Oct 10, 2018

Sand in my thesis


I recently travelled seven hours north to the gorgeous beachside town of Lennox Head. For a fortnight, I stayed in a little townhouse with a balcony that looked out over the sea. There were breaching humpback whales. There was beer and books.

And there was my thesis.

This trip was planned MUCH earlier in the year, and I thought my thesis would be completed, submitted, done-and-dusted. Ah, the best laid plans of mice and men. ;-) Alas it wasn’t, which meant I had to work while I was away. But I think all of that sea air has improved the health of my thesis—the Vitamin D has given it stronger bones, and the bracing sea breezes have blown all the cobwebs away. Hey, that’s my theory and I’m sticking to it. :-)

After all, there was a strategically placed bench just meant for mulling and musing. 



Swimming was had. And in the immortal words of Mrs Bennet: “A bit of sea bathing would set me up for life.”

Besides, beaches and rainbows can provide a writer with oodles of inspiration, right? :-)




The beach had a face for every mood too.

Misty

Stormy

Sunny

“But Michelle,” I hear you say, “you live in Newcastle and you have lots of beaches nearby. What’s the big deal?” We’ll ignore the fact that I can’t see the sea from my front veranda, and do's a little comparison of today’s temperatures:
  • Newcastle’s forecast is for a top of 19C with wind and rain increasing. Water temperature is a bracing 18C.
  • Lennox Head’s forecast is for a top of 27C and the chance of a late shower. Water temperature is a glorious 22C.
What's more I caught up with fellow LoveCat, Jennifer St George, for coffee and gossip! We chatted non-stop for over an hour about writing, study, and life. Which was fab -- missing you, Jen!

So today I’m pining for all of that warm white-sand goodness. And, seriously, can you blame me? :-)

8 comments:

  1. Hi Michelle

    Lennox heads is such a fabulous place so pretty my daughter was up there last week as well having lots of fun and I am so glad you got to catch up with Jen and the thesis was worked on and you still had time for you :)

    Have Fun

    Helen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's such a pretty part of the world, Helen! I'd not been up that way before. And the warmer temps were definitely welcome. :-)

      Delete
  2. My mother-in-law lives at Lennox Head.It is such a lovely place unspoiled by progress for the time being. The new roads have made the journey less stressful. I remember trips in years gone by, twelve hours by road with six children in the car was hard but the lovely holiday we had with lots of extended family was worth it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Veronica, how lovely to have family in such a beautiful place. It makes holidays extra special. :-) And you're *so* right -- the new roads have definitely made the trip easier and far less stressful.

      Delete
  3. Sounds absolutely perfect, Michelle. I'm glad it helped the thesis and it sounds like you managed to unwind too. I'm so pleased and looking forward to hearing more. I agree about the sea blowing the cobwebs away.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm of the opinion, Annie, that sea air helps everything! I'm also of the opinion that I'll need another beach holiday once the thesis is submitted, just to unwind. ;-)

      Delete