its nearly three years since I sat here to share. Where to start? ……

We did keep flying around the parts of the world that my airline flies to, but we didn’t see too much for nearly two years. We were unable to get out in the cities we visited until early 2022. It was quite a change to arrive in another city and see only a hotel room and maybe a hotel restaurant if we were allowed to. The interactions with people on the aircraft were minimal also, giving us all a new perspective on relationships.

One of my first trips being able to leave the hotel was to LAX, and it was such an amazing feeling. This is a city I know pretty well but felt completely different from 2019 LA.

That first Taco and Margarita were phenomenal AT MANHATTAN BEACH.

Hi everyone, hope you are staying safe and staying positive. The year has been a challenge for us all, and globally we are fighting the same enemy. Our lives have changed in small, and in some big, ways. We travellers are getting itchy feet and are having to scratch them in our own country. Here in New Zealand, that has not been too hard and I will update you on some great spots very soon. The other thing I have been doing is working on a completely unrelated thing. I have a wee online shop, accessible to Kiwis by Shopify and a couple of items have made their way to Amazon for our fellow American Jacinda fans.

If you love our Prime Minister and want to celebrate her ……..https://www.amazon.com/Jacinda-Ardern-Leaders-Kiwiana-Flowers/dp/B088DKSMXK/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=jacinda+ardern+puzzle&qid=1598561832&sr=8-1

Talk travel with you again soon. Take Care xx

So on Monday, I thought we’d been a week in lockdown 😂 Turns out we hadn’t. I returned from bringing kiwis 🥝 home. The airport was deserted, the car park empty and the roads dead. Made me think of that 70s British show ….. Survivor. No not the recent “reality” one. This one was a drama about a virus 🦠, and it was brilliant, and here we are !!!

So we do what we have to do. We also need to do what we have to do, to keep sane. I am attempting a run every day because I miss the rise to the heart rate that Body Attack brings, along with the red face, panting and then the treat of coffee after. If I don’t exercise, the extra eating will certainly show when I finally put on nice clothes again.

Today there was a bit in the “news” from our neighbours (Oz) saying that runners could spread the virus, if their “fluids” dropped on someone else. 😮 well, people don’t be worried if you see me, there will not be enough fluids to drop on others. I’m not that good at running that I will soak myself and others in body fluid !!!! Hilarious news I thought from Oz, bloody stop haircuts etc 😂

Anyway, we are finally a week down and doing what we can to stop this thing from stealing our people.

Good work Kiwis x

I have been using the time to get into my distance learning course and except for a walk yesterday and today, and a 2 step walk to the garden, I have been inside. Great to see lots of bears in windows as we walk around our local area, and we have added our own, although technically a moose 😳

Tonight I am flying again. Lots of people have sent messages and it’s nice to have the support. We are being VERY careful and are happy to be bringing kiwis home. Who’d have thought, as hosties, we would spend time on our makeup and manicures, only to cover them with masks and gloves 😜

Stay safe NZ and Stay Home, see ya Monday.😷

So weird isn’t it ? To not leave your house at all. The morning was fab, drank heaps of coffee, did my homework ( distance learning ). By lunchtime I had “Phoned a friend” or two! And solved a couple problems that won’t help the world but needed sorting anyway.

Found a bear to pop in the window for the passing kids to spot.

Watched the PM deliver another address. She is so great that I bet the US of A are jealous we have her and they have…..well you know what they have.

Trying to keep the exercise up, thanks to my gym for the On Demand classes. Once again there was the same guy watching me.

Two rather sad bananas kept looking at me every time I opened the pantry so by 4 o’clock they were turned into a banana loaf.

1 down 27 to go ……

So normally I regale you all with stories of my travels to exotic places with fantastic things to see. Well all my travels just now are to grab a bunch of kiwis and get them home. No sightseeing, no adventures, so I’m stuck with sharing day to day dramas. Every day will not be spent at home, as much as I would prefer that, some days will be spent flying. Not many though.

Today was an “at home” day….. quick trip to supermarket and animates to ensure we have a couple days food for me and for the three moggies.

That job was completed successfully, along with managing to side step an elderly gentleman in the supermarket who decided we should have a conversation. No way dude! I was backing away, wheeling my trolley thinking “where have you been old man ?” Watch the news. You should not be talking to strangers and risking your life !

Back in the safety of my place and no risk of unwanted conversation, I rolled the yoga mat out and began a bit of light exercise ……. please see look on cats face as he witnessed this, not impressed I feel. I was a little impressed with myself, as it wasn’t the same as having all my gym mates there suffering beside me, but I managed a Les Mills CX class.

Watching the address from our PM was both riveting and sobering. This is our reality for as along as it takes. We NEED to do this. Getting outside seemed like a good idea and it was, as there were still some passion fruit to pick. 😊

I can’t actually account for the whole day, so I’ve gotta get better at being productive. Flying tomorrow bringing kiwis home again. Stay safe NZ, and if you are not in essential services, Stay home! Talk soon.

What a fabulous city….this city is perfect for walking around, maybe catching the L train a couple stops and for being on the river. I chose the architecture cruise, and was provided with excellent commentary, witty and informative, on the buildings lining this beautiful river. The story is told of the great fire of 1871, requiring 3 and a half square miles of city to be rebuilt. The origin of the fire ? Take the cruise and all will be revealed.

Leaving the river and walking towards Lake Michigan means heading to Navy Pier where a 15 story replica Ferris Wheel dominates the landscape. The first Ferris wheel was invented in 1893 for the World’s Columbian Exhibition in Chicago, but was demolished in 1906. You can enjoy the experience in 21st century comfort.

Navy Pier is not just home to a huge Ferris Wheel. There are multiple choices to eat and drink, spaces to just wander and sit, and everywhere you can take in the sight of this massive lake. If you visit the Pier, don’t leave without tasting the spinach and artichoke dip at Harry Caray’s…. delicious!

To get the best view in town, head to the John Hancock building and a heart racing “ride” called the Tilt. On the observation deck of the 94th story, along with the obligatory glass floor, is a device that tilts you 45 degrees away from the building, looking straight down at the streets below you. If you need a bit of courage to enable this, they got you covered, with a free cocktail first 😊 at Bar 94.

Millennium Park is where you will find the Bean, being a nickname for the sculpture called Cloud Gate. The Bean suits perfectly and it is a fun place to hang out and take artistic photos of your own reflection. The challenge is getting a photo alone as this is a very popular spot. Don’t be put off, it’s fabulous.

In Many movies set in Chicago, you see the L train, short for elevated, as it sits about a story up, travelling between buildings, landmarks and stores. Great way to do a loop of the inner city and feel like a local too. It’s cheap, quick and easy to use.

Foodies, The choice is huge ….. Wildberry for pancakes and eggs at breakfast, 2000 hotdog stands for lunch and Giordano’s for famous deep dish pizza come dinner time. There are many options along the riverwalk too. The taverns have tables on the river edge, to watch the world of Chicago pass by.

A city I can’t wait to return to ❤️