Home and Away stars reveal what they have been doing in isolation

They are a long way from Summer Bay but these Home and Away stars are finding comfort in being home with family after the production of the popular Aussie soapie was cancelled due to coronavirus fears. They reveal what they have been up to in isolation.

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Like the rest of us, Summer Bay’s residents have been forced indoors as we all work on flattening the coronavirus curve.

It’s been two weeks since production was halted on Home And Away and last week the popular Channel 7 soapie was temporarily taken off air, replaced by an additional news bulletin.

This week we caught up with many of the stars behind the show — which is set to return on Monday — to find out what they’ve been up to in isolation, and you might be surprised by just how productive they’ve been.

ADA NICODEMOU

Leah Patterson

I’m trying to keep a sense of normality, as much as I can. I start my day by going for a morning walk. Then I come home and cook breakfast for the family, then it’s home schooling (for son Johnas). I always like to begin schooling with exercise, our favourite is dancing. Once all that is done, we play board games, soccer, hand ball, maybe go for a walk or a bike ride.

Ada Nicodemou enjoys a glass of wine while in self-isolation.

She created an online live book club with Lynne McGranger.

I’m enjoying reading again and (castmate) Lynne McGranger and I have started our own live book club on Instagram so that’s a lot of fun.

I’m finally getting the time to clean out cupboards, so by the end of this my house will be super organised, ha ha!

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I’m getting into cooking, Johnas and I love making things together, and I’m eating what makes me happy, so a lot of carbs!

RAY MEAGHER

Alf Stewart

Today consisted of 1: an hour-and-a-half walk/stretching; 2: an appointment with GP for a flu jab and to get some legal drugs, and 3: I got home and Gilly (wife) asked me to pin the hem of a skirt she was taking up!!!

BUT WAIT IT GETS WORSE

Ray Meagher enjoying his time at home. Picture: Supplied

4: Gilly went to a hairdresser appointment but they were closed, so she asked if I’d cut her hair!! Risking divorce I agreed. The result?

Well, let’s just say it’s probably good that we’re “in isolation” for a while. My dad used to say “There’s only a couple of weeks between a bad hair cut and a good one”.

LUKAS RADOVICH

Ryder Jackson

I’ve moved up to the Blue Mountains to ride this out, staying with my parents. After arriving here from my small apartment in Sydney, I’m very grateful for the space I can self isolate in. Also grateful that I don’t have to shave for the foreseeable future.

It’s great to see my dog, Jasper again. He’s super affectionate, sometimes annoyingly so, but is also super smart, so I might teach him some more tricks.

Lukas Radovich studying at home.

Radovich has some down time with his dog.

I’ve also being doing some Harvard online courses to not only pass the time but learn something in the process. I’m currently doing Ancient World Literature, and it’s solidifying my idea that I want to get my Masters in ancient history within the next few years.

When I’m not outdoors in the backyard I’m usually cooking. Today is bread day! And clearly me and my family have almost demolished it. Might be time for another loaf …

PADDY O’CONNOR

Dean Thompson

I’ve taken this opportunity to have a whizz at some things that usually I don’t have the time to do.

I’ve picked up the piano for a bit each day in hopes of being pretty good by the time I’m back at work. I’ve also given myself a bit of a Dustin Martin haircut and am thinking about giving the same one to my pup Sundance.

Paddy O’Connor enjoys spending time with his puppy Sundance.

I’m back with my family, so it’s been really nice to have a bit of quality time with them. Even if it means we’re locked in doors! It’s not often we’re together as a family and a small part of me is happy that this is the case.

EMILY WEIR

Mackenzie Booth

This tricky time has shown me just how much I am grateful for. I am so grateful for my loved ones, for my work, for my health and just how much I value the communities that I am a part of.

Emily Weir keeps in touch with family and friends.

Emily Weir takes a selfie.

During this time of isolation it has been so wonderful to have extended amounts of time to connect via FaceTime and Skype to all my nearest and dearest. I have also found that TikTok is incredibly hilarious and entertaining, home workouts are actually so fun and catching up on so many TV series that I previously haven’t had time for.

I think it is so important to keep informed and to be vigilant right now, but also equally important to find time to laugh to be grateful and to remain as positive as we can.

SOPHIE DILLMAN

Ziggy Astoni

I have been really enjoying my time back home with my family (Queensland). My mum is a nurse so she is still going to work and working really hard but my sister and my dad are at home with me, which is really fun!

My dad also just rescued a puppy names Polly from the RSPCA. She and my sister’s two dogs are keeping us very busy.

Sophie Dillman is keeping active.

Dillman is also catching up on her reading.

I’m also attempting to do yoga, which I am currently terrible at but hopefully with some practice I will get better.

I’m reading a lot of books and I’m also trying all sorts of online workouts. I’m balancing them out nicely with my consumptions of all the Easter chocolate within my reach. :)

COURTNEY MILLER

Bella Nixon

Just before production came to a halt, Lynne McGranger came into the makeup room and read us something her friend had sent her: “ … then the world ran out of toilet paper, mums and dads got to stay home and all the kids got time off school”.

