Rest Bay & mothers day

It has been beautiful weather all this week. Calm and sunny with temperatures getting into the high teens by afternoon. It has been a pleasure to get outside and see all the spring flowers and feel like life is returning to everything. 

Mark suggested that we went out to Rest Bay on Saturday morning. The weather was forecast to be calm with low winds, and there was very little surf, so he suggested taking the paddle boards rather than body boards.

We got there for about 9:30am and got a space looking out over the bay. The wind was a bit keener than I was expecting and was offshore. But we got ready anyway.

We paddled out past the surfers who were lolling around on the small but very tidy waves that were coming in. 

There was a bit of messing about with jumping in, then Mark suggested that we paddle East along the rocky part of the shore.

The wind was blowing South West, so into our faces and offshore. I was concerned about being too far out, but then there were also fishermen shouting at us for being too close to the shore and too close to their lines.

It was hard going paddling along into the wind. Bunnykins and I got reasonably well co-ordinated. But it meant me always paddling on the left, as I could more easily steer and correct us to bring us back into shore if she was paddling too hard.

We stopped twice on the way out, but each time we stopped we were being blown.

The second stop we were nearer the rocks.

We then turned and headed back. We had to go out further than I liked to avoid the lines. At first we were quite relaxed as the wind was blowing us back to the bay, but it was also blowing us out.

Bunnykins still very relaxed...

But after passing the fishermen I wanted us to come closer into shore. I called Mark and Woo to come back in. I was also feeling really tired. I started to panic a bit. I tried to keep it quiet as I didn't want to upset and worry Bunnykins. We tethered up the boards which was a good thing, but this process seemed to take an age and all the while we were being blown further out. 

Once we were tethered up we all started paddling in. I was so tired, but I just kept paddling so hard. I kept brightly encouraging Bunnykins and Woo when I saw them flagging. But I know I felt like we weren't making any progress. We were making progress, but I knew that if I stopped, if we stopped, we would loose all that progress. I was also thinking about how we stupidly hadn't taken the life jackets or any water or anything like that. I was glad I had my phone, but then I kept wondering if I would have the reception to call the coastguard. Anyway, after what seemed like hours (it was probably less than 10, maybe even less than 5 minutes of paddling directly in) we got into the shallows. We had paddled about 3km according to Mark's watch. I threw myself off the board and immediately regretted it as my feet had gone to sleep with me being in kneeling for so long!

We put all the gubbins on one board which I held, while the girls had a go at surfing the tidy waves. This was actually a lot of fun and I took so many pictures, though I didn't manage to get a picture of Bunnykins being the first to stand up on her board!

Wipeout...

Doubling up...

We were getting cold, so went back in and got dry and dressed. We got some chips (covered with excellent toppings) and coffees and hot chocolates.

It had been lovely to be out, but I did struggle with how dangerous I thought it was. I don't want to be a person who doesn't do stuff, but I do get really anxious. I think there were things we could have done better, but as Mark kept telling me.... we survived!

Sunday was mother's day. I finished off the book I was reading before getting up. The girls still weren't up. I got some toast and a hot water and went to sit outside. It was still cool and a bit damp out, but the sounds of the garden were lovely. 

I got on with a bit of gardening (cutting back my pelargoniums and taking cuttings). Then sat on the bench with my new book. Soon, Woo was out to give me a mother's day present and card. It was a beautiful heartfelt card, with lots of funny illustrations and sealed with gold wax.

And she had written and embroidered a poem for me which was just so wonderful.

Shortly after, Bunnykins came out.

She had been baking some jam tarts which were very tasty. There was a very sweet little card she had made. And I was also given the scarf she had been knitting for me - I was so impressed with it. The colours are fantastic and she had worked so hard, putting in all that love and effort for me.

I feel like a very lucky mummy...

Bunnykins went back inside, and Woo and I continued reading.

Mark brought out swirly worlers. 

We went out to the café for lunch, and then I was back to the garden for a snooze and a read on the lounger. I even managed to sunburn the tops of my feet! 

I do find mothers day a bit tough, but the genuine love and care I feel from my TeamChallis is more than I could ever ask for. 

💗