Did You See That!? Did You!?

Saturday dawned and Saturday morning means one thing…Parkrun! Love me a Parkrun on a Saturday morning, especially if it’s a bit of Parkrun tourism and I get to try a new one in a different place. Parkrun is that free, volunteer run, 5km run or walk that happens all over the world on a Saturday morning. It’s a top event to be part of. Turn up. Go for a run or a walk. Take a dog, or a pram. Go at your own pace. There’s always a Tail Walker so no one is ever the last finisher at Parkrun. Great atmosphere, very friendly and encouraging. Meet some people. Did I mention I love Parkrun! We motored into St. Helens and found the familiar flags that told us where the start was and it looked like it would be a top course – a two lap out-and-back right beside the water. I looked at the narrow path. “My goal for this run,” I informed Steve, “is to not end up toppling into the water!” The Run Director gave us the briefing, welcomed newcomers, told us where the course went and we were off. It was indeed a top spot for a plod, just cruising along, looking out at the water and then finally finishing between the flags, with an encouraging cheer from one of the volunteer marshals at the end. Brilliant. Top fun. 

After our return to the shack, a shower and a late breakfast, the sporting pursuits continued. “How about a game of darts,” suggested Len. I hadn’t played darts since I was a wee nipper, but I’ll be up for that. This was the best way to play darts…a very informal board hanging on a piece of wood outside in the sunshine. I had the game explained to me again and then it was on. Steve and I up against Len and Pauline. The experienced threesome, which did not include me, succeeded in nailing the numbers as we played ‘Around the Board’. I successfully landed the dart on the board, which was a promising start. “What numbers do I need?” I asked as I stood up for my next turn. “10, 11 and 12,” Steve told me. I stood with my toe on the line in the sand…eyed the numbers on the board…raised my dart…lined up my sights and aimed that pointy projectile towards my prize…ready…aim…throw! TEN! Well, whad-a-ya-know, I’d hit what I aimed for! OK, here goes dart number two…ready…aim…throw. ELEVEN! No way! Third and final dart…ready…aim…throw…TWELVE! “Did you see that! Did you!?” I turned to Steve, looking to receive rapturous praise for taking our team three numbers up with the mother of all beginners luck! “Did you see…?” Would you believe it, he hadn’t even stayed to see my moment of triumph! He eventually wandered back from his loo visit to find a somewhat deflated team mate. “I just hit three in a row!” I reported, “and you missed it!” 

“Well done,” he offered. Mmmmm, fine. Not the same as seeing it live though. The game continued with the dart board falling down a couple of times, which didn’t stop us from playing on, we just had to adjust our sights a bit lower as we aimed for a dart board that started at head height and ended up at ankle height, but that just added to the fun and challenge. We were supervised from above by an intrigued kookaburra, glued to the high quality gamesmanship being displayed below. We won some rounds, Len and Pauline won some rounds and a bonza time was had by all. Time for a restorative and congratulatory brew.

After a relaxing and leisurely day, we rounded it out with a stroll up the road to visit Steve’s cousins, which included being welcomed by a delightful young Newfoundland by the name of Teddy, who resembled a friendly, long haired pony. Teddy was at the stage of being totally unaware of his size and bulk and would happily have sat in our lap if he could, so it was nice to end the day with some doggy charm.

Sunday was home day. We packed up, bade our farewells and hit the road for our return journey to our own little part of the world. We cruised through Anson’s Bay, another mecca for shack dwellers holidaying by the water and went for a stroll along the water’s edge.

We motored through Gladstone to see an interesting natural feature that I’d been wanting to see. Little Blue Lake. We walked up the short track where we could look down on the lake and it was indeed exactly what it said on the tin…it was a lake and it was very blue. The colour comes from the minerals in the water and on a sunny day like today, the vibrant colour fairly glowed. Well worth the stop for a look. 

We continued on and stopped for elevenses at Bridport. This small seaside town is a popular destination for holidayers and visitors and it was fairly bustling today. We parked ourselves at a table in a park and enjoyed our elevenses in the sun, before taking a stroll to the water and a look at the little lighthouse. It was busy, but still a top spot for a short pit stop, before heading on.

The final push took us north and west until we landed back in our own patch. The little house was still there, ready to welcome us home. It had been a super road trip. A few days of tootling about Tasmania, seeing some places new and some places familiar, enjoying some fun and games, seeing some sites and acquiring a new level of appreciation for what we have here in our own little state. We must do it more often. 

I stood outside, looking at the trees around us and the wallabies watching our home coming. It’s always nice to be home. Hmmmm…the tree over there, that little branch…I reckon that would be the perfect height to hang a dart board! “I say, Steeeeve…!”