By February I longed for time by the ocean … the short Christmas break had done little to restore me, and I felt tired, stressed and frankly a bit over it. Everything. But I had a plan! I winged across the seas to Tasmania, collected a trusty little toyota corolla from ‘car next door’ – the exact model I used […]
It starts as a quiet rustle in the trees, the odd flapping and squawk, and soon grows to a deafening sound as the flying foxes greet the dawn. All thoughts of extra sleep are abandoned, and I turn on my headtorch, fumble around for my clothes and crawl out of my tent. An hour later we’ve devoured a hot croissant, […]
In my minds eye, this was a road trip of sun, beaches, gentle breezes and relaxation. February chosen to avoid the school holiday crowds, my good friend Sandra joining me for another sea adventure. And while much of this transpired, La Nina added a few twists for interest. We headed north via Buladelah, staying a night with Sandra’s friend on a lovely property just out of town. A straw bale house, art studio, bountiful vegie patch, adjoining bush and mountains in the background. Quite idyllic. I was keen to hear how she created this – particularly since she built it in her mid 60s. It’s been a dream of mine – but interestingly I found it hard to imagine myself in her place. Byron Bay was next, our northerrn most point, staying in a lovely little apartment above a garden nursery (great price off season!). It bears scant resemblance to the place I visited in my early 20s, when we camped by the beach with little regulation. Endless traffic clogging the roads, boutique shops, hordes of visitors and not a free parking spot in sight! A number of women who’ve gone overboard with the putty filler – I spotted one woman who I thought had pursed her lips …. but as this look persisted for some distance, it dawned on me it was permanent – Lulu Lemon Lips, Sandra calls them. Despite all this, it remains a beautiful place: sweeping […]
I pull down my goggles and wade into the sea with the “leisurely” swimmers, attempting confidence but feeling slightly anxious on my first ocean swim of the week. Actually, my second ocean swim in life. Mini-fins on, breathing left and right I freestyle off towards the first yellow buoy. I make it in good time, and once everyone arrives we […]
The magpie geese hoot softly as they fly overhead in search of lush watered lawns. Green tree frogs start their distinctive call, testing their voices for the coming wet when they will sing in a deafening concert with each rainstorm. The pink, purple and orange bougainvillea flowers seem more vivid than usual, and the flame trees are an explosion of […]
Unceremoniously deposited with our backpacks by the side of the road next to a cheap takeaway, choking with dust from the jeeps zooming up and down the road …. this wasn’t how I envisaged MY BIG NEPAL TREKKING ADVENTURE would begin. Where was the little path meandering by a stream, towering snow-covered mountains and herds of yaks? Clearly not about […]
This is the country of the Larrakia people, and it has become my home too, at least for now. A place that is becoming familiar, that welcomes me back after my trips across the Top End, and where I grow herbs and watch plants flourish in my garden when the rains come. I’ve been reflecting on my blog and the stories I share. Holiday […]
It’s hot. And sticky. I emerge from my bedroom in the morning, cooled to a sublime 26 degrees, and a wall of dense moist air hits me. A thin bead of sweat lines my upper lip as I hang out the washing on a Sunday morning, and I’m a woman who typically just ‘glows’. I mention this to a friend who […]
Days after returning from Timor, I threw my scuba gear into an untidy pile in the spare room and rummaged through cupboards (and fridge) for my camping gear. From ocean to terrestrial adventures – we’re off to Bilkbilkmi (Graveside Gorge), Kakadu NP. A rather unfortunate name, I thought, for such a stunning destination – apparently there is Chinese grave somewhere in the gorge. But this doesn’t […]
Sunning ourselves on bow of the boat, we watch a pod of melon-headed dolphins move through the water at a clipping pace, some unknown destination in mind. A flash of white catches my eye – ‘orca’ yells Fizzy, but no, it’s an oceanic manta ray. Catching the sun’s rays on the surface, the tips of its’ fins / wings curling up and down as it glides along. Already […]
Musings on life's adventures 