My late dad passed on, on this day 14 years ago. As I have done in recent years, I tried to put myself in his shoes, in the past few days. I tried to imagine if he had any inkling he was soon to pass on. I also tried to recall what my experience was, in those days. I often said, given a second chance, I’d love to just speak to him more. And listen. I still miss him.

It was, those memories notwithstanding, a good weekend. We spent a couple of hours on Sat morning doing some cleaning – Tress washed the bathrooms and I vacuumed – then we headed for the city, after a stopover in Doncaster for lunch. Tress had wanted to go to a park in the city and walk. We thought of Albert Lake Park, but ended up at the Tan, around the Myer Music Bowl and the Botanic Gardens. It was really nice, with scores of groups scattered across the grounds, having picnics and walks. We even had trouble finding a carpark, and had to circle the grounds a couple of times.

Later that evening, we headed home and took the little fellow for a walk, after which I lingered and watched the local cricket game.

It was St Alf’s annual general meeting on Sunday so after viewing the service, we logged on and “attended” the meeting. It was lovely to see all those faces at the end of the meeting, when everyone’s video was turned on. We then headed out for lunch and got some groceries. After doing the week’s cook, we took the little fellow out again and I then took in another cricket game. It has been lovely to just linger around at the parklands, in shorts and without a mask, watching bowlers, fielders, batsmen all contesting and being athletic and skillful with bat and ball.

Victoria is officially COVID free. Life has returned to normal, it seems. The circle has resumed. We all live again. For now, at least. That is wonderful in itself. I guess there is something to the mantra of living every moment, making every moment counts, after all.

The sound of constant and gentle rain can often bring a calming effect. As I type this entry, the rain that had started late yesterday arvo continues to soak the lawn that I had mowed on Saturday.

The James Sterling hedge had become unwieldy, with thick and luscious leaves and branches jutting out in all directions. So after the usual Saturday morning brekky of eggs on avo and toast that Tress whipped up, I pulled up the ladder, extension cables, ear mufflers, and the hedge sweeper. I dragged the green bin in from the front and started work. Some 4 hours later, the exterior of our home looked a bit neater. I said to Tress last night, as I looked out the front windows at the pouring rain, that a good soaking of a freshly mowed lawn always look good.

We had just returned from Woodend, having spent the arvo with Ruth my cousin and Jon her husband and little Micah, their charming 5 year old. We brought the little black jedi along with us. Their home is about 100km from from us, on the way to beautiful Daylesford and as the crow flies to the beautiful Macedon/Hanging Rock. Their 5 acre hobby farm home has always been an attraction for our visiting overseas or interstate relos. A dozen or so sheep, a few alpacas, chooks, fruit trees and vege garden keep them busy. These, on top of already busy lives. Ruth is a doctor with a geriatric practice and she told us how the virus has escalated her work in recent months. It has been a really stressful time for medical workers and it’s great to hear they will, at long last, have a break in a week’s time.

People are travelling again. It was Warburton for us last weekend and Woodend yesterday. It would be Bright and Phillip Island for the French family later this week. It feels good to be liberated again. Starting today, I no longer have to wear a mask when I go out for my daily walks.

At the same time however, some damage would not see any reversal. A cousin of Tress has had a cafe for many years and in recent weeks, I have been in contact to support them in their travails. Yesterday, they messaged me to say they will shut the business. It cannot be saved any longer. I said I would help with some legal loose ends. Ruth also spoke of patients that died. We also spoke about churches that saw people falling through the cracks. I said I have been disengaged with online services and many like me, may be cut off altogether, never to return.

The calming sounds of the rain outside can be mesmerizing. Calmingly so. Thank God for rain.

We took in the reclaimed freedom on Saturday, and took a drive out to Warburton. We were hoping to get to the Redwoods, but it remained close. Warburton on its own is lovely anyway, and we had stopped at Boronia to pick up a couple of pies and so when we got to Warburton, we sat next to the wonderful river and had a bit of lunch, before just strolling along the riverside, with dozens of others.

We had earlier in the morning, did some vacuuming so when we returned, the cleaned house felt fresher. We took the little fellow for a walk, before doing a quick barbie of salmon and asparagus. It was a wonderful day.

On Sunday, Tress had one of those ethereal events so I cooked the week’s lunches, before just idling and winding down for another really restful day. I wandered across to the oval, and sat down on the grass with a beer in hand, as I watched two local teams bowling and batting away. The guys with the leather appeared to be doing better than those wielding the willow, and the half dozen or so overs I was there, saw 5 wickets tumbled.

Later in the day, we messaged the Canberrans about the Christmas plans. I’m hopeful of a wonderful time then.

Having had a really lovely weekend, it is with despair as I read that the virus is expanding its grip in the US and Europe. The US has seen close to 180,000 new daily infections as of last Friday, and I wonder what drastic measures the health regulators there need to be recommending. I can only imagine the despair Americans would experience. The hopeful news of viable vaccines seem so much more significant now. As we head towards warmer months here down under, and move away from the grip of the virus, I hope folks elsewhere find respite in some ways.

United State of Victoria, we have finally become. No longer bound and hemmed in by the “ring of steel”, or the 25km radius restriction that has kept Melburnians separated from the rest of Victoria for such a long time.

The air has cleared and the mood has palpably changed for the better. I feel better now. I’m in a better space – far better than I have been in recent months. It feels like the grip of the virus has loosened and we can, at long last, shake off its hold on us. It still hovers however, so we continue to don our masks, wash our hands, carry sanitizers with us, and be wary in public indoor places with lots of people.

I guess the best of all, is the fact that Tress and I can now put together a plan to be with Kiddo and Mic over the Christmas period. That is certainly something to look forward to.

Over the weekend, we did stuff that somehow, reflected that better mood. The lawns look very tidy now, and the spot on the edge of the front lawn that was cleared of a dying shrub in recent weeks, is now planted with a couple of new flowering shrubs. We went to Bunnings yesterday and picked up those plants, along with a couple of other gardening stuff. I also did some cooking, and dropped off a few meals for the a couple we know, who recently went on the “Meal Train” program that we’re on.

Tress and I have also been to a local Malaysian cafe over the weekend, and for two consecutive days. The food was good, but even better was the fact that we could go out and have our meals in situ at the cafe.

A remaining major milestone I look forward to now, is to be at St Alfred’s again, seeing other members and singing, and participating in the service together again. For now however, I am ever so grateful for what that has been restored to us.