I don’t usually take my camera when I walk Cindy. I find it difficult to hold on to her leash and take photos at the same time. I have tried it with my phone a few times but I can never get the phone camera to cooperate and usually end up getting mad at it.

This morning the weather was pleasant but rain was forecast for later so I thought I had better take Cindy out before lunch. I had the camera in my hand because I had been taking photos in the garden and I just couldn’t be bothered to go and put it away while Cindy was dancing around because I had the leash in the other hand. I decided to take it with me.

I stopped to take some pictures of the trees in the garden of the Pear Tree cafe. Sadly, the cafe is closed at present but they have some of the few deciduous trees around here in the garden where the monthly market was held.

I was only going to go as far as the beach. I wanted to photograph the playground which is also closed, and photograph the barriers and signs. Seriously these barriers wouldn’t keep anyone out. A small child could walk under them. Nobody uses the playground though. When I meet people out walking we say hello but we don’t stop and chat and we keep our distance even crossing the two bridges over the creek. If someone is on one anyone coming along will wait to cross.

• 

• 

Down at the beach, the tide was in. I decided to walk Cindy as far as the Stockdale Street stairs. There was hardly anyone around and she was behaving well so I took a few more pictures. Even the gulls appear to be practising social distancing.

Later I saw some surfers. It was nice to see two father and son pairs heading out for a surf. At least the enforced time at home means more family time for some.

• 

• 

• 

I took photos of some of the old stairways to the beach which have been damaged by various storm events. Apparently, coastal erosion is quite a problem here and prior to lockdown, there was an active Landcare group planting new trees to try and counteract the problem. The new stairs were completed last year not long before we came here.

After climbing the stairs we headed down one of the many walkways that lead to the beach and walked back along Irby Boulevard, over the creek and home. Cindy was satisfied with her outing and I was happy to have over 60 photos to process.

And now, it’s raining.