MIDDLE BEACH AT MIDDAY

 

 

The beach was only a short drive, but inside of a hot car the minutes are like hours. We had the windows rolled down and the airconditioner blasting cool air through the vents, our hair tumbled into a hot mess as we eyed the bushy landscape buzzing alongside us as we drove.
Before making our way down to the beach we flicked off our thongs by the stairs and we hot stepped our way down to the beach. It wasn't long before we were dripping with sea water, including a rosey cheeked Vinnie who cried at her first dance in the ocean, I think that she was much happier to sit by the waters foamy edge and watch the rhythmic shoreline slither up to her porky little feet. We all walked down to the corner end of the beach and explored a cave which was nice and cool. Inside the cave we found a small rabbit hole of a cave entrance and of course I hitched up my skirt and I crawled into the darkness. The bravery was momentary, I shot out in a fast reverse crawl after something flew past my face in the pitch black. What I thought was a bat (or possibly a huge spider like the one from the 1986 movie classic, The Labyrinth) turned out to be one of many little  cutesy sparrows living inside of the cave. Hubby was laughing and kicking himself at not being quick enough with the camera to have captured my failed Indiana Jones moment.

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Images taken using Canon 5D Markiii//50mm 1.4

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NATURAL THERAPY

 

Stepping out into the salty air, sprinkles of sand made their way inbetween my foot and my sandal. If I were anywhere else, I would find that sensation to be annoying. The long and narrow path from the car park led us into the bush where patches of light and darkness balanced each other out. We spied lots of things; spiders webs, shells, crabs, make shift chairs, pumice stones and somewhere in the distance the glittering movements of the sea peeking through the tall scrubbery. Up a newly constructed boardwalk, the sandy dunes peaked up and down and led us down into a flat silky smooth beach. The water was several shades of blue and the grass dunes were a patchwork of greens and browns, dulling as the sun brightened in the sky. We all had a dip into the ocean, it was cold and fresh and just the type of sensation you crave when you are transitioning into a new phase.

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Images taken using Canon 5D Markiii//50mm 1.4

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WHAT DO YOU NEED?

 

 

 

We need this. Every few months, we just need to pack ourselves into the car and drive up the coast. It seemed a bit impossible as there is always stuff to be done, but we did what had to be done and by midday we were driving up the highway, towards the sunshine and the salty air.

Our tummies were rumbling as we approached the two hour mark and we decided to stop for a make do picnic to enjoy a late lunch of fresh bread rolls, soft cheese, ham and olives; and the boys ran off and came back with a bundle of baked pastries from the local bakery. After a few rounds of kicking the footy and picking at the last bites of lunch we packed up and continued our drive with the sun chasing along beside us. We pulled over into this driveway to enjoy the last rays of sunlight which stretched itself way over the open land making long shadows which leaned over and through the fences. Sitting in the car with my family, watching the sun close another day. This was what we needed. What I needed. And it was only going to get better.

The last thing I remember before sleeping was Matty asking me if I wanted to watch the sun rise with him. We both woke at the same time and snuggled for a bit longer before we decided that we were dangerously close to missing the sun rise. Paddy was committed to the warmth of his bed, so us three quietly filled the car and left him in the snoozing home with Nana and Pop. We were a little late as a wavy orange fringe was peeking through the macadamia orchards as we drove down to the beach. But we managed to make it there to watch her yawn out those rays across the sea as she slowly lifted up into the sky. Looking down at my cold sandy toes, I noticed the large Kangaroo paw prints embedded into the sand next to the balled up sand by the crabs. The sun was shining bright after twenty minutes and the beach was stark, it was amazing. It was hard to believe that we were the only ones there, I relished in the solitude surroundings, I felt free. I am free.

What is it that you need?

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Images taken using Canon 5D Markiii//50mm 1.4

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WELCOME SPRING

A transition happened today, people were splaying out their egyptian towels and waxing their boards on the beach without a wetsuit. Warmth blew across the seas todays and the water was unbelievably inviting. The heaviness of winter lifted and the timing was perfect. This year has been exciting and full of changes, I have been through some personal struggles which have cast a slight darkness on some of my days, but I have been learning to let go and transition forwards and I feel as though Spring has come at perfect timing. Today I met up with a friend and we both soaked up the fresh salty air and some sunshine while our babes sat happily in their strollers chewing on their teething toys. Afterwards, I took off to do the school pick up and on the way I was in a thought bubble of what to cook for dinner tonight. But I found myself thinking about dessert instead. Arriving home with my kids and two bottles of fresh cream and a jar of Bonne Maman caramel spread, I got to work making some "No churn condensed milk ice-cream" which I spied here. This recipe had me at condensed milk. It's currently in the freezer, freezing - so I will post photographs of my efforts tomorrow. Tomorrow I will celebrate the coming of spring with ice-cream at breakfast.

How will you be celebrating the coming of Spring this week?

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Images taken using Canon 5D Markiii//50mm 1.4

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TODAY AT THE MARKETS

I had a small pocket of time to myself today. Matty was at home with the kids and they were all fed and ready to rest after a busy morning. I packed my bag and took off by foot. Today our local markets were on and I really love to wander and eat and chat. Sometimes that can be hard to do when you are trying to navigate a pram and keep up with a five year old who is weaving quickly through the crowd, so my intention was to make the most of being solo.

Today I walked across the beach and through a stream of water connecting the lake to the beach. Barefoot and with ankle drenched jeans I found myself wandering the markets walking in the direction of my first priority. Food. I usually go for the gozleme's, they are my go-to-market food but today I went for the "porkwich". It turned out to be an equally delicious decision! Something beyond taste transfers into you when see that the people who are preparing your food are smiling and today it made me feel chatty. On my way back through the markets I enjoyed pausing my steps to savour long conversations with friends and stall holders before I quickly hop-stepped my way along the beach and through the stream of water back home to my family. 

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Images taken using Canon 5D Markiii//50mm 1.4

Kodak Portra 400 & Ilford HP5

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DULL DAYS

The waters today rippled like a gigantic helicopter was about to land in the ocean. The swell was big and only for the bravehearted. The surfers had a big audience, people watching from the rocks, the cafe and the look outs dotted up above the rocks.

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Images taken using Canon 5D Markiii//50mm 1.4

Fuji 800z & Ilford HP5

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AFTER SCHOOL THIS AFTERNOON

"Don't forget about our play this afternoon", were his last words this morning as he twisted the straps of his school bag around his shoulders and then he turned on his heel and walked off towards the school gates. Sometimes I get kisses and sometimes I don't. Today was one of those days where I didn't get one. We we spent the last five minutes of the car ride arguing over who forgot to bring his school hat.

The afternoon spent was a lovely contrast to our time this morning. We were both excited to catch up with friends at the park and to have a play. Pat got to get some sand in between his toes and we both looked for the whales which had been sighted playing close to the shore earlier in the day. We saw lots of kids splashing around, people learning to surf and men spear fishing but no whales. In the park the kids played and we chatted and laughed until it started to become dark and the kids let us know that they had had enough when they started chanting for hot chips for dinner.

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Images taken using Canon 5D Markiii//50mm 1.4

Kodak Portra 800 & Ilford HP5

Please do not use my images without permission.