I want to celebrate Australia on a day, no, on more than one day actually. Perhaps I do so every day. I feel this is the place that has given me the ability to live my best life with a set of values that I undoubtedly share with the country. It’s not often one can say that. A new image painted on a bridge.

My neighbourhood is dead quiet today. A far cry from some years ago when there was much celebration but people have moved away and circumstances have changed for many on this day. I want to celebrate Australia but not at the expense of anyone else and the argument has now been raging for a while. The 26th of January is seen as invasion day by Aboriginal people, Australia’s first inhabitants. Their perspective for this day is very different from most of the latter day citizens of this vast continent. Perhaps a personal daily celebration is the way to go or some open and frank exchanges about the alternatives.

Either way I felt the need to go out and celebrate HER the way I know best, just her and me on beautiful footpaths through Enoggera and Red Hill and if there was tension, worry or accumulated frustration of any sort I knew that those feelings would be dealt with fairly and squarely on foot.

I have not been walking for a while. Its been so hot and humid.The day is overcast and oppressive. I set off nonetheless and there was NO ONE out there – NO ONE. All I could hear was the distant whirring of a mower and some laughter and fun from those having a party in their backyard.

I walked some known routes but neither the soundtrack nor the visuals are ever the same and I stop frequently and listen to the water burbling in the creek, a bird call I cannot identify, the trampling of leaves underfoot and the swishing of the leaves when the occasional breeze brushes past my sweaty face. Drips off my nose and chin, feeling like an Aussie open tennis player we have so enjoyed watching , just without the action. The sights and sounds are precious and real and I resolve to do more of this, no matter the weather.

I return and her magic has worked. My mind is clear, rested and free.

And in some groundbreaking news I have been “instructed” how to operate the lawn mower and supervised in my efforts. Now elevated to sub -sub apprentice in the garden. Way to go for 2024.