Plan K

 Y'all, it's been a lovely two weeks since my last missive. My "3-4" day trip to Perth has lasted 3.5 weeks. Perth wrapped up its lockdown on the 5th, as the Best Case Scenario played out; the one Covid case recorded on Jan 31st never spread so we finished the full lockdown and moved into another week of mask-wearing to make sure every case was caught. That ended last night after we continued with no recorded new cases! So today was back to mask-free normal and life is groovy!

Since the lockdown, I've had lots of time to consider my options and come up with new plans. As Mom put it the other day, I've long since passed Plans A, B, and C - I'm well into Plan K at this point. Here's the general outline:

Step 1: Move back to Exmouth
        1a: Travel via Karijini National Park so I can see it during the rainy season when the waterfalls are gushing
Step 2: Work 4 months to complete requirement to be allowed to stay a third year
Step 3: Travel to Tassie
        3a. Go over the Top End of Australia - the Northern route, including the Gibb River Road - and then chase spring down the east coast 

Three steps! So easy! Now let's see if Plan K sticks.

My impromptu Perth holiday has been lots of time hanging with the girls mixed with appointments to take advantage of the unexpected time spent in civilization. In the last two weeks I've been to the dentist, optometrist, GP (2x), and to a specialist for an ultrasound on my ankle (no biggie - I just have tendonitis). I bought new tires for Tessie (Aussies spell this word "tyres" which means my Google search results are very confused). And I've spent many hours in the kitchen making delicious food!

Pierogi Queens: Elisa, Wiebke, & Weronika

Homemade pierogi = Heaven

Weronika loves any excuse to celebrate. She loves holidays, loves birthdays, loves decorating. So when she told me ages ago about how it's common in Poland to celebrate one's name day (which I assumed was associated with a saint's day, but the Feast of St. Veronica is in July?), I knew that meant it was going to be a party. Downside: the party she planned with friends and co-workers had a very lockdown-shaped wrench thrown into it. Luckily, lockdown meant that her built-in-party housemates (+ one former housemate + one neighbor!) were all captive audiences! So we spent a day making pierogi and then a day celebrating all things Weronika!

I've gotten some other errands done, too. Bought a bicycle today, to bring back north. Celebrated "Fat Thursday" by driving 40k to buy Polish donuts (#worthit). Picked up some guitars for a friend in Exmouth. But mostly have just sat around reading books and enjoying the lockdown life again.

It's Valentine's Day, which means it's a day to celebrate love. So obviously I started off the morning with a Galentine's Day Brunch...

... and ended it as Nat and Mick's third wheel for a day out on the water!

Please note the giraffes in the background!

Mick captained the boat for a little cruise down the Swan River and then held the fort while Nat and I went for a scuba dive. The weather was beautiful, the laughter was loud and frequent, and I couldn't be happier with how I spent my day: basking in the love I have for these wonderful friends. 

They are so beautiful together, y'all

Plan K calls for me to get on the road in the next day or two. I'm gonna shoot to get the car packed up tomorrow and then head out early Tuesday for Karijini - get there sometime Wednesday. My friend, Manager Jess from the Pub, is going to meet me there. Here's to Plan K being a good one!