The forever alluring attraction of weekends, the reward after a busy humdrum of the week has never left me no matter how old I get. Some are quiet and restful, some are busy doing those much needed jobs around the house, some involve hosting visitors and some are adventurous travelling to destinations etc. Variety adds to the spice of life.
My post on WEEKEND EXPERIENCES today is last weekend's journey, an adventurous reminiscing trip back to where I lived in the pretty seaside community of Tannum Sands and Boyne Island. It was such a happy time working and raising children for 26 years. The population is approximately 8,000. The very healthy clean Boyne River runs in between the two little places.
This photo was taken on the Boyne Island side, showing the Tannum side.
A water sport called Outraging is very popular sport and a pastime for teenagers and adults. My two sons paddled along this river when they were teenagers.
The real reason for the 420km drive to this beautiful place was to attend the funeral of a good friend who suddenly passed. Sadly she was very sick with cancer and although we had been in touch over the years returning to show our support to the family was important, a long overdue opportunity to catch up with many old friends for a number of coffees and meals.
20kms north of this little community is a big regional industrial town called Gladstone that boasts not only the second deepest harbour in Australia but is also the most southern tip of the beautiful Barrier Reef. The recent lovely upgrades on the shore of the harbour now attract many locals and tourists to this area.
The harbour is utilised for both a work based industrial reason and for leisure touristy business. Very popular holiday destination islands like Heron Island are located nearby and easily accessed by tourists via the ferry. Unfortunately it can be a very choppy journey with 30 to 40 ft waves, seasickness tablets are handed out as passengers board the ferry. Some people who are prone to really bad seasickness have been known to book seats on the helicopter for the return trip to Gladstone. I don't blame then!
Brunch was enjoyed one morning at a foodie cafe on the foreshore overlooking the Gladstone Harbour in a cafe come craft beer place. It must rock at night! How life has changed since we have been away 7 years. So good to seeing the local Council enhancing the park area, and extra impressed to see entrepreneurial businesses setting up here where there was once nothing
While we have caught up with our very close friends who still live in the Tannum/Boyne Island community nothing beat the sense of connection again.
Would we do this again I ask myself ? The answer is a definite yes. Touching base and reconnecting is a genuinely lovely good feel. Sadly it took a funeral for us to return.
I would highly recommend this area to travellers, it is so worth the look.
Regards and best wishes fellow Hive bloggers.
Angie Mitchell
Where are you, my lovely friend? It has been so many months without a peep. We miss you! xo