When Australia reached 80% vaccinated, the state governments, except Western Australia, decided to open their borders. Little did they know that Omicron was on our doorstep and it came rushing in so now we are experiencing a huge rise in numbers of cases. This was annoying for us as our state had been virus free for the last eighteen months. So now we have to be so much more careful. Luckily, we had our booster sooner than expected as the health gurus said we only needed to wait four months instead of six since the last injection. However, we were still wary about mixing with other people and declined lunch dates and village functions. Our daughter was still visiting from Sydney and we decided to get out of the house and go for a picnic. Unfortunately, the weather was cloudy and showery but we still went to Moogerah Dam and had our picnic but we were driven from the picnic spot by a shower just as we had finished eating, luckily. We had never been here before and it was a very pretty spot except for the grey sky.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty place for a picnic! Lovely views of the water and dam. I am hoping the virus case number are going done, it seems to be never ending. Take care, enjoy your day!
Didn't realize omicron had hit Australia so hard. We had just decided to attend church again when it hit. Made it twice only then back to streaming. Restaurant eating? Nope. Limited store visits. New masking required. When will it end.
ReplyDeleteHaha, that does look a bit like the emojis of coronavirus. Omicron has caused havoc here too, though it does seem to produce only mild symptoms in most people. I think we've all learned to get out into nature when we can but avoid crowds and functions. Your trip to the dams looks very scenic.
ReplyDeletewow, who knew covid has its on flower. it really does look like it. sorry the virus found its way across your borders. it i running a muck here for sure. stay safe that is all we can do
ReplyDeleteWow, that’s a high wall of water. And that plant really does look like a corona virus molecule! We used to have a vine in our woods that had fruit like that and my mom called it a Cucumber Vine. Wonder if it could be the same thing.
ReplyDeleteHappy you could get out and see some of the beautiful nature, even the gray skies are really pretty.
ReplyDeleteLike your "Corona" plant..(:0)
Sue
Everytime the boardrs open we experience a set back, well it seems that way
ReplyDeleteGlad you got out to that very pretty place for a picnic, even with the weather. Had to laugh at the last photo - you are so right! Let's hope this doesn't last much longer . . .
ReplyDeleteThe scenery is spectacular. I'm sorry you have now had a set back due to Omicron. I don't think we've ever relaxed our mandated restrictions in my province which I suppose is a good thing. But there are many people who are so tired of restricted living. They want the governments to lift all restrictions and go back to living as normal. I doubt these people realize that there is no longer any such thing as normal if they think things will ever be as they were before. That puts many of us in danger. I'm doing what I can, like you to stay isolated and safe. I've got my shots including booster. I think in future we will all be getting booster shots or shots each year just like the annual flu shot. Of course there will be those that never get one. Keep well.
ReplyDeleteI love dams with active spillways. Given the rain you have had, I am sure many spillways are active. The second dam is mesmerising but the first with a shower spillway is pretty good.
ReplyDeleteI always find dam structure very interesting. They are true engineering feats.
ReplyDeleteDiane, we have also been very careful during the Omicron surge here. WE know two fully vaccinated people in their 80's that sadly passed away from it. Many older people with underlying issues just don't have the immune systems capable to fighting the virus--the vaccines and boosters do not seem to work as well for them. We all have to make the decision about how much risk we are willing to take as each new virus wave and variant arrive. I am happy to stay hoe and do projects that I have always wanted to tackle, and to stay local as we have nice trails to hike and so on. I enjoy cooking so I don't feel the need to eat in restaurants and every now and then we buy prepared food as a treat. It's a new way of living but at least we are staying as healthy as we can.
A grey sky is not what you want for a picnic, but I find stormy skies with surly clouds far more interesting than clear blue. I was due to visit Australia in July 2020, again in July 2021 and I have just abandoned plans to do it in July this year due to the uncertainty over COVID and the inability to predict what restrictions might be in place six months from now. Who could ever have predicted such disruptions?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures. The water flowing over that dam looks impressive, and I got a chuckle out of the Covid virus looking flower. Omicron is no laughing matter though, and in my neck of the woods it doesn't seem to make much difference whether you are vaxxed or not. Everyone seems to be getting it regardless.
ReplyDeleteMoving water Seema to have an hypnotic effect. Thanks for the video. Lovely scenery and a perfect place for a picnic such a pity about the rain. We are learning to live with the virus now as most restrictions have been lifted. Numbers of infections have fallen and hospital admissions stabilised at a manageable level. I am ok about going out and went to the theatre yesterday for the first time in two years. Of course I am now playing a waiting game hoping I didn't pick anything up.We had to produce our proof of vaccination and wear masks so I'm not sure what other precautions can be taken.
ReplyDeleteI just had my third vaccin when this Omicron virus arrived and made people hysterical ! After a while a lot (like me) realized that you just got a cold ! A running nose, caughing etc. So somebody said that in the past when you had a running nose and you caughed you had a cold, today you have the Covid. So schools stay open, and everything else too except for dancings. You have still to wear a mask inside but not outside, unless there are many people, up to you to decide. So all in all I can lead a normal life ! But war is declared to the people who don't want to be vaccinated, they are not allowed to go nowhere ! No restaurant, no theatre, no nothing. So they manifest everywhere a bit for their "freedom" !
ReplyDeleteLike David (Gasgoine) I often find cloudy skies more interesting in photography although not for picnics. However, play the Glad Game, it wasn't raining.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see new places despite the weather. T'other Diane
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely place for a picnic -- because of omicron that is *still* all we do, go outside and play...declining invitations to gatherings, seeing only friends we know are vaccinated and careful.
ReplyDeletebeing extra cautious.... sigh.
You'll have to go back to the picnic spot on a sunny day. I always find flowing water mesmerizing. That weed does a good Covid impersonation!
ReplyDeleteSorry to read about the upswing in cases, Diane, and certainly it does put a damper on getting together with friends and others. That said, it's good that you were able to get away for a picnic before the nasty weather came in. The water rushing over the dam was interesting and always an amazing sight.
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