Morning Memories

Refreshing, exhilarating - a walk along the beach early in the morning is a wonderful treat.

This pair of Pied Oystercatchers were enjoying an early morning walk too! Native to Australia they eat bivalve molluscs, not oysters.

The shadows cast by the seaside foam fascinated me. 

Looking south towards Burleigh Heads and beyond.

An Australian White Ibis walking along the dune top in front of our holiday house.

A little later in the morning and the numbers of beach walkers are greater in number (including our five younger daughters). The tiny yellow huts which dot the back of the beach are beach patrol towers where life guards watch over swimmers during the busy hours of the day (8am to 5pm).

Master J's at his favourite beach activity - if only he had caught something edible he would have been much happier.

We have been home a few days now but I relish the memories our our beachside time. As much as I loved the sound of the surf, I must admit I also appreciate the peaceful mornings in our country town where many bird calls can be heard. And I can look forward to another beachside holiday....one day.....


Sharing at Our World Tuesday, Wild Bird Wednesday.

A Very Stark Reality

After an amazing family holiday of theme parks, roller coasters, beach walks, brilliant sea views and great memories, we are now home. This pile of texts arrived while we were away, today I covered them in library grade plastic. Tomorrow Master J leaves for Orientation week at Uni, studying Engineering Technology. In another week Miss E leaves for Uni also, needing to live even further from home. Life is moving on - very quickly. What an adventure - dare I say something of a roller coaster itself!

 I hope to look over more of our holiday photos in the coming weeks and maybe share some of the highlights. Memories are a wonderful treasure to store in the heart.

Beach Flowers?

Mermaid Beach, looking towards Surfers Paradise on Queensland's Gold Coast

 Today, our last full day of holidays, was a beautiful day. We are already talking about "next time". We have all loved our holiday here, a very special family holiday before our eldest two leave home to start uni.

This morning's sunrise from our deck - I'm certainly going to miss this view and the sounds of the surf, the fresh salt air and the beckoning beach. The chair in the corner became a spot for me to sit and work on a little more of my Fresh Fields EPP quilt later in the day.

Master J has enjoyed his fishing, even though he's caught nothing. It has been a pleasant break for him between theme parks. 

While most the family were off enjoying the rides at Wet 'n' Wild on Friday, I enjoyed glue basting while watching over towels, etc. The watery prints and colours were a delight to work to the background sounds of water fun.

Sewing hexagons together this afternoon, overlooking the beach. :)       :)

This week's flowers, dancing in the sea breeze! Maybe I should have named this quilt Beach Flowers, not Fresh Fields!


Sharing at WIP Wednesday, "In Hand" EPP.

Come and See

 "Come and see what the others have done to Miss E!"
Miss V was on a mission and it sounded like my camera would be required. When I reached the beach I nearly panicked, asking that they dig her out - quickly! However it soon became apparent that she did NOT want to be dug out. Miss E was perfectly content and insisted on digging herself out. Her only discomfort was the sand in her mouth!

NB The internet is so slow here I can't even use PicMonkey and most sites won't load. I look forward to being able to visit blogs etc once home again in a few days.  :) 

Sea World

For many months Miss E (5) has been telling us she will live in Hawaii when she grows up. However, by the time we reached the dolphin show at Sea World she had decided she would live in Queensland (the state we are holidaying in) instead. Well that will make visiting much easier!

Our day at Sea World was better than anticipated for everyone. We had visited with the older 6 in 2003 but somehow it seemed even better now and easier with no stroller/pusher etc. We hope to have another quick visit there before our holiday is over.

Master T was eyeing off the huge lollipop above but he was given a definite "NO!" from me! My definition of holiday treats only stretches so far!