We're here! We're not much more than an hour from our home in the suburbs but we've made our traditional holiday "escape", across the magnificent Moreton Bay (see these beautiful photos from Moreton Bay Foundation photo gallery), to our beloved Straddie island, and it feels a world away really from this December and from this year.
A Straddie jetty.
Such true words!
We left home on a scorching 38C day; a smoky haze, from the devastating bushfires that have set the east of our country on fire, thickening the air in and around our city. No rain on the forecast; a dire outlook for an extra dry and extra hot Summer ahead. We filled our car boot with a pared-back load of the essentials. (Our trusty old ute didn't make the trip this year; we no longer fit with any ease across its bench seat, thanks to the seemingly unlimited growth of our almost-teenage son.) There's never been any room for what a lot of shops are "flogging" at this time of year; happy to leave all that behind on the shelves. We have everything we need.
We so look forward to returning here year after year (everyone needs something to look forward to, don't they) to all that is familiar about this special place and to see what shifts the sand has made since we were here last. This year, there is a low-tide lagoon on one of the beaches, where we swim in the day-warmed water until it's almost sunset, and a wall of sand along another windswept beach that's been carved out by the power of the waves. Nature shapes the island.
This year, I've longed for these Straddie days even more so than other years. Just one glimpse of her as the barge draws near, one afternoon of her cooling afternoon breezes, one dip of my toes in her greeny-blue ocean and I feel at peace. I love to float upon her gentler waves, my face turned skyward to the azure blue above, and clear my mind.
Our fortnight of days on this island has taken us a world away from the searing heat, the smoky skies, the parched landscapes of our tinder-dry country and the Christmas commercialism and reminded us, as it does each year, that life can be very relaxed and simple. We are lucky indeed to have this time here and to know we will always come back.
Meg
Beach Lagoon.
Straddie Sandbank.
Late Afternoon Waves.
Meg
Meg, I would like to stay in the Brisbane CBD sometime and do a few day trips to the islands off Brisbane. Is it difficult to get to where the ferry leaves from as I would use public transport? I guess a day trip would be possible. Is that right? Enjoy your break from the silly commercialism. I feel quite removed from the nonsense. I mean...what does breaking the bank have anything to do with Christmas?
ReplyDeleteChel, I would think that there would be day tours available that would leave from the city but, if you were going to use public transport, you would need to catch the train to Cleveland and then a bus to where the ferry departs. Once on the island, you would need to bus it from Dunwich to Point Lookout (about a 20min drive). It might be worth comparing the cost of all those fares and ferry transfer, as well as the time taken up travelling, with cost of a day tour that leaves from the city and takes you through to the island and back.
DeleteOne of the loveliest things about being here at this time of year is the complete lack of Christmas mayhem. It really is a world away from all that. Meg:)
Thanks Meg. I will look into it.
DeleteIt sounds like an ideal vacation. I love the white sandy beach and the blue ocean.
ReplyDeleteAnd it doesn’t look crowded at all. Here, beaches are very crowded during school breaks.
It's beautiful, Nil. Quiet too when we are here in the weeks before Christmas. After Christmas, and during the Easter holidays too, it can get busier. We have been swimming and walking on the beaches late in the afternoons and it's such a tranquil feeling. Meg:)
DeleteIt's my favourite place in the world, Laurie. It really is so very beautiful. Meg:)
ReplyDeleteIt looks perfect. Enjoy your escape. Xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jules. We will thoroughly enjoy it. Meg:)
DeleteSuch a beautiful and amazing place to get away from it all. I hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing time. Thank you for sharing your part of the world with us all.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful part of the world; just off the coast from our city but a world away. I have such a deep affection for the island and feel lucky to be here again. Meg:)
DeleteBliss Meg! Good memories of Straddie, from when I was a kid living at Cleveland. You're lucky to get away from the smoky haze we're living with every day. Happy Christmas.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you know Straddie, Nanette, and have fond memories of the island too. It's such a laid-back place! I am not looking forward to going home as the relentless heat, smoke haze and dry earth just makes me sad. Here, although the island too is needing rain, water is a constant element as the ocean is so close and it's so revitalising to walk by the waves and swim in the sea. Happy Christmas to you too, Nanette. MegXx
DeleteAh...what a gorgeous place! So glad to hear that you are safe and in an environment that is so breathtaking and healing. There is nothing like spending time in nature.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Stephanie. Time in nature works wonders. I feel coming here, to Straddie at the end of each year, is like a reset for me. Breathing the fresh sea air, walking beside the ocean and swimming in the waves is so healthy for body, mind and spirit. Meg:)
DeleteEnjoy your time on the island Meg.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jan. We will! Have a lovely Christmas time.
DeleteMegXx
Have a great holiday...ps make the fudge for a couple of friends the other day for Christmas gift...yummy.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you like the fudge, Kathy. Have a lovely Xmas! Meg:)
DeleteI am sure that the island will refresh you body and soul from the trials of heat and smoke. We so feel for you all over there, our Aussie neighbours, it must be very trying. Have a lovely Christmas and holiday.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anne. Very hard times for so many with devastating bushfires. So many wishing for rain this coming Christmas. I hope you share a wonderful Xmas time with your family too. Meg:)
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