Angel in the Night

The blackness of the night engulfs me as I sit upright staring ahead and hoping the road will not disappear on me.  I am driving in a 110km per hour stretch with just a slice of the moon to keep me company.  It provides no light to guide me. 

I was not only one hour late in dropping Merv off to his respite centre at 3pm. I then lost another hour when the freeway was closed due to a local scrub fire.  I rang Dustin to help me but in the end I just followed the cars in front and hoped for the best.  I was relieved when I ended up past the fire and only a few kms from the nearest entrance back onto the freeway.  The shadows were already long and the sun fearfully low in the sky.  I rang the carer’s retreat organiser telling her of my predicament.  She suggested I take my time; which I did.

The freeway was far behind and I had my foot on the accelerator for over two hours at 110kmph.  The dual carriageway was dotted with a few cars and trucks. My CD blasted my favourite 70's music. Slowly the twilight disappeared and the cloak of darkness enveloped me.

I slowed at the many bends and sign posts.  I was doing well until I came to the Busselton turn off.  The road narrowed to one lane each way with overtaking lanes every so many kms.  Confident drivers whizzed by me but I had no plan to follow.  I had expected to arrive long before dark.

Then an angel appeared.  Not the white robe and wings style of angel but a big chunky truck with the huge red reflectors on its back doors at eye level. My God send was chugging along between 80-90kmph.  I happily chugged behind allowing those big red eyes to guide me around the corners and bends.  It was a relief to finally reach my destination without incident.

Some of my friends who had arrived hours earlier later told me they were praying for my safe arrival!

My trauma was soon replaced with fun, relaxing, strolls along the beach, good food and sunset parties and  plenty of sharing.  It was worth the trauma of the darkness of the night. 

Sculptures in the Sand

I remember last year. We didn't go, I don't remember why. Maybe we had just returned from an amazing week's holiday.  Maybe we were busy.

Last week I decided it was time to do it again. I planned the day. Firstly I got Mel onside. It was great for her to have an outing but I also needed her as a back up with Merv.  Mel was happy with my plan and she stayed over last night to ensure an early get away.

The weather was warm, the sky vivid blue without a cloud.  We were ten minutes late leaving and every traffic light was red! The traffic, way past rush hour was still bumper to bumper on the busy roads and highway. An hour later we crawled into a disability car park space and unloaded the wheelchair.

We applauded the crosswalk which stopped the traffic stream long enough for us to cross.  Mel was the first to call out in excitement as she spotted a scattering of sculptures on the sand scattered below the walkway leading us to our destination. 



Merv & Mel in front of Giant Baby

Along with hundreds of other visitors I stop Merv in his wheelchair and turn him to allow him to view the cubby house and a metal wiry thing. It looks like construction had halted without notice. I take a photo anyway.  I later find it is named: 'House of mirrors.' I grunt; fooled me!

There is a naked man sprawled casually on the grass in front of the pavilion.  Fortunately he is shiny red and part of the exhibition.  I take another photo and the fun begins.

I am 60kgs and Merv is almost 90kgs. I am so relieved Merv's chair has hand brakes as I manoeuvre his heavy load down a descent and quickly straighten up to access the winding path.

The huge faceless babies are right in front of us.  They have been part of the advertising and the camera comes out again.  It isn't until we go on a path behind we realise there are three giant babies crawling across the grass, bottoms up!

3 Fat Men - Is this a step forward?

We pass three small fat men striding together. They are also someone's creation which is named: 'Is this a step forward?'  I chose not to consider an answer!.

We pass a number of sculptures and we spy a ring of 'Man on ball.'  They (more than one man) are sitting in a circle in deep contemplation.  I slide the wheelchair between two of the


little men and snap photos.


Winding path to the beach area

I send Mel ahead to check the accessibility of the downward path.  We conclude it is wheelchair friendly.  I use the brakes to slow us and decide not to dwell on the thought of pushing Merv back up!

The Red Flamingos

I easily reach the open space below and we marvel at the flock of red flamingos in the crystal white sand.  They could pass for red swans from a distance.

I use the zoom lens; we aren't going to risk a walk on the sand. There is a huge patch of half buