Jigsaws...and Venice !!

Hi Readers,

As some might know, my wife and I are in a type of isolation for a little while, and not because of Covid.

In order to keep as far away from Covid as possible we need to keep to ourselves where we are, and being someone who can't sit still to save myself, I need to continually find ways to keep occupied.

The first two weeks weren't that hard as I was on my own, so I just took off every day for hours riding, running and walking around Melbourne. Now it is different as I can no longer do that and need to occupy myself in the place we are staying at.

One thing I have found that keeps me interested and kills time are jigsaws. I was always of the view that they weren't for me, but boy have I been proven wrong.

I recently went shopping for some, but I wanted ones that held special significance.

As we are both avid travellers and have been so fortunate to have travelled extensively, I found a jigsaw of a place that is definitely in our Top 10 of places we have visited.

Venice!!

We have been here twice, so it has special significance and memories for us.

I was immediately struck by the waterways and the usual images that we always see of Venice, but after spending even more time there I grew to love the myriad of narrow alleys and obscure shops and cafes that just appear from nowhere.

Yes, it is crowded, but one does not always need to be where all the tourists are ( and I'm one of them too!!)

The Gand Canal jigsaw brought back so many memories, and I was only going to post photos of what I had done so far ( Wow, that's exciting I hear you thinking...NOT !), but after scrolling through some of my photos of our trips there I just kept finding photos I wanted to share.

Trust me, it was hard to limit myself to just these!!

This is what it will eventually look like, unless I lose a piece ( read previous post about this!!)

Step 1- Empty the pieces.

 

Step 2 - Do the edges. Always looking for the easy option. I also put all the water pieces in a pile.  There are too many!!

Step 3 - Start somewhere !!! 

I keep going over if there are ads on tv or just for a quick fix every so often.

Stay tuned to see how it goes.

So Readers, this was meant to be all that my post was to be about, but as I said earlier, I got carried away and had to share just some of my favourite pics and moments from our trips to Venice.

Feel free to read on or check out, or even live crazily, and leave a message or memory of places you have been to!! I'd love to read them!!

Another corner on the Grand Canal.

One of my favourite photos, sunset in Venice.

Another sunset in Venice.

Our son Sam flew down from London to introduce us to his new partner, Phoebe. They are now parents of our first beautiful Grandchild, Henry, who we absolutely adore.

It's amazing how the buildings and the water are just so close.

The foreshore at Venice, market stalls everywhere.

It's not just the grand streets and plazas that are attractive. It's just seeing how people live their day to day lives here that is great to see.

A worker has just delivered a load to a shop early in the morning.

When lost, consult the phone and then see who is "the most right"!!

It may not be the Grand Canal, or showing off lots of flashy houses, but this is what it looks like in the majority of canals. Some are as wide as this, others incredibly narrow.

It's not always travel by Gondola here. We made use of the water taxis a lot to travel to the other islands nearby, and to the airport.

On our first trip, we didn't stay in a hotel, but in a school !! Yep, I hear you saying 'That's weird" , but we wanted to do something different. By taking tourists in (only a few each night) it gives the school extra money and supports them. Being teachers, it had extra significance for us. We were able to have a look around once the kids were not there, and great care is taken to ensure that tourists and kids do not cross paths.

However, we did get a few frights at night when we were wandering around and a nun would suddenly appear out of nowhere in the dark.

All in all, a great experience.

And what does one do after such an amazing trip through Europe for a few weeks?

Create a book of course !!

This is a keepsake that we will always treasure, remembering how fortunate we have been to have had this experience.

Well Readers,

A post that was a lot longer than planned, and believe me when I say that I could easily bang on more about Venice, and any other place we have been to !!

Until my next post...

Cheers !!😁

 Out and About in Melbourne - The Novak Djokovic saga!!

Hi Readers,

Well I haven't posted for a few days after going ballistic and posting a number of posts in less than 24 hours.

Priorities have changed somewhat since a family member has been discharged from hospital and I'm now the primary carer. 

While I had been on my own I had the opportunity to go for many walks, runs and rides around Melbourne as I needed to fill my time somehow. It was always amazing to take note of the various things I'd see that I'd normally miss or just take for granted.

