With a whimper

How did you see out 2022? My year ended with a whimper rather than a bang.

I am still battling the tail end of Covid-19, which has left me feeling pretty knocked around.

DD and I didn’t make any plans for New Year’s Eve. Most of our usual Northern Beaches haunts were closed for the night, so we headed to a cool place in Avalon called Bar Elvina for a quick drink, which we’ve since discovered is in the Good Food Guide. Fancy!

The upstairs space is all whitewashed and laidback with views over the main street of Avalon. I sipped an elderflower spritz created by the most lovely French bartender called Luca. Because the world is too small, DD used to manage Luca in a kids soccer team many moons ago.

It was super early and still a little quiet at the bar, so Luca came to over with his shirt half unbuttoned, looking like the love child of Bryan Ferry and Taylor Lautner, for a chat.

He told us about learning his trade in Paris and Corsica and I now have a new destination for my bucket list.

Corsica where have you been all my life? You are stunning!

Then we headed next door for suburban Chinese food – the only diners at 6pm. We had the most deelicious Mongolian combination and king prawns with ginger, shallot and snow peas. It was so yummy DD was considering making a return visit last night for takeaway.

After a rest on the sofa, we trekked to the waterfront to sit in the rain watching the local 9pm fireworks.

Then I wobbled home and headed to bed.

And that was how I farewelled 2022. I can’t say I’ll miss her, she was a bit of a bitch.

Today I start work again, which is going to be a bit of a struggle because I still spend most of my time lying wearily on the couch.

Lying on the couch not doing very much has been difficult for someone who is normally an Energizer Bunny, but even walking two short blocks to get a few bits and bobs at Woolies yesterday nearly decimated me.

I spent a few days recuperating up at DD’s place and I was pretty out of sorts. It was only yesterday, when I decided to sit on the deck rather than the couch, that I felt a little happier and more relaxed.

I had planned on heading home after breakfast, but it was 3pm when I reluctantly extracted myself from an outdoor chair.

DD sat with me for a few hours and we shot the breeze about places we’d like to go on holidays, which was bulk fun.

I really need a proper holiday, sans dramas or COVID.

But that is a long way off. In the meantime, I am working six days this week. I suspect I’ll be spending some of it in bed on my laptop.

Wish me luck and join me in heeding this wise meme …

Song of the day: Katy Perry “Firework”