Window on Woonona

Beach Images-Beach Scenes

Beach Images—Beach Rules

During beach season, when the surf lifesavers are on patrol, you are advised to swim between the flags. That's usually a good idea unless you're really keen on discovering what a rip current is really like.

Another beach danger, usually during times of high winds, are blue bottles, also known as Portuguese Man of War jellies. The bubble part floats on the currents, it's the tentacles that'll get you. Contrary to popular belief, you don't pee on jelly fish stings. Ice is the best cure. That or just paying attention in the first place. Haven't been stung yet... really hoping not to have that Aussie experience.

Beach Images—Rocks

Beach Images—Waves

When talking with friends and family, I realize what is probably most challenging is trying to picture what it looks like here. I'm going to try to do a few visual entries to try to help. Of course, one obvious topic would be the beach. It's pretty amazing, the beaches just go on and on here for miles. And so far, the spirit has been to keep them a community resource, rather than selling them off to the highest bidder. I hope this spirit holds.

Anyhow, here's my first visual series. These are some images of waves. I think I could watch waves for hours. Unless of course the sand is blowing too, that can be a problem.

Pop culture moment—the trend these days it to make lists of things you need to see and do before you die. I definitely advocate running on the beach, but mostly for the joy and tranquility, not because it's some sort of condensed soup for your soul.

Aussie Slang

Aggro = aggressive
Anzac = a soldier - Australian and New Zealand Army Corps
Arvo = afternoon
Budgie Smuggler = a Speedo
Bugger = pretty much what you think it means
Bush = the woods, not you know who...
Bush Bashing = powering through the woods, without a trail
Brekky = breakfast
Chuck a Sickie = have a sick day
Cricket = the other national pastime
Good on ya! = way to go
Gone pear shaped = turned out the wrong way, that's rude, I resemble that remark
Gear = stuff
Fair dinkum = fair deal, fair go
Flat out = all out
Footie = rugby, a national fascination
How are you going? = How are you doing?
Mate = almost anyone
Parachute = a baggy men's swimsuit
Panel beater = auto body worker
Rock up = head over
Shout = a round of drinks
Shout out = buy a round of drinks
Smash = crash
Smash repairs = auto body work
Stuff up = mess up
Suss = figure out
Trolley = shopping cart
Tyre = tire
Uni = University
Vegemite = a breakfast food - YUCK!
We're laughing = it's all good
Work out = figure out

Impressions

A typical Australian garden is a lot like the country itself. Unkept, wild, yet still beautiful. At first it seems so chaotic, but once you look a little deeper, there’s so much more to see.