It blew all night. I went to bed early, curled up so I could fall asleep watching my open fire burning, reducing itself to glowing embers. When I woke at about 2am, the glow had gone and I was tempted to relight it knowing that, if I did so, then I would be fully awake and that would have been my day already started, so I resisted! By 5.30am I am into my daily ritual. Fire, coffee, check weather reports (still no magic days heading my way) and then I read by the fire, waiting for the sun to rise. When it does, I walk along the track, through the paddocks and down on to the beach, where I climb up on the highest rock at the southernmost end of the beach, tucking myself away from the wind which is whistling over top of me. I watch and for sure, the sea is flattened from this thirty knot wind and for sure, I’m not going out on that water. Some have said that, when there’s an easterly, just tuck right up close to the cliffs, then the winds will miss you. Well, if I did that today, I would be smacked by each foaming breaker rolling into the cliffs and onto the beach!

I stay, watching and looking for a very long time. It was cool to see the seagulls, swirling up high above the cliffs, and it’s great just to watch the waves, the sea spray blowing backwards, forming a floating veil off the top of each. There are whitecaps forming further out on the horizon so, after nearly two hours of sitting and staring, I thought it best to get moving. Back over the dunes, with the sand blowing straight into my face. But, no matter how hard I try, I simply can’t get a picture that shows just how dramatic the ocean is or how cool the sand looks cascading down off the dunes and over the beach. It’s something you need to see in real life.

Back at the cottage, I need to offload my weather thoughts, so I stand my phone up on a chair for more stable coverage, put it on loudspeaker and call, to explain what I’ve just seen, talk about it and be laughed at for being such a nutter even wanting to paddle! Why I can’t just accept it and sit still today is utterly beyond me. After my call, I eat an early brunch, jump in Cuzzie and head to Farewell Spit. I thought I might as well see what the east and the west sides of the Spit look like today. Believe me, I certainly wasn’t disappointed!! It was blowing so hard, I struggled to stand up. There were whitecaps everywhere and this was on the calm eastern side! Instantly, I feel better, realising that nobody could paddle in this. I walk along the beach for as far as I’m allowed to go, then hike across the sand dunes following markers, up and over, towards the west side. I’m damn pleased to be out today doing this and the Spit is amazing, like the Sahara desert or maybe, like being on the moon!

The wind is still blowing sand everywhere. I walk in what seems to be the edge of very deep, wet sand and sink nearly up to my knees. Heck, what if it’s quicksand? Fortunately, it isn’t, but I take a detour, just in case, not wanting to get myself stuck. Once across and safe on the other side, the wind is fairly whipping up the ocean on this side as well. Hoodie, headscarf, hat and jacket on, trying to keep the wind and sand off me! The only other ones daft enough to be out today are the oyster catchers, not one single human being or other creature did I see today on this side of the Spit. All in all, the walk took me three hours. On the way back, I stopped and looked at some old whale bones on the beach, something I always find very sad.

Back at Cuzzie, I then drive into Collingwood and sit looking out at the estuary, which is relatively calm as it’s tucked away from this wind. But there are still white caps further out. It’s nice to relax in the sunshine for a moment or two. Then it’s back along the roads to the farm cottage. I need to re-stock my firewood, get sorted and rugged up in front of the fireplace that reminds me of some great times when I was really young, when we spent nights at my Aunty Barbara's house on the farm; cracking fresh walnuts, drinking hot cups of tea and munching biscuits after dinner (and after a full day's work on the farm). Great times, great memories. My entire body has been buffeted by the wind today and, as always, I ask myself: “Did it help the caged tiger?" Back comes the answer “Yes, for a while!” But, when I re-checked my weather reports tonight, I still frowned. But that’s the way it’s always going to be, that’s just me!

My smiles today:
Sitting way up high, watching the winds on the ocean.
Me reading beside the fire, early in the morning.
The wind, it followed me everywhere today!
Chatting with the DOC ranger at Farewell Spit. Nice to meet you, Ollie.
The sunshine, it makes me feel great.

My thoughts today:
Someday everything will make perfect sense. So for now, laugh at the confusion, smile through the tears and keep reminding yourself that "everything happens for a reason!”

Anyway my day is now done. Enjoy your night, I hope you are perhaps the lucky one with the lotto ticket! Ma Te Wa.