We purchased our second-year visa whilst in lockdown part 1 in April with the hopes we would be able to get back to exploring Australia in a couple of months, we never could have expected that borders would be closed essentially trapping us and we would have to wait until November before we can even go out for a meal. It can get frustrating!

We have each other and constantly talk about how we are feeling. We make a point of discussing our mental health because that has understandably and expectedly taken a hit, I already suffer from anxiety, so we do little things to make sure we look after ourselves and one another. A lot of Self Care! We are grateful to have one another to go through this unique experience with.

We are both very lucky to be working, that is the main reason we have been able to stay in Melbourne and not be part of the two mass exoduses of Irish working holidaymakers who were struck by the pandemic and mass unemployment.

I am the Social Lead for Accent Group who run 15 footwear brands across Australia and New Zealand including Vans, Dr. Martens, Skechers, and Timberland. I have been working from home for the past six months apart from one month where I was back in the office to help in training new team members. We have a very supportive team environment with weekly department-themed zoom calls where we can all catch up and check-in with each other.

Kevin is in construction, which has seen further limitations due to lockdown however aside from a couple of weeks where work was scarce he has largely remained in employment. He does need to have a work permit on him at all times and wears a mask from he leaves the house, during work, and until he returns back home. Other than essential services, doctors and supermarkets etc every other business are closed or working from home. However, restaurants and some pubs are operating as take away only.

Oh, it would be very easy to be miserable and say NO as lockdown continues and seems never-ending, but that wouldn’t be right to say either.

We have the beach and botanical gardens nearby. Albert Park where the Australian Grand Prix is held as our local park. There is so much beauty around us and Melbourne sunsets are simply breathtaking.

I got a promotion in work to Social Lead whilst in lockdown and have started contributing as a writer for The Athlete’s Foot and Platypus Shoes blogs which is exciting.

I’ve oddly made more friends and built stronger bonds with older ones throughout this experience. It’s been really incredible to create these connections with new and old friends without being able to see them or even being 100’s of miles apart. That has been a really nice part of lockdown for both myself and Kevin and we appreciate anyone who has ever reached out to us, especially while Ireland began to move from lockdown and adapt to the new normal.

The key positive that has come out of lockdown, myself and Kevin have not murdered each other! A pandemic and the most extreme lockdown on the other side of the world with just the two of you can test and strain a relationship, but it has really made us stronger and appreciate our bond. That is not to say there haven’t been some testy days, but they can be counted on one hand.