One of the biggest news items here in Australia, and especially in Melbourne since last Thursday has been the Novak Djocovik visa saga.

People from all walks of life have their own views about whether or not he should be allowed to stay or be sent home. I've got my own views on this but I'm not going to use this platform to air them. We are all entitled to our views and I respect that.

While coming home from one such walk I was approached by a lady in the street with a microphone and camera, who ever so politely asked me if I'd care to share my views on the Djokovic ordeal, something I didn't mind to do at all as I had nothing else to do.

She asked about ten or so questions that were very interesting and which made me think carefully, and through my answers we soon discovered that she came from the same place where I live. What a small world!!

We said our goodbyes and went our seperate ways, and after a few minutes it suddenly dawned on me... "Who was she representing and what was going to be done with my responses?"

She wasn't wearing a uniform and didn't identify herself as belonging to any organisation, so at first I was a bit worried. But then I thought that I hadn't said anything untoward or offensive in my responses, so there was nothing that was going to have the KGB, North Korean Secret Police, the CIA or ASIO coming after me, so I just let it it go and forgot all about it.

Until the next day.

One of my brothers who lives in Brisbane sent me a message to say that he had seen me on BBC News that morning!!

Apparently, this lady was a reporter who was gathering responses from 'everyday Australians' about what was happening with Novak Djokovic. Only one of my responses was aired, which was to be expected, for if they showed all the responses from the various people interviewed the clip would be hours long!! 

https://youtu.be/qi9as6jXt-Y

The next day I went out again (not searching for someone to interview me again!!) and on the way home I thought I'd walk past the hotel where Djokovic had been placed the night before.

Overseas readers, at this point I need to make you aware that this former hotel is now being used to house refugees and people who are waiting to have their entrance into Australia validated.

Many of these people have been housed here for a number of years, with little prospect of being released in the foreseeable future. 

What struck me immediately was the very large police presence interspersed from about a block away from the hotel. They were obviously very well prepared for any trouble at all, which has unfortunately been a feature of Melbourne quite a lot in the past few months as anti lockdown demonstrations have gotten out of hand.

In this case it was pleasing to see some of the protesters casually chatting to the police, rather than being vocal and threatening. The police were even able to chat calmly with the protesters, all in all it was a win for both sides. These protesters were there to complain about the ongoing detention of refugees in the hotel, and how they were being forgotten, while it was perceived that Djokovic was receiving undue preferential treatment.

More protesters going in to bat for Djokovic were expected at around midday, so there was obviously some tension for when the two groups eventually collided.

Thankfully, later on in the day we found that everything went smoothly for all groups.

Then there were the camera crews. Everywhere.

And journalists dressed in all their finery waiting around to do that special 'on the spot ' report.

Of course there were the usual nuffies standing in view behind the reporters making hand signals and stupid faces and waving placards ( with spelling errors!! There's the teacher in me coming out!). The patience of these reporters is to be commended.

The outside of the hotel. If you zoom in you may see the signs in the windows displayed from other detainees. Overnight the focus centred on just one detainee who might only spend a few nights in here. I wonder if the spotlight will soon focus on everyone else in there as well.

The camera crews every few metres.

 Note the graffiti on the building and signs in the windows.

Another view of the building. Zoom in to see more of the police  presence.

And Finally, some pure gold!!!

And finally, this is the moment when I felt like Charley Bucket when he scored the final Golden Ticket to visit the Wonka Chocolate Factory!!

I was walking past a chemist and I saw a lady rush in carrying a large box that she had just taken out of her car.

Odd I thought. Normally people carry a box OUT of a shop, rather than INTO the shop.

Trying my luck, I stepped in and casually asked if they had any Rapid Antigen Tests ( which are as rare as Golden Wonka Tickets in Melbourne and everywhere else at the moment)

Sure enough, that was what the lady had just carried in. What perfect timing!!!

After purchasing the one box that I was allowed to buy I bolted back to my apartment, keeping it disguised just in case I got mugged for it!!

