“We need the tonic of wildness…We can never have enough of nature.”
Henry David Thoreau
This weekend Bear and I loaded up the car with much excitement to head to the Gold Coast for a full day of running errands and a bit of fun.
We got 30 minutes down the road before realizing we’d forgotten the NavSat – essential to our day of gallivanting hither and thither in parts unknown. Grrr. So back we went, picked it up, plugged it in and were on our way.
90 minutes later the low battery warning came on and upon pulling out the plug discovered that the end was missing (how on earth???). Grrr. Thankfully I had my phone with me so I hastily pulled it out and attempted to navigate Bear through the maze of construction blocked streets.
Alas, my phone chose this time to blank the screen every 8 seconds leading to conversations that went something like this: “OK, babe, take your next left…no, bugger, just a sec, wait, wait, OK, yeah, take the next left. Uh, yeah, that one we just passed, hold on, wait, wait, oh bugger!”
Somehow we managed to find an electronics store and popped inside to get a replacement cable. But of course they only just stopped making that version and it would cost $?? to find a new one and they didn’t actually carry them anymore and didn’t have any in stock and really, it would only be a bit more to just buy a new NavSat. Grrr.
Ten minutes later we bustled out with new NavSat in tow, got to the car, and continued on our way.
By this time, as you can imagine, nerves were frayed, tempers rattled, and our blissful jaunt to the coast was a mere memory.
But then a few things happened that restored our rumpled spirits and got our jolly day out back on track.
Firstly: food.
Really, is there anything more restorative than a good meal? I think not.
We got an outside table at one of our favorite Gold Coast haunts: Milan on Main. The weather was exquisite, a balmy 78 degrees F with cool breezes and brilliant sunshine, and as we sipped our freshly squeezed strawberry, passion fruit, and watermelon juices and soaked up all that delicious fresh air, the mayhem of the morning began to dissipate.
By the time our food arrived we were in downright good spirits and could start to laugh about the gong-show we’d just experienced. We visited in between mouthfuls of poached eggs and smoked salmon, savory sausages and roasted tomatoes, crispy hashbrowns and delectable sauces.
Any lingering vexations disappeared completely when we arrived at Main Beach after brunch.
Although I’ve loved every Aussie beach I’ve visited thus far – from Coolangatta to Bribie Island – Main Beach will always have a special place in my heart because it’s the first Aussie beach I visited when I moved to Australia.
It’s also where Bear and I had our first date, the place where I knew that this bloke was the one for me.
Kicking off our shoes we trudged down the sandy slope to the beach and found a spot with ample scope for people watching and more than enough room to stretch out and snooze in the sun.
I confess I had been nervous about going to the beach so soon after being ill for so long. My poor ol’ body isn’t back to fighting strength yet and it shows. But I gave myself a good talking to and reminded myself that me and my wobbly bits have as much right to bask in sunlight and turquoise water as the svelte young things next to me, and I wasn’t going to let one more happy opportunity pass me by while I waited to be skinny enough, pretty enough, enough enough!!
And I’m so glad I didn’t.
Learning anew to see myself with love filled me with love for the parade of bodies I saw around me – the gorgeous old ladies with wrinkly everything, positively beaming as they played in the water with their grandchildren, splendid pot-bellied men spending hours building sandcastles with their kids, muffin topped young moms flirting with their husbands, lithe teenagers doubled over in laughter as they posed for pictures and chased each other through the waves.
It made me so happy to be part of the human race and wish I could tell each person there how beautiful they are, no matter what.
We had a wonderful time, laughing with a neighbor when he nearly decapitated me with his rogue kite, grinning at children shrieking as they ran away from the waves, closing our eyes and snoozing happily as the sun soaked into our bones and melted away the stress of our journey.
It was just what we needed.
We returned home with our first tan lines of the season, clothes full of sand, and happy sighs every time we thought of the beach.
It was a wonderful day after all.
Where’s the last beautiful place you went to relax?
