All aspects of life in my home town had become affected by the Covid-19 Lockdown. Non-residents were told to stay away from Nelson Bay and like all locals I was not permitted to leave the area. 

As an underwater photographer I knew I was incredibly lucky. Under NSW Office of Sport Covid-19 restrictions, boat diving was out of the question. But unlike many activities, shore diving in NSW was considered an acceptable form of outdoor exercise and Nelson Bay has some great shore dives. Of course, restrictions applied. In particular, no more than 2 persons not from the same household, minimum physical distance out of the water of 1.5 metres and no congregating out of the water. By kitting up in my garage then driving to local dive sites to enter the water far away from anyone and then solo dive it was straightforward for me to comply. And of course, with out-of-town divers not allowed into Nelson Bay there were few divers at the dive sites.

Two who were there were my UK friends Brian and Jill Mayes. They had arrived for a holiday in Nelson Bay just before the Covid-19 Lockdown restrictions were introduced. By prior arrangement we often met up underwater but above water “safe distancing” rules applied, and our interaction was generally restricted to messaging and telephone calls. Still underwater I was able to enjoy their brilliant “spotting skills” and above water their wonderful sense of humour albeit not face to face.