I've been away, drifting...

[shapeofthings]

I've been away for a few days. Can you guess where?

The last 3 days I've been away for my annual work retreat. For the last 3 years we've journeyed to North Stradbroke Island, out it the Bay. Each year, it's given me opportunity to go walking, to chase the soldier crabs along the mud flats at low tide. The Island brings me a peace I don't find in the city. The salty winds and sand bring me back to a childhood growing up on the coast, and of holidays camping on the island way back when.

This time, the Island was wild and windy. The rain drifted down in fine mists, then suddenly poured forth in a frenzy. The light was low and the days clean and cold. Everyone was complaining but I was in heaven. The wind sang to me while the rain soothed. I went walking, in my long black rain jacket, and I sat across from the bakery, fresh coffee between my hands as I enjoyed the mornings to myself, leaving the others to the catering back at base.

It did me good to walk alone and remember the joys of wild weather.