#68 – September 29, 2021

Hello!

“Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name” – Theme from Cheers.

Yet another case of the best camera is the one you have on when you need it. 

This was not going to be today’s photograph. I had another shot, picked, edited and uploaded. 

But as I was going to collect my pizza from my favourite pizza emporium (now that the travel bubble has been expanded to fifteen kilometres) I saw this scene in front of me and knew I wanted to capture it.

In pre-COVID times, I am here every Monday night. It slots neatly in between work and band, both in timing and location. I know the shop and the staff well enough that they tell me off if I miss a week. They’ve never done gift vouchers before, but when a dear friend approached them and asked if they could create one as a present for my 50th birthday, they knew who it was for and gladly created one. 

Come to think of it, if I am ever the subject of a trivia night question, I would be very surprised if the question was not “In a direct line and down to one decimal point, exactly how far is Richard’s favourite pizza emporium from his home.”. To anyone who has followed me on social media, you should know the answer to this question as I mention it each time the travel bubble is under ten kilometres.

The experience of once again wrestling with a very hot slice of pizza as I drive home was relished and the first degree burns to the fingers and mouth were almost enjoyed.

I’ve had a well-established history of getting in tight with my pizza store owners, to the point where my previous store owner gave me an account. Back in those times, I was paid monthly and visiting the store up to three times per week for my vegetable intake. I would get paid on the 15th of the month, firstly pay the rent and then pay Robbie, my pizza guy. As a frequent flyer, I was paying $5 per pizza, no matter what I ordered. I still pop in and see him if I am in the area around dinner time and we have a great catch up. When Robbie was flying home to Greece for six weeks he offered to fill my freezer with frozen pizza. What a guy!

Although not a sponsor of this blog, I would recommend without hesitation either Padre Pizzeria in Dingley Village or Ricciolini’s Pizza, Pasta & Ribs in Clarinda (near Clayton) for a damn fine pizza. Tell them Richard sent you. It won’t get you anything, but it will make them smile.

In hindsight, I’m glad I shared this photograph and the one I originally meant for today will be proudly presented tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, the day has finally come when I can upgrade my iPhone to the latest and greatest. Contrary to popular belief, I do not upgrade every year. I tend to upgrade every two years to ensure there is a viable bump in features. And this year, the improvements to the camera(s) are both significant and well worth the upgrade. I can’t wait to go on some walks specifically to photograph with the phone.

That’s it for now. Talk to you soon. Stay safe.

Richard

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