BEAUTY SURROUNDS – LOVE IS IN THE AIR – AND IN THE HEART...

Newry Island Group of Islands

Foreshore...Newry Island

Newry Island Days...and Nights...

Annette Kellerman

There are times, when least expected, Mother Nature’s beauty takes one by surprise...to the extent of being overwhelming...breathtaking.   This can often occur when least expected. 

As mentioned many times previously, in the early 1990s I managed a small, humble resort on Newry Island, an island north of Seaforth, a tiny coastal, fishing village situated 41kms north of Mackay.  Newry Island still exists, but not the resort. The buildings were demolished around 2001.  The island is now part of a group of eight islands protected in the Newry Islands National Park. 

In the 1930s, Annette Kellerman, the Australian professional swimmer, vaudeville star, actress and writer periodically visited the island when she returned to Australia from the US, where she had settled years earlier.  During the 1930s, her brother and his wife lived on the island.  It has been said Annette Kellerman used to train, swimming back and forth along the channel between Newry and Outer Newry Islands.  Unsubstantiated reports also state she had swum from Newry Island to Seaforth...and back.  I can’t vouch the latter is true.  

In 1905, aged 19 years, Kellerman was one of the first women to attempt to swim the English Channel.

Further information on the life and deeds of Annette Kellerman can be found on the sites below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annette_Kellermann

https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/annette-kellerman

A snippet of information - “On 24 August 1905, aged 19, Kellermann was one of the first women to attempt to swim the English Channel. After three unsuccessful swims she declared, "I had the endurance but not the brute strength." The first woman to attempt a Channel crossing had been Austrian Baroness Walburga von Isacescu, in September 1900. Kellermann later challenged and defeated Isacescu in a Danube race.”

“In 1916, Kellermann became the first major actress to appear in a nude scene when she appeared fully nude in A Daughter of the Gods. Made by Fox Film Corporation, A Daughter of the Gods was the first million-dollar film production. Like many of Kellermann's other films, this is now considered a lost film, as no copies are known to exist.”

Returning to my time on Newry Island...an island tale....

One glorious early autumn day, for a few short hours...each 60 minutes in length if you’re wondering...a day-tripper, a lady aged in her early 70s, visited my island home. 

Enveloped by a balmy, sunny, unblemished morning, at length, she and I quietly conversed while sipping on coffee.  

“Quietly” - because as we sat at a table outside on the concrete patio area situated a few metres from the foreshore, the ambience in which we were immersed encouraged tranquillity and calm repose.  

The combination of a faultless, clear, blue sky, a sedate ocean, Outer Newry Island across the way, and Mausoleum Island in the distance, was our natural wide-screen OLED Monitor. 

Encompassing the vista, with a sweeping wave of her arm, my guest commented: “We must never take this for granted – Nature’s beauty.  Too often it doesn’t register with us. We look at it through unseeing eyes.” 

Truer words have seldom been uttered.

Driving back from Beaudesert a few weeks ago I decided to take a different route in lieu of the one I’d travelled on the way down from the mountain...via North Tamborine here on the plateau, passing through Tamborine Village on lower grounds.

Beaudesert is a rural town situated in the Scenic Rim region. The township is 35kms south-west of Tamborine Mountain (which is also part of the Scenic Rim)...down in the valley.  Beaudesert boasts a population of approximately 9000.

On my return trip, upon reaching the Canungra turnoff, I turned right instead of going ahead. I was totally unprepared for what was in store.   

It's something I don't do regularly, but when I do drive to Beaudesert, via North Tamborine I enjoy the countryside – tackling the winding mountain road, which leads onto wide, open spaces; the sensation of latitude. 

The other day when as I drove towards the small town of Canungra (a population of approximately 1,500) I wasn’t expecting the feeling that overcame me, nor was I prepared.

Suddenly, I felt breathless. Spontaneous tears flooded my eyes.  My raw emotions weren’t caused by distress, fear or sadness. 

I wanted to burst into song like Julie Andrews...the hills, and the valleys were alive!

  

To be honest...I've nothing to feel ashamed of, or embarrassed about...I did burst out in song...in voice...probably not as melodic as Andrews...but the depth of sincerity of feeling was fathomless. Many words of wonder floated through the free, fresh country air.

Languidly, large, self-propelled irrigation systems watered pastures - pastures that appeared to be smiling in gratitude. My imagination at times does go wild, I know.

Without warning, I was overwhelmed by the inspirational beauty surrounding me. 

Engulfed by its almost tangible presence it was an intense, wondrous sensation.

Animals frolicking freely without a care in paddocks heightened my uplifted spirits.   

Carefree horses gambolled (not laying bets on champion racehorse, Winx); cattle nonchalantly grazed, or just stood around enjoying their surrounds, ignoring the silly old woman cruising by whose emotions were out of control; emotions to which I willing succumbed, even though, like Jesse James, they had ambushed me. 

The cows, bulls and the horses didn’t care if I was a blubbering, joyful mess; neither did I. 

The intensity of my zealous ardour experienced during my journey is difficult to describe.

Are there enough descriptive words?

Those special moments...my feelings of awe...I’ll not forget; nor do I want to fail to remember those magic moments.

Beauty is at our doorstep - everywhere we look.  

Let’s open our eyes - our hearts - and look...let’s not take it for granted...

Pumpkin Pancakes: In bowl, combine 3c milk, 1c pumpkin puree, 1egg, 2tbs veg oil and 2tbs vinegar. In separate bowl, combine 2c plain flour, 3tbs brown sugar, 2tsp baking powder, 1tsp baking soda, 1tsp allspice, 1tsp cinnamon, 1/2tsp ginger and 1/2tsp salt. Add dry mix to pumpkin mixture; stir just enough to combine. Heat lightly oiled fry pan over med-high heat. Scoop batter onto pan; approx ¼c for each pancake. Brown on both sides; serve hot with Maple syrup.

Chicken in Milk: Allow 1.5kg boneless, skinless chick thighs to rest at room temp at least 20mins before cooking. Pat dry with paper towels; season well salt, black pepper and paprika. Heat 3tbs olive oil in pan. Add 8 garlic cloves; cook until golden on both sides; transfer to bowl; set aside. Pan sear chicken on each side until a little golden. Transfer to a bowl; keep warm; don’t overcrowd pan. Add a little butter and 250g sliced button mushrooms and 3 sliced leeks to pan chicken was cooked in; cook 10mins; add 2-1/2c milk to pan. Bring milk to gentle simmer. Add 20 sage leaves, garlic, 3/4c grated parmesan and chicken back to pan with the milk sauce. Bring to gentle simmer; cover. Cook 30mins. Remove lid; continue simmering on low heat 15 mins, until chicken is tender, and sauce has reduced to your liking. Adjust seasonings to taste. Garnish with parsley, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes and a drizzle of x-virgin olive oil.

Coffee-Glazed Choc Twists: Preheat oven 204C; grease, or paper-line baking tray.  Place 2 puff pastry sheets on lightly floured surface. Roll each to about ¼ inch thick. Beat 1egg with a bit of water, brush over surface of each sheet; sprinkle 125g finely chopped dark chocolate evenly over each. Top each a sheet puff pastry; cut each into thirds; twist each and place about 2-inches apart on baking tray; press down ends. Brush twists with egg wash; bake 12-18mins, until puffed. Serve drizzled with coffee glaze – Stir 2tbs brewed coffee with 1c icing sugar, or more until it coats back of spoon.