Week 1 of self-isolation started, proceeded and concluded in an orderly fashion. The plane we took from Doha to Adelaide was full of returning Aussies and we doubt all (some? any?) are actually doing the self isolation as required by the federal government. As far as isolation-central goes (our little apartment on the 8th floor in Broadbeach) - no blood spilled, neighbours haven't complained about the noise, we're enjoying our balcony when the sun doesn't shine and in the evening. We can see the ocean, a mere 5 minute walk away - which does lift the spirits. We are both looking forward to release day on 1 April when we can get up before the sun and head down to the sea for some fresh air and a good leg stretch.

We are as happy as campers can be when life as they know it comes to a screeching halt. Our world has shrunk 99% in the space of a week and it's lucky we love each other and spend all our time together anyway. We imagine enforced intimacy could be hard for many - but the humour on the internet is getting more wicked by the day. One of our favourites so far "So they closed the schools - at this rate the parents will find a vaccine before the scientists."

By crikey (see... back in Australia)... in CVT - coronavirus time - a week is a very long time. Despite new restrictions, bars, clubs, casinos etc closing, reality still doesn't seem to have bitten very hard here on the Gold Coast - more of a love nibble. The streets are still full of cars, the building sites are cracking on. The casino is just over the road and that at least has calmed down since the federal government closed casinos (pictured while open). We felt like we were in an alternative universe when we returned and from the balcony all we could see were pumping restaurants and bars - social distancing? Yeah right.

We seem to be about a week ahead of the announcements at the moment, perhaps from being more attuned to the goings on in Europe. On Sunday evening we filled the freezer with a combination of Thai and Indian takeaways which were delivered in one massive order. Ding for dinner is now on the menu. The restaurants and cafes were closed later that night. Obviously takeaway and delivery is still available... for now. New Zealand has now been locked down altogether and a takeaway is no longer an essential item - all that has stopped for at least a month. Meanwhile, Australia bumbles along in la la land and seems unwilling or unaware that this pandemic is a) serious and b) bringing the world to a standstill and c) not 'just a flu' as some people insist on calling it. The state borders will close tonight which might be a beginning (and the world keeps getting smaller). We're not holding our breath that the country will get through this - afterall, we didn't stop travelling and come racing half way across the planet in the space of 24 hours for 'the flu'. Given the lack of social distancing though... perhaps we should be holding our breaths.

Our only sincere wish at the moment is that come release day, we can still walk down to the ocean - and imagine all those places that lay beyond it.