#49 Rainforest and little surfies

You'd think the hollow strangler figs would be fragile and vulnerable to the forces of nature; but no, they stand tall and strong; conquerors of the struggle for space and light. Looking towards the sky in admiration of these splendid trees, I see ladders of miss-matched triangular windows reaching for the canopy. The ornamental, tangled configuration of what once were the roots of a seed seeking sustenance, merge at the base of these mighty giants, and then separate again, spreading across the forest floor. They demand attention.

I stood by the trickling stream in awe of the magnificent rainforest. This was a place for solitude; thoughts dissolve, and the spirit of Nature enters my body. These brief interludes with water, earth and air nurture me when I am able to surrender my mind.

A rainforest stream surrounded by green and brown

Rainforest of the north coast hinterland of NSW seems to have a greater variety of plants than the rainforests of the Barringtons at home; probably the most notable additions are the palms.

We breakfasted by the rainforest creek

The real reason for the trip last weekend to the north coast, was to visit our son and his family, but we always try to take in a little nature sight-seeing.

Spending quality time with my grandchildren was my priority, and just wonderful; playing ball and building rockets, drinking umpteen cups of pretend tea and tucking into plate after plate of whatever fanciful meal they had whipped up, reading stories and pushing them on the swings. We ate cake together (real cake this time), and played in the ocean. They are both little surfies in the making; I don't know if this is good or bad, but they sure had fun catching the kid-sized waves on their body boards. And what a fun and rewarding time I had with them - a weekend to remember!

Fun in the ocean