Between the Trees

*

On the weekend Beloved and I
decided to walk to Hell's Gates
instead of taking 'those' steps as usual,
after all,
we had done the steps the day before
and too much of a good thing
can't be good for you...

To reach the National Park
we walk the boardwalk for ten minutes
It is Monday - and a national holiday
Queen's Birthday
that's QEII we are honouring
not Freddy Mercury and the boys
although many Australians
would prefer it that way
but let's not get into a republican debate here...


So I have sent the scout on ahead...

and he's disappearing into the distance
and right out of sight
because I have discovered
that with every few steps I take,
between the trees
there appear wonderful snippets
of Laguna Bay
and the beach below

It is an absolutely stupendous day
there's a slight SE wind
but barely a whisper
the air is so clear
that you can see way
into the hinterland

Being 3pm on a winter's afternoon
the sun is already far around to the NW,
we can feel it on our left shoulders
as we walk into the east

you'll need to take your jumper off
before we have gone too far

the sun is glistening
on the blue waters
of the bay

and picking out the rocks
below us

people are playing
and swimming
on the beaches,

walking on the sands

sailing...

kayaking...

The full moon has dragged the tide way out
like a blanket slipping from the bed,
exposing green weed covered rocks
that normally remain hidden
at Tea Tree Bay

the walkers take advantage
of the park bench
at the Fairy Pools
to rest

and watch the little white yacht
far in the distance,
wondering how long it will be
before the whales
make their way north to calve
in Hervey Bay

it's time now
to muster up the energy
for the return trip -

to face into the sinking sun

on the homeward run...

Oh blessed day

*