Not just sitting around
Is there life after the pandemic? Well, we don’t know yet because this freakin’ thing just keeps giving – or to be more accurate, taking – and everyone just has to do their duty until we all get vaccinated. While Australia has been excellent at suppressing the virus and keeping infections relatively low we haven’t been nearly as good at rolling out the vaccine and rolling up our sleeve. Never mind, Julie and I have been busy in a Covid sort of way…we’re not just sitting around.
Over the last couple of months we’ve been busy at our bush property on many projects.
But the biggest project we’ve undertaken for a long time was to build some planter boxes around the front and side of our new home so we could introduce some native plants in the spring.
It started out something like this 
I had to bring in Big Red 
Of course there was a trip to Bunnings 
Plenty of engineering and digging 
The jack hammer almost killed me 
But it started to take shape
But this garden bed wrapped around the house and was about 19 metres long.
Our post hole digger had a heavy workout 
Around the corner and looking good 
The planter box is finished 
But then we had to find some good dirt
There was a lot of shovelling… 
…but after adding mulch the job was done!
We’ve been spending most of our time at our new home but we did have some fun times in Sydney.
Sunrise over Shelly Beach rock pool 
Dinner with good friends 
Not sure about this one 
The running group that is now more like a coffee group
We’ve owned our property on the other side of the Blue Mountains for more than 20 years. The wonders of this beautiful place never cease to amaze us – the stunning views, the amazing wildlife and the land’s ongoing comeback from the destructive fires 18 months ago. But in all that time Julie and I have never seen snow, not a single flake, until now. And was it a special treat!
And then, sadly, the temperature went up a degree or two, the snow turned to slushy rain and within two hours all of our winter wonderland was gone. But we’ll never forget.
Julie and I have also had the chance – when we’re not in lockdown – to go on a few drives through New South Wales’ beautiful countryside. We may be going from one place to another or just using a free day to go for a drive, there are always wonderful places to explore.
I also squeezed in some time to do a number of solo bush walks, always a good time to clear the head and breathe some fresh air.
The Royal National Park has many hidden little gems 
Ruins from the old shale oil mining in the Wolgan Valley 
Dramatic escarpment walls 
An old miner’s hut in the Wolgan Valley burned by last year’s fires 
Can’t get enough of these views
In the photo of the shoes strung over the gate, you wrote, “needs no explanation”. But seriously why do people do that? For artistic fun, perhaps?
Eric,
Crazy thing about this photo is that we found this gate in a remote place bordering Namadgi National Park. It seemed to be some artistic fun for the local graziers and farmers. You never know what little surprises you can find when you travel!
Hi Bill and Julie,
Yes I agree with Anne, that is beautiful photography. So nice to see all your work activity, engaging in social activities, touring the local country and the snow too!
Miss you both.
Eric and Deborah
Hi Eric and Deborah,
Great to hear from you! Probably just like you, we’re staying busy but looking forward to ‘normal’ life again, whatever that will be. We think of you often and look forward to catching up again sometime somewhere somehow. Stay safe!
Bill and Julie
Great to know you are both still able to enjoy our beautiful country. I love your photography and the quirky views your eye see.
Stay safe in your travels.
Love you both
Xoxo
Thanks Anne. We’re getting a bit restless but also trying to stay busy on many local projects and trips. Take care to you and Steve.