LIFE IN A BUBBLE: Jo Elwin
Jo Elwin is the editor of Incommon
Where is your bubble and who is in it?
My home (can you call a woolshed a home?) in Bannockburn with my partner Davee.
What does an average lockdown day look like for you?
With nowhere to be or see, it’s coffee in bed with our devices checking the news. Followed by breakfast in bed – my device has usually strayed towards social media and lifestyle publications by then – and maybe a little work in bed. I try and get out by eleven for some exercise in before lunch. The afternoons are absorbed by cooking, cleaning, sorting stuff, gardening, playing games, strolling to the mailbox (a 20-minute round-trip), working, reading and the odd afternoon sleep. The evenings are spent in front of the box.
Are you still working?
Yes, a few hours a day editing Incommon and on a couple of other writing projects.
What are you doing for exercise and general wellbeing?
Yoga and lengthy walks. For mind-heath I yoga alone, but I am enjoying Davee’s company on walks, even if he does make me carry rocks (for the new house apparently). He’s also got me doing exercises to sort my shonky golf swing out and playing darts and table tennis … because they’re there. We love backgammon but haven’t played during lockdown, I’m analysing why that might be. We steer clear of card games because … well we love each other. I am enjoying the Les Mills classes on TVNZ On Demand – thanks guys – it has been a long time since I have done more high-energy, group classes like this and didn’t realise I was missing it.
What's happening in the store cupboards?
As a cook, the cupboards and fridge are always full. I had a good supply of pasta from Sabato so the empty supermarket shelves haven’t bothered me. The rush on flour caught me out though, I use organic and can’t access my usual suppliers. I’ve been stretching it out, but week three and four bread may look a little different. We’re not big eaters of chips, chocolate and packaged, processed foods but I found myself buying them … for comfort perhaps? I’ve been very impressed by my local New World’s (Cromwell) handling of the situation and I have only been twice in the last 20 days.
Who's in the kitchen and what are they cooking?
I do all the cooking, Davee says why have a dog and bark yourself, but the truth of the matter is that I bossed him out of the kitchen years ago. I enjoy cooking with parameters (some of the time) so lockdown is just another fun challenge for me. I’ve gone back to basics with roasts, fish and chips, spaghetti and meatballs, vegetable curries, steak and salad … I have been making desserts which is something I rarely do, also for comfort, I guess. I got a couple of wild ducks out of the freezer and spent a day cooking those into an exceptionally good (if I may say so myself) ragu.
Lunches are my nemesis … what the hell do we have for lunch when we don’t have bread for sandwiches and don’t really like sandwiches? Lunch is something I have when I am out or have guests. At home alone it’s something on a cracker or a mash-up of leftovers, with Davee (who is not a mash-up of anything type of guy) at home I feel I should be making lunch but for goodness sake what?
There are projects happening - I am nurturing my first sourdough starter, sprouting veges from seed (winter-hardy) and sprouting spring onion bottoms in a jar on the bench - fascinating.
What are you reading/watching/listening to?
I’m reading the whole internet and Me by Elton John. He’s so funny and surprisingly self-effacing, I envy his friends.
There’s a lot of TV happening – One News every evening and, thanks to Sky giving us Sky Movie access (to counteract lack of sport), we’re watching lots of movies, like just one movie of an evening (or rainy afternoon), which is a pleasant change from week-long Netflix binges. We’ve been watching together but I think week three and four might see us watching more of our own thing – Ugly Delicious here I come!
I’m listening to the peace and quiet (in between the vineyards’ bird guns and wind fans) and random playlists on Spotify in the dart room. Lots of Patti Smith, to counteract not seeing her in Christchurch on the 25th.
The well-spaced picking of grapes at Desert Heart vineyard
What is the luxury of time giving you?
The chance to spend all day every day with my mate Davee. The opportunity to help our neighbours with their grape harvest (using strict MPI guidelines).
What are you missing?
Dining out - I’ll be the first one out there, post-lockdown, supporting those who cook for me. The joy of a home-cooked meal may not be what it was for quite some time. The planned visit of my brother and his partner. Oh, and Patti Smith on the 25th.
What are you not missing?
Davee’s 6am starts. Our $200-a-week (minimum) petrol bill. The feeling that I should go out (I am a homebody and have to force myself out at times) and with no one going out FOMO has been eliminated.
Are you learning anything about yourself during this time?
That my love of my life really is my best mate, even after 20-years. That I can very happily go for days not getting ‘properly’ dressed, washing my hair and not looking in the mirror and that Davee definitely doesn’t love me for my looks.
What would you like to take with you into post-Corona Central Otago life?
Definitely a simplified life. There will be less want. Less shopping, driving, travelling and needing to fill time. I want to live more local and be more neighbourly – now there’s two Incommon objectives for you.