Hopefully, I won't have to use it, but with the way things are going here I'm just about resigned to catching Covid at some stage, as much as I don't want to with all the steps I'm taking to avoid it.

Well Readers,

The next few days will be very telling for us all in regards to Covid, so let's just do our best.

Until my next post...

Cheers!!  😁

 Doh!!!!!😫😩😩

Hi Readers,

Yep. I hear you.

3 posts in less than a day!!!

This guy must be losing it!!

Well, to be honest, I'm in a situation where I am killing time on my own all day, so apart from getting out for exercise I now have time to add to my blog.

So what is this post about???

Last week I had been out for some exercise, and when I got back to where I am staying I was just about to get into the lift when my phone gave the 'ping' text alert sound.

I tend not to dismiss any text right now for any time at all due to what is happening at the moment, so I quickly got my phone out to see what it was about.

As I am also a wearer of glasses, I needed to put them on to read the text.

Can any of you see where this is going???????

Picture this as it happens....

I'm stepping into the lift, my head is down and looking into my phone ( just like those irritating pedestrians in my last post!!)

I'm a bit sweaty after my exercise, meaning my glasses do not have their usual solid grip.

I can still see the following in slow motion, as I could just see what was bound to happen.

Just as I step into the lift my glasses slide off my head and drop.

They land perpendicular to the gap between the lift and the landing on which I was standing. Great!!!

← The gap 😩

BUT... they bounce up a little bit and turn 90 degrees and start to fall again. Right into the gap!!!

Surely they won't fit, and I'll be able to grab them???

Nup. They decide to fit perfectly through the gap and drop down before I can even try to kick them away from the gap. If I tried a million times to drop them through the gap myself I'm sure I'd fail a million times. This just wasn't my day!!

If it was a golf shot the ball would not have even touched the rim of the cup!!

I then got my phone out, and made sure that I kept it and everything else that could potentially drop away from the gap. The torch feature is then used to peer down the gap, and there they are, my glasses resting on the floor underneath the lift, perfectly intact. 

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!!

The elation that they were still intact was soon overtaken by thoughts of "How do I get them out of there?"

Thoughts of a stick with blutak on the end crossed my mind, but I was convinced that there was no way in the world that they would cooperate with me and come back up the gap just as easily as they went down.

There is a door that opens to the space under the lift, but due to the Christmas/New Year break, there were no staff on hand to assist.

However, being an optimistic person ( and being somewhat prepared beforehand) I made sure that I didn't take my good glasses with me, the ones that I use all the time that are quite expensive. These were an older pair that I save for when I go out riding/running/walking that I could live without should something like this happen, not that I wanted to lose them anyway. 

Yes, I was disappointed to lose them, but I was also somewhat pleased that it wasn't my good pair. I'd be devastated to lose them!!!!

I've checked with the staff this morning and they have assured me that when the lift mechanics come in for the monthly maintenance they can be retrieved. Phew!!!

I can guarantee that whenever I approach the lift now I make sure that nothing is loose or potentially able to be dropped through the gap. If it was my phone or keys I'd be in a world of pain as I definitely can't get by without them at the moment.

A harsh lesson, but a valuable one in learning to be ever so cautious with one's possessions in situations where they could be lost or damaged.

So Readers,

Until my next post,

Cheers 😁

People Spotting

 Hi Readers,

This would have to be a record, two posts in a day!!

I told you in my last post that I was pretty bored with a lot of time on my hands, so I need to occupy myself.

For the past few days I have been located in Melbourne in a unit on my own. Each day I have been permitted to visit the nearby hospital for two visits a day for an hour each time, however this has been on hold for the past 5 days due to Covid.

So what does one do when alone in a small unit for a whole day, while at the same time maintaining social distancing?

Luckily I have always been keen on maintaining my fitness, so getting out for long walks and bike rides has been a great way to keep my sanity.

But I have begun to notice a lot of things as I have been out and about, some amusing, and others completely frustrating!! People watching is an amazing thing to do while out exercising, and what I have seen some people do has made me laugh, shake my head, mutter under my breath and just wonder about the stupidity of some!!!

