Austinmer and the Grand Pacific Drive
We went to Austinmer whilst I was away. We intended to get a kebab from the shop across the road from that lovely beach. The header of this blog was taken at that beach when I had a holiday in Wollongong. I enjoyed that spot. It was very busy this visit, so we went further down the road and enjoyed a quieter beach off the main road. Lying on the beach reading and dipping into the waves each time I got to hot was how the majority of the day was spent.
We took the Grand Pacific Drive, which I had been keen to do last time I was there, yet never made it that far up. It is a great road that runs along the coastline. We also called into a few galleries, which were impressive.
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Squeaky Beach
Darin and I went to the Prom today. Tidal River was bursting at the seams with people so we decided after lunch to head to Squeaky Beach. There is a carpark there now. Last time I went there I had to walk from Tidal River. It was gorgeous. White, squeaky sand and blue water that looked unreal. It was a bit chilly for a swim today so we had a little play in the waves, really only getting our feet wet. We lay on the beach for a couple of hours reading. I started the Coco Chanel biography I got for Christmas from Darin. It’s great. It tells a different story to the film I watched. I was rapt he remembered how interested I was in her.
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Saturday and Coco Chanel
“How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone. ” Coco Chanel
I watched a DVD about Coco Chanel yesterday. It was beautiful. She was really a feminist in that she freed women from restrictive clothing. She also was driven to live independently and follow her own passions. I had no idea. I have to admit I’ve never been especially interested in fashion designers. I have thought it to be a bit superficial. I enjoyed the film, which was for the most part a love story.
Darin has started a new job as a chef and was working so I had a day to indulge myself. I love hearing about what he has cooked.
I have a bit of a chest infection so I just quietly pottered around the house yesterday. I love this beautiful sunshine. Today we are heading for the sea.
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Beach is Back
I dipped in the sea yesterday. We went to Inverloch with the kids. The water was cold, but I couldn’t resist. The carpark at the surf beach was full so we went to the beach near the town. The girls swam with me. Dad and son dug a big hole and buried himself.
Then we headed for some food and as always the Italian place had delicious pizza and pasta. I like the woman who takes my order. She’s has such a beautiful, warm and open face. I feel I can ask for anything and it will be no problem. The food is consistently delicious.
I texted Tom, as sitting in front of the place reminded me of last year with him and his friends. We had some great feasts there in our bathers last year. Lots of laughs too. He called me back. We exchanged news, this has been a busy week for it. He sounds well and as though he is enjoying his life. It’s not long until he comes back for another weekend and I must say I am looking forward to it.
We then headed back to play in the waves as the crowd was disappearing. It was a fun and full day. I was glad Darin was driving home because the sun, swimming and the belly full of pasta made for a drowsy drive home. Instead of loud music all the way home, we played ‘I Spy’ and then ‘sleeping tigers’.
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Halfway
I haven’t blogged since last week! The weather turned a bit rough so I turned to inside activities mostly, though we did get some gardening in on Thursday. It was long overdue with some garden beds needing to be mowed rather than weeded. I want to do so much outside it is overwhelming to start sometimes. It looks much better now, yet I still see a lot to do.
We had the kids for a night last week, which is always fun. One of the kids decided to stay with her mum, I noticed her absense. I missed her actually. We didn’t get out with them curtailing our tendency to always go out when the kids are here. Darin thought it was time we did a bit of normal hang out stuff. I remember when my kids would go to their dad’s for the weekend, they tend to have high entertainment expectations when that’s what usually happens. It’s so interesting being on the other side of the ‘every second weekend’ family.
I watched a few films, the most interesting was ‘Flashbacks of a Fool’ with Daniel Craig. I have also been introduced to Carl Baron and laughed till my stomach hurt watching his DVDs. I had no idea he was so cleverly funny. I watched the Grand Final, half heartedly baracking for the Saints. I fell asleep though so I didn’t get to experience the loss. I’ve watched the Grand Prix as well on a few occasions during this season. I can barely contain my advertising analysis though whilst watching these ‘blokey’ things on TV. It’s a whole new reality to me.
I went for a drive to Golden Beach and had a long walk along the beach Saturday morning.
Yesterday we went to Ikea in Richmond to get some cutlery I wanted and as you could expect walked out with a few more items. We went to the National Gallery to see the Salvador Dali exhibition but the queue was for an hour so we took in the rest of the Gallery and resolved to go back during the week. I don’t know why I thought doing this on a Sunday was a good idea…. Ikea was packed also. We had dinner at Bukhara’s in Warragul on the way home. It was my first visit, Darin thought it wasn’t as good as it once was, I thought it was yummy.
