There are times when you need a break. And there are times when you need a break. After many planned breaks that didn’t become breaks for varying reasons, I think me, Avery and the car breathed a sigh of relief parking up at an Airbnb just outside of Merimbula. And what a breath to take in, among this understatedly spectacular corner of the world.
I have written many blog posts over twenty years and a good handful would involve clumsily trying to convey the beauty of this area. Some of the images used are likely duplicates, captured across time. Maybe a little variation in weather or background or light, but always beguiling enough to want to record and share.
The Pambula River is a case in point. A bucket list item on almost every visit. Today bright but breezy and some of the water around the river mouth plump with rust-coloured algae. But I was heartened to see the pure, sapphire waters winning out, forcefully demonstrating the self-healing strength of nature and offering the idyllic photo scenario.
For all the familiarity there are still new pockets to discover. Like a good looking bakery in Pambula and a walk in the Panboola Wetlands. Here, an extensive and diverse patchwork of ponds and swamps and meadows and pasture. A few cows grazing, a few birds doing bird things, a few insects buzzing, unfortunately all too often competing with the sound of trucks trundling down the Princes Highway.
Noise of a different kind emanated from the ocean a few hours later. An epic conclusion to a short but exhilarating walk. At first sedate, offering wonderful overlooks of the coastline, taking in the smooth curve of Tura Beach. Avery likened it to Wineglass Bay and I can see what she means.
On the other side meanwhile, the wind was more penetrating, to the extent that hats would be blown off and coats puffed up like the Michelin Man and someone would drop a tissue and it would sail off on an adventure. Avery stood back in the shelter, immersed in a phone call. I inched forward, allowing the wind to embrace me, to take over me. Deep breaths and arms stretched, sucking in the world. A bit of a release and a bit of feeling very small.
There were much larger things in the bay, splashing and snorting ocean and leaping to great fanfare. Their thrashing of water reverberating like the first firework. Sound you can feel. One whale sauntered along quite close to the headland, a few others farther out. And then a bit of chatter, the eerie wail of whales, to continue to make you feel small and overawed.
Perhaps after such invigoration it is wise to wind down. To chill in the shelter of Bar Beach. Particularly appealing as the lowering sun warms the face and glistens off the water. Even a couple of seals decided it was perfect for a paddle. Nothing new, but worth repeating time and again.
And that was a good day, on a very good break. It’s the kind of time that makes you think about moving here, where every day would probably remind you that it is a blessing. Friends have done such, and while routines and run-of-the-mill life will distract, there is always the view of the sea, and the whales, and the sea eagles from the pub in Tathra.
And so, whilst we enjoyed the freedom and release that came from nature, the land and the sea, there was nothing more soothing for the spirit than chats in the pub with good friends. Breaking the circuit. Feeling the love.