It sounds heavenly Krista and a place to relax and rejuvenate. My cellulite does not stop me from frolicking on the sandy beaches or sitting with my “beach” book of the week. My favourite place this past week was to drive down Lobsinger lane near where I grew up and stop at all the stands at the end of the long driveways and dream of days gone by. Corn on the cob with melted butter dripping down my chin, home baked mini pies and visits with family..this was my happy place.
One more reason why you’re one of my very favorite brave, strong women, @disqus_2LQ5qLN5aY:disqus 🙂 Ohhh, your happy place adventures sound absolutely WONDERFUL!!! I’m so glad you got to share it with people you love. 🙂
Atta Girl!!! Looks like a lovely splendid happy day prevailed!
Thank you, dear @knittingthemoment:disqus 🙂 It was a wild day but a glorious one in the end. 🙂
Glad you found your way in the end – and that beach must make the journey worthwhile! Just beautiful!
Thank you, @katyabroad:disqus 🙂 Isn’t it a gorgeous spot? It did my heart much good indeed. 🙂
Glad you got to the beach after your interruptions. Your brunch looks amazing and tasty. Main Beach looks like a great place – glad to hear you had such a lovely day 🙂
Me too, @wanderingsheila:disqus ! For a while there it felt like we would NEVER arrive. 🙂
Krista; what a place! I’m so glad you enjoyed that delectable looking food, drink and beach. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us in word and pictures. I think one of my favorite places is on the ocean edge – your beach is just a picture of peace and joy. A week ago Ted and I camped at a lovely spot at Whisper’s Point Provincial Campground right on the edge of McLeod Lake north of Prince George, BC. It was so serene and peaceful. We were making our way home to Merritt after a long trip up to Ft. St. John to visit family and friends. We were tired and this camp site allowed us such quite and restful beauty. I hope you are feeling better every day. I forgot my password so I think I’ll have to post as a guest?~
Oh MaryAnn, your escape with Ted sounds absolutely wonderful! I have such happy memories of camping on the shores of Canadian lakes. Your camping sounds so lovely. 🙂 XO
Krista, your photos are always so beautiful, but beach photos hold a special place in my heart. And beach photos with stunning blue waters?? Wow!! I have not yet visited Australia, but it’s high on my wish list. One of these days (years…) I’m going to pop in for a visit.
The beginning of your trip had me laughing… I can so relate!!
I can’t wait for you to come to Australia, @kimlivlife:disqus 🙂 Won’t we have fun adventuring and talking our heads off? 🙂
Yes!!!! You will be the first person I call when I get there!! 🙂
Hooray! 🙂
I love the beach, too. And the mountains. We spent the weekend in the mountains where it was chilly (after a 2-week heat wave in Los Angeles, we needed some lower temps!) and fabulous. I guess I like going wherever the off-season is happening. I live on a busy street in one of the biggest cities in the country and I LOVE the hustle and bustle, but sometimes I just need a day away to commune with nature instead of people. Oh— I keep forgetting to mention this, but your photos aren’t showing up at all in Feedly Reader. ;-(
How wonderful to getaway to the coolness and peace of the mountains, @48863519405b297f7368332c765306b8:disqus 🙂 I love the mountains too – so much – and hope to drive to them this weekend. 🙂 Thank you for letting me know about my photos in Feedly. I just checked my feed there and they’re showing up now, so hopefully it was just a glitch. 🙂
I had a picnic at the top of Montville overlooking the entire Sunshine Coast from Coolum to Caloudra and out to the horizon. It was very peaceful indeed.
Oh how wonderful, @OrgasmicChef:disqus 🙂 That must’ve filled your soul with such happiness. 🙂
What a gorgeous post my friend — words and pics! I wish I could tell everyone how beautiful they are as well!
Thank you, dear @GlobalButterfly:disqus XO You’ve inspired me so much in this area. 🙂
Hi Krista! What a beautiful post. I agree, a good meal is so very restorative. I particularly liked hearing your reflections about the beauty you saw at the beach. I often have moments like that…when I feel so alive and want to tell everyone I see how beautiful and wonderful they are. Thank you for sharing!
