Breastfeeding in public in Australia

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So refreshing see the normal activity of breastfeeding babies in public totally acceptable here. This family enjoyed their meal together outside a cafe in Husskison, and baby Brookejoined in too! And why not?

I asked the family if I could take a photograph to send to Anna and Sue who could then use it to support and protect breastfeeding in the UK. We all had a lovely chat about the Australian breastfeeding culture. Most units work towards the BFI standards, which I learnt was part funded by the Australian College of Midwives! Hurray!

 

A visit to Hicksville.....

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Narooma good for golfing, surfing, boating, whale and dolphin watching and eating! Another fabulous cabin to stay in almost on the beach.  Spot on Claire!! Breathtaking views whilst partaking in aperitifs. A sleep on the slopey grass area disturbed by Mrs Butler and her class of young children, interesting to hear her reasoning! Thursday morning up at 6.30 and walking on the beach by 7. A scrumptiously amazing breakfast chez Michael…Eggs Benedict just the job (for PB).

Rolling hills, luscious green carpet of grass just like the Ribble Valley, but with the added bonus of sea at it’s edges!!!  Central Tilba next stop for a spot of gold mining! Such an interesting heritage town, perfect example of Hicksville! AND another Take 5….wow! (First one posted here Lil!). Fabulous male candle maker told us the importance of the cheese and inhabitance of the 'city'.

Next stop Pambula for a spot of lunch with the surfers, then check in at tonight’s cabin in Merinbula Yahoo! Another residence with a briny view...

Sat now listening to the sea with a G&T…. oh, I nearly forgot…..the quiz.

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See the full gallery on Posterous

 

Take 5 in Ulladulla

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Tuesday. Raining this morning! Down the coast we went calling in at the trendy Rick Stein at Bannisters  near Mollymook for coffee.  Good stuff.  Our holiday residence for the night was in Ulladulla; a quirky harbour town with quaint shops. Today was the day we bought a quiz mag ‘Take 5’…think England’s equivalent of Take a Break!! Aaargh! This highly unusual purchase happened on the recommendation of Lil….we went full on into the competitions Lil! What a great laugh. What’s occurring Claire? Thanks G for PB; at least he could do the number ones.  During a short stroll we caught glimpse of the parrots and Kookaburra. Paul and I visually feasted (as newcomers to the land do) on the brilliantly vibrant colours of these tropical birds feeding from red bottle brush plants, and the way the Kookaburra plumped up it’s feathers as I moved in to catch a photo opportunity.  So far, the mosquito bites are the only thing vaguely annoying in this beautiful county.  

On the road again on Wednesday morning to Narooma. Great stop off for coffee fix @ Bodalla's

By the way....quizzes almost finished!

 

The Whale

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Agreement was made to sail into the ocean at 12 midday on a whale watching tour.  The boat with the three of us and about 40 more drove speedily to where the mammals were resting on their migration to the south. They were ‘logging’ which means lounging around with their humps visible. We saw various pairs of mother-infant dyads, playing, blowing and jumping. Utterly amazing. Claire and I propped each other up at one point as the distance between these enormous, graceful creatures became smaller.  Love this. Cloudy Bay bubbles, iced Hahn beer and antipasto seemed so perfect on both nights. Catching up needs sustenance!

 

 

Jervis Bay

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Husskison. We arrived on Saturday morning.  The first beach I caught a glimpse of made me verbally sigh. This is Australia at it’s best and the nearest thing to heaven. We walked on white sand and felt the powder slip through our hot toes….all to the sound of gentle waves and birdsong. We found our pre-booked cabin….literally on the doorstep of  the Pacific. Wow.

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At 7.30 on Sunday morning I heard Claire’s footsteps in the kitchen.  By 8am we were in the already sundrenched ocean, where water wrapped our sleepy bodies with a refreshing chill.  The sunrise was like an inverted pyramid andshimmered on the surface of the sea. Almost touching us….and we swam towards it’s peak even though PB was alerting is to the potential shark attack!  After a delicious home made (semi-healthy!) breakfast we set off for Hyam’s famous beach….voted as one of the top five in Oz. It was breathtaking. We bathed again, and walked and rested in the morning sun.  

 

Lots to think about...

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We left Sydney today. Sydney the wonderful cosmepolitan city, vibrant and modern yet set in ahistorical backdrop with stunningly beautiful architecture. Down the coast we drove passing through the Royal National Park to Kiama...a picturesque seaside town with palm trees, green cricket lawns, and white boats bobbing in the sea. The warm sun helped us to enjoy the pink champagne in Sebel bar, listening to a string quartet that were fortunately playing in the garden overlooking our seats....playing for the newly married couple and their guests. As we walked round the bay under the influence of a glass or two, I thought about how different life is here, in the Antipodes. The children seem to have more space, the adults more time. Lovely Claire is so organised and full of fun; as always a pleasure to be with. We are far away from home, but it feels like home because she is with us. Lil and Gearge have left us now, after lovingly caring for us and showing us the wonderful sites. What will tomorrow bring?

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The Grand Mosque Abu Dabhi

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We arrived in Abu Dhabi late on Thursday night. What a welcome from Grace and Rob.  It was even warmer than the Middle Eastern atmosphere that engulfed our bodies as we disembarked the Etihad aircraft.  Their life in this city is obviously blissful and their home in the suburbs a true sanctuary. One of the most incredible revelations was that they never EVER need to lock their house door, and car keys could be left in an unlocked car. Crime is not tolerated it’s true, but the underpinning philosophy of the locals is that they wouldn’t take anything that that didn’t belong to them! Amazing.

 The visit to this Mosque was mind blowing. A spiritual experience. An education.  My limited knowledge of Islam derived from working as a community midwife in Blackburn meant that I was pleasantly surprised to be allowed in the place of worship. As a female and a Christian, admittance would normally be prohibited.  A pre-requisite was that we wore robes, Robin and Paul wore white, and Grace and I black (hijab)….with head cover too.  We adorned the clothes in the intense heat, and made our way wide-eyed through the lavish golden temple.  When questioned by another, the guide gave an interesting rationale of why women couldn’t pray at the Mosque, with a perfectly planned positive spin. My cynical feminist spirit was aroused many times during our stay in AD.  But I could not fail to admire the peace and perceived safety of being there.

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