Friday 29 December 2017

Sublime Straddie

In a holiday tradition that began many years ago now, and that will continue for many a year to come I hope, we recently spent a couple of weeks on the beautiful island affectionately known as "Straddie". On a clear day, we can just see a tiny sliver of this island from our back deck. Many a time, I have wished for a gigantic flying fox to take me over the land and sea to Straddie's shores. Instead, we wait  for the early weeks of December to roll around and then we go, not by flying fox though!

Looking back towards a distant mainland.

Straddie is ocean and sand, wind and waves, seaweed and shells, cliffs and rockpools. For us, this beautiful island is also family and time, happiness and memories, nature and bliss. My young son would tell you that it's gelati "up the point" too!

White-crested waves rolling in to Main Beach.

Just one tiny shell upon the shore.

Tiny "caves" in wave-carved rocks.

Silvery and strappy leaves protecting the dunes.

A clinging cluster of barnacles.

Light and shadow forms a sandy crescent "moon".

Bright green "lettuce" clinging to rocks.


Blue sky beyond the Pandanus Palms.



Fading light at the end of the day.

It will be a little less than a year before we go back again... if next year goes as quickly as this year has seemed to, it won't be long to wait! 

May your new year roll on in as smoothly as the waves on Straddie!


Meg



14 comments:

  1. Goodmorning Meg, Straddie is so beautiful, thanks for sharing the photos, I have never been, something I will have to rectify soon. We went over to Macleay island on Boxing Day and was looking out at your Straddie while enjoying lunch. Have a lovely day.
    Fi

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    1. Oh, you weren't far from Straddie, Fiona! Just a short swim;)
      Have a lovely day too. Meg Xx

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  2. You love Straddie as much as I love Caloundra by the sounds of it, Meg. It does look like a lovely island. I hope 2018 is a good year for you and your familt.

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    1. I think it's just somewhere so beautiful, Chel. Places like Straddie, and your Caloundra, kind of weave their way into your heart. For me, Straddie is about that unspoilt natural beauty but it's also tradition - it's where our family always goes on holiday. I hope 2018 is a happy year for you and your loved ones too. Meg Xx

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  3. It's lovely to get away to places endowed with natural beauty. Wonderful pictures and great story telling. I have a fear of flying, so think I'll skip the flying fox, lol. ;)

    Glad you all had a lovely time. And I think Gelati, has to be my favourite ice-cream, that's not entirely ice-cream.

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    1. For those with a fear of flying, there's always the barge! I'm not sure ice-cream gets better than a gelati on Straddie, Chris. Delicious scoops in a cone, walk cross the road, sit in the little park and watch the waves roll in while trying to catch any drips. Perfect! Meg:)

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  4. It looks wonderful, I could do with a walk like this, I have quite a few shells collected from a spanish holiday, I guess I really should find something to do with them.

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    1. It is a wonderful place, Marlene, and so close to where we live. I saw a few different things made with collected shells while I was on Straddie. The beekeeper who has a stall at the little local market had made little beeswax candles by filling each upturned shell with wax and a little wick. I've seen a mirror decorated with shells around the outside and, up in the gelati shop, there's was a picture frame decorated with some shells. Meg:)

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  5. What a heavenly place. It sounds like you had a wonderful journey. Traveling is so uplifting.

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    1. It is such a beautiful place, Stephenie. I never grow tired of visiting it. I love to see what has remained the same & what has changed from year to year. I too think travel is uplifting, a chance to see the world beyond the familiar where one lives. We are thinking of a longer trip with our son this year, perhaps in the Autumn, so he can broaden his horizons more too. Meg:)

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  6. It looks lovely, we must try and get there one day.

    Wishing you and your family the biggest best wishes for the coming year!

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    1. I hope you get to Straddie someday, Cheryl. It's a beautiful place! Warmest wishes to you for the new year too. Meg Xx

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  7. I haven't been to Straddie since I was in my early 20's....photos always look so beautiful.

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    1. There's so much natural beauty surrounding you when you're on Straddie, Kathy. Lots to photograph! Meg :)

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