You are so welcome, @monet_anecdotesandapples_com:disqus 🙂 I’m so glad you understand that feeling too. 🙂
I’m sitting here trying to think of something and the fact that I can’t readily think of something prompts me to think it’s high time we schedule in a day of relaxation. Is that pathetic or what! Captured the Aussie light beautifully – especially for a Canadian 😉
Oh you made me laugh, @disqus_2yjJojmJOE:disqus 🙂 I’ve been zombie brain all day today and I’m delighted to hear I’m not the only one. 🙂 YES!! A day of relaxation is definitely in order. So glad you approve of my Canadian attempts at capturing Aussie beauty. 😉
I’m impressed with your Aussie sense of humour too – that you don’t mind having the mickey taken out of you.
That made me laugh, @disqus_2yjJojmJOE:disqus 🙂 I was rather shell-shocked by it when I first arrived, but now I love it. 🙂 You can tease me anytime! 🙂
Nice beach! I want to go here
Thank you, @ebogmegames:disqus 🙂 It is a beautiful place. 🙂
Such an uplifting experience for you, Krista, thank you for sharing this
It really was, @lizposmyk:disqus 🙂 It always makes me happy when I’m able to face a fear and stand up to it. 🙂
I felt for you as I read this but what a happy day it turned out to be in the end. 🙂
It sure did end up happy, @LindyLouMac:disqus 🙂 I was so glad it wasn’t a complete mess of a day. 🙂
i won’t answer your last question as i think you might know already.
hey! looks like summer’s arrived where you are! oh nothing wrong with a beach. it will cure what ails ya! and those satnavs!!!??? oy! give me a map anyday.
http://mlleparadis.blogspot.com
It couldn’t be England, could it, @9d73767d10227efff04c7307e331304c:disqus ? 🙂 I hear ya on the satnavs. Oh my gosh. 🙂 I usually bring printed directions AND the satnav but forgot this time. Let that be a lesson to me. 🙂
Isn’t it ridiculous how replacing our things is often more economical than fixing them? It drives me ’round the bend. Before we know we’ll be in Huxley’s Brave New World, throwing our clothes away rather than washing them. Ugh. Glad to hear your day was oh so redeemable – the beach looks gorgeous! I’m very much enjoying your posts about the changing seasons in your neck of the woods; they make for excellent anticipation of seasons changing here, even it’s fall I’m expecting instead of spring 🙂
It is COMPLETELY ridiculous, @rachelfriesen:disqus !! And it turns out they weren’t telling the truth for Bear was able to get a replacement cord today at a different store. Sigh. 🙂 Ah well, at least we have a backup now, eh? I’m so glad you love the changing of seasons too. I find it so inspiring. 🙂
What a lovely story! The images make me want to head straight for the beach as well.I really do enjoy summer.
…and lol! I have had five children, worrying about body image is a thing of the past.
You are amazing to have five children!! 🙂 It is a lovely, amazing thing to feel comfy in your own skin, isn’t it? xo
Wow Krista, what a gorgeous place… you really are living in Oz 🙂 And I couldn’t agree more, there is nothing more restorative than a good meal, always sends my spirits soaring!
Isn’t it wonderful, @TuulaR:disqus ?! It’s like a cut out from a magazine. 🙂 I can’t wait to visit you one day and eat the gorgeous food you make and share. 🙂
I loved this post. I love everything you write but this especially resonated with me. I gave myself that very same talk at the beginning of the summer. 2 babies in two years and a past that did not encourage bathing anything (just cover it all up) was a barrier to overcome but I did and you did. And the beach will always be such a happy place to me now. And telling, everyone that they are beautiful? Yes! I want to shout it to everyone. =)
And, also, food makes a big difference in restoring the day. =)
We DID overcome, dear @breannemosher:disqus !! Yay us!! 🙂
Your pictures are beautiful and it sounds like such a wonderful time. We just had a fabulous weekend in Ocean City, Maryland and coincidentally we also had poached eggs with ham. Now I am inspired to try it with smoked salmon, boy oh boy it looks good. Have a fabulous day!
Hey hon, your picture of you legs with the surf made me smile, and think of this: http://hot-dog-legs.tumblr.com/. Miss you and your hugs. Say hi to Bear for me.