Austinmer Beach
Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2019 5:42 pm
This is a rewrite of an old one of mine. based on prompts " coast road" and "nothing lasts forever "
AUSTINMER BEACH
We used to stand on Bulli Lookout
gazing rapt, far out to sea,
and see along the coastal strip
from Austinmer to Wollongong
the surf and suburb tapestry.
Where Lawrence Hargrave flew his kites,
hang-gliders circled round and round,
while jaded city trippers drove their
cars along the coast, to find
a little beach or picnic ground.
In our old car, the Bulli Pass,
gave us a kind of thrilling fear,
descending while our ears would pop.
Down on the old coast road, we loved
to find the beach at Austinmer.
Old Austinmer is not Bondi
for seaside fun, as beaches go.
The Norfolk pines stood solemn watch
where Tasman’s rolling ocean swell
breaks on volcanic rock plateau.
Though Austinmer was small and quiet,
it seemed a tropic paradise,
where urban souls could wash away
the grime of soulless city moods.
(The fish and chips were really nice !)
We plunged into the salty waves
and relished spicy fresh sea air,
then ate our salty fish and chips
surrounded by a horde of gulls,
all squabbling for their share.
How soon the beach at Austinmer
became a thing of memory,
old faces and old voices gone,
and gone the bonds of family.
Those former times just history.
AUSTINMER BEACH
We used to stand on Bulli Lookout
gazing rapt, far out to sea,
and see along the coastal strip
from Austinmer to Wollongong
the surf and suburb tapestry.
Where Lawrence Hargrave flew his kites,
hang-gliders circled round and round,
while jaded city trippers drove their
cars along the coast, to find
a little beach or picnic ground.
In our old car, the Bulli Pass,
gave us a kind of thrilling fear,
descending while our ears would pop.
Down on the old coast road, we loved
to find the beach at Austinmer.
Old Austinmer is not Bondi
for seaside fun, as beaches go.
The Norfolk pines stood solemn watch
where Tasman’s rolling ocean swell
breaks on volcanic rock plateau.
Though Austinmer was small and quiet,
it seemed a tropic paradise,
where urban souls could wash away
the grime of soulless city moods.
(The fish and chips were really nice !)
We plunged into the salty waves
and relished spicy fresh sea air,
then ate our salty fish and chips
surrounded by a horde of gulls,
all squabbling for their share.
How soon the beach at Austinmer
became a thing of memory,
old faces and old voices gone,
and gone the bonds of family.
Those former times just history.