Wednesday 31 December 2008

Living each day as it comes

Avalon Beach looking north from the ocean baths to the headland.

Late yesterday afternoon - 24 hours after this tranquil scene - about 100kms north of here, there was a massive electrical storm that swept through the Myall Lakes National Park where four oldish mates were on their annual canoe excursion: between Christmas and New Years; for the last 12 years; four days from Buladelah to Tea Gardens. At Mungo Brush the swell whipped up by the storm up-ended one of the canoes tossing a man into the river. They found him 20 minutes later near the Bombah Point ferry wharf. His mates, together with paramedics, tried but he was gone.

I would prefer that to going into a nursing home. Tough on his mates, though.

10 comments:

Tanya Breese said...

What happened to him? Was he found alive? The story cuts off along the edge for some reason.

Beautiful photo.

Nathalie H.D. said...

Yes, strange that your text seems to have the whole right hand side bit missing. Have you changed the format?

The story is a dreadful one but as you say, in the end I'd rather that than die slowly in a nursing home.

Beautiful series of photos of Palm Beach and Barrenjoey - your "whacking the waves" is my absolute favourite - that could be my son!!! (he's a keen bodyboarder)

Unknown said...

I think your story has a tragic ending, but I am not sure. For some reason, the text is cut off on the right making it tough to fully understand. When they found the guy, was he alive?

Julie said...

I am sorry, my friends. Yes, I do alter the format. I encase each section of my post in a table (in theory to give me more control) and here, for some inexplicable reason, I gave the text table a width of 500. Duh!! I will adjust the text to tell a little more of the story. I like this template for "Sydney Eye" as it encourages me to be succinct!

Unknown said...

Fantastic scenery! I like the drama added by that huge cliff.

Tanya Breese said...

Such a sad ending. Hope he didn't suffer :( But he went doing what he loved!

Bob Crowe said...

Julie - thank you for your many recent comments. This scene looks idyllic to those of in in the midst of winter in North America. Best wishes for a happy 2009 from St. Louis.

Hilda said...

It sounds like he lived his life to the fullest and for that, I'm glad for him. I feel sorry for his friends and family though. Beautiful photo to accompany the tale.

Wishing you a peaceful and prosperous new year!

Tash said...

Lovely surfing spot with amazing cliffs. Very sad about the man - such a freak storm.

But I do wish you and yours a very Happy New Year and many more excursions around the area to bring us more lovely photos. Cheers!

Bergson said...

I have a dream beach and sun

I wish you a very Happy New Year