To reach the beach we walked through the bush from the house (in New Zealand and Australia we call the woods/forest The Bush) down a well maintained path that meanders across a reasonably steep hill and then through a lagoon until accompanied by the applause of wild geese we burst out into the beach.
Going to the waters. In some of the native american tribes there is a tradition of Going to the Waters for healing. Sometimes a person will go to the waters daily for months until their spirit begins its journey to healing.
As a girl from the beach living on the landlocked prairies of the Midwest I need to go to the Sea. These are my waters. Once a year seems to be enough so far.
I have had the scent of the sea in my throat since the day I was born. So when the string on my balloon soul is loosened I drift with unerring accuracy and almost thoughtlessly back to the sea.
The rougher the better apparently. This is not a swimming beach. It is a stern Mama this sea.
The favourite part of my dinner last night was a pineapple and mango chutney. Oh and the pulled pork and then there was the guacomale from avocados selected for us by the man at the market just for guacamole, and they were turned into a perfect dish, the amazing cheese sauce that we handed up and down the table in its pot – the salsa! I could go on. 
Last night Fede and I baked the Birthday Cake. I will give you the recipe tomorrow. It is good to be back in a kitchen with Fede. We read each other perfectly step to step. As though we have been cooking together for a hundred years. It is still there this connection through food. Today will be great. Our challenge is to take all the remaining food and turn it into a Birthday feast. An all day feast actually.
Tomorrow morning we leave here. And part ways again. All true happy drags sad behind it.
But this morning we begin with Hugo’s Grandmothers crepes and champagne. The Kitchen Mamas made the batter last night as well. Everyone has been instructed to stay in bed as late as they can so there will be no morning snacking before brunch!
I hope you have a lovely day.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
42 responses to “Australia: A Beach”
Beautiful images .. Nothing better, food and family. Enjoy lovely 😄
Love.
Your photos are just lovely – the first one, and the fourth one, with the birds – perfect! And the sixth one down looks like a painting and should be made into greeting cards, or enlarged and framed for wall art. Such fun traveling together with you!
I like that stay in bed rule, come for brunch. The crashing waves are music to one’s ears.