Walking and Running

Back in the day, I was lucky enough to be able to go for long runs regularly, but these days I am fairly restricted due to various injuries and ailments in my legs. (All self inflicted I must confess)

Exercise is long, brisk walks and slow shuffles up and down hills that for some reason doesn't seem to affect me as much.

From where I am in my unit I've been able to bypass the city and head to a track around the Botanical Gardens called 'The Tan', which is 3.8 km long. Just about everyone in Melbourne seems to be there some days, but so am I, so I can't complain.

What I love about this is that you see every type of person exercising, from every age to every shape. I must admit that my exercise gear could do with an upgrade after seeing what some people wear.

I swear, some people must spend hours doing themselves up and coordinating their gear just so they look "right" to do The Tan. And also making sure that they carry the obligatory coffee!!!

As for me, I get by in my faded running shorts and Colbinabbin Football Club singlet, and no doubt get disapproving looks from all the 'Dahlings' who look like they have just stepped off the catwalk!! Plus I'm hot and sweaty. That's not a great look!!!

At least around The Tan there is room to move and overtake, not that I overtake many.

Walking around the streets is another problem.

Rant warning here...Only read on at your own peril!!

Why do:

Groups of people insist on walking 5 abreast on the footpath, and then not making way for anyone to:

(a) Overtake them without needing to step onto the road or collide with oncoming pedestrians.

(b) Walk at a pace while still 5 abreast that makes a sundial shadow look like lightning!!

Why do:

(a) People insist on having their heads down into their phones while walking along the footpath, then act shocked when you just about crash into them, and have to feign an apology. (Well I don't anymore, I just growl at them!!😡)

(b) Have their heads in phones when crossing at lights ? Especially as so many cars and bikes ignore the red lights. They wonder why you bump into them, and also wonder why cars are on their horns as many of these people just step onto crossings regardless of what colour the lights are.

So, pedestrians on phones...Don't get me started!!!!!!

Cycling

Yes, I can hear some of you...Cyclists should be banned, cyclists should pay registration, cyclists should do this/that etc.

As a cyclist I hear what you are saying, as some give the rest of us a bad name.

Even I admit that I'm hardly a supermodel when I don my lycra!!!!

The past few days I have been riding on a designated bike path along the foreshore from Port Melbourne to St Kilda. Adjacent to it is a VERY WIDE PATH for pedestrians.

Why then, do groups of people feel the need to block the bike path, and then have heart attacks when you yell out to them to move out of the way? Or just stepping onto the bike path without looking, and wondering why you nearly crash into them? Or other riders who feel that riding in the wrong lane is acceptable, and that 3 abreast is not a problem?

And cars that suddenly brake in the bike lane to drop off/pick up someone....aaarrgghh!!!!!🤬

One needs to ride with both hands on the brakes just in case of a collision.

My attitude is to accept that person up ahead will step in front of me, or that car will cut me off.

When I got my motorbike license I was told two things that have stuck with me, and that I also adopt when cycling.

(1) Ride like you are invisible.

(2) What can't hit you can't hurt you.

I suppose it just means to accept the worst habits and actions of people in order to stay safe.

I saw a dad riding with 2 young kids down Elizabeth St ( a very busy Melbourne street for the overseas readers) They were about 100m from the intersection and the lights went from Green to Amber. Rather than slow down and stop, he just screamed at his kids to ride harder and go through the intersection. He was about 20m ahead of them, and by the time he entered the intersection the lights were red. Then he screamed for his kids to ride through as well, just as cars were entering. They were terrified and screaming, but got through. I could see all the other pedestrians who witnessed this staring in shock, and wondering how on earth their dad could be so STUPID and how lucky they were to have made it through in the end. Temporary Australians perhaps???

I must admit that I was prompted to write about this after a chat with a good friend from home, Damian Carew who mentioned that now I should know how motorists feel about cyclists!!!! Thanks Kruger!!!!

Rant over.

Sorry about that!!!

I won't be able to go for a ride now for a little while, I need to cool my jets!!!

Incidental Observations...

Now that I've had my rant, let me finish on a good note!

There are just so many things to see and take note of when wandering the streets of Melbourne, especially if you don't live here.

