Some friendships last forever. On this morning I'm headed before dawn to the beach. There's meant to be waves. It's freezing cold but if there's surf it's okay. The road isn't empty - others are up early going to work or checking the surf. I miss the empty roads. Too many people around now.

It's been windy and there's a tree down. In the dark I don't see it so swerve late, smashing my wing mirror. At least it's not a kangaroo this time. Bloody annoying though. Another ding on the van, and yes, they are all my fault, and usually on these early winter mornings when it's dark.

When I arrive the ocean is a lake, mere mouse waves stroking the shore. It's disappointing. A bad year of waves, this one. El bloody Nina.

Instead we walk, my girlfriend punctuating it with happy handstands. At 50 she's still playful, lithe and strong. In comparison, post COVID, I'm still getting fitness back again. I'm only a teency bit jealous.

We brave the water for a swim. The oceans 12.5 degrees so we squeal in the cold. It takes my headache away a little. Just a little - by 2pm I'll be crying with pain. Now I'm just trying to ignore it and enjoy time with my girl.

Back at the carpark we feed pistachios to the magpie. We shouldn't, but we do. Tam's family is a big magpie feeder and has been for years. The birds seem all healthy so...what ya gonna do?

Me and Tam have been besties since 11 years old. She gave me a heap of papers and photos to look after - she lives down in Tassie in a bus, so it's not really safe to keep them down there. In the collection was this photo of Point Addis, our favourite beach as kids. Too crowded for me now. I miss those solitary times. We spent a lot of time on that beach, horseriding, surfing, tripping.