December 22 - Baby Steps

In the Christian Church, the messages leading up to Christmas are those of peace, hope, joy and love. I wish all of those to you. I would also like to wish you a message of a different kind for the New Year. I know that making New Year’s resolutions is not everyone’s cup of tea, but in my mind it is a good spot on the time line to set about setting some personal goals.

The other day I was chatting with my friend, Norma. We talked about how difficult it is to maintain self-confidence when challenges seem to be overwhelming. Of course, we were speaking of decreasing sight, but the same holds true for other challenges as well – physical and emotional. This past year hasn’t been an easy one for me and I’m afraid that I have slipped away from some things that previously I used to accomplish independently. I am very fortunate to have had Lyle by my side to boost me through these darker spells. Now, I need to once again build up my confidence and I know that the best way for me to do this is by taking baby steps. I need to set some personal goals and chip away at them.

This is what I wish for each of you. I am actually writing this on one of the best days of the year – December 21. Yes, it is mid-winter but it is also the shortest day of the year and from here on things can only get better and brighter. The days are going to be longer, but at first this will only be in very tiny increments. We won’t see big changes yet. That is also the way it might be for your personal goals. Tomorrow you might walk to the end of the block without a guide but next month you might be taking a stroll around the neighbourhood. If today you might need assistance to catch the bus or train downtown, by June you could possibly be travelling alone. 

It is up to each one of us to improve the quality of our lives by taking those baby steps forward and reaching towards the larger goal. I would love to hear how you are doing. If you find it too hard to comment on this blog, you can always let me know by email.

whitecaneconnections@gmail.com

As a side note – when I first started writing on this blog, I wasn’t sure if anyone would read it. That was back in 2012. Now as we approach 2016, I see that there have been just over 22,000 page views. What began as baby steps has definitely become part of a larger goal. Thank you for being part of it, and my very best wishes to all of you over the holiday season.

December 10 - Barangaroo

Barangaroo! Isn’t that a great name! Initially it was the name of the second wife of Benelong. Both Benelong and Barangaroo were native Australians who played prominent roles in the first settlement days of Sydney, Australia. Today, the Sydney Opera House stands on Benelong Point and most recently, the area between Circular Quay and Darling Harbour has been named after Barangaroo.It is a credit to the city that planners decided to turn this section of prime real estate into a natural reserve open to the public.

Lyle, my sister Jill and I walked around this promenade on one of our last days before returning home to Canada. The project has not been completed. From Darling Harbour, the footpath skirts an area of construction before heading on to a beautifully landscaped boulevard. It was a hot day when we walked and I was wishing that the newly planted trees were a bit more mature so that they could provide even some marginal shade.

I was especially interested in the next section of the walk which passed by where the old wharves had once stood. This is where my dad used to work and as children my brother, sister and I spent many Saturdays wandering around #7 Walsh Bay Wharf. Unfortunately over the years the lumber in the wooden pier structures was damaged by termites. Demolition was the only solution. New buildings on the land side now house condos and eating establishments.

From here the walkway wanders around the base of Observatory Hill and the Rocks area. As you round the last curve of this section, the Harbour Bridge comes into view. Because of the heat of the day, this was probably my favourite part of the walk. The Bridge is immense and standing in its shade was a welcome relief from the heat. Did I mention that the temperature that day reached a balmy 38 degrees Celsius?

So, if you do happen to make a trip Down Under, I hope you will find the time to do this historic walk around Barangaroo Reserve.

The picture below shows me on the path leading under the famous Harbour Bridge. The Opera House is visible across the water in the background.

Sue under the Harbour Bridge

November 28 - At the Beach

Over the years, Lyle and I have been able to enjoy many holiday times together. Because we both love the ocean, many of these trips have involved times spent along rocky coastlines or on sandy beaches. I have been especially fortunate to have Lyle by my side because for the most part I wouldn’t have been able to explore some of these alone.  I am hesitant to walk by myself on even a flat sandy beach if it is unfamiliar to me. 

Sandy beaches are in a constant state of flux. Rocks that might be invisible, covered by sand on one day, might be uncovered hazards at the next tide. Sharp shells, jelly fish and other stinging sea creatures might be washed up as obstacles for someone who is unable to see them.  Generally speaking I don’t like to use my white cane on the beach.  The round tip of my cane tends to stick in the loose sand.

Of all the beaches we have walked along, I think that Australia has some of the best. Of course you will tell me that I am just a little biased, but I challenge you to come here and experience them yourself.

Beaches around Sydney are popular stops for many tourists. Bondi and Manly are the best known, probably because they are easily accessible from the city. However I like the beaches further away from the city. There are three pictures with this post to show what I mean.

The first photo was taken at MacMasters Beach on the Central Coast area. On the right hand side of the photo there is a rock pool and the second photo shows me standing in this pool. The third picture was taken at Soldiers Beach. There is a long stretch of sand with me standing in the distance. 

MacMasters Beach

Rock Pool at MacMasters Beach

Soldiers Beach

At the end of November it is spring in Australia.  The lifesavers have their red and yellow flags posted for safe swimming.  While city beaches may be crowded, you can usually find beaches away from the city where you can enjoy solitude.  If you do come to Australia, I hope that you will have time to visit one of these idyllic spots.