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Published: January 20th 2010
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Frenchmans Beach
We walked along this shore and only met one other couple, we had the whole beach practically to ourselves! When news comes through to us from the UK and we hear that snow drifts and blocked roads bring the country to a stand still we sit on the golden beaches of Stradbroke Island and find it difficult to comprehend that our Christmas celebrations could be so different.
We had discovered a mini paradise on this beautiful sand island 30 kms from Brisbane a mere short ferry ride from the city and a short drive to the north of the island and we found ourselves at the Domain Resort a modern small complex of holiday accommodation with all mod cons, a pool and a 5 minute walk from the beach. It could not have been better, we had space to spread ourselves around and relax.
There are many wonderful beaches to explore and enjoy the empty spaces especially the week before Christmas when most Australians prepare for Christmas day and then head off on holiday on Boxing Day, hence on some days we had the beach practically to ourselves.
North Sradbroke Island boasts a subtropical climate with moderate temperatures and sunshine all the year round. The township of Point Lookout is actually a series of beaches and
headlands that can be explored on foot with white sand punctuated with rocky outcrops and headlands and some tidal rock pools. A favourite walk is along an outcrop of rugged cliffs leading up to a gorge and an opportunity to watch Rays and Turtles swim in and out on the tidal current. We were also very fortunate to spot Leopard Sharks swimming around the rocky outcrops in clear turquoise blue waters along with large black Manta Rays gracefully skimming the surface. Dolphins swam in pods up and down the coastal waters and could be spotted most days too all very magical.
The lead up to Christmas was relaxed and ‘chilled’, the boys discovered the North Stradbroke Island Bowls Club, conveniently next door and became regular visitors, we even had a family contest one evening and Hilary managed to show the boys a trick or two just scraping in a close second on the final round. The boys also tried their hands at Sand Boarding one afternoon and had great fun chasing each other down the slopes and then competing as to how far they could travel without falling off! Tristan proved to be a natural and bombed down the
slope with ease. We all attempted different ways of executing the art of sand boarding, sitting, lying down (head first, not advisable!) and even the odd handstand!. Kevin was the official photographer who declined all requests to join in the mayhem and was quite happy sitting under the sun umbrella and watching from the side lines!
It was decided that on Christmas morning we would have breakfast on the beach and have egg and bacon rolls and coffee and have a swim in the sea. The morning could not have been more perfect, the sun was shining and the sky was a brilliant blue and by 9am in the morning temperatures had already reached 28 degrees. So sporting silly Santa hats we opened our stockings, sitting on the beach under the sun umbrellas, all quite different to sitting in the lounge in dressing gowns with the heating on a few years before. Everyone we met taking their early morning walk along the beach were smiling and we greeted each other as we jumped in and out of the waves it was a great way to start Christmas morning.
Once we had returned from the beach we enjoyed another
Main Beach
We drove over to the east side of the island to Main Beach where the beach stretched for as far as the eye could see in both directions. present opening session and remembered family members back in England who had sent gifts and cards to us all. We had a good laugh at some of the outrageous gifts Cieran had managed to find on his travels in India, all very tasteful, or not? We also spent some time creating our own individual Christmas hat to be worn that evening, an idea Cieran suggested which proved to challenge our creative skills. It was such fun we could see it becoming a new Aussie tradition each year.
A leisurely lunch followed by a swim in the pool and another walk along the beach before a very laid back Christmas Dinner of fresh prawns and steak with asparagus, snap peas and roast potatoes, followed by a Vienetta!!! It was the easiest and least involved meal Hilary has served up in years and spent the shortest time ever in the kitchen, it did seem strange not having sixteen people squashed in around the table at No 17 eating a full roast dinner and we all missed having our close family around us at such a special time.
With Christmas Day coming to an end we found ourselves calling the UK
The Gorge
Watching turtles and Rays swim into the gorge with the incoming tide. wishing everyone a Happy Christmas as their day was about to begin, how strange that seemed.
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