Back into it
That’s better. Isn’t it? You know, life as we knew it pre-Covid-19 lockdown, returning. Not quite the same, but at least we can now get back to some semblance of ‘normal life.’
I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely a ‘social… (I was going to use the word ‘animal’ here but think)… kind of guy’ is a little more appropriate these days. Whatever, I really missed the simple things while I was locked away at home.
Like? Like bowling down to my local Supercheap Auto store on a Saturday afternoon… on the pretext of ‘needing some oil/coolant/car polish ,etc,’ but really just to wander up and down the aisles and breathe in the heady smell of ‘new things I might like to buy at some stage!’
Or like deciding I need a ‘proper coffee’ and making a detour on my way home to the local McCafe or ‘Bean There' (Done That) drive-through for a ‘medium flat white with an extra shot, thanks!’
Not big things in the scheme of things. And both pretty ‘urban’ for a bloke who edits a mag about ‘getting out into the great outdoors.’ But that, in a nutshell is my point.
For all of us in lockdown, life devolved down to the very basics of existence… and from chatting to friends, neighbours and work acquaintances since Level 3 was lifted, it’s been the ability to get back out there and do the ‘simple’ things which has resulted in the most pleasure.
We’re still a long way from being ‘out of the woods’ of course and I get an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach every time I think about the effect on the economy of the enforced shutdown and subsequent job losses as companys exposed to what I suppose you could call the ‘discretionary spend’ sector see their revenues plunge.
That said, I’m a great believer in that indefatigable Kiwi spirit, so admired by those from other countries who have come into contact with it. You know, the one which sees us always climbing back up off the floor with our fists up, no matter how hard, or how many times, we have been knocked down.
Sure, right now might not be the best time to (let’s see!) 1) Borrow a big bag of money off the bank to buy the $ 300+K Ferrari 488, or 2) ‘invest’ $ 500+K in a couple of ‘investment properties’ in Las Vegas (as an online spruiker was trying to persuade an acquaintance of mine to do in the middle of lockdown!). Especially if you are – say – a pilot, or (heaven forbid!) a journalist.
In saying that though we 1) live in an amazing little country where 2) you can buy and/or own a 4WD for very little money and ‘get away from it all’ for even less.
OK, I’ve yet to take a celebratory post-lockdown trip away but really only because I have used the only two suitable weekends since the move from level 3 to level 2 to indulge my other passion, drifting.
Contributor Richard Soult has already done one epic length of the South
Island trip (which you can read about this month) and – with no Winch Challenge events planned – Mainland Series stalwart Vicky Newport will tell us all about an epic winch-heavy trip she, husband Scotty and several Tuff-Truck-driving mates have just completed, in the August issue.
They’re obviously ‘back into it.’
What about you?