I’ve been walking the Taji Dog most afternoons now, and we’re both loving it. He is so good, if I pause to take a photo (which I regularly do) he will stand still and wait, or even heel and sit at my feet for me. I am doubly impressed by this because we spoil him rotten, and when food becomes the issue, he’s lost almost all his manners. But, I digress and I think I have mentioned all that before.

I bring him up though, because we had a little spooky incident last night, which made me thankful to have his company and good watchdog skills. On our way home, we saw from a distance that a strange car slowed and parked on the side of the road, between Taj and I, and our corner. Taj and I looked busy for a minute, taking photos of a brolga in the paddock beyond, while under our eyelashes we watched this car. After a moment or two, the car drove off, and I was pleased to see a man and a woman inside. That seemed less worrying.

To be safe though, Taj and I had decided to cross the road so we could skirt around them as we got closer to our corner and drive way. And what happens? But these people drive slowly past me, do a U-turn and park behind me, on the (now) other side of the road to where I was just a moment before. Luckily Taj and I where far enough along and ready to cross the road once more, but I couldn’t figure out if these people were lost, or up to something weird.

They weren’t after me, they walked straight over to the fence and looked at the dam and birds that I had just been photographing. Well, I assume that is what they were doing, because as soon as Taj and I had safely turned the corner  I looked back down the road at them. One door was open, but they become pretty much hidden by the bushes.  I still can’t think why they pulled over. Were they tourists, interested to see the birds and pretty scene I was snapping. Were they looking at property to buy? There was no ‘For Sale’  sign.

Whatever the reason, I wish they were more like my real neighbours who all give me the biggest, most reassuring waves, from their utes and four-wheel-drives, as they round our corner on their way home from work. Not only is it reassuring, but it really makes me feel like I live in the bush, as it is a universally countrified greeting which you must always be ready to respond to, so as not to offend. 

Edit: here is the mysterious car-parking-people-disappearing-into-bushes-spookiness