Covid countdown - "Test, test, test!"

What an adventure! In NSW we're now encouraged to turn up for a Covid-19 test if we have the slightest cough, runny nose, or sore throat. And that's thoroughly commendable. We're down to single figure confirmed cases per day, and if we test just about anyone who turns up, we might just get to eliminate the thing entirely.

I do have a bit of a dry cough that wakes me up at night now and again, plus a slightly runny nose  (for a couple of years now - probably hay fever), so I don't think I was pushing the boundaries too far. After all, the more data compiled about the overall prevalence of the disease, the better. It's no use waiting until someone's about to die before testing them, as they do in some countries.

The process at the Hornsby Hospital Covid-19 clinic was being run very efficiently today by two young nurses. Altogether it took about one hour. You arrive, fill out a form, sit around socially spaced outside, get let inside to sit around socially spaced a bit longer.

Then you're in the booth. Nurse Rachael or her colleague check your details and then shove tubes into your mouth and up both nostrils. It's rather weird! Then they tell you you'll get the results in a few days time, and you're not allowed to leave your house until you get the results!

Mmmmmm! Hadn't thought about that bit. I'll have to give the local parks explorations a bit of a rest.

Covid countdown - Bella Vista Farm Park

This one's much more interesting than the nearby Kellyville Park. It's a big park, and it's inviting, and it's well-appointed with visitor facilities.

It's also the site of the historic farm, which would normally be open to the public too. In the pandemic era you can only peer in through the fence. I'll be back one day though, to learn all about it.

Covid countdown - Kellyville (Memorial) Park

Some maps have it as Kellyville Park, some have Memorial. My main memory today is of a big but unmemorable space.



It's in the process of being transformed from what may well have been an appealing public park, into a Rugby League 'Centre of Excellence' for the Parramatta Eels. And they just had that enormous new stadium in Parramatta built for them!





My car was the only one in the very large car park today. I could see why.

Covid countdown - Epping's Boronia Park

I see this one's been renovated a fair bit since I last looked. They've done a good job. A nice park.

Covid countdown - parks of Marsfield

Today's first exercise park was Waterloo Park in Marsfield, next to Trafalgar Square, no less. A nice park. Seven out of  ten at least.

On then to nearby Marsfield Park. This one's a bit of a barren rectangular patch by comparison. A consequent silver lining was the small number of people there to keep out of the way of.

Covid countdown - Cliff Reserve in North Wahroonga

This one's an old favourite of mine. And there are some nice gentle cliffs nearby, where I did my abseil training once.

Covid countdown - North Turramurra Recreation Area

Another amazing recent creation, the North Turramurra Recreation area is one more new discovery for this Covid-lockdown-unchallenged correspondent.

It's huge, and the elevated location makes for excellent recreation park feng shui. I know about these things - I've been to an awful lot of parks lately!

Ku-ring-gai Council spent $28M on this and the golf course next door. Well done, Ku-ring-gai Council!

I noticed that although regular sporting activities are not permitted at present, there were a few groups doing unofficially what looked a bit like what they would have been doing officially at other times. It's probably against the letter of the law, but some at least were modifying their game and physically distancing somewhat.

Covid countdown - blame games vs victory claims

There's a lot of this going on!

Covid countdown - parks of Cheltenham

Cheltenham Oval

A nearby bush track

Just down the road, the Lyne Road Reserve was even more scenic,  I thought.

Covid countdown - parks of North Epping

Epping Oval, and Epping Athletics Track

The Ron Payne Park

























North Epping Park

Covid countdown - Waitara Creek

Waitara Creek runs from the western edge of Waitara, past Normanhurst Park, and down to Berowra Creek.

It's long been my plan to explore the 2km bit between the park and the Hornsby to Westleigh link track (the Dog Pound Creek one). I thought it might involve a fairly strenuous bush bash. Today was the day to find out.

Surprise surprise, it's actually quite easy. There's a  good track along most of it, and nothing very hard anywhere. At one point there's an interesting descent around a waterfall, which is done with the aid of some handy ropes.

The only negative was the smell around the sewerage pipe that you follow for a while.

Covid countdown - Mills Park in Asquith

Another day, another exercise park. A bit nondescript, this one, but it does the job.

Covid countdown - Waitara Park

This one has also been drastically renovated since I last inspected it. Just as with West Epping Park yesterday, there used to be a rather tired bowling club there. Plus there was a slightly tired Mark Taylor Oval. The oval is still there, nicely spruced up. 

On the north side of the oval, the bowlo has been replaced by a shiny new tennis centre, and on the southern side, a rather spectacular PCYC (Police & Citizens Youth Club) has sprung up. It's got gyms and things.