all text and photography below by cath conroy…
I was born near the ocean in Australia on the “gold coast”. 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 | #