Weekly wrap: When the small things matter

It seems I hit a chord last week when I talked about habits and our new COVID lifestyle.

It seems some of you enjoy what may have in the past seemed like little things now more than ever.

Leader reader Karina tells me riding her bike with her family and exploring the great bike tracks within the Sutherland Shire area is something she now relies on for a mental and physical boost.

Bob tells me his morning walk is more treasured now than ever. However, he thinks his dog might not enjoy the fact the distance covered is more than double what it was before COVID.

Alana says she and her husband talk to each other more now than before and as they are both working from home, they make a point of stopping in the middle of the day and having lunch together.

These are just a few examples of what you might have seen as small things that now matter big time to you.

Thanks to Karina, Bob and Alana for letting me share their stories. Thanks also to those who wrote to me but didn't want to share their stories, I love hearing from our readers and will always respond.

One of the little things that my wife loves doing is shopping. I try to avoid it, but this week I went out with her. All I can say is the song of the week this week in the Thomson/Leader office is the Police's Don't Stand So Close To Me. Masks and social distancing, please people!

On the news front, Murray Trembath talked with retired police officer Barry Hayston this week and he tells us what he really thinks about the narrow bridge on Heathcote Road over Woronora River. He doesn't hold back.

Murray also tells us what happened when all seven Liberal councillors declared a conflict of interest and left a Sutherland Shire Council meeting when an application for a three-storey block of flats next to Woolooware train station was considered.

Bloody COVID!

How often have you heard that lately? I heard it again this week a few times after Merryn Porter published a yarn about schools in St George and Sutherland Shire telling parents they will need to see evidence of a student's negative COVID-19 test before they return to school after an illness.

Sometimes we have to look forward to a time when this pandemic is over and we can get back to enjoying more of the simple things like meeting friends for coffee. But until then that coffee has to happen with appropriate social distancing rules.

Jim Gainsford tells us both Georges River and Bayside Council's, will share in $15 million of funding to provide vibrant, pedestrian-friendly public spaces that encourage social distancing.

And finally, were you at Cronulla Beach on Tuesday last week? If you were, you would have seen a friendly but exhausted Australian Fur seal sunning itself for all to enjoy. If you didn't, John Veage was there and took some great photos, check it out!

I hope you enjoy your Sunday read and take the time to enjoy the life we have, it might not be perfect, but it's what we have and it is better to tackle it with a smile rather than a frown.

Right, I am taking my hippy hair off now and leaving you to what I hope is a wonderful day full of little things to enjoy.