I made it three full house lengths down my street before slapping my palm across my nose and mouth, turning around and heading back home for the mask I’d forgotten. Sigh.
Clearly, I was in a whole other era when I got up and headed out. I was feeling super content … and it felt weird … and then I realised why. Easy breathing!
I righted my slip-up immediately and nobody was about when I left the house. Still, apologies for my forgetfulness fellow humans. I won’t do that again.
As I headed out for the second time, this time wearing a mask, I could hear a light thudding in the distance behind me. A minute later, St Kevin’s Rowing Boy trotted past, running on the grass so as to keep his distance.
Across the road a man appeared from around the corner. He was wearing black shorts and a black t-shirt. He was huffing and puffing like a champ. He’d clearly sprinted up the street to the top of the hill and his arms were set like a doll’s, only bent at the elbows, palms outstretched. He was wearing sunglasses which only made him look more man-sized doll-like. He could have been a super-hero or something. I’m not quite sure.
As he disappeared in the opposite direction I looked ahead. A man in blue jeans and a red-t-shirt was walking with his (black) dog. I could hear the familiar jeering of birds and quickly realised it was the Indian Mynas from the other day. They were swooping the man and his pup relentlessly. They crossed the road to avoid them, but to no avail. Clearly those birds are hooligans. A street gang, even.
Ahead of me, two older women walked beneath the giant gums that edge the park, their heads bowed in conversation.
Lady one: Black leggings, black puffer vest, blue long-sleeved top.
Lady two: purple polar fleece, black slacks.
Both: bed hair, the usual ugly morning sneakers.
It was so bright and sunny this morning the giant stretch of grass was lit up. It was glowing a strange pastel green when it was really the brightest green, underneath all that early morning spring sunshine.
I wandered over to the between-houses park and along the pathway.
A tree-load of galahs were crowing and calling and clicking, nibbling berries and having quite the chatty brunch.
I was walking extra-slowly today because it was just so beautiful outside.
I crossed the road and then walked across the grass, looking down at my feet for a little while. I imagined I was heading to a picnic (croissants and hot chocolates, perhaps?) and that everything was back to normal.
Everything felt crisp and warm and jasmine scent floated on the breeze.
Sometimes it’s good to give your brain a little holiday, I think, even for just a minute.
As I got closer to home I spotted a crested pigeon pecking at its breakfast on the nature strip. I stopped to talk to her and then she flew away. I was wearing my yellow rain jacket so perhaps I looked like a giant banana? That would make me fly away too.
I went home after that, carefully snapping a sprig of jasmine from the 148200 that were hanging over a fence near my house. Sorry-not-sorry for that.
Such a lovely meander around your hood. Those myna’s were definitely on a mission. I enjoyed your walk while having my morning cup of tea and watching our resident mudlark dip food in the bird bath to soften for her young. Have a great day. Xx