Kowhai

It's lovely to see the kowhai blooming.  Mine is an old tree and really not a very healthy specimen but each year it produces blooms that always make me feel like spring is really here.  I'd be enjoying the relative freedom of both spring and our new Level 2 status if the sciatica had cleared up completely but annoyingly, there are lingering residual effects still being felt in my foot, knee and butt........lots of tingling and pins and needles which I think is a good sign.  Better still though would be to feel zero after effects.  Me?  Impatient?  Maybe........

In COVID news today there was a drop to just 15 cases, all in Auckland.  As Auckland grapples with continued new cases and remains in level 4 (full) lockdown the remainder of the country is enjoying some new-found freedoms back in Level 2.  It's so reassuring to know that the vast majority of the population seem to have accepted the restrictions that lockdown has imposed on us and worked together as a team (of 5 million!) to prevent this virus from spreading and causing mayhem.  I do feel so very fortunate to be where I am now thanks to some very effective foresight and leadership.