The new year began in a rather sombre way. After 2020 and the global COVID pandemic, it was hoped that this year would bring relief but the virus continues to rage in many countries with devastating numbers of deaths. Australia had managed COVID well with comparatively low numbers yet there were still positive cases in some states. Only Australians returning from overseas were permitted to enter our country and thousands remained still trying to make their way home, to be quarantined on arrival for 14 days.

JANUARY ... NO fireworks in Melbourne for New Years Eve, crowds at the Test Cricket and large shopping centres disregard safety rules and new COVID cases were found in Victoria and NSW. For us a day trip to Phillip Island, SE of Melbourne. FEBRUARY ... We spent a week away in Sth Gippsland (separate gallery) followed a quiet time at home. Then, a sudden total Lock-down No 3 for the entire state for 5 days due to COVID cases coming from Melbourne's hotel quarantine arrangement for arrivals from overseas back into Australia. Back to lock-down activities. MARCH ... out of lock-down again, but everyone to continued to wear masks in all stores & on public transport. Stores, cafes & restaurants all required sign in and provided hand sanitiser. Reminders to socially distance were in all places. It was a new scene all around & almost everyone obeyed the Living with COVID rules. We were fortunate to enjoy a long anticipated trip on The Ghan, from Darwin to Adelaide, north to south of Australia. APRIL ... Autumn arrived with increasing beauty. Australia awaited COVID-19 vaccinations with many have already receiving it. we received our first vaccination. Strict rules regarding masks and distancing were relaxed, although most people were mindful of the necessary precautions. MAY ... life continued under COVID regulations. Vaccinations continued with much discussion re the effects of one vaccine compared with another, but all medical specialists declared they were safe and urged people to arrange an appointment to be vaccinated. We sailed to Tasmania on the Spirit of Tasmania and delighted in driving around the north of that beautiful state before sailing back to Melbourne. JUNE ... winter and short days. We were fortunate to have mild winters and many flowers. Then a NEW complete Lock Down for almost 2 weeks. The public holiday, Queens Birthday, traditionally the opening of the Snow and Ski season had NO visitors to alpine resorts as all in Melbourne were locked down. Masks became compulsory everywhere again. JULY ... Good news for Victoria with NO new COVID cases each day but bad news for NSW with enough increasing cases to justify a Lock Down right on school term holidays causing havoc among those wanting to travel there. The same in greater Brisbane and other regions of Queensland, popular places for holidaying Victorians. We are now fully vaccinated. AUGUST ... MORE lock-downs for Victoria with increasing COVID cases from unknown sources. NSW was in crisis with increasing cases and some deaths. We were allowed out only within 5 km radius. Masks mandatory. SEPTEMBER and OCTOBER ... Vaccination rates stepped up as we continued here in lock-down, but NSW cases eased and they came out of lock-down with no need for zero cases. War of the States - WA and Queensland declare NO cases and do not want any people from other states to enter. Victoria promising to end the longest lock-down of any place in the world soon, when fully vaccinated rate is 80%. NOVEMBER … Victoria reached its target and the long lockdown finally ended - haircuts!, travel beyond 5 km and beyond the city, visiting and gatherings permitted within reason and many embraced the reopening of discretionary shops, restaurants and pubs although most dining was to take place outdoors with with those places adjusting their outdoor seating, mostly unappealing to us to be sitting beside passing traffic, noise and fumes! We happily escaped to Wilson’s Promontory NP, the southernmost tip of Victoria and about as far away from the crowds of the city as we could be. DECEMBER…. as we approach Christmas, we are living with COVID and its variants. Check-ins remain compulsory with our phone app, QRCode, which also displays our vaccination status. Australians are now returning from abroad or to their favourite holiday destinations in our country. We feel at this stage, after two long years, that we have done considerably well. Victorians fully vaccinated is now just over 90 %, small children are now being included and booster shots are beginning to be offered.