Never has travel been so alluring. Even if it is just down the road to Aunty Jacinda's.

But she's always welcoming and has great food and wine.

I messaged a friend in Wellington to test the mood. As Kiwis can be a bit tetchy about Aussies visiting them - and then mocking their accents - I kept the tone casual.

"So, are you excited about The Bubble, mate?" I wrote.

"Can't wait to see the cousins, bro", she replied.

So, I reckon we are all good to go.

Unless she was being sarcastic?

No, that's silly.

Who wouldn't love thousands of stir-crazy Aussies unleashed on their small country?

I've not been to New Zealand. But everyone who's crossed the ditch tells me "ohh, it's sooooo beautiful. Like, really beautiful".

That's beautiful, but since the pandemic has kept me confined to my little corner of the world, I've found it difficult to switch back to an international state of mind.

I'm so COVID-confused that I can't remember if we need a passport for New Zealand, like we do for Tasmania.

However, I'm more focused on bubbles closer to home. They are in my fridge.

Last Christmas, I recall being overly excited about my favourite champagne going on sale. It's French. It's a treat.

It's too special and expensive to be drinking it every day.

It's not Fruity Lexia.

I bought myself a bottle of the fancy stuff, with the intention of sharing it with friends once "everything had settled down".

It was a gesture of hope.

I must have carried on about the booze bargain a bit too much, as I was given another bottle as a Christmas present.

Double bubbles. What a treat.

But both bottles remain in the fridge.

Every time I open the door, there they are, all dressed up with nowhere to go.

I inevitably leave them sitting there in their French finery as there are no big-ticket events on my horizon.

That's not to say there isn't good stuff happening.

For example, last month two friends had milestone birthdays. Then there was the good news that, despite crazy real estate prices, my young nephew and his partner had managed to buy their first house.

Also, I am healthy, and everyone dear to me is in fine fettle.

There has been some positive reports from friends and family members who have been grappling with cancer. There is nothing better than hearing that they are winning the battle.

Thanks to early detection at top-class medical facilities in our neck of the woods, others in my life have been able to get the jump on The Big C. Winning again.

All is well.

What's better, is that I know if life does throw me a curve ball, I'll have plenty of good people who'll help me play it.

I'll definitely get some of them over soon to share my bubbles.

My glass is full, bro.

Dad bods are all good mate

Clothing malfunction alert

The joy of sax

I'm back in black

Backyard blues

Search for cicada nirvana

Splitting hairs

Questioning my Aussieness

Shot at the Wall of Shame

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: