Altona beach

This afternoon I took a meandering drive down to Altona Beach. I hadn't planned on going there, but that's where I ended up. I can't believe I've not found this place sooner.

The section I was at is part of the Hobson's Bay walk, a trail that follows the bay for several kilometres and terminates in a wetland reserve. I've not yet done the walk, but that is on my to do list, and our 'things to do' list for when Em is here.

I wasn't alone on the beach, but neither was it crowded. People walked their dogs, rode bikes along the path, walked arm in arm and played with children in the sand. I made small talk with a few strangers who admired Paddy, but he wouldn't let any of them touch him or get too close. One little girl, a cute pre-schooler with pigtails, tottered up holding a flower out as a gift to Paddy. He took one look at her and barked, then made a fake lunge at her. The poor kid bolted in terror while her mother laughed. She hadn't gotten close and neither did Paddy get close to her, but what's with his sudden aggression? It worries me.

He did happily sniff and greet dogs though, but then went all aloof when formalities were over. He's such a strange dog, so introverted and so much like his mum. ;-)

I walked halfway along the jetty until I remembered the recent newstory about a dog being blown off a pier and rescued by a handsome, brief clad student. There were none of those potential rescuers around today so I opted for caution and Paddy and I left the pier without going all the way down.

I did get some photos from beside and beneath it though.

While windblown Paddy waited patiently.

Further along the beach, I sat in the sand and snapped off photos of seagulls. Don't ask me why, I say it's the challenge of photographing birds in flight... but I don't think that's a good reason for photographing flying rats. ;-)

This is lifeguard-Paddy. Doesn't he look super official.

Then, of course, the obligatory self-portrait. Paddy decided he'd lick my nose to make the shot work better. I think he was right.

And that was our outing to Altona beach. It was a lovely way to spend part of Sunday afternoon, even if it was a bit windy. Paddy appreciated it so much that he's now flaked out asleep. Ah, a quiet evening!