Since returning from Queensland a lot has happened. Two biggies really. Of course THE PANDEMIC and my retirement.
In middle March on arriving back to work I had a sore throat. Not unusual for me but because I had taken two flights from Queensland stopping over just briefly in Sydney, my workplace wanted me to take two weeks leave – just to make sure. At that time it was very difficult to get tested so I self isolated at home. It wasn’t too bad as I had a yard and plenty of room to move. With WiFi, TV, Netflix and plenty of travel books it was a nice down time. By the time I went back to work, the country was in lock down. The library was operating but closed to the public. We washed and sanitized our hands till they sparkled and socially distanced at all times and work continued. We began a click and collect service. As restrictions tightened the library ceased the click and collect and introduced postal delivery. Packing the book orders was a huge amount of work for us but we were still working. It was during this time that voluntary redundancies were offered and so I took one. On July 3 I joined the ranks of the unemployed. It had always been my goal to travel overseas once I retired so that being out I realized that travel within Australia was my only option. I was eager to visit family and my brand new grandson Leo in Queensland. Then Queensland closed its border as did S.A. and W.A. and my world and options became smaller still. Within a matter of what seemed like moments my travel world shrunk again as Melbourne was placed into stage 4 lock down. Not only could I not leave Melbourne I was confined to within a 5 kilometre radius of home and allowed out for one hour daily to exercise. No complaints though, I am well and eventually the country and the rest of the world will slowly open up again.
I was reminded through a FB memory that it was 1 year ago that David and I began our Camino Frances walk. How the world has changed since then.
It is not as though I have been completely shackled to home. I could still indulge in my favourite pastime of walking though at times it has been limited. So here are a selection of short walks around Melbourne before and during the various stages of restrictions.
Thornbury to City
One of my favourite walks from Thornbury is walking into the city and it would be remiss of me to treat High St just as a way of getting from Point A to B. I never tire of walking this street. So starting at the corner of Darebin Rd and High St Thornbury the first landmark we come to is the Welcome to Thornbury. On the car park wall facing towards the city is a beautiful mural.
Along High St the mix of the old and the new is everywhere. Ground floors have been renovated with the upper floors sometimes neglected but retaining old world charm. Busy footpath cafes restrict easy walking and on weekends patrons sit enjoying a leisurely brunch with dogs at their feet.
At Ruckers Hill Lookout in Westgarth I love the view of the city with the brick chimneys of the houses standing tall and proud in image of the buildings behind. And another reminder of the way things were.
On entering Clifton Hill at the Bridge over the Merri Creek High St becomes Queens Parade. With the recent rains the creek water has become muddy and fast flowing.
This is the first part of my walk to Clifton Hill. From here there are a variety of ways into the city and a huge variety of destinations.
Clifton Hill Railway Station
Clifton Hill Railway Station never fails to bring a smile to my face. I realised that I had lost my Myki Card. It was a registered card and after checking online I realised that someone from Hoppers Crossing had found my card and was using it. I changed it to lost and because it was registered I could get it replaced at a Myki Hub. I was walking into the city the next day and decided I would take a very small detour to the Clifton Hill Railway Station and replace it there.
It was a very warm day and after 3 K’s of very fast walking I arrived at the station in huff and puff mode and to put it nicely perspiring profusely. I stood at the little ticket window and to explain the reason for my condition I told the little portly man that I had just walked from Thornbury and that puff puff I would like to replace my lost myki card. We don’t do that here he stated brusquely and walked off. Oh I stated to his retreating back, I read online that I could do it at a Myki hub. He didn’t turn back.
A tall dark slim younger man replaced the older man at the window. He smiled warmly at me and told me that they weren’t a hub and that there was a hub at Southern Cross Station. Oh Ok I thanked him and told him I would go to Southern Cross now and get it. You will need a Myki Card to get into the city he told me helpfully. That’s Ok I explained I’ll walk, I already have four cards at home I don’t need another one. His smile remained. I’ll give you a card with enough money on it to get you to the city and he continued to smile. I hesitated, I had planned to walk anyway but he was so nice and trying to be so helpful. I remembered what David had said once. If someone offers you their seat on the train or tram don’t refuse because they might not offer it to the next person who really needs it. With that logic in mind I graciously accepted his offer. He also turned a thumbs down for the Clifton Hill Station into a big thumbs up.
