Cliff top walk in the sun…

It was Sunday, the sun was shining and the beach was calling. But not our regular Burleigh Beach, I wanted to take our granddaughter to show her one of my favourite beaches near here.

Driving half an hour south and in the process jumping from 10am to 11am in a split second as we crossed the border. New South Wales is on day light saving and my home state of Queensland isn’t. It can be confusing…

Fingal Beach is off the beaten tourist trail consequently it is never crowded. I took you there in 2015 and it was winter. It was my first visit and I fell in love with this beautiful area (take another look at that post here)

From the car park it is a pleasant walk along a shady trackThen well constructed steps, with a seat half way up take you on to the cliff top.

We all like sketching and had brought along our art gear. I found a shady Pandanus tree to sit under and I chose to sketch the light house

Jack also sketched the lighthouse. But notice how different our styles are. Jack is impressionistic and only takes about 10 minutes to finish a sketch. I am much slower with lots of rubbing out and corrections along the way to the finished sketch.

Jack also noticed this rather large huntsman spider lurking in the crevices of the light house and gave it a prod with a stick to make it come out so I could get a photo of it. I hope you, dear reader, don’t have Arachnophobia.

Jade found a swing under another Pandanus tree and drew the view out to sea. Unfortunately I didn’t get a copy of her sketch before she went home.The beautiful paper daisies were everywhere. I’m hoping the ones I grew from seed are this prolific.

 

This is a native hibiscus and a bit of trivia for you, they can be rubbed over black leather shoes to give them a shine. I’ve never tried this, mainly because I don’t have any black leather shoes!!!

We carried on along the edge of the cliffs. Just look at the colour of the ocean. Way in the distance are the hi-rise buildings of Coolangatta. Just a smudge on the horizon.I’m busy taking photos and enjoying the view. I look round to see where Jade is, she is nowhere in sight. Oh dear, I back track looking every where. Look where I found her…The adventurous spirit of the teenager. She had scrambled down the cliff face to take photos on her mobile phone. Look what was below her…My next favourite place to take her was the Tweed Art Gallery, another 15 minutes drive. I have been here many times, you may remember the post I’ve done on Gypsy life blog.

After spending time in the gallery it is late afternoon, 4pm, time to head home, but remember we are going to regain that hour…

Jade’s parents, brothers and sisters are coming down from Brisbane to pick her up and also spend time on “our” beach. But look at the difference…

It is now school holiday time. Though it is now late afternoon the beach is still busy and the surf life savers are keeping an eye on the swimmers. While the family all go for a swim I sit under yet another Pandanus trying to sketch this very unusual tree. Then it is back home after a very satisfying day.

 I am joining Jo’s world wide walkers again this week. Go over to see what and where they all are. Armchair travelling at its best…