Sand Castles: Echoes of Fun

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Some of us are "quiet souls". We have introverted personalities, which can be something of a disadvantage living in a highly extroverted society like ours. But we quiet souls understand this imbalance well enough and we make the effort to find our freedom in the gaps of frenetic activity.

One way that I find my "freedom in the gaps" is to go down to the beach after the crowds of leisure and pleasure-seekers have gone. It is then, when the beach is quiet again, that you can sense and see the echoes of fun that took place earlier in the day. When I'm there, I get this strange sense that the beach has worked hard and is about to "clock off" after a hard day's work. Without fail, there will always be some item left behind: a child's shoe or spade, jewellery or a piece of clothing. Rarely is litter left lying around.

Also, without fail, you are sure to see a sand castle left on the empty beach. Photographing these ephemeral sand mouldings has become something of a hobby of mine. Some are sand cities or villages whilst others are made with toddler's hands – they are very small. My favourite sand castles are the ones where sticks and stones and shells have been added to the construction. Some can be quite spectacular! None of them will last past the next high tide.

I encourage you to experience this reflective activity. Go to any one of the many beaches on the Redcliffe peninsula (or any popular beach, for that matter), late on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and immerse yourself in this quiet space and appreciate the creativity and energy of others who were in that same space before you. You won't have to look too hard to see the evidence of boisterous activity. It's there in what is left behind: the writing in the sand; the footprints; the handprints and the sand castles. All are echoes of fun and life, which is a real treat for us "quiet souls" to enjoy.



#beaches
#moreton_bay
#northern_suburbs
#scarborough
#unusual_things_to_do
#june
%wnbrisbane