Sara Hardy Writes

  Spring is bursting forth in this Melbourne neck of the woods and the proverbial light appears at the end of the tunnel as our Covid19 figures creep down around the 20s for the state of Victoria. If we keep this up, hold the line,  our Stage 4 restrictions look like they'll be peeled back to ... well, Stage 3! So what will the Fates bring forth come Christmas? [politics aside] Will we have musicians playing to us in a 'live' venue where we're all in the same place at the same time breathing the same air? How I long to enjoy an Australian Chamber Orchestra concert ... I wonder if they could do such a thing outside, in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens maybe, or Sydney Myer Music Bowl? I'd love to hear what their marvellous instruments sound like in the open air - or anywhere. Wishful thinking I suppose - though I am reminded of what can be achieved when the gods and elements are on our side. Handel's Water Music was first performed from a barge on the River Thames f...

  Our backyard garden: It always heartens me when these lovely colours push through before Spring can be hoped for. Winter flowers ... primulas, cyclamens, and a touch of orange marigold somehow still hanging on since summer - and the green is native violets, plus nasturtium and even a touch of robust parsley. A bird bath and bird feeder, and a path heading towards the sun. ... And so one must remain optimistic, thankful for Nature's miracles, and hopeful that when we get to the other side of Covid19 we will be treating each other, as well as Mother Nature, with far more  tender loving kindness than heretofore.  And while we're enjoying the diversity of colours (have you noticed how many shades of green there are in this picture?) - it just happens to be Wear it Purple day - a day to celebrate and support young (and surely older?) people to feel proud and safe to be who they are on the rainbow spectrum of sex, sexuality and gender - remembering that we can be any kind of...

Today's the day inner Melbourne dons a face-mask - and it looks like we may have to comply with this new regulation for a considerable time - well beyond the 6 week lock-down... From the news reports it sounds like Melbournians are doing their bit today - as we should. Better a cotton face-mask than an incubator mask! I'm modelling my self-made version here. I don't possess a sewing machine so this was created using sticky hemming tape and ingenuity. Quite pleased with the metal strip insert that goes over the nose bridge which came from my 'may come in useful one day' stationery drawer. Who can remember ring files and the metal thing that you bent over to keep the pages together? Yep, had four of those. The material is a very soft Egyptian cotton from an old doona cover, and the hemming tape was at the bottom of my old leather school satchel which has doubled as my 'sewing basket' for many years. Sometimes it's really useful not to throw oddities away! ...

This is a beach at Aireys Inlet in Victoria, Australia - there's a lovely cliff-top walk to get to it. In the middle there, two little figures enjoying the view - it's me and my beloved Lois, gazing out. The pic was taken by my niece in 2018 - seems such a very long time ago now!  Outer Melbourne is experiencing a bit of a 'second wave' of Covid 19. Some virus hot-spots so it's three steps backwards, just for the moment. I'm looking forward to the day we can walk along that beach again... However, much closer to home, for our Sunday walk in Port Melbourne along the shore: we saw dolphins in the bay! Such a glorious surprise - several of them cavorting, including young ones. Does it mean the lull in shipping and local angling has cleaned the sea somewhat and allowed the fish to thrive - and so encouraged the dolphins in? Never seen such a sight before.  So ... from ant trails to vast skies - keep looking at the view!

When NRW launched its theme  'In This Together' last year, none could have predicted how resonant it would become! But let's not lose sight of all that must be done. Let's reconcile, let's listen to what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are saying, recommending, wanting. Because - well - we ARE all in this together!  “When we come together to build mutual respect and understanding, we shape a better future for all Australians” - says Karen Mundine, Chief Executive Officer for National Reconciliation Week - this week. Ms Mundine said that Australia’s ability to move forward as a nation relies on individuals, organisations and communities coming together in the spirit of reconciliation. “We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures,” she said. “When we come together to build mutu...

No words coming forth currently ... so I thought this Lavender Yellow Pansy could say it for me. If you listen closely you'll hear ... something about ... loveliness ...

Anzac Day (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps). A day of Remembrance to honour those valiant people who served in uniform. It feels especially important (given our own travails) to remember their sacrifices, difficulties, courage and fear. Their battles were with bombs and bullets. At 6 a.m. the nation will commemorate the day from home, standing at the front gate, or on the balcony or at the window: a communion of thought, followed by the sound of the Last Post - on the radio/TV, or perhaps it will come drifting across the rooftops played on trombone, trumpet or flute by some able musician. I'm going to take a moment to remember my English paternal grandfather, Corporal Edwin Percy Hardy, 1882-1941. He served with the Royal Army Medical Corps, 6th Field, Ambulance. Warrant Officer Class 2. He served in WW1. Here's the only photo I have of him during that time, he is the tall balding man with his back to us, centre right, somewhere in France: In his wallet he carried a...