We all laughed as it sounded like it was composed by a fourth grader. Of course, we never thought it would actually come true.

Courtney Miller has a cuppa at home.

Courtney Miller shares her message of support.

For me, this has been a time of solitude. I visit my parents here and there, but my days mostly consist of drawing, reading, writing, coffee, exercising, watching European films, more coffee, chatting with friends and a glass of red wine at night to keep things interesting.

Once I get into a routine I can actually have a great day! Fear not, I also spent my time lying on the floor talking to myself.

I can’t speak for those whose lives have truly been turned upside down but for some of us this time could be great. Get those projects done, spend time with family and learn to get to know your own solitude. My heart goes out to all those working on the forefront.

GEORGIE PARKER

Roo Stewart

What a world we’ve found ourselves in. Trying to find a rhythm to your day when nothing is the same is interesting. Trying to soothe your mind when you race ahead with the “what if” scenarios. Counting pennies when you shop, trying to care for the aged people in your life who shouldn’t go out. Trying to maintain friendships from a distance and relationships from up close.

Home and Away's Georgie Parker with her cat Goldstein in isolation. Picture: Supplied

But ..... this is temporary, this will end. In the meantime patience and vigilance, and caring for your community by staying indoors as much as possible.

I’m lucky, I have a roof over my head, a husband who works from home (screenwriter Steve Worland who write Go, Paper Planes) my daughter’s an artist, so our home has a nice busy hum. I’m doing as much as possible for my mum and dad, I’m cooking, doing yoga, oiling decks, FaceTiming with friends and of course enjoying lots of chocolate.

I’ve put expectations and plans on hold, THIS is what I’m doing now … till I can go back to my other normal.

Thanks to our nurses and teachers and other frontline workers we will get through this, I have no doubt. Xxx

SHANE WITHINGTON

John Palmer

Self-isolating isn’t a new thing for me in any shape or form. I’ve been a sailor all my life and a solo sailor for many years. Sailing solo no one can see the mistakes I make or how bad I am at it!

I still get as excited as my first trip even today. I enjoy running the boat as safely and efficiently as possible. I love the pre planning of the food and where I’ll be going and where I’ll tie up for the night and which books to take.

Shane Withington says self-isolating is nothing new to him.

Shane Withington keeps his distance from others on his boat.

There have been some really beautiful evenings sailing down the coast at night accompanied by dolphins lit up with electric phosphorescence (and perhaps a glass of wine).

And there have been times when I’ve been hammered for hours cold and sick and swearing to never again go outside the Heads, sell the boat, buy a caravan and take the wheels off it and stay put.

But always when you eventually when you drop anchor in a little quiet bay somewhere you feel like the luckiest man alive … and I might just be that man.

LYNNE MCGRANGER

Irene Roberts

Let me start by saying, initially I was feeling a little anxious about pretty much everything. I’m naturally a social creature so the thought of being stuck at home all the time was very alarming.

(My partner) Paul is also used to having his own time, so us being on top of each other could have been disastrous … but after two weeks of being home with Paul I have to say I’ve really embraced the downtime. It has made me stop and smell the roses, literally. It has made me more of a home body, which isn’t a bad thing. Paul and I are getting on famously and enjoy a good laugh and a chat.

Lynne McGranger and her partner Paul got dressed up in support of the Sydney Swans.

I’m still allowed to do my exercise as my bootcamp has gone online so I can hurl myself across my back patio and no one can see me, although they may be able to hear me!

The hardest thing is not being able to have people around for a barbecue. Luckily at the moment we can still catch up with our daughter.

I miss everyone at work but I have to say Zoom has become my best friend – I’m on it all the time – doing exercise, meetings, interviews. I’m really enjoying it.

I have also discovered a new love for reading books and being in Ada’s book club has helped that. I’ve finished Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton. Everybody needs to read it — it’s brilliant!

Now we just wear our Swannies outfits when we’re watching replays of the 2005 and 2012 grand finals.

LUKE JACOBZ

Returns as Angelo Rosetta to Summer Bay soon

I find myself sitting in a big house with some of my family, twin 10-year-old girls, a 13-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy, and their parents, self-isolating, self-motivating and home schooling.

We are lucky enough to have a nice backyard to keep our minds occupied and are washing our hands so much that we have a permanent sanitiser smell following us around.

I’m definitely trying to keep fit and being as active as possible.

Luke Jacobz has been cooking more while at home.

Luke Jacobz does some laundry.

We are dusting off the old board games and playing bingo daily. I’ve decided to try to take over as chef of the household which gives me lots to do, given there are seven mouths to feed. Chicken nuggets, mash potato and Milo are popular. (not mixed together)

Limiting the use of video games has been a little challenging but I’d much rather them be home and practising very good social distancing.

We are binge-watching The Blacklist and the rule of the house is no watching on your own!

There has been lots of phone calls to reach out to family and friends which I think has been really helpful. I encourage everyone to please stay home, stay safe and please take care.