Thursday, December 31, 2009

View from the Balcony 01/01/2010

New Years morning and all is quiet, save for the constant sound of the sea in the background. The air is still and the balcony plants sit statuesque like in their pots and in the small rockery bed. The sky is filled with an array of grey clouds with the risen sun indicating its presence with spotlight features on the surface of the slightly waving sea. Late breaking waves are slowly washing themselves up against the golden sands of the beach in much the same way as a cat can rub against ones legs when it wishes to announce its presence. Several surfers are at the Point, sitting on their boards looking towards the horizon for the first sign of a rideable wave. So far they're waiting has been in vane. New Years resolvutionists (you know the people I mean) are making good use of the Esplanade pathways as they stroll along singularly and in groups doing the wolf impression from the Three Little Pigs. The Hinterland is reposing behind a light veil of mist with several pockets of light grey cloud hovering above some of the valleys. All in all, it is a restful start to the new decade.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Time in Melbourne - 15/12 - 31/12

Well, with less than 24 hours to go before we fly back to home on the Gold Coast, I thought it was about time that I mused briefly with a reflection or two. First up, let me say that everyone has been most understanding about my leg issues and I have been allowed to do things quietly, within reason. The medical staff at the Surrey Hills Medical Clinic on Union Road were great. The folk at the MCC allowed me to repose in the 'wounded' section of the members area. I was able to fit in an overnight visit to Lakes Entrance, as well as being able to meet for the first time some very pleasant folk from FaceBook. As an aside, let me tell you that young Pj can sure dish out ice cream. She was going through the tub like there was no tomorrow. Christmas day with the extended family along with attending our granddaughters first birthday along with seeing my grandson on a day trip to Toora remain the highlights. There is something about family. However, having said all that, I am looking forward to returning home to the peaceful company of GTF!!!!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

View from the Hospital window - 14/12/09

The swinging chord of the indoor window blind is a clear indication that the indoor air conditioning is fired up. In contrast, outside there is not a movement in any of the leaves of the limply hanging gum tree branches. All is still, allowing the myriad of variances of the chirping birds that call the next door park home, to be heard. Above, the full grey clouded sky is streaked with lines of pinky/red giving an added colour to the scene. Only the occasional vehicle can be seen using the road that runs on the other side of the Benowa Bowls (as the sign on the roof reads) complex. No sign of the two white haired lady walkers, in fact, no sign of human activity in the large park area at all, save for an elderly bicycle rider that has just come into view. All in all it is a very still scene, as even the few ibis that hang around the Hospital waste bins are nowhere to be seen. It is just me and the view. Oh how I love Gods creative work with Mother Nature.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

View from the Hospital window - 13/12/09

The slight cool breeze that I feel is coming from the internal air conditioning, for as I gaze longingly out at freedom there is not a movement in the leaves of the bank of gum trees that line the boundary of the park next door. The sky is a painters whitewash grey that has then been splattered with darker greys that have run into each other before drying. No sign of the sun as my room is on the afternoon side of the building. The gum trees were home for a moment to a single kookaburra whose laugh split the silence of the air for such a brief passage of time. Looking past the gum trees, the large flat light green oval played home to two cricket teams yesterday, and watching them play was a pleasant distraction. Butting the right boundary of the park is a bowls club , which so much reminded me of scenes from 'Crackerjack', as I watched coat hanger bent participants stumble up and down the greens at a pace that at the fastest was leisurely. Small pencil tipped lights mark the boundary of a nearby road, along which current traffic movement is sparse. Two white haired ladies, arm in arm have just walked past the window. Before they moved out of sight they did look in my direction with almost a wishful look spread across their faces as though in here was something that they could well do with. At the opposite end of the park sits a primary school whose grounds yearn once more for the pounding of happy little feet. It is a still morning.

Friday, December 11, 2009

View from the Balcony 12/12/09

A cool onshore breeze gently plays with the leaves on the balcony plants as it passes by. The ubiquitous greyness of the cloud cover is a barrier between the blue of the upper sky and what I am permitted to see. The only sign of any concession being made is when the occasional spotlight is featured on the smooth surface of the stage that is the sea. The only hint of any movement in the reflective grey of the sea is when the water reaches the sandy beach line and almost wants to give itself an extra burst of energy to enable it to run up the beach as far as it can before disappearing from view. Surfers have been replaced at the Point by several fishing boats and a couple of kayaks. Likewise the Esplanade has seen skateboard and bicycle riders join the number of joggers and walkers who are keenly using the great linking pathway that runs between the two surf clubs. The light veil of mist that still covers the Hinterland is slowly being shred apart as the warmth of the morning begins to convey that it is here to stay, allowing the features of the hills and valleys to gradually come into focus. A soothing sight!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

View from the Balcony 11/12/09

A tingling of fern leaves on the balcony is a giveaway that a slight zephyr of a breeze is gently wafting onshore. The indubitable string of cloud is again a feature, today stretched out tighter than a finishing line banner, along the horizon. The grey of the clouds mixing in well with another dose of sea mist that has meandered its way inland. The sky is a buzz with puff clouds that were turning pink as they reflected back the powerful rays of brightness that emanates from the majesty that is the rising sun. The grey sea has a slight undulation to it and waves are reluctantly breaking only moments before reaching the end of their long journey where they collapse limply onto the golden sands of the beach in their final repose. Only a handful of surfers are bobbing on their boards at the Point, having more of a discussion group look about them than anything else. The Esplanade on the other hand is seeing a bulk of movement as joggers and early morning walkers pass one another. The drone of the sea has been temporarily overridden by a noisy low flying army helicopter that is heading towards the Coolangatta airport some 15 minutes south of us. The Hinterland is still at rest lying below a cover of mist that is still to be removed to allow its features to be admired by all and sundry. Soothing view!!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

