Why we built a beach house by the sea. Part 3

Why we built a beach house by the sea. Part 3

Garden chairs

The beach house is about 2 years old now!

 

My very first initial blog post on this web site was simple, short and about a dream that we had to build a BEACH HOUSE at Marion Bay, Yorke Peninsula. It has taken approx one year to complete this project and another year to furnish, live in it and start a garden. My husband being a builder of sorts did most of the work. I would try and help, getting scuffed and scratched and blowing a few of my foofer valves along the way.

However we built a strong, very small, two bedroomed beach house and a large shed. I mention the word strong, because it is forever windy on this peninsula and salt spray is generally covering most things. Building materials have to be hardy and able to last the distance. Also we rely completely on rain water and consequently we are reluctant to hose anything down too much.

We have planted a garden and I have many herbs, mainly chilli plants, sage, dill, rosemary and parsley. Also tomatoes, silver beet and spring onions are doing well. Once again we rely on rain water for our garden. So its wise to plant hardy perenials over here.

All other decorative plants around the house are native plants taken from the surrounding bushes as this is only the type of thing that will grow in this harsh environment.

You may ask what we do in a day… I hope my photos are an answer to that question. Our days seem full to over flowing. Upkeep with weeds and insects and the effects of the constant wind and salt spray is never ending. In between this we do find ample time for walking, swimming, boating, fishing, photographing, biking, exploring and surfing.

We swim almost every day winter and summer. Our love for the ocean never subsides. Each year we count the number of swims we have in the winter. Very very refreshing indeed.

The fishing is a favorite pastime but how it blows on this peninsula. So a fishing day is a valuable day and the opportunity is grabbed with both hands!

Has the dream been all we had thought about and planned?

 

Absolutely, we are very thankful to have this place, far from the madding crowds and close to the waters edge. Many places to explore, adventures seem to repeatedly materialise from the landscape and seascape. What an amazing world we live in!

A blessing which I thank God for in every way.

collection of vintage bottles
Vintage bottles
Wood panelling and vase
Lounge and couch
Cosy bedroom

Above. Indoors, wood panelling, vases, cushions and pictures hung for cosiness. Easy to live in and provides a warm feeling.

Collecting coal along the beach
Feeding the pelicans
Photographic walks along the beach

Outdoor walks and strolls, feeding the birds and watching the waves.

Emu
Emus crossing the road
Emus in the evening wandering in dry grass

Always the adorable emus.

Pelicans Marion bay

And let’s not forget the pelicans.

Two kangaroos

And a kangaroo or two.

Yacht sails around Cape Spencer
Photographic walks along the beach

Always the yachts which I chase around the peninsula, photographing as I go. Sooo beautiful.

Boating life
Fishing boat

Always  a day or two fishing and relaxing on the blue cool ocean.

Sun umbrella
Sun umbrella at the beach

Always the beaches, armed with sun umbrella and fly screen over my hat. These glossy beaches are incredible. Isolated and clear.

Sun umbrella
Surfer

Always the surf and surfers. Spectacular and powerful.

coffee
Drinks and chairs
Drinks and chairs
Drinks and chairs

And of course always the coffee and snacks….. and then drinks at sunset. Let us not forget that the beach house is for every kind of activity!

Drinks and chairs

Yorke Peninsula (especially Innes National Park at the southern tip of the Peninsula) is a unique and interesting spot. Some friends we had visit us, described it as an “eerie place.” I guess I could agree, it has a certain quality that makes your heart trip over, and a feeling of sheer exhileration takes hold.

Why we built a beach house by the sea, part 2.

Why we built a beach house by the sea, part 2.

Progress has been slow over the winter. Heaps of rain so the water tanks are over flowing. However we have been able to work on the inside as most of the outside is finished.

I have made a tiny garden of local plants. All the same type of grasses for a unified, coherent kind of effect. The ground is very sandy and it is certainly best to choose local plants as not much grows in this area.

We still have plenty to do, but at least we can sleep in the beach house and not in a caravan any longer.

I chose wood for the walls due to its warm feel and the natural vibe it adds to any home.

I’ve made a path out the front from some old left over slate and put white rocks along the front. These limestone rocks are everywhere here. I don’t think I’ve seen one beach shack without these limestone rocks.

It is such a lovely place so peaceful and relaxing. Nature at its finest.

 

Emus walking past the beach house
Sun hats hang up at the holiday house
Bathroom
bedroom in holiday home
Light shade and wooden walls
Shells collected and put on a shelf
Empty room with wooden walls

Growth of plants is slow and keeping bugs away is a constant chore. We are trying to be as natural as possible but some of the insects are so resistent I have resorted to getting the spray can out and try slaughtering them this way. White vinegar was just not working. Soon we will put in more furniture and some homely touches.

Living here is very peaceful as most of the holiday homes are vacant year round. They soon fill up around Christmas and Easter, dogs, kids, bikes, music, but hey, when it’s only for around 10 days I  will put up with anything!

A dream coming true, photography by the sea.

A dream coming true, photography by the sea.

In the last few years we have found ourselves on an endless quest in search of a place to live, a place that belongs to our heart and gives us peace, happiness and quiet.

 

We believe we may have found this perfect spot, a place beside the ocean, a place with memories a place that is quiet, a place to build the dream……

 

The love one has for the ocean is beyond all boundaries and can often be traced back to childhood. Long days spent lying on sunny sands and cool nights awaiting sleep while listening to the sound of the crashing waves on worn grey pebbles.The fisherman is indeed married to the sea and the surfer has inexplicable longings to master the relentless, whitecapped wave. The ocean never leaves or forsakes its lovers, it permeates deep into their soul, where water meets water. And the sky meets the horizon, and the sandy land is impressionable upon its inhabitants.

Our family have been holidaying in Yorke Peninsula for over thirty years. On the very first visit, in Casurina camping ground, we encountered a rustic, rugged, and dramatic environment, which tested our bodies and camping abilities to the extreme.Things have not changed much from that time. The huge waves, the rugged surfer, the strange but friendly emus, the orange kangaroos, the enormous cliffs, the lonely uninhabited islands, the shipwrecked coastline, the sultry fisherman, all of this has made for a holiday destination which captivates the heart of the adventurer, the explorer, the sun soaker, the swimmer, the surfer and any other who enjoys the saturating experiences of nature.
All and everything in its finality that we have learnt, is that whilst we are packing to drive back to our homes, our hearts are full and yet silently empty. We cannot speak, words would destroy the beauty of our holiday experiences, and any sound is a sign that we are departing this strange but very magnificent place.

 

The one point of hope is that we will return, for now/today we have made a claim to a small portion of sandy land and our dream is to build a tiny holiday home to bring all those old memories back to life again!

A photographic diary of this journey is now possible with my camera and my heart melded together. I started this blog to record and relive all the moments, that we have experienced. I intend also to record the travels to and from our holiday home, as the innumerable golden canola and wheat fields, salt lakes, small towns and animals are all part of the dream.

Gallery