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Discovering Kongwak
Darin and I went for a drive this afternoon to Cape Patterson. We were taking off from Warragul and went through the green hills on the windy roads and came across Kongwak between Korumburra and Wonthaggi. We stopped.
It’s a small place, yet it had a really colourful Market. The people there knew the teenage kids by name, as well as one another. I love that tiny community environment. There was a variety of new and secondhand things, inside and outside stalls and a nice vibe. I bought a couple of kids books, Darin purchased some CDs of comedians and he got some of our favourite incense and a sandalwood box. I tried on some clothes but my broad shoulders just didn’t feel relaxed in them, everywhere else fitted great.
We also checked out the Art Gallery and we both fell in love with a sculpture there. We managed to walk away discussing all the things we need to do at home before a peice like that would find a decent place. There were some appealing watercolours there.
The remainder of the day was gentle, Cape Patterson was a bit seaweedy, we drove back through Inverloch. Finding Kongwak was the unexpected pleasure of the day.
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Winter Sunrise at Queenscliff
Our first night away we left a little later than intended. We had dinner at the Drysdale Hotel, and then headed on to Queenscliff. There is a heap of building going on down at the ferry, looks like a commercial development. I didn’t notice it last time I was there. I hope it doesn’t spoil the vibe of the place.
I got to enjoy a sunrise at Queenscliff in the winter. It was colder and I was staying at a place around the corner from the Queenscliff Inn. I was wrapped in a blanket, wheras last time I was in shorts and a singlet. The bed was uncomfortable in this well decorated place, yet that was probably what led me to being up early enough to see the sunrise. I think the room was too small for me. I need space! The breakfast was lovely, my eggs were perfectly cooked.
Queenscliff in winter is much quieter. Many of the shops weren’t open and there was barely a soul about. The pub on the corner was very quiet when we went there for a beer before retiring. I enjoyed the quiet chat in front of the fire there without the crowds and noise. It was a relaxing first stop after an interesting day.
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12 Apostles and high heels
I’ve been away for a few days. We did the Great Ocean Road and then went on as far as Portland. I got some photos and saw some interesting things but I haven’t really unpacked, let alone got the photo’s from my camera yet. We drove a lot and had lengthy and interesting conversations. Darin is definately easy to be with.
The 12 Apostles was a surprise. I visited probably 20 years ago and the place has changed in more ways than a few of the structures falling into the water. There were helicopters buzzing over the place and it was swarming with tourists. It reminded me of visiting the penguins at Phillip Island. It could be lovely but there were just too many people there to feel that you were connecting with nature. It had more the feel of a shopping centre, crowds, frenzy and lots of camera’s clicking. We didn’t stay long.
I got some new boots last week and I was wearing them the day we left. I didn’t realise that I had neglected to put my walking boots in when I packed, so I was basically stuck with the high heeled boots and a pair of thongs. It was a little chilly for thongs, yet I did elect to wear them when we stopped at beaches, or barefoot. Walking around with high heels is something I have rarely done for a long time and I must say I have been reminded why. I walk fast, but not with heels. I don’t enjoy the noise they make and walking is not the pleasure it normally is. They look great though, so I’ll just keep them for times when there’s not much walking involved.
I’ll upload the photo’s during the week. I am halfway through my holidays now. I feel entirely relaxed and have achieved a lot on different levels in the time I’ve had. I feel really blessed to have this time and the lack of planning anything to do with it has enhanced both my efficiency and enjoyment of the time.
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Saturday Afternoon at the Beach
Our trip to Inverloch this weekend was different to the previous one this month. It involved sand castles and paddling in the shallows. It was sunnier and the waves were better to body surf in. We arrived earlier. It was warmer and the water more inviting. I could have gone back today to be honest.
There are always plenty of things to be done on the weekend though….like measuring the spaces where the fridge will go and checking out the empty house soon to be occupied by us. I was given a tour of my new town today. I think it will have all the things I need. I’m moving about 20 minutes away from here. I’m excited.
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A Five Minute Swim
Darin and I went to Inverloch after work tonight. It was 29 (by my car temp reading) on my way home from work. As we got closer, it was really smoky from just out of Leongatha. Not sure where the fire is in that area, but obviously something is still burning.
We had the beach to ourselves, well at least the car park, there were three other people in the water at the Inverloch Surf Beach. It was cooler there…. significantly. I thought I was going to be swimming alone for a short minute, yet he joined me eventually and basically we got wet and then got out. The tide was out so it was pretty shallow and not easy to have a swim in without going for a distance. It was invigorating though.
We had chips in town and a super big cappuccino from my favourite woman in Inverloch, then drove home. Lots of the trees along the way from Mirboo Nth to Driffield are burnt, yet I still got to smell some of that great dusk bush smell in parts and the light and shadows were lovely as ever.
A great kick start to the weekend.
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