Week 2 in Perth – Already?

How are we doing?

Good morning people, how are we holding up? For those of you that have been in lockdown, what are you doing to keep sane, and keep yourself entertained? Let me know in the comments how you are getting yourself, and your loved ones through this. Book recommendations. Netflix recommendations. Tik Tok channels to follow. All appreciated. 

As we enter week 2 in our new life on the west coast, we are also in our second AirBnB. Due to the high cost of staying in AirBnBs this is hopefully a temporary situation whilst we find an actual apartment that we can rent longer term. For now we are going week by week. 

Just like the first week, we are still in Mt Lawley, just north of Perth CBD. Mt Lawley is a beautiful suburb, one I first visited many years ago when I stayed with family here. Plenty of cafes and restaurants to fulfil all my takeaway coffee and our dinner needs. With each AirBnB we also appear to get ever closer to a bottle shop. From a few minutes walk last week, we are now next door to a Vintage Cellars. This is helping with my search to find the best local beers. I am having to try a lot in the name of research, which I am sure you understand.

The search for a home goes on

Our apartment hunting continues, albeit a little slowly, and under some strange constraints. As the government effectively banned gatherings of more than 2 people, when we turn up to a viewing, only one of us can go with the real estate agent. We are two viewings down now. The first was an apartment in a very modern high rise, that remains a potential. Our second viewing is a definite no no. The strong, pungent aroma of food, the underwear drying in the communal corridors, and a plant pot full of discarded cigarette butts didn’t add to the ambiance.

What has been a positive in the last week is the amount of exercise we are getting. Starting most days with a 5km run around the beautiful Hyde Park, followed by a day of exploring Perth on foot. We are averaging 26000 steps a day. All this exercise is helping me maintain some kind of equilibrium despite drinking my body weight in booze.

I am just doing my bit. I see this as supporting the local economy. Local breweries such as Gage Road and Feral (I know, not the most appealing of names) will no doubt thank me when this is all over. Oh yeah, and did I mention the wines we have tried? All local, you understand. Maragret River classic dry white is a revelation.

I promise that my drinking levels will reduce, when we either get somewhere more permanent to live, or when my liver packs in. Whichever comes first

What a difference a week makes

I am already wondering where the time has gone. We are all in a strange place where time loses a lot of its meaning. It feels like a lifetime ago that we were helping Benny pack up the apartment in Mosman and heading to the airport.

So much seems to have happened in a week. Scrolling through my pictures and seeing us casually drinking, and enjoying a chicken schnitty in the Hotel Mosman. Just a week ago. Taking such a simple thing for granted. It turned out that was the last night you could do that with the restrictions coming in the day after.

How the world has changed. 

Hang in there

Remember, as people, we are resilient. Just hang in there. The measures each country has in place will work. Stay positive. Stay safe. And we will speak to you all again soon.