"A bad day at the beach, beats a good day at work"

Oh dear, it has been about a week since I have posted. It is okay though, I've been busy. I actually managed to break into the equivalent of full time hours between both my jobs this week. 

By the way, did I mention that my new casual daycare job is going well. After thinking it was a bit of a flop I am getting work and enjoying it too. 

I must confess however that I did have a day lounging around at home and instead of creating something for blog land I binge watched Outlander. Hmmm, maybe I should have read the books first but boy it hooks you in. I am one of those people who likes to read the book first but I let it slide this time. My excuse for my square eyes behaviour is that it was the perfect rainy day weather for doing nothing much. By the way, it is rainy day weather today as well. I am thinking some crafting (since I pulled it all out already) and some movie watching is in order.

Today's photos have been brought to you, courtesy of my little forray down south. This weekend they have been predicting more wild and woolly weather for the more southern parts which is what we had during our little stay at the Sunshine Coast about a fortnight ago. It wasn't a big deal because winter isn't exactly the swimming time of year down there and I do love a bit of nature at it's wildest.

I was caring for my 15yr old brother and we had a 1 and 3 year old in the unit as well so getting outside at some point was a must. We made sure we went for a morning walk and an afternoon one too, most evenings.

We were staying up on the point between Shelly Beach and Kings Beach so had choices about which way to go. On Friday morning we headed Kings Beach way, despite the rain and wind.

We went for the very beachy shoeless option. That was not a mistake we made again. Those paths are a little rougher than the usual ones taken during February beach holidays.

We explored along the way. Everything is magical and interesting when you have a 3yr old on tow.

Banksia

Touching the sand and getting toes in the water was a must, it always is, no matter the weather. Those who have followed along with me for a while would probably have already guessed this about me and my family. We are water babies, through and through and beach bums to boot.

Bro S, Mum and Miss E heading for the water.

I always love watching a raging ocean with spraying, splashing waves.

It was kind of cool to be almost the only ones on this beach, one that is often filled with families, especially on summer weekends.

The flags said swimming with caution, inside the flags of cause, but no one was giving it a go.

As we left the beach and headed back up the hill the sky decided to clear a bit, and just that little bit of sun had us wanting to strip off a layer of winter woollies. But then again maybe that was just me who had given into Miss E's "Can I hop on your back?" demands. She is the 3yr old, by the way. Boy has she grown and how fast three years have gone.

We took the softer side, the grass option, on the way back. It was certainly more comfortable on the feet than the weathered stone path.

We decided this was a great winter spot to stay, because of the view, but in summer the usual place, closer to the water was better.

After more on and off rainy weather it tried to clear in the afternoon.

We were pretty certain that it wasn't the end of the wild and woolly weather with predictions of more to came and a sky that said so too.

Speaking of interesting weather, they got so much hail around Alice Springs, on Friday, that it looks like it snowed in the desert. Check it out here.

Sunset above the clouds

Ooops, I've run away on you again. Did you miss me? 

I had grand plans for a bit of blogging while I was away down south for a week. Well, that didn't happen. In fact just about the only thing I got the laptop out for was to take photos off my camera. That really was a good thing though. It meant that I was spending time enjoying the company of people, of my people, rather than having my head stuffed inside technology.

I've just had a week away down south with family. I headed down for a bit to be a carer for my brother for the weekend and it fitted in so nicely with my work roster that I was able to stretch it to a week.

Cairns City

On the way down, I flew into Brisbane, and for something really unusual I flew in the late afternoon. Do you know what that means? The sunset (and sunrise) obsessed me got to watch the sun set above the clouds.

Now I am pretty sure my non blind shutting habits annoy those sitting beside me but do you know what, I don't really care, because watching the sky change really is something and enjoying it is my relaxation thing. I really do try my hardest to get others to enjoy it with me, some are rather forced into it.

We took off on a bit of a rainy Cairns afternoon and it seemed to be a bit overcast and grey the whole way south.

The clouds were interesting though, once we rose above them, especially when the light started to change.

Unfortunately it seems that windows aren't something that gets cleaned much so mine was a little smudgy. My request to all airlines is to clean their windows ... a lot. Especially for me, you know.

As the sun sank lower the world above turned orange-ish.

You may think that all I do is stare out the window but I did attempt to watch a movie on the Virgin Australia app. What that really means is I watched a movie in subtitles because I've never been able to get that app to play sound on my phone. I guess my phone isn't smart enough for them. My phone is smart enough for me though, too smart sometimes like when it does whatever it wants to do. That reminds me, I think I should communicate that to them. I kept getting side tracked by the sky so I never finished the movie.

