I've been a-beaching!

  

We've been to the beach for a bit. Don't let anyone tell you there's no fun to be had on a winter beach. It was fabulous. 

  

This beach was awash in giant kelp, only freshly shared with the shore. Tough as leather, heavy as wet rope.

  

A tiny plover, one of many on this deserted beach. 

  

How could you not be moved by this awesomeness?

  

Playing with my camera, and the late-afternoon light.

 

 

The dog wanted to know why she couldn't swim.

 

Now we're in Townsville and these pics are from the newly-developed Jezzine park at the end of the wonderful Strand.

 

 

And finally, it was time to fly home. But not until after this glorious late afternoon walk. 

Magnetic Island

We had an unexpected trip to Townsville this past weekend and also a day trip to Magnetic Island, scene of several holidays in the past. This was our first trip since the ferry terminal was moved from Picnic Bay to Nelly Bay and we were keen to see the impact on the Picnic Bay village.

This is the pier ...

... and this is the hill ...

and these are the trees ...

that linger still ... Beautiful as ever
but it was a different place. I've written a poem for an online Month of Poetry Challenge and include it here.

Maggie island

Picnic bay now the ferry no longer calls

There were curlews here once

hoards of them

all long legs and stretch neck

old-wood feathers

and whistle-sad cry

They whiled our evenings

dinnering on the promenade

The resort fence remains

and the waterfront walk

The pier reaches to the mainland

as if in supplication

The banyans umbrellas broader

and the wreck sinks further

into the seabed

The red yellow flags

show where it's safe to swim

and a few do

The Chinese restaurant

now sells burgers

and coffee

and bait

The trees flutter

as they frame luminous sea

and a lone butterfly

lands on a empty bar stool

There are no curlews now

not one left 
to cry down the long quiet afternoon