“My apologies, we will be outside the terminal for another 30 minutes,” said the captain of our plane. We arrived in Perth from Adelaide on the 23rd of July and the 30 passengers waited over two hours before disembarking. Covid testing had caused the delay.

We were greeted by tense policemen and marshals. Clutching our G2G passes and identities, we were terrified. We also felt like prisoners – Guilty. “Follow the queue!” someone barked. “Your temperature’s a bit high – move your fringe out the way!” commanded a temperature tester. We nervously waited for our Covid testing. I was exhausted. “I managed to climb a hill outside Adelaide to get reception for my G2G pass. We found a whole crowd up there – all heard that Mark was about to lock us out!” said a businessman next to me. “Did you know we don’t qualify for Covid relief? Two weeks without income while in forced quarantine!” lamented an elderly woman, eyes moistening.

And suddenly it was my turn. “Please be gentle – I’m a mouth breather and have adenoid issues,” I pleaded. The silent nurse briskly pushed and twirled. The nose swab tickled my passages and I unexpectedly sneezed. Her eyes widened with terror.

Back home it’s Day 7 and I’ve tested negative. I’ve sorted 40 years of bookwork, photos, invoices and letters. I’m finally scrapbooking and happy to have time to sort everything (over 60 you must start tidying up for the inevitable). A policeman popped by earlier. I think he may have wanted to check on how I was coping (he didn’t offer to get an Indian takeaway or flat white, however, which was disappointing).

Back to my desk and the photos of my grandparents. They emigrated from Scotland to South Africa in 1919 during the Spanish Flu pandemic. I’m reading the diary of their voyage to Africa.

Apart from the financial pain, I’m secretly pleased for this enforced time off work. By protecting our present and our future, I’m able to finally deal with my past. And realise that the Divine strength of those gone before me, is also needed (and available) in these times.