Officially, today is the last day of Summer in Australia.
Tomorrow, the first of March, means we are heading towards the cooler weather of Autumn so we thought it was time we took you to the beach again.
We set off for the Gold Coast to pick up Sally who was on a RDO (Rostered Day Off - many workers in Oz get one of these days every month ) and head for the beach.
She took us to her favourite - Currumbin Alley - where Currumbin Creek empties into the sea.
We couldn't have asked for a better day - the sun was shining, the sky was blue with a few fluffy clouds and a gentle breeze kept us cool while the temperature was about 31C.
Because it was midweek there were not many people around but a few young surfers were out catching waves as usual.
Tony was on a mission to take photos of "soft water" - a new technique he is trying to master so the water crashing over the rocks was just the thing.
He set up his tripod while Sally and I pottered around on the rocks.
Me, taking photos .....
.. and Sally doing what all kids do when there are rocks at the beach - even grown up ones !!!!
I was intreagued by the beautiful patterns the elements had etched into the rocks
.
and the colours that had been exposed by erosion.
Photos taken, it was time for lunch.
Sally took us to her favourite cafe and lunch was a delight.
Mine was a concoction of smoky ham flavoured beans on sour dough bread - YUM !
Sally's was roasted pumpkin, fetta and rocket on sour dough toast - She said YUM too !
Tony said that was Yuppie food and opted for a (Yuppy-style) burger !
A healthy one - no chips but still very tasty !
We finished up with a little sweet treat and coffee. Sally says it's the best coffee on the coast and I have to say it was very good.
Next we headed inland following Currumbin Creek for about 15 miles until we came to a well known cooling off spot - the Currumbin Creek Rock Pools.
Plenty of running water for Tony's photos.
Sally declared that the water was colder than the sea ....
and it was cool in the shade by the water.
A little further down there is a small cascade - sort of a natural spa - where a few young people were having fun
then the creek widens out to a large, deep pool.
It's a very popular place on the weekends but today there were only a couple of people there enjoying the peace and quiet.
Behind us the lush hills of the valley crowded down to the creek ......
and here are two of those "soft water" photos Tony took today.
An interesting effect isn't it?
Cheers.
