‘Got in Patrick…

…. my car, and took the Captain Cook Highway from where I live in Cairns to the fabulous Port Douglas. It’s a winding road that follows the coast for the most part and it takes about 50mins to drive. I had to give Patrick an aspirin after the drive. He doesn’t like lots of bends. Anyway, when we got there, I left Patrick in the shade…he doesn’t do full sun either – he gets cranky - and I stripped off to my togs and hit the beach. Conditions - overcast and the water was flat. But I threw myself into the water and splashed around as you do. Its stinger season in far north Queensland. That means box jelly fish and the deadly Irukandji are in huge numbers in the water. If you don’t want to die you swim in the stinger nets and between the lifesaver flags. Unlike many countries, the majority of Aussie lifesavers, and I believe our Kiwi cousins across the ditch, are volunteers. You learn as a child when you go to the beach to swim between the flags so you can be seen if you need to be saved. You also read the beach report. See pic.

After the swim, I walked around Port Douglas for a while then back to the beach for a long moment of staring at the waves and contemplating life. My conclusion? I dunno…life just happens.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
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