So, in no particular order, some incidental observations that clearly caught my attention...

1. The Tram Man.

I was waiting at a set of lights at a big intersection, with a tram stop nearby.

Picture it. The tram had pulled up, it was looking like it was ready to go. A young bloke across the road came sprinting up to the intersection, clearly trying to catch THAT tram. The lights go red. He looks panicked. He's surely going to miss it. BUT...being the dutiful citizen that he was, he waited for the lights to go green so that he could cross the road (I would have bolted across the red light I'll have to admit 🙄) They go green, he sprints, the tram doors close, he sprints harder. I could feel myself willing him to make it, but the tram starts ever so slowly to move. My heart sank, and so did his as he slowed down.

But so did the tram! And it stopped. And the doors opened! The young man bolted again and got on. The driver deserves a medal for kindness as he could have just as easily kept going. Just watching it happen seemed like it was in slow motion, I was weighing up his chances and possibilities and had a silent fist pump when he actually made it. 

It made me feel good.

2. The Heathy Lady

On my daily hospital visits, I walk past a business with a name that is something like 'Body and Health Creation' or along those lines.

Clearly a business that is devoted to one's health.

On a number of occasions I have seen a lady out the front wearing a lanyard ( could she be a worker there? Who knows, as there are a few businesses in the building) chowing down on a cigarette like there was no tomorrow. And coughing her lungs out as she walked back into the building. It made me look twice, because it was just the complete opposite to what the business represented. I'm not sure I'd go for some 'health creation' after seeing someone on the darts so determinedly. A cloud of smoke and a person who clearly didn't seem to be enjoying what she was doing.

3. Seagull Feast

A few days ago I was walking past Federation Square in Melbourne, and a bloke was carrying around 4-5 buckets of hot chips that were in a bag. Suddenly the bottom of the bag gave way, and the chips went everywhere. Instantly there was a pile of chips on the ground and I (and by the looks of it, many other people) could see the bloke trying to decide whether to try and scoop them up off the ground. Instantly a horde of seagulls invaded and were into them. After a moment of staring blankly at the chips, wondering what to do, he just shrugged his shoulders, bravely reached into the pile to retrieve the by now empty cardboard buckets to put into the bin, and left the seagulls to their feast. I could just feel everyone who witnessed it feeling so sorry for this poor bloke. His look of resignation was clearly palpable.

To rub salt into the wound, an older lady came up with another bucket of chips and emptied her remaining contents onto the ever diminishing pile that this bloke had so involuntarily created.

Picture Linus and his blanket from the Charlie Brown cartoons, this is what the bloke looked like as he walked off.

He looked defeated.

And so too were the people who he was obviously buying the chips for!!

4. Exercise Tracking

Let me point out something from the start.

This is not a paid or unpaid promotion for any app or business. (Not that they would be reading this anyway)

As I'm getting out walking and riding so much at the moment, I like to keep a record of my stats.

Strava is good for this, and it enables you to beat your own efforts, and that of others if you are into competing. 

It's good to look at the maps of where I have been on the bike, especially when I go through and around places and areas I've never been before.

I can follow the progress of other people, and it's just interesting to see what they are doing and where they go for their physical pursuits.

Another record keeper is the Health app on my iphone.

A great way to compare steps for each day (I'm not into steps, I focus on the distance instead) and look at so many ways your efforts are dissected.

Many would argue the accuracy of these apps, but for me it is a relative guide, and just gives extra motivation to keep going.

I'm lucky to be able to get out and exercise, so I'll continue to embrace them.

  My favourite hill to run up and down in the Botanical Gardens. I'm channelling my inner "Forrest Gump" 🚶‍♂️

Getting some good Km's in lately on the hoof!

An example of a Strava recording. The same can be done for just going for a walk.

Me with my trusty new bike, just perfect for the streets of Melbourne.

Well Readers,

Two hits in the one day. Hopefully it won't be a few weeks before the next post!!

Now I'm off for a walk, run and ride. 🚶‍♂️.  🏃‍♂️. 🚴‍♂️

Until my next post,

Cheers 😁

 

Jigsaws !!!