I always pack stuff to do on the plane like a book to read, music and usually a puzzle book too. So many times I've flown and these items barely see the light. Again, the view out the window is to blame.

The food also interrupts me. By the way, what is with the shoddy food and beverage service. I swear it is getting worse. This time we managed to get a drink of water, juice, tea or coffee and one teeny tiny sweet biscuit. I also didn't receive it until the plane had started slowly descending. By then it was dinner time, honestly. What happened to the days of an actual meal and copious drinks?

Well that was my little rant. Mind you, I am sure others would agree.

I spent most of the flight in quiet viewing. My seat partners were pretty quiet. That's right, they were Chinese, I forgot that. Anyway they were quiet and pretty intent on sleeping the flight away. It was fine by me, I was pretty intent on capturing a sunset. Actually the flight had a large percentage of Chinese on it so I guess that means tourism is doing pretty well. I hope they enjoy their stay.

By the time we descended the light was gone. I think it lingered so long because of how far up we were.

I was met at the airport by a very happy Mum (I was pretty excited to see her too). We chatted our way back up to the Sunshine Coast where we were spending the weekend. Really hard location for carer duty, don't you think.

Just for interests sake, I did a little labeling on one of the photos I took.

Strong Women and a Sunset

There is a quote that goes around, particularly at this time of year.

'Strong women ... May we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.' unknown

 I have a feeling I come from a long line of strong women. My mother is one, my Grandmother is one and my Great Grandmother certainly was one. I hope that I am one too.

This week we celebrate International Women's Day. We celebrate what it is and should be to be a women today. We celebrate the women around us and their achievements. We celebrate empowering women to be the best versions of themselves. We celebrate change and what the future will bring.

While I was away, gate crashing the family beach holiday, I got to have some quality time with some of the biggest female influences on my life; my Mother, Grandmother, Aunt and Sister. 

On the first evening my brother ditched us, as 15yr olds tend to want to do, so my Mum and I got some rare mummy daughter time as we wandered the beach and boardwalk before dinner. We have a pretty good relationship, I think, more than pretty good. I don't even think I went through that 'I hate my mother' teenage thing.

 We have a pretty 'girl power' kind of immediate family. My siblings are all female except for poor Bro S. He has put up with a lot over his 15 years and mostly loved every minute of it.

We were raised to be strong, independent, capable girls, women these days, by a strong, capable, independent woman. We were also taught that is it okay to need help and to ask for it. We were encouraged to follow dreams, to try our best and to be anything we wanted to be. We were taught to accept ourselves for who we are and to have respect for ourselves and others.

These things are probably the best gifts our mother could have given, these and unconditional love. They are what I hope to one day pass on to our girls, our children.

 We are, I am, lucky to have grown up in a society that pretty much accepts the strength of women along with our abilities.

These days I think I can confidently say that Mum and I are not only mother and daughter but friends. It would be so nice if we saw each other more often but when we do, it is certainly enjoyed.

Mum also puts up with a lot from all of us, including her eldest daughter nicking off on photo walks or even better, tagging along and putting up with her constant photo stops.

Another thing we grew up with was Girl Guides. That is an organisation in itself that encourages the girls can do anything attitude.

I am still a part of Girl Guides, as a leader, and love the ideals that it is based around. I also love the fact that it gives a safe place for girls to grow and try new things.

So to all the strong women who have shone on my life so far, thank you.

When I was away with my female strong family (Mum, Granny, Sis C, nieces Miss E and Miss A, Aunty B along with Grandad, Uncle J and for a short time Sis C's hubby) we were staying at the Sunshine Coast.

Kings Beach, Caloundra has been the family beach holiday destination for quite a few years.

One thing I have become much more appreciative of in recent years is the sunset over the Glass House Mountains from the rocks or board walk between Kings Beach and Bulcock Beach. Who can resist a beach sunset walk?

It is also a popular place with kite surfers and people fishing.

There is always something to look at.

I thought it was about time I shared a bit from my holiday after teasing you with flight photos and then getting sidetracked with other things, people and places.

I haven't seen much of sunrise and sunset since then, actually. At the moment they tend to be the cloudy part of the day or I am having to head to work.

I noticed this morning that the days are certainly seeming shorter. Maybe it was just the clouds but at 6am this morning it wasn't that bright.

I guess that means that we are slowly creeping towards the cooler months or in our case, not needing air conditioning to sleep and sometimes deal with the day. Last week we even had a few comfortable nights where the fan was enough.

I hope you have a great end to the week.