Surely, it's time to Party!
WRITTEN BY JENNY MOWATT & PETER RUSSELL ON 15 DECEMBER 2020
Who would have guessed that 2020 was going to be as bad as it was after such a horrible end to 2019. Let's hope the horrific bush fires of 2019 don't return this summer and COVID-19 remains just a memory.
Victorians, well mainly Melburnians (all 5 million of us), have had a rough past few months under stage 4 lockdown conditions. But, hopefully all this is behind us with 46 straight days of zero cases and zero deaths (double donut is our new language). With restrictions now easing across Australia in time for Xmas, 2021 must surely be time to party!
Our new celebration date of May 1st 2021, Jenny's actual birthday, looks very viable at this stage and we are proceeding with plans to have it as originally planned. We just need to sort out a new caterer and then we will be on our way.
The email we sent back in August that asked if you were willing to attend our party in May of 2021, had an overwhelmingly positive response, so thank you very much for that. It's not often that a party can be delayed 12 months and still get people willing to come, especially in these testing times, I guess we all need a party to cheer us up. We promise to make it a fun event.
So, what's next?
Firstly, some R & R
Having gained some new found travel freedoms, we will take off for 2 weeks to vist family who we haven't seen in the flesh for over a year in most cases. First off, a trip to South Australia to catch up with the Mowatt clan and help them celebrate Xmas. Then we head to Sydney to see in the new year with the Russell clan. We also have a new clan member, great nephew Aiden born in May, who we are looking forward to seeing! And from there, for a change of scenery, mainly for Jenny, as she will need to resume work, a new 'home office' environment in Coolangatta! We will spend at least 1 month up there, but our goal is 2 months! This new remote home working has some real benefits. This is also going to be a road trip, and we are really looking forward to it, as we purchased a new car (Tesla Model 3 EV) early in 2020 and took delivery in the first week of lockdown, so it has rarely been used since March. Hopefully, on the way back to Melbourne we will be able to catch up with friends in Sydney.
Another call for RSVPs
On return to Melbourne we will have at least 2 full months to ensure all is in readiness for May 1st. We expect to send out a RSVP once again in March to finalise numbers. We know at the moment party groups of 100 are allowed (with density limits), but with dancing further restricted with additional density limits. However, by May we expect those restrictions on space & density will be improved, and we know you are all just itching to hit the dance floor.
COVID-19 case history in Victoria
This graph is provided to illustrate what Melbourne has been through, with COVID-19 cases. As of posting, we have passed 46 consecutive days of zero locally transmitted cases, a really momentus situation, considering our situation back in August. Our social lives have basically been on hold for most of this year, yet we have remained sane and very much still a couple despite spending so much time together!!