View from the Balcony 10/12/09

A stillness is present with no detectable movement being felt. There is a light ocean mist in the air which extends right through to the Hinterland. The sun has risen behind closed curtains of light grey cloud and is leaving spotlights on the water to indicate that it is still with us. The slightly choppy dull blue sea is sending ever repetitive small late breaking waves towards the shoreline, where upon reaching the golden arms of the beach the waves melt away following a quick embrace. Surfers have gathered again at the Point and the Esplanade is being well utilised by the early morning jogging fraternity. The Hinterland is still shrouded with the layer of overnight cover and only the main outline of hills and valleys can be seen. Picturesque!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

View from the Balcony 09/12/09

A gentle onshore breeze is keeping the temperature down. The sky is filled with clumps of grey cloud. The sun has ascended into the heavens at a pace that is both regal and forceful. However, due to the large cloud mass, any sighting of the sun needs to be placed on hold and be verified at a later time. The sea has a slight swell to it and is sending late breaking waves direct to the shore line, where they tumble over one another in the excitement of the moment. The persistency of the suns endeavours to be noticed has borne fruit, and the large cloud formation is now disbursing due to the application of the warmth of the sun. There is a band of hardy surfers mingling around the rocky outcrop that comprises the Point, whilst pedestrian traffic is quite sparse along the Esplanade. Clear blue sky sits above the Hinterland, with the last vestiges of the overnight mist dissolving to allow the rich greens of the hills and valleys to reveal themselves. A hot day is upon us.

Monday, December 7, 2009

View from the Balcony 08/12/09

A warm breeze coming in from offshore is causing the leaves on the balcony plants to wave like one of those advertising air figures that you see outside car yards. A grey mist blanketed the horizon, through which the brightly orange sun quickly broke through on its mission of the day. The further the sun climbed heavenwards the lighter the sky changed colour until now both sky and sun have a whiteness to them. The rest of the sky is cloudless allowing a clear canvas of light blue to cover all. The sea has a slight choppiness to it and the waves are breaking along a sand bar line and then quietly running up the golden sands of the beach before disappearing like children do in shopping centres. The Point is clear of all activity however this has been more than compensated by the beach and Esplanade walkers and joggers, with the occasional lycra group pedalling on by. The Hinterland is just discarding the last vestige of cover as it prepares to again dominate the backdrop with its rainbow shades of green. The day is with us!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

View from the Balcony 07/12/09

A stillness is in the air with the only movement being the wings of a sally of seagulls as they head towards the headland reserve. The sun has climbed into the awaiting clear blue sky after having negotiated the standard bank of light grey cloud that hovers above the horizon line. The light grey coloured sea emerges from a veil of mist that has become wedged between the cloud bank and itself. The rippling waves are late breaking and lazily fall over each other upon reaching the shore line. Surfers have been replaced by several hardy fishermen who are occupying places along the Point's rocky outcrop skirting. The Esplanade has come alive with movement from joggers, as well as a couple of late night partygoers who are having an animated discussion as they ride the large oval swing that is a feature of the close by play area. The Hinterland still has a covering of cloud which is masking the hills and valleys and only allowing ones imagination to picture what lies beneath. A warm morning.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

View from the Balcony 06/12/09

A slight movement in the leaves from the balcony plants is the only sign that an onshore breeze is passing by. The sun has already made its climb from backstage to now be the centre of proceedings. Its brilliant white light is radiating out into the clear light blue sky. A line of motley grey cloud that was previously stretched across the horizon line is quickly dissolving like fairy floss in the mouth. The sea has a gentle ripple that only turns into adolescent waves metres from the shoreline and with apparent lack of enthusiasm they all but have given up on trying to race up the golden beach sands. The Point is a surfer clear zone and likewise the same can be said for the Esplanade and its usual pedestrian traffic, although give it two hours all the car parking spaces will be filled with carloads of happy day visitors with their free tickets of enjoyment to use. The Hinterland is still in the throes of casting aside its nightly covering of mist but again give it time and it will delight us with its vast shades of greens. A slow morning.

Friday, December 4, 2009

View from the Balcony 05/12/09

The sun, positively glowing with warmth, has truly risen and is occupying prime place in the light blue sky. A very pleasant hint of a breeze is coming in from the ocean. A line of elongated off white puff clouds stretch across the the horizon line suspended several feet above the water. The calm blue sea is gently washing late breaking waves which on reaching the golden sands of the awaiting shore, run up the beach in an ever fruitless game of chasey as they always disappear into the soft sand well short of the tufts of grass that border the sand dunes. The Point is surfer free and the same can be said for human traffic that normally occupy space on the Esplanade walkway. A marble bag of bike riders with their Lycra bright uniforms have just passed in front heading north coffee wards. The Hinterland has cast off the overnight blanket of light mist and already the hues of different derwent greens are prominent as the hills and valleys vie for notice. A calming sight.