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.

Photographing the New Zealand mountains

Photographing the New Zealand mountains

Snowy mountains near Lake heron New Zealand

Blizzards, below zero temperatures, snow, slippery surfaces, running nose, frost bitten fingers, hiking up steep mountains, aching legs…. honestly what more could a person want on a holiday??

 

This is exactly the reasons we take a holiday in the winter, not only do we encounter all the above phenomena, but also no crowds, completely silent landscapes, spectacular scenery, unimaginable clear starry skies, a winter wonderland and the possibility of photographing a multitude of white pristine mountains.

We live in Australia near the beach and experience summer conditions almost all year round. So I chose to have a winter holiday every so often…  Also having spent my childhood in New Zealand, I have a nostaligic longing for days of old.

The Southern Alps in the South Island of New Zealand are unbelievably beautiful.

This last winter we hired a cottage next to Lake Clearwater which was surrounded by snow and ice. A wood fire in the cottage was lit each day to enable us to warm up after our outdoor expeditions. A tiny possum climbed the outdoor stairs each night and tapped with his nose on the window. Frightened the life out of me the first night, but we soon got used to him, But we did not get used to tripping over his evening droppings which he proudly left at the doorstep each night!

Day one and two were spent sight seeing and photographing the pink sunsets in the area.

On day three we climbed a 2 kilometere walk up to the snow line of Mt Potts, located along Hakatere Potts road. The fog meant we were not able to see the top of the mountain. However I took photographs of our climb as we ascended, (Mt Potts and all the surrounding mountains.) Many shots are totally white but we found it completely exhilerating and I figured some shapes must come out in my photographs. Skiers call days like this a “A White Out.”

A helicopter kept flying over and  we realised the mountain peaks would be above the fog and probably great snow skiing would be the plan for those sporty tourists. It was actually on our descent that the fog cleared a bit and I got the peaks of the mountains through the cloudy mass.

If you are ever in this area Mt Potts Lodge is a great place to stay or take a leisurely coffee after your walk. AND if you do like a bit of coldness and silence, why not consider a winter holiday in some remote cool country.

It is truly an experience you wont forget.

mountains and snow
Chinamans Hat Island

Above, the twin peaks of the mountain in the Hakatere Conservation Park. To the left of the two peaks is where we began our climb.

Mountains and fog

Above, the road to Mt Potts.

Brown hills and mountains in the fog
Walking along the mountain track

Above, looking out from the track up the mountain

Walking along mountain track
Cold mountain stream

Looking down at a fast moving mountain stream

In rough weather.

Helicopter flying overhead taking skiers to the top of Mt Potts.

Mountain and fog
Chinamans Hat Island in a storm
Mountain and foggy day

Above, White, white and more white. Clean, dreamy and brilliant.

Chinamans Hat Island in a storm

Above, one of the basins of Mt Potts, not sure where the skiers where, but those slopes looked good for some powder skiing.

Chinamans Hat Island with a radiant sunset

Lake Clearwater in the early morning. Serene and so quiet.

Mt Potts New Zealand
Trees and snow
blue sky and snow on the mountains
Chinamans Hat Island

Above image. It was almost dark as we were driving off and the mountains certainly throw up many majestical and amazing sights. Things change rapidly as the wind comes and goes and blows the clouds into shapes and patterns. As we looked back the bright contrasting blue against the sweep of white was so beautiful.

View from our cottage snow and pine tree

View out the window of where we were staying.

A framed house in the mountains

A framed cottage high in the snowy hills

Reflections Lake Clearwater
Pink snowy mountain, New Zealand
Mt D Archaic. Hakatere Conservation Park

Facing fear: How to overcome when anxiety strikes

Facing fear: How to overcome when anxiety strikes

Facing the wind seagulls

And when the night descends the birds huddle down and face the winds.

 

When you face the storm you can see what’s coming, you can lean in to it and keep your balance and consequently you are better able to equip yourself and conquer life’s challenges.

It’s time to face the storm and face your fears!

Here’s my story….

When I was in my late twenties I had a full on battle with firstly insomnia followed by fear, until the two merged together and I became very similar to a stuffed, mute, zombie.
I got help from friends, I got help from family members, I got help from the bible, I got help from great non fiction books, I got help from everywhere and anywhere. Sadly nothing seemed to do me any good, I would lie awake for hours at night afraid of fear itself.
Finally after approx two years of this morbid, depressing pattern, one night, I got out of my bed as usual unable to sleep. I felt like I had a soaring temperature, my whole body seemed to be on fire with fear. As I sat simply shaking and tormented, I decided this fear had to end, so why not simply walk into the ocean and then finally a cold, deep sleep would envelop my being. A sure fire way to escape this awful anxiety.

