Some years back, we floated the idea of moving to the coast. Raising little surfing babies. Neither B or myself can surf but we hardly thought that was the point. And plus, LD totally has the hair for it.
B loves the ocean. And so do I.
But it scares me, too. I am somewhat trepidatious about the ocean. I don't fully trust it. And I'm not convinced that I'm wrong to feel this way – rip tides? Jaws? sand-loaded bathers crotch? Not convinced.
Despite this, I think living by the beach would be therapeutic. And an unparallelled environment in which to raise children.
A sea change is not in our little family's immediate future but whenever we visit friends on the coast, it ignites that little flame once again.
Last month, we visited friends in Point Lonsdale.
We headed down to beach. The sun was shining but the wind was cold enough to warrant long sleeves.
Zee was seeing the ocean for the first time. And LD, having previously shown some trepidation of the water, had to be physically restrained from running in fully clothed.
I felt that flame burning intensely. I think the photos illustrate why better than I could ever express it.
Note: Here is where the wordless part of this post kicks in……
One little click. Just one. And that's it!
I can say by experience Angie that coastal living is the go. We live an 8 minute drive from Torquay & only minutes more to the whole surf coast, Anglesea, Lorne etc…. We are members of the fishing club in Torquay & spend many a lazy weekend in the rooms of the club, right on the water & LOVE IT. Do it, do it, do it. We are working hard to get a head so we can move there in a few years & soak up the whole vibe of the ocean.
Love the pics !!!!!!!
As soon as the weather is 27+ we head to the beach by 9am, we love just sitting & being… it’s very calming & therapeutic… We spend every day on the beach when in Bali also… it’s the best!!!
The wind, the serenity of the waves rolling in… people watching… it’s just so cheap & entertaining too!!! lol
Thanks, Tash! There were some amazing fluke shots – something for the pool room in there I think….. 🙂
I do envy you your proximity to the beach. How wonderful. Fingers crossed it will be part of our plan.
Oh lovey, I know how you feel about warm weather and water.
You’re all about getting wet and wild!
I really must get back to Bali soon. I should probably take the rest of the family too……
LOL, or just go off without them… lol
Hmm, something I’ll never get to do… but I really am a 1 in all in family holiday chick… Yeah take the family they’d love it!!!
We lived on the Bellarine as part of a sea change for a few years. It was a lovely environment, I learnt a lot about waves and water and sand…..lovely people too. In the end though it was just too small a community for me even with Lorne and Torquay/Geelong so close. Headed back to the city and am so glad to have done the whole sea change thing so I don’t have to drool everytime I see a show on tv about coastal living on the surf coast!
I love being on the coast and breathing lungfuls of salty sea hair… but I hate being ON the beach. It’s the sand that I’m not a fan of, and I can’t seem to get past that! Pathetic, really.
But yes, coastal living is wonderful. I always enjoyed visiting my parents on the NSW south coast. So relaxing.
Gorgeous pics!
Interesting perspective, Caroline. How great to be able to say you had done it though.
We live in a pretty small community now – about as far out north as you can get before you’re in the sticks. We love it having previously been quite inner-city. Having kids has made us crave open spaces.
Our plan was never to be there forever. Certainly by the time the kids were ready for high school, we would be wanting to head back to Melbourne for their schooling.
You know what? Yes! I fucking hate sand. I manage to forget this tiny sticking point. Floorboards constantly gritty underfoot? Hmmm.
Actually, to clarify, I love sand until I’m no longer on the sand and yet the sand is still with me. Annoying.
Relatives on the coast seems like an excellent compromise.
Ah it’s been years since I’ve been to the beach. Love it (but agree totally about the sand). These pics are good and really make me want to go there again. Rory hasn’t yet had sand between his toes. How can we call ourselves Australians? Eeek!
Beautiful pictures…
Made me miss my Bondi apartment, which is saying something! It takes a lot for me to remember Sydney without immediately remembering the traffic.
Living in Bondi was great though and having the beach on the door stop was almost like having a freebie-nanny. Jude could spend hours there in a bubble of happiness; no requests for TV, no bloody lollypops in the check out aisle, just us and sunshine. Bliss.
Beautiful photos! Looks like a great time.
I grew up near the beach and it’s definitely a part of me. Love the beach. Bringing it home – not so much.
Living the coastal life here is great…….we are surrounded by the sea, with one road in & one road out of town…….it is great, we have the lovely Bridgewater beach just a few minutes out the road, complete with majestic blowholes & miles of pristine beach…….wouldn’t change it for the world!!!
Oooh, you should go. But take vodka. Just in case it all goes to shite.
I was terribly jealous when you lived there, Kiki. Really. But yeah, you can keep the traffic. And the tourists.
Oh and the average body on Bondi just made me want to kill myself.
So yeah, apart from all that, I totally wanted to be you……
Bringing home the beach it most definitely the downside.
But I love that you describe it as still being a part of you. I’d like that for my kids.
Wow. Sounds wonderful, Kirsty. There’s something nice about being so far from the rat race.
But is it wrong that the word ‘blowholes’ makes me giggle? I’m so mature….
That does sound pretty sweet! Even when you get used to the beach scenery, the magic of being able to spend time in such a place doesn’t go away.