‘Coronavirus Chicken’ keeps lockdown walks amusing
Coronavirus travel restrictions mean Kiwis can’t enjoy day trips or weekends away but lockdown can be a chance to rediscover hidden gems closer to home. The Press reporters explore their neighbourhoods as part of a series called Round Our Way.
Lockdown-induced boredom offers a chance to hark back to your childhood and make up games to amuse yourself.
I’ve been doing this over the past few weeks on a daily walk or run around my home in Shirley. The game is called ‘‘Coronavirus Chicken’’.
It seems every man or woman and their dog is hitting the streets right now. Social distancing rules suggest keeping 2 metres apart and footpaths aren’t that wide.
So who moves first when you’re on a potential Covid-19 collision course? There’s not really a defined etiquette for this scenario.
I’ve tried to avoid the awkwardness by going early, but often I’ve crossed the road to find myself confronted by an even larger group. The constant zig-zagging has been doing my head in, so I’m now waiting in some cases to see how others react. It’s a bit of an in-joke for one to keep things interesting.
I’m ashamed to admit that after 10 years living in Shirley, I haven’t really explored the neighbourhood on foot until now. Organised team sport is my thing – I usually hate running and only walk if I’m actually trying to get somewhere. However, being largely housebound has limited the options.
Although a bit more prone to quake damage, the east is blessed with a lot of cool green space – even more so due to the red-zoning. I have two separate loops – one that takes in The Palms shopping centre and Marshland Rd and one around Horseshoe Lake.
Both have their highlights.
Horseshoe Lake has the water, birdlife and serenity. Signs of lockdown are still evident – the sound of balls pinging off the tee is missing from the Christchurch Golf Club, although the greenkeepers are back on their mowers. A popular dog park nearby is off limits as well.
The Palms loop has more opportunity for people-watching and observing lockdown habits.
There’s plenty of evidence of people getting stuck into their gardens and children drawing in chalk on driveways and footpaths.
As the city nears normality again, I really do hope we don’t forget the wonders within our own neighbourhoods.