all text and photography below by cath conroy…
I was born near the ocean in Australia on the “gold coastâ€. Then we moved to the country in central queensland (almost the outback). It was very dry, flat and very very hot. Then when I was a teenager I moved to a small city.
Recently I’ve started to examine the impact on how the places we’ve lived shape who we are. I never realized until I moved to a foreign country how much an impact my physical surroundings have had on me. I think I’ve been pretty blessed to have experienced a myriad of experiences in different landscapes.
However all throughout my life I’ve always had a strong connection to the sea. Whenever I’m stressed, down, tired or just plain down and out its the first thing I visualize in my mind and the place I find myself yearning to escape to. Strange these connections we have – some may put it down to the comfort and memory of childhood but I think its more than that. I only lived for a very short time near the beach but its so deeply ingrained in my soul. I often wonder if other people feel like this? As I’ve started to delve more into the places I’ve lived I’ve realized I feel lucky to have such a strong love and respect for warmth, heat, sand, ocean, bush, trees, grass. Its part of being Australian I suppose with all that space and nature (I’m sure Canadians could relate to me here and uncannily a place I really want to visit).
I’ve written alot lately so this time – for my final part of my travels in Spain – I thought I’d leave you with a photo story of Cadaques. We only spent the day here but it was such a beautiful and memorable day.
I was born on an island and I live now near the sea. Though I do not care for the heat, the ocean keeps me here. It is like I have come home when I hear the sea. I could never live anywhere land locked. I was born with fins in my soul.
December 10th, 2009 | #
Yoli – how romantically put! Living on an island, I envy you – sounds pure bliss. When I hear the sound of the sea I feel an utter sense of peace and calm. Its so cathartic isn’t it! Even here in dark, damp Amsterdam when I hear the gulls squawk on the canal I feel a little piece of comfort.
December 10th, 2009 | #
Hi Cath – Love your pictures. I was born in Hawaii and only lived there two years as a baby but have the same feelings about the sea and as well, light and color. The luminosity, the saturated colors all feel like home to me. I lived in “dark” places for a long time but always knew I needed to be somewhere light. Finally I am and it is good!!!!
December 10th, 2009 | #
wow!!! beautiful!
December 10th, 2009 | #
I was only talking about this exact thing- where we grow up- it’s climate and culture shaping the type of people we are.
Also an Aussie living abroad I totally get what you’re feeling. I have always lived close to the ocean and will always want to.
Beautiful pictures!
December 10th, 2009 | #
In 1959 my parents immigrated to Adelaide and after 7 years they decided to go back to Holland…well, my dad wanted to go back to Holland, Mom wanted to stay! I was a baby of 1 year old when we all left: 10 persons. When living in Adelaide we often visited the seaside…we loved every minute of it! There were times that I wanted to go back for a memory lane tour, visiting all the houses we lived in but after my sister had been and found out a alot had changed, many houses were gone and the atmosphere just wasn’t there anymore, I thought, why would I go if there’s nothing there anymore? So I didn’t… I don’t miss Australia because I was a child of 7 when we left…I do love Amsterdam where I was born but when it got to crowded I decided to move to the historic little town of Hoorn, plm. 50 k’s from A’dam…It’s A’dam in miniature and I live in the old part of town, just around the corner of the old harbour and the big lake called the IJsselmeer, wich once, in the old days, was a sea….I love it and I fantasy it’s Amsterdam!
December 12th, 2009 | #
O yes, I forgot to mention about what the sea does to me…or any kind of water for that matter! Just like you it gives me peace and I always, always! feel so happy…It gives me freedom within! There’s always soething happening on or near the water: wildlife, boats, seagulls, winds over the water, clouds reflecting or just sitting on a bench or lying on the sandy shore and watching the world go by…I love a stroll in a park or forrest but not to long…I’ve got to have space and feel the wind and sun on my face. In summer I often go sailing…such wonderful pleasure!!
December 12th, 2009 | #
Oh Pia .. me too! I was born near the beach in Victoria (Aust) and throughout my life and wanderings I have always gravitated towards the water. I dont think I could live inland .. each day I pass the beach at some point, always a glimpse of water changing colour, kite boarders and yachts. The tides live in us after a while.. enjoy Christmas in the sunshine of home and family!
December 14th, 2009 | #
Hi Sarah!
This lovely post was written by my guest, Cath Conroy, not me. But, I totally relate to it too -we are all water babies! Have a great Christmas.
xx
December 14th, 2009 | #
I completely understand. I’m Australian too and have moved to Sweden with my boyfriend–as he is swedish. I have a strong connection to the beach, as I grew up in Brisbane and my family and I would go on annual summer holidays up to the sunshine coast. There is such a strong pull to that part of the world for me that I feel everything shift when I go back to visit. It’s magic.
April 10th, 2010 | #
I see this is an old post, but I just came across it, being new to Pia’s blog…and I wanted to comment on your question about whether anyone else feels a connection to the sea even without having lived near it for very long. I definitely feel that. I’ve only lived near water for very short periods of time in my life (less than a year total in Australia, now I live in Oakland, CA) but before I moved to California I knew I wanted to live near the ocean for a long time. I don’t know why. I don’t get a chance to go see it very often, but I like knowing it’s there if I need it. When I lived in Wollongong, AUS, I would go sit by the ocean at night when I was lonely or upset and it always calmed me down. Funnily enough, I lived for many years in Minnesota (land of 10,000 lakes) and lakes don’t have the same effect as ocean does. Although also beautiful.
December 30th, 2010 | #
Cath, I have that same affinity for the sea and was not born or raised near an ocean, but visited a few brief times. So, I think its something within for sure! I recently moved overseas to Turkey and these posts on Spain have inspired me so much because my hope is to see all the countries I can before I head elsewhere. 🙂 And, the photos are lovely!
July 30th, 2011 | #