I started 2021 in a hopeful frame of mind and for most of it, things seemed to be going quite well despite Covid. We lived more or less normal lives, becoming accustomed to things like QR codes, checking in to places and using hand sanitiser everywhere. We had no Covid in Tasmania this year until two weeks ago when our borders were opened to all states, even those with Covid hotspots. This coincided with the arrival of Omicron. Now we have several hundred cases in the state and have to wear masks indoors in public places. The case numbers around the country are going up and I just don’t know where it will all end. Many of the things that I was looking forward to doing may not be possible for some time and those we can do I won’t enjoy as much. I don’t feel comfortable going to big events where I may contract the virus and I am still trying to find a way to wear a mask without getting my glasses all steamed up. It seems that I must choose between being safe and being able to see where I am going.

Well, enough of Covid. What else happened this year? I did manage to get back to my volunteer job at the Visitor Information Centre, “The Wonders of Wynyard”. It’s not been very busy with few interstate visitors able to come to Tasmania but it has given me a good opportunity to learn on the job as my training was cut short by the pandemic. I do really love going there. I have always really enjoyed helping visitors. I had a little taste of it when I worked for the railways in Adelaide. When I worked at the station I’d often be asked for directions or to recommend things to do even though I was working as a cleaner. That was why I decided to go into the hospitality industry after leaving the railways. I was not qualified, nor did I want to be a tour guide but I did enjoy the interaction with visitors that I got as a housekeeper. Working as a Volunteer Information Officer has been a lot of fun.

I was saddened earlier in the year to hear of the death of my friend Graham. I had not seen him since moving to Sisters Beach two years ago but we kept in touch by email. Graham’s death was sudden and unexpected and unfortunately, I was unable to go to his memorial service in the Huon Valley. I still miss him and think about him often.

Naomi has not been that well since moving here. She had been suffering with chronic pain for quite some time due to age- and work-related injuries but for the last six months she has been especially uncomfortable. This wasn’t helped by the first doctor she went to after moving here, as he didn’t listen to her or try to help her manage them and in the end, he was so rude to her that we just decided to find someone else. She now has found a doctor she trusts and has a care plan being put in place so things should improve next year we hope.

The other positive thing that happened this year was that Naomi sold her house and moved to Sisters Beach full time. She actually moved in July but the house was only sold last month after being on the market for less than a week. We can now move ahead getting more work done on this house and buying a few things for it.

As you all know we recently experienced a bushfire here at Sisters Beach. Luckily as it happened early in the season there were plenty of resources available to fight the fire and it was under control within a week. It was frightening seeing the flames at night as it wasn’t too far from us in the National Park. We were lucky this time.

2021 hasn’t been the easiest year for blogging. I am very grateful for the bloggers who post writing and photography challenges which have helped a lot to keep me motivated. I have not had many opportunities to go places and take new photographs or write about them and that has often made me feel frustrated. We do hope to do some drives this summer to other Tasmanian towns but I think it will be a very long time before we’ll go on an overnight trip or go interstate.

We still have all our pets including Cindy who will be turning sixteen in March. She has arthritis in her back legs now and moves rather stiffly at times but still manages to get up to mischief emptying rubbish bins and stealing treats if left at home alone.

So that was 2021. On the whole I’m glad to see the back of it although I don’t have a lot of optimism that 2022 will be better at this stage. Time will tell. I’m afraid that this post has been a bit of a downer. I don’t usually dwell on the negative as I like to keep the blog upbeat, a place where I can focus on the good things in life but this has been a tough one.

Thank you to all of our readers old and new who have continued to visit this blog even when there hasn’t been much new content to see.

Happy New Year to all of you, may 2022 be a better year.