I COPPED a right-proper spray last week, on one of those late April days when Newcastle harbour was, in the words of singer/songwriter Paul Simon, shining like a National guitar.
An unblemished sky offered that rich autumnal blue, and a comfortable nor-wester had put a full stop on months of stifling humidity. The whole place looked and felt as if it been art-directed by a subtle genius. Just like BC - before coronavirus.
I'd finished an exercise swim at Newcastle's ocean baths and was ducking under the bar at the top of the ramp at the Bogey Hole end, when a bloke walking on the Bathers Way walking two fluffy mutts yelled "wait".
Given he was 10 metres away, I assumed he was talking to the yappy pooches.
"I said WAIT," he bellowed.
By now I was on the path and he let loose with his - seemingly well-rehearsed rant - about social distance.
I've been round the block enough times to know when resistance is futile.
"You should have waited on the other side till I passed," he said.
"And you should not be swimming, the baths are closed.
"The police can arrest you."
OK. Best to keep moving, there's nothing to be gained here.
I recall Newcastle's long-serving police officer Tony Tamplin telling students at the university to walk away from conflict wherever possible.
The Northern Region's police media liaison officer broke the ice with students by opening his address with examples of law enforcement jargon such as "the alleged offender was seen decamping on foot in a north-easterly direction."
They laughed. He laughed.
But once the senior constable had the undivided attention of students (almost possible before the arrival of the omnipresent mobile phone) he spoke of a road rage incident that escalated into a stabbing involving "two parties, previously unknown to each other" at traffic lights.
And then he discussed how every single time police undertake a roadside stop of a motor vehicle or walk up a driveway, the officers cannot assume what awaits them.
And the take-home message he left with students?
Don't take your guns to town, son (or daughter). Leave your guns at home, Bill (or Belinda). Just walk away, Renee.
Best. Advice. Ever.
Hard to believe that last Saturday saw the seventh anniversary of the well-regarded copper's funeral. Massive send-off at Newcastle City Hall. Three thousand people. Seven years.
Where'd that go?
Anyhoos, I didn't see any point in discussing with the bloke on the Bathers Way that it was perfectly OK to swim for exercise in the ocean baths, despite the red flag at beaches and the pools.
And while some letter correspondents to the Newcastle Herald seem to have taken pleasure in finger wagging and castigating those enjoying exercise on the Bathers Way, there are plenty of others who appreciate that the City of Newcastle decision-makers and the NSW police did not go all Sydney and shut the baths or the beaches to those wanting to use them for exercise.
It was as if the Newcastle public were being trusted to do the right thing. Swim, surf, walk and nick-off back home.
That trust was a combined reflection of faith in the public and an acknowledgement of the centrality of the ocean to Novocastrians.
From what I have seen - and yes, I haven't seen it all - most people, most of the time, realise what was always taken for granted has become a privilege and "doing the right thing" is essential if that privilege is not to be rescinded.
The authorities did not shut the Bathers Way to walkers despite a reasonably steady barrage of criticism in various media about the numbers of people on the Bathers Way.
Sure, there were some images in the media that showed the path was crowded at times and such crowding appeared to show people were ignoring official advice to retain a minimum social distance. But that was exceptional rather than usual.
NSW police on bicycles along the Bathers Way have provided a fairly constant reminder that it's not business-as-usual.
And while the red flag is up at our beaches, that didn't stop City of Newcastle lifeguards carrying out the rescue of a woman who found trouble a few weekends ago inside the Canoe Pool.
I can't think of a better place on the planet to be during the pandemic. Or better words than those Tony Tamplin penned when reflecting upon his 35th anniversary as one of NSW's finest.
"Thank you for showing kindness as we pass one another."
From a social distance, of course.
