Yesterday was a glorious day, not a cloud in the sky. I ventured out mid-morning for a break and a reward for finishing my First Aid theory work. I returned mid-afternoon after getting through my economics reading, this time went for a swim. The water was wonderful.
Today is my last day at Portobello, check-out time is 10am. I am up early to get a little more study done. Looks like another perfect day ahead.
Crossing a few to do items off my list this week. Yesterday I finished all the Week 4 economics work, including my first live Zoom workshop with other students and our tutor Nizam. Usually I’m at work when they hold these. Completed UTAS’ mandatory Academic Integrity module, made a start on the First Aid course work, and had my hair cut at a local salon.
It was wonderful to see the sun, a little bit of rain in the morning, but mostly sunny and blue skies. Went for a walk up to Moffat Beach and watched people on the beach, the water looked great. I may go for a swim myself this afternoon. Took a few photos of Moffat and Dicky Beaches with the blue skies overhead, although very patchy – you can see rain up the coast.
Yesterday was eventful. After a morning of heavy rain, and lots of study, I decided to head out for a beach ramble around 2.30pm. I headed north again, up to Currimundi, and discovered sections of the delightful coastal walk through the Coondibah Creek reserve land, which sits in the wooded area behind the dunes. There is a bridge where the creek forms a lagoon and the overflow streams into the sea. It eventually comes out at Ballinger Beach, a couple of streets away from the Dicky Beach Surf Rescue Club.
On arrival back at the apartments around 4pm there was no power. Luckily my phone and tablet were fully charged so I was able to carry on with my economics text (not the most interesting holiday reading). The power was out all through Dicky Beach from downed lines, so I couldn’t buy my dinner from the Japanese takeaway around the corner as I’d planned. Instead a salad of leafy greens, diced fetta and watermelon then an early night. Lights came back on around 8pm (to resounding cheers in the apartment complex).
There has been a lot of precipitation and at times while I’ve been here I’m not sure if I’m hearing the roar of the ocean or the steady torrential beat of rain. Perfect study weather by the way.
The rain let up a couple of times yesterday to let me venture out. I went and sat on Dicky Beach for a break at midday, and on the way back to my rooms picked up a roast pork Banh Mi from the local bakery. By the way, no sign of the SS Dicky wreck on the beach any more. I feel lucky that I was able to see it on my earliest visit here.
Then in the evening I walked from Moffatt Beach, through Dicky Beach and onto Currimundi. It was a glorious walk, I wanted to keep going but it started getting dark and rainy, and I needed to watch my step so I didn’t inadvertently tread on the occasional little blue bottle jellyfish washed up on the shore.
I am flying through my studies, almost done with Week 4 material. With luck should finish it off today.
Not a break from study, a break TO study.. I’m up at Dicky Beach at Portobello Apartments – found a good deal on AirBnB. It is rainy up here but it hasn’t stopped me going for an early morning walk up to Moffat Beach, where I picked up a coffee and foccacia for breakfast.
On track with the book learnin’ so far, I finished the Week 3 workshop and quiz last night. This week I aim to catch up Week 4 and 5, and make a start on the first assignment. I also want to do the online component of my First Aid course (for work), it will give me a break from economics! I would also like to finish the Canva design course I started, for another bit of diversion.
Week 3 work was a bit tricky. Can’t quite wrap my head around the demand and supply curves which both shift in opposite directions according to different variables. Might have gelled by the time I go back to revise, the brain continues working sub-consciously to make sense of things I often find.
My apartment here at Portobello is lovely. It even has a full kitchen and laundry. I did have to move some furniture around to set up my study area – not enough power points. Next time I will remember to bring a power extension lead. Here are a couple of pics.
A restful couple of weeks stay at a pet friendly holiday house at Moffat Beach, near Caloundra. I settled into a daily holiday routine of reading, napping, and exploring the beaches and coastal trails of Caloundra with Ebby at my side.
The holiday house offered comfy armchairs – the perfect place to snuggle up in a blanket and watch evening news, or go for a snooze in the morning, after our walk! There was also a lovely old clawfoot bath where I indulged in a luxury bubble bath.
There was plenty to see and do. Went for a wander along Bulcock Street and watched the buskers and stopped for a coffee at one of the cafes. Another day, we walked up to Shelly Beach via McIlwrath Street. Some beautiful homes along there – works of art.
More photos on Google.