LIFE IN A BUBBLE: Mr Merrall
Last year when the year sixes at Hawea Flat School said thanks to their teachers, a good number said that Mr Merrall made their time at school awesome. We’re all missing Tom Merrall from Wanaka’s fields, tracks and trails and we’re hoping his Good Sports after school programme at Hawea Flat School, where he also teaches part time, will be up and running again soon, and that we’ll see him teaching riders and sliders at TC this winter. Inside Mr Merrall’s bubble it’s his own children that benefit from their Dad’s sporting prowess.
Where is your bubble and who is in it?
Our home in Lake Hawea with Louise my wife and our three kids, James (6), Anna (4) and Emily (2).
What does an average lockdown day look like for you?
Get up at seven-ish (it’s getting a bit later now with no alarm). Breakfast for the family. Exercise, jobs around the house/garden, playing with the kids, bike rides, walks, keeping busy. Lunch somewhere in there and dinner around five-thirty. Kids in bed at seven. Watch TV at night.
Are you still working?
The school staff have had a few online meetings trying to sort out how the curriculum can be delivered online when the school holidays end after Easter and I am doing some research for ideas for this.
What are you doing for exercise and general wellbeing?
Trying to do one to two hours exercise a day - running, biking, walking, home workouts that involves things such as press-ups and swissball work. We are lucky we can still get out and run/bike and lucky to live in an awesome spot for it.
Who's in the kitchen and what are they cooking?
Louise and I love cooking and usually have night about. Curry, chilli, homemade burgers, nachos over the last few nights. There is lots of time to plan and prep meals at the moment.
What are you reading/watching/listening to?
Just finished reading an Ian Rankin book and about to start a Wilbur Smith one. I watch the news every night on demand and have been watching Seinfeld - I forgot how funny it is. Might get Disney Plus as I heard they have every episode of The Simpsons on there. I usually watch a lot of sport so I’m obviously missing that and I was listening to Radio Sport until it became a casualty of Covid-19. So Newstalk ZB and then any old-school rock.
What is the luxury of time giving you?
We built a house nearly two years ago so heaps of time to finish landscaping/gardening and all the odd jobs we never get around to. Heaps of time to spend with the kids and my wife.
What are you missing?
Live sport on TV (rugby mainly, and the end of the cricket season). Playing squash and also being able to drive to a track for a running mission with my awesome running mates!
What are you not missing?
Rushing in the mornings.
Are you learning anything about yourself during this time?
That I need something to keep me busy otherwise my wife gets annoyed with me.
What would you like to take with you into post-Corona Central Otago life?
A ski season