February 2023 (Palm Cove, Far North Queensland)

I have been lucky enough to split February between two of my “happy places” – Rye on the Mornington Peninsula and Palm Cove in tropical, Far North Queensland.

I am writing this from my balcony in Palm Cove overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is the wet season so we have had some rain most days but the weather is constantly warm – approximately 30 degrees Celsius – and it is warm overnight too. The long sleeve jacket was worn on the plane here a week ago and has not been worn since!

The sea temperature has fluctuated between 27 and 28 degrees! Coming from Victoria where the sea is cool (to freezing!) on the hottest days, this is a real treat. The pool temperature at the apartment complex is decidedly chillier than the sea! It is stinger season (ie large box jellyfish swim freely in the ocean) but our apartment is opposite the stinger net. There are also full time lifeguards so it is a safe place to swim.

My view from the balcony is through native Paperbark Melaleucas which are over 500 years’ old! They are beautiful trees – tall, thick trunks with layers of bark peeling off like crepe paper. 

A few days, including today, I have been treated to the sight of a Ulysses butterfly flying amongst the Melaleucas. The vivid blue of their wings has to be seen to be believed.

Along with the gorgeous palm trees, white sand, blue sea and tropical weather, Palm Cove truly is picture perfect. Coming from temperate (and wildly changeable!) Melbourne, Palm Cove is certainly very exotic. All the same shops and TV shows as at home but a three hour flight and you’re a world away!

There are pros and cons with each of my “happy places”. One of them is our doggies. In Rye, we have our gorgeous dogs with us. It is a four day, almost 3,000 kilometre drive from Melbourne to Palm Cove so, after much deliberation, we decided not to drive. That means the fur babies are at home. Our (grown up) kids live at home so we shouldn’t even worry about leaving the dogs but we do.

We finished the hand over of our business at the end of September (2022) and we have basically holidayed since. I know how lucky that is and I have enjoyed it. But I am restless. Maybe that will settle? I am not sure yet.

After almost 5 months, am I any closer to “finding my purpose”? No, not yet. 

Am I happy being fully retired? No, not yet.

Last week, I finished a 5 week Creative Writing course with the Australian Writers’ Centre which I really enjoyed but I am not sure yet whether writing will only ever be a hobby. 

That’s a lot of uncertainty!

I will keep mulling over my options. A balcony at Palm Cove with a sea view is not a bad place to mull!!




 








 

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