I get to chat to people ...

The ONLY way to start a morning properly .... a walk in the waves and a caffeine fix!

.... and someone's pinching my fix!!

It all begins with the simple thought of making someone happy. A kiss goodbye ... a friendly wave ... a loving hug ..... a thoughtful word. It all starts with YOU and it spreads like wildfire!

I saw the evidence of that yesterday on our ramble. Sunday and the boardwalk’s busy ... the weather’s great and folks are out in their multitudes. We met Julia, Carol and Pete and accompanying hounds on the beach and gradually drifted up to the Co-op for coffee. 

Early morning frost on the grass on Sunday morning ... and this wasn't even at sea level.

Coffee consumed we stand on the boardwalk and chat and the crowd grows. It’s all smiles and friendly greetings and you FEEL the warmth enveloping you. 

Demented bird!

While we’re standing on the boardwalk chatting, the hound’s on the sand digging a trench for her log. The “manic” look is there ... ears flying back, teeth bared, jowls flaring ... a demented look in her eyes. She gathers a small audience, quite oblivious to the spectacle she’s become. I LOVE the effect she has on people - I LOVE that she makes them smile. I LOVE that she makes them happy.

.... and still more demented birds!

Happiness is contagious ... even when it’s freezing cold ... all it takes is a smile.

Sam the Man LOVES helping her retrieve her logs .... she doesn't always think she needs the help though!

I smiled a lot today too ... at all the locals coming in to see what the new shop in the village is all about, despite the wet and miserable weather. I’m working there one and a half day’s a week and it’s such fun! I get to re-arrange the clothes, dress the windows, chat to people AND I get PAID to do it!!

News spreads fast in my little village. Moira popped in to say hi as she’d heard via the bush telegraph that I was working there. The local MP popped in to introduce himself as did one of the local Estate Agents. Several of my fellow “Humans with Hounds” were surprised to see me there too ... they’re used to seeing me in walking clothes not in “working” clothes! The lady who runs the St. Heliers Bay Facebook Page came to take photos of the new store and find out a bit more about it too. So many interesting people and so much to tell them.

It’s quite fun doing something so different!

The hound and I did still walk first this morning though. We left at 6.30 to meet Julia and Indy as is usual and, after walking them home, met Carol and Sam on the beach. Sam’s obviously settling in well ... Carol knew about his penchant for toilet rolls but didn’t realise he liked shampoo and conditioner too! He’s a funny hound!

My funny hound has won me a prize ... well, a photo of her has won me a prize. The “manic” photo .... yep .... the one where she looks demented! Pixelpaint, who I get my canvas prints from, chose her pic as one of the winners in their Crazy Pet competition. I’m not sure what my prize is but it’s probably a canvas print of that pic! So cool and unexpected.

The pic that won me a prize!

We seem to be in the winning mode at the moment. Last week when we participated in the Moreton Miles I won a gift voucher. This week both Gav and Gareth won beers, a dozen and half a dozen respectively. We have to pay $5 each to participate in the run/walk each week and both weeks so far, we’ve won more than what we’ve paid ... long may it continue!