Exile in Sydney 1

 Do you ever think that things are loaded against you?  In these covid times it seems quite reasonable.  Jac and I are on the road again - this time to visit Em for Christmas.  The plan was the whole family would travel to Sydney so we could have Christmas with Em and Sean's family.   And what happens - a COVID outbreak in Sydney, which means that we may not be able to get back to Victoria without 14 days quarantine.  For me that's not a huge issue, I can just hang around in Sydney until the border opens.  But for Bec and family the implications are much more serious - not being able to work, manage the business etc etc.  

On the way I stopped in Albury at a comfortable and very dog friendly Air B'nB in East Albury.  Last time I was in Albury I was aiming to beat the border closure the other way - NSW closing their border to Victoria.  Now it's the other way around.  Understandable given the work that Victorians put in to achieve where we are at now, but does throw the Christmas plans into disarray. I had booked for two nights thinking I would explore NE Victoria, which I did after applying for and receiving a permit to cross the border. Was reminded of the joys of Albury, going to a local farmers market and a walk along the Murray through wetlands.

This time Lake Hume was full.  I cannot remember ever seeing that.  So swam in the lake, which, when full, apparently has more water than Sydney Harbour.  Lots of little inlets and nooks to explore.  The weather was perfect, so started off at Lake Hume Village resort, then crossed the architectural marvel of Bethanga Bridge, a steel truss bridge that is almost a kilometre long, no longer the rattling wooden boards I remember from my childhood, but a quiet surface on it now.  Stopped in Bellbridge for another swim, then headed off to Bethanga.  This was very much revisiting the roads and landscapes of the time we lived lived in Tallangatta and witnessed houses being put on trucks and carted to the new town as the old one was going to be flooded. The familiarity of the road and the dry yellow hills dotted with gum trees was comforting. 

Seemed sunset over the dam would be worthwhile.  Most of the places around Bellbridge were still populated by boats and people picnicking on the shores.  But found a beautiful little inlet a bit out of town where there were no other people and so many birds: rosellas, cockatoos, swallows darting about over the water and, of course, pelicans.  Jac and I had a lovely quiet time watching the colours change, the suns reflections in the water and the occasional fish leaping out.  I think Jac was just happy that we weren't going on yet another long walk.  

Then a stopover in Canberra to see friends, always good to connect again and know that those friendships are sustained over time even when we don't see each other often.  And now I'm in Sydney, and it's so good to be here.  It won't be the Christmas we planned but somehow that seems fitting for the year that we have had which has taken away the idea of certainty or the benefits of planning.   It's the first Christmas without Sean, a big thing to get through, the pain and grief continually just below the surface.

The doggies watching fro Em getting home

Do love being here, apart from Emily's company, the walks along the windy streets and lanes, the old terrace houses, some big and grand, some so narrow you wonder at the size of the rooms, and some just comfortably spacious.  The footpaths with the gardens, big old trees, weedy little plots and carefully cultivated plants.  Frangipani and Bouganvillea petals falling on the footpath, little cul de sacs, coffee and bars everywhere.  In the evening went to the movies, first time for at least a year, to see The Rams starring Sam Neill.  I was the only person in the cinema so social distancing not really a problem.  On the walk home the sky put on a stunning show of colour. 

Lots of options for walks with Jac, through the streets and Lanes, a drive down to Rushcutters Bay or Centennial Park to have a paddle and a roll in the grass.  The dogs are all quite comfortable with each other now, so it's all very relaxed.