Sunday strolls - Balnarring Beach

This morning Maya and I went for a stroll along our beach. As always she was excited when I reached for her lead and told her we were going, and even more so when we turned onto the road that led to her favorite spot in the whole world.

The tide was out, revealing so much more than what we normally see. We picked our way over the rocks as the water trickled over them and into the myriad of rock pools left behind by the tide.

Mountains of weed piled up on the sand. They remind me of tea leaves - not fun to swim in but fascinating on the sand.

I picked up a few shells for my collection as Maya paddled through the shallow water. She's not normally one for getting wet but there's just something about sea water she doesn't mind. The beach is full of strange and wonderful smells for her and she spends a lot of the time nose down investigating them.

I wonder about the vegetation that grows nearby. The little purple flowers I have seen since childhood. I wonder about the fruits and berries growing on branches. As children we were warned not to eat any berries we found, but I find myself wondering if these are actually bush tucker and a rich source of food.

The sky is moody and broody but as I sit here and write the sun begins to peep through the clouds, illuminating everything with a different light. Maya rests from her wanderings and sits at my feet, looking out at the distant waves.

I love it here. It feels like home.

The little boat to the right serves as a marker as to where I have parked my car!

The tide is out today....

...leaving piles and piles of weed that reminds me of tea leaves. 

I think Maya likes investigating the rock pools almost as much as I do!

Barnacles and snails clinging to the rocks, waiting for the tide.

This exposed rock reminds me of the head of Smaug the Terrible from The Hobbit.

Moody, broody skies. 

I wish I knew more about botany....or identifying bush tucker!

Interesting smells everywhere! Maya often has her nose down. 

I've seen surfers riding waves in this little inlet here. It's empty today. 

Memories of childhood beach adventures.....