A spot of kayaking in the front yard by Jane Bissell

Jane Bissell lives north of Auckland on the Hibiscus Coast. She is a writer, ghostwriter, writing mentor and tutor, and the author of two books about her own journey with breast cancer. Jane kept a journal for the duration of the Level 4 lockdown and here is an excerpt. The full journal can be seen on Jane’s website at www.janebissellwriting.com  
 
Author’s note: During Level 4, one of the houses on our beachfront would set a different tableau every day in their front garden, featuring Ernie (the Sesame Street character) doing something fun: sometimes he’d be fishing, or having a tea party with his stuffed toy friends at a small table. Neighbours would come by daily to see what Ernie was up to. On this particular day, Ernie had his life jacket on and was sitting in a kayak, paddle at the ready, on dry land of course but looking seawards with such longing. He was the inspiration behind this particular journal entry.
 
23 April 2020
(From The Isolation Journal)
Yesterday the weather was simply divine so Ernie here decided to do some kayaking in the front yard at his beachfront home. What a brilliant idea, I thought to myself, and I almost hopped in to join him.

Right now we are prohibited from kayaking in real water because if we get into trouble, that means a call-out from the rescue people which would heighten their risk of exposure to the virus.

I really miss going out in my kayak.

Our bay is perfect for this activity, with the shelter of the cliffs, plenty to see underwater as one drifts along, and if you really want some action, paddle out beyond the point and get into the swells and 'high water' ... well, actually not much rougher than in the bay but it feels adventurous. 

I miss this kayaking gig because when I'm out there, I'm really calm and at peace, if one can say that. At peace meaning my thoughts are stilled, my breathing is even, I relax with the motion of the boat on the waves and I'm aware of the world beneath the sea, the creatures doing their aquatic thing, probably looking up at me peering down and saying, 'bugger off.'
My only concern is getting to where I want to go (out to the point), sitting there a while and looking up and down, then getting back before the wind gets up and blows me halfway to Rangitoto ... oh yes and I'll often have a snack with me, a drink and some crackers or such, so I like to sit out there and have that.

I do want a reprieve now from all of the COVID-19 thoughts that whirl around us daily so I am really missing my kayaking.

I have stopped watching the daily 1pm televised press conference with the Prime Minister where the latest statistics and suspicions and confirmations about 'spread' are revealed and in the evening, I've taken to singing out loud when they start talking about the lack of PPE and how many businesses may go under. It's not that I am insensitive to these things - far from it because, having worked in transport and distribution for years here in New Zealand, I am not surprised by how hard it is to get product in a national emergency from A to B in a country where you could drive from one end to the other of the North Island in a day (well, a long day) and how this absurd distribution problem is still depriving our front line workers of the gear they need to protect themselves. And of course, businesses going under affects us all. 

So there is a rant from me. Suffice to say, I have had enough of the virus news. My walking buddy keeps me up to date and the people we meet on our travels like to discuss what they've all heard. I am pleased though because trends are so positive, we are getting there, but I need a break from the relentless media and their continual thrashing of all that is difficult and hard and tough and the bad behaviour of some of us during this time.

Make room Ernie. I'm coming with you. 
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