The river is lined by huge River Gum trees. They are old trees covered in scars from where they have dropped branches over the years.
Just like yesterday, I’m sitting here on the Bench wearing a mask, because COVID-19 regulations say we should. I am tired of all the restrictions. It feels like in Victoria we have done more than our fair share compared to other states. There’s no point complaining about it though. Instead, I plan to sit just here on the Bench and see what happens.
Today, there is a gentle breeze, then every so often a stronger gust of wind comes. I hear each gust coming. The sound of the wind through the leaves of the trees begins in the distance and gradually gets louder as it reaches me. The weak sunshine dapples more haphazardly through the leaves during each gust.
My son was tempting fate. He was balanced on a fallen branch that was mostly submerged in the mud at the edge of the river. Ever so slowly, he inched along the branch in his brand new sneakers. I knew how it was likely to end, but I also knew he needed to find out for himself. Less than thirty seconds later, he was smearing mud off one shoe in the thick grass.
— Catherine