I’ve been taking it pretty gently for a few days, nursing a painful twisted ankle – seems I overdid the physical activity a bit last weekend.

Consequently New Year’s Eve consisted of a quick early evening stroll up to the Noosa River where families were picnicking ahead of fireworks displays.

But for me it was back to the canal for a quick glass of wine and an early night (I still haven’t fully adjusted to the early starts to the day – I’m often up and about by 5.30am as it’s fully light). But that’s OK, this was supposed to be a relaxing break and I’ve certainly gotten well through a couple of books I’d been wanting to read for ages, and of course there’s always Netflix.

Photographically, my efforts have been limited to observing life on and around the canal at the back door of my abode, where I sit on the deck for hours reading and just watching the world go by – at least the world that has the wherewithal for million dollar mansions and messing about in boats.

Some of my neighbours, however, have been upping the multicultural quotient – a family of Australian water dragons (Itellagama lesueurii) lives under my deck and seem quite social. Often several will join me on the deck, posed silently for long periods then suddenly skittering across the boards engaged in some private game, or struggle for existence.