australian beaches - wendyphilip

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

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.

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

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

Emus in the evening wandering in dry grass

Always the adorable emus.

And let’s not forget the pelicans.

And a kangaroo or two.

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

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

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

Always the surf and surfers. Spectacular and powerful.

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!

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.

Photography

Tips on keeping safe at our South Australian beaches.

In the Australian summer: ....on the south coast we can be bothered by many things,...

Mar 23, 2023

Photography

How to handle negativity and criticism of your photography.

So just how do you understand and deal with comments made about your photography, either...

Sep 19, 2024

Photography

Is light blue a good colour in photography

Colour lightens our life and adds such a beautiful dimension to all we see. How clever...

Nov 9, 2023

Photographing surfing, (what not to do.)

Surfing life in South Australia…

…..is mainly centred around family holidays and extra weekend breaks. Over the years I have learnt what to photograph when my children are surfing and what NOT to photograph!

We have a beach house at the bottom end of Yorke Peninsula and as I have mentioned in my other blogs, we have been frequenting these beaches in this area for many years.

It’s always been all about the surfing. Right from the beginning when my children were little we had to choose a holiday destination that had waves. At the tip of Yorke Peninsula, the various beaches around the peninsula are known for their great surfing waves. Consequently over the years we grew to love all these spots.

My love for photography also grew over the years and one of the most challenging aspects, was the capturing of fast moving bodies on a wave. However as was my custom, time and time again while waiting for one of them to catch a wave, my thoughts and the direction of my camera would drift off to survey the sights. A bird, a yacht, a beautiful cloud, some sun bathers, what ever it was, inevitably I would miss the golden shot.

That evening while viewing the photographs of the day, I would be reprimanded… “Oh my goodness, she’s done it again, photographed a bird instead of my tube!!”

I have learnt to focus my entire attention on endlessly watching the waves and the surfers. It can give you a bit of eye strain keeping focused on distant objects on a bright sunny day, However, good sunnies and a sunhat go a long way in saving the day. And when you catch that magic shot it is well worth the wait.

A moment of boredom and a yacht sails by in the distance. How could I resist??

A bird or two but what a view.

The posts you requested could not be found. Try changing your module settings or create some new posts.

The beautiful Chinamans Hat Island

Chinamans Hat Island is located in the Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia.

As the seasons and the weather change so does the look of this tiny but beautiful island. I often stop and photograph these changes, some days rough, some days very calm and still, some evenings like a fire has been lit. It amazes me the way the ocean colour changes to suit the sky. Like a well dressed and fully colour coordinated woman.

This tiny (well dressed) island is only some 350 meteres from the shoreline and some have been known to walk over to it at low tide. Well I think it would have to be a very low tide for this to happen.

When visiting this area of Yorke Peninsula be sure to stop and walk down to the small but very clear waters on this beach.

This has always been one of our favorite spots for swimming.

Just around the corner of Chinamans Hat Island, is the surfing beach called Chinamans. Very tricky, don’t get confused!! At the surfing beach you can walk up to the ramp and if there is a swell there are bound to be a few surfers out.

Certainly a lovely spot to visit, surf and swim.

Chinamans Hat Island with a radiant sunset

As a photographer….

Your favorite location has the unique ability to change with the seasons, the time of day and the weather. How could a photographer ever get bored?? The variety is endless.

Another thing I will do is edit the same photo in a different way. Maybe add a different sky, maybe darken a cloud, maybe lighten the entire image. It is time to start experimenting and seeing where your creativity leads you. You will learn so much as you experiment with styles, techniques and your camera. Have fun!!

Travel -local