 Hi Readers,

Once again I open up with an apology for not posting for so long, but things have been pretty hectic the last few months in the swank offices of "The Bernard Files"

Due to a family illness, I have needed to take leave from my work as a school teacher for an extended period of time. This has been the case since early August and will continue on for some time.

As a result, I have had a lot of time on my hands at different periods, and being someone who can't sit still at the best of times, I have needed to find ways to occupy myself.

I guess we all have things that we say we are going to do, and I've been lucky to have achieved many of these.

Among them. ...

Run a marathon - Tick. A number of times

Bungee Jump - Tick. What was I thinking???

Overseas travel - Many ticks. Will never forget how lucky I have been, and the places I have seen.

Owning a Jeep - Tick. For some reason I had always wanted one. It was a great car.

Owning a motorbike - Tick. Tick. Onto my 2nd bike. My current bike is just so good to ride, can't see myself parting with it for a long time.

Learn to play the guitar - No tick here. I wasn't patient enough!!

Work in a bank - Tick. I don't know why, but all through my teens that's all I wanted to do. Once I left school I did it for a year and hated it.

Become a teacher - Tick. I must have liked this because I've been doing it for 36 years!!

Complete the Hawaiian Ironman course - No tick. My body wouldn't allow it now anyway!!

So, these are just a few of many things that I have done or have wanted to do. I'd love to hear some of yours!!

As I have been on my own and in some sort of isolation for a while, I am finding other ways to occupy myself.

          Jigsaws

My first task was to complete a 2 000 piece jigsaw that my wife gave me for Christmas in 2020.

I started off like a house on fire and did all the edges first and thought I was the King of Jigsaws. Then I saw the enormity of the task ahead of me and thought "What have i committed myself to??" I then sorted the pieces into containers that I presumed were in similar parts of the picture, trouble was, I needed about 12 containers!!😖

Needless to say, it quietly got placed under the couch "for another day". That day came about 10 months later when I found myself at home alone quite a lot and needed to kill time.

I must say at this point that the jigsaw was a map of the world, and as I have always wanted to travel, this has special meaning to me as I just love looking at world maps. We even have one in our lounge room.

After biting the bullet and pulling it out again, I set it up on our dining room table (rendering it unusable for quite a few weeks!!)

I was surprised at how addictive it was to work on it. What I think really motivated me was that I was rediscovering memories from places that Jenny (my wife) had been, and where our boys had been on their travels. It was not uncommon for me to do "just a few more pieces" before I went to bed, only to find myself still at it 2 hours later. I couldn't believe how quickly time flew when I was working on it. Even just walking past it would tempt me to add just a few pieces, and next minute I have been at it for more than an hour!!!

There was the challenge of actually getting it done, coupled with testing my own knowledge of where specific places were in the world. There was one piece in particular that I was 100% convinced belonged in Australia, only to figure out a few weeks later that it was part of Madagascar!!! 

And I'll confess that I cheated a little by using Google Maps from time to time to get an idea where certain pieces belong !!

So, here are some shots I took along the way.

Pay close attention to the last photo, and if you can, leave a one word comment about what you would say if this happened to you.

The problem is still in the unsolved basket 🤬!!

I was hesitant about doing this jigsaw, but absolutely loved it.

Two more jigsaws have been purchased showing places where Jen and I have travelled and are among our favourite places ever.

 In the beginning...

Just starting to find where the continents are.

Getting the "easier" parts done, not that there were many !

Getting the land done, avoiding the ocean !

    Bit, by bit...

I

By now I was beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel !

 I had been avoiding the ocean for obvious reasons !!

                                    Nearly there !! By now I was trying just about every piece                                      for each spot.

The finished product !!!     Almost 😡 🤬

. I'm saving them for when she rejoins me soon and we will have lots of time on our hands to use up. Also, just the discussions with her as we complete them will no doubt rekindle even more memories of our trips away.

Well Readers,

I had originally planned to write about something completely different, but once I got started on the jigsaw story... well, you can see what happens!!

Would love to hear some of your own stories, please feel free to comment.

Until my next post (that was meant to be this one! )

Cheers 😁