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”
I can’t stand to live far from the ocean. I love seeing your photos of the ocean down under! Lovely beach… we don’t have really great sand beaches here in Maine!
“All true happy drags sad behind it.” Love.
I echo those sentiments.
Oh Celi – your photos! your food! your words! the joy and loveliness in every single thing has me smiling! What a lovely, lovely trip – and you are right – all true happy drags sad behind it. I had to read that a couple of times, but once i got it, i really got it. Wishing you lots more true happy!
Beautiful, beautiful happiness. It makes parting such sweet sorrow (as Someone Else once wrote).
What a joy that Greater Powers smiled upon you and provided such a perfect day: absolutely lovely beach photos! Now Fede has the red T-shirt and Sophie is all in dark . . . but which of your sons was able to be with you? Daresay one of the ‘Wellington ones’ . . . 🙂 ? Oh and you were lucky to get such good avos as the season has not quite started yet . . . . smiles . . . and why does time pass so quickly . . .
Oh, how I miss the ocean and the mountains and the forests…I’m glad you go annually. I don’t think I’d make a year without it myself.
My son, Aaron will be joining you on your farm when you arrive home from Australia. He is very excited about this opportunity and I am looking forward to hearing about his adventures. Enjoy the rest of your holiday with your family.
It looks like you’re having a marvelous time, I’m so happy for you. We were just in Arizona and although the sunshine every day was a very welcomed change from our dreary gloom, I did miss the sea. For me, it is sea and mountains, the mountains are humbling and keep everything in perspective. I hope the birthday celebrations go well! XOXO
I know exactly what you mean about the call of the sea, being raised in South Africa on the Sea Point beachfront. I am actually on my way to South Africa as I type this, sitting in Bordeaux airport for my flight to Johannesburg via Amsterdam. Then to see my daughter in Cape Town and the sea in a week. Can’t wait.
I was a beach baby, too, now living land locked. The natural high I get when I round that corner and see, hear, smell and taste the sea again is like no other. Hope you enjoy your Melbourne stay. I can’t wait to go back to visit.
this makes me a bit teary
The scenery deserves your lyrical description and beautful photos. What a treat you have given us. As fpr that meal, I am drooling.
When living right in the centre of England I used to crave the sight of the sea, but we were never more than two hours away. Now we’re half an hour away but don’t go as often as I’d like, so our Saturday lunch by the sea was special.
Thank you for taking us with you.
love,
ViV xox
Lovely photos, and your meal looks so nice! I love the sea too and I am off tomorrow to South Devon for a week by the sea.
Have a fab time with your family. 😀
Beautiful. I am a sea lover as well and as I type this I am in a small studio apt in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida soaking in the sounds of the waves. There is something about the water that draws me in. I am not a strong swimmer or lover of being in the water but I love being near the water. It is worship to me and I could spend hours unproductively sitting and watching the water make its way to the shore I have a lot of that planned for this week while the hubby works in Alabama and leaves me here for some “me time”. Enjoy your wonderful time away.
Your words and photos took my breath away. It makes my heart sing with you. The sea, family, good friends and good food. Wow!