Hmm, I had three children and a great family and home and husband. I think they all wanted and needed me??

Option one: off the list!

Option two: I decided on, after a bit of thought and planning.

I gathered together all my ongoing information, books, counselling, friends advice, tape recordings, (yes.. tape recordings that’s how long ago this was) even the bible was closed and put away.
Every fearful thought I decided must be negated and put to rest.

I went back to bed, took a huge breath

………and in my mind, I went for a walk amongst a most beautiful field of daisies. The centre of each daisy was so yellow it shone like the sun, the white petals gleamed like the Arctic snow.. The simple daisy swished and wavered in the gentle breezes of a spring day.

Ahhhh fear entered…You won’t get to sleep tonight,

NO, no, ….I’m walking among the fields of flowers, daisies, lilies, dandelions, the sun warms my skin, the clouds like white fluffy balls, float through the sky, the birds swoop and soar in the distance. I walk and breathe in the scent of the flowering field.

Ahhhh you won’t get to sleep…remember me, your old negative thought patterns…

NO, no no…. I’m now going horse, riding, I put my bridle on my horse’s nose, I took the heavy brown leather saddle and threw it over his back. I tied the girth strap and talked gently to my horse telling him I loved him and today we are going to ride over the hill and through the river bed. He snorted softly and looked my way to see if I had another apple in my hand. Of course I did, he ate it closing his big eyes in thankfulness. I got the bridle and led him to the open gate. I put my foot into the stirrup and flung myself up and over, gently prodding his sides I said, “Let’s go!” We began our journey, climbing higher, through dry sandy coloured grass and then reaching the summit where the wind blew stronger and cleared my heart and soul. 

Ahhh remember darkness your old friend, I’ve come to haunt you again!

NO, no, ….I’m off for a swim in the balmy blue ocean waters, towel in hand and straw sun hat on my head. Always the windy breezes, clearing the way, refreshing my thoughts and mind, cleaning away the daily tasks. Oh how I love the wind! I hear and see the seabirds soaring down from their heights, often landing nearby, they are flying from nowhere, heading somewhere. I lay out my towel and take off my hat, the sun indeed is beginning to bring a few beads of sweat to my face and my cheeks are red from walking down the winding beach track……ooohh to cool off will be so very delectable, I saunter into the blue, vivid, sparkling sea. Lowering my hot body into the water and washing away the day’s vibes. I begin to swim along the shoreline and am feeling so cleansed and beautiful. My feet touch the sandy bottom. My mind embraces the distant horizon, where I see a white sail, heading east. My thoughts relax, and slowly start to enjoy the moment….

What I was doing was  replacing all those negative thoughts with new thoughts.

Roms 12.2. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

And by the way it was not easy, it felt like a fight, that I must win. But win I did. I slept soundly that night for the first time in months.

Then the next night the battle began again and again the next night, I was facing the storm front on, and defeat was not an option.

A determination took over my being. In a few weeks I found I had a reasonable control of my thought patterns and it was imperative that it stay that way.

To this day I have never had trouble with those particular thought patterns again. I have faced other issues, and once again have had to be courageous and strong.

One good thought can replace one horrible thought, with Gods help all things are possible. Life is a journey of faith. Doing the impossible and proving that it is possible.

 

My photographs are of the beautiful ocean birds who either seem to fly high and have fun in a storm or get down low and brace themselves head on to the storm.

Facing the wind seagulls
Spoonbills in the pink sky
Terns facing the wind
Flying in the mist
Spoonbills flying
Seagulls flying past a cliff face
Birds on a stormy day
Two pelicans resting
Seagulls flying away
Osprey
Sea birds sitting
Seabird flying

Think on those things which are good and noble, and rest and trust that everything will be okay.

Looking back….Photographing a huge winters storm

Looking back….Photographing a huge winters storm

Approaching storm Ethels beach

Winter is here in South Australia and I am waiting once again for the stormy conditions that reguarly hit our coastline in and around Yorke Peninsula.

Whilst I wait, I look back at some of the times that proved worthwhile as a photographer and spectator of lifes grand occasions!!

The 29th day of September 2016, proved to be quite the day to remember. Not before and not to this day have I witnessed winds and sea spray so violent.
The bottom end of Yorke Peninsula has two beaches which are exposed to the open ocean and regularly get huge waves washing in. Ethel’s Beach and West Cape beach. On this particular day the skies darkened and the winds roared into these two beaches making the waves quite exceptional.

At that time we lived in Adelaide and I decided to rent a cottage and drive 4 hours to these beaches.
I was determined to get some shots, however in such weather conditions this proved extremely difficult. The rain just smashed against myself and my camera and I got soaked, and I mean SOAKED, drenched, saturated, in one second. So I devised a few methods to try and get some photos. I would cover my camera in plastic bags and myself in a rain proof coat. Whenever the rain seemed to have a slower spasm I would dash out grab about three photos and dash back into my car. Walking to any of my favourite locations proved impossible.
Beautiful, violent, magnificent and so brutal and powerful. Sea spray and mist towering up into the sky, winds stronger than black holes in the sky, and clouds dropping buckets of water on silly human photographers who thought they could outrun the earthly elements.
Due to these haphazard conditions all the photos look a bit hazy as focusing on an object certainly was not a priority.
What an experience, all the power and phones went down, the roads were closed, so I had to stay in my accommodation a couple of extra nights until things were restored.

Storm rolls in Ethels Beach

The two images above are of the storm rolling in, no rain as yet just a strong, howling wind.

Rainbow and windy conditions
Very stormy weather

Above…I travelled around the hill to Pondalowie Bay. If you look closely there is a tern flying above the waves. It seemed that some birds enjoyed the weather and flew against the winds.

Cliffs South Australian coastline

Above…looking out from Pondalowie.

South Australian coastline

Above…In the bottom right hand corner the normally sandy path is flooded with a torrent of rushing water.

Coastline
Green sea water
Mist and seaspray being windswept into the air
Mist and seaspray in the air huge storm

The two images above…looking towards the ocean, at Pondalowie cliffs, the misty seaspray would have been, I reckon, twenty times higher than myself. You can see vegetation in the foreground. This shot is taken from the car.

Wild waves
Wild weather
Wild weather

The weather over winter can be quite amazing. The waves that roll in are wild and the wind seems to add to the tumultuous conditions. I have read on google that the Southern ocean has some of the biggest waves globally.

Is pink a good colour in photography?

Is pink a good colour in photography?

Pink snow and sunset

Pink

Pink is rich in symbolism and can portray many concepts. Pink is timeless and over the years has been used for love, romance, babies and a general feeling of warmth. Pink is a combination of red and white, and sometimes soft hues of orange. Red is one of the primary colours and very bright and stimulating, hence the addition of white produces a soft and warm shade which appeals to our feminine side. However even men have a feminine side and can appreciate the beauty of pink!!

Pink is calm and soft and warm. A predominant shade when the sun sets and when the sun rises, pink is often spell binding in its ability to lighten and soften our thought patterns. Pink is used regularly and often in photography and is a great choice when photographing outdoors.

Here are some ideas on how to get the best out of your landscape photography incorporating the colour pink.

 

1. Sunset. I regularly see people gather in various locations to view a sunset. Why because of its beauty and no doubt its tendency to calm and soothe us. A sunset is a great opportunity to visit your favorite photography locations and experiment with settings as the sun goes down. I have learnt to slow my shutter speed as the sun gets lower in the sky.

2. Sunrise is not so frequented by the crowds, perhaps because they are still sleeping. A sunrise has a sharper and crisper element to it, whereas a sunset is more musky and muted. Sunrise does require you to get up early but when I visit the mountains I am never disappointed. So get up early and take a stroll to a good spot to sit and watch the morning light. I am not good at using a tripod, but I always do for early morning shots.

3. Pink is often associated with babies, children, girls and clothing and rooms. watch out for shades of pink in homes, and clothing.  And as I said before don’t exclude men, Rick Stein a TV food presenter very often wears a pink shirt and it looks great! Hence when putting people into your landscape shots a hint of pink will make them stand out and yet add a touch of gentleness and warmth.

4. Most times in a setting sun I will actually not photograph the sun but will turn in the exact opposite direction and photograph from this angle. In fact most of my shots below are of this type of shot. The pinks are vivid and and slowly turn to a purply blue shade. Timing is critical so be in your location at least an hour to 30 mins before the sun sets.

5. Try slowing your camera shutter speed down to create an even softer effect. Practise and practise again. I constantly check my shots in the view finder and then make any alterations to my camera settings.

 

CHECK THIS OUT a great article by Lisa Michelle Burns on how to achieve those pastel shades in your landscape photography.

Enjoy the evening hues when you next view the heavens as the sun is setting.

Girl on a pink sandy hill
Pink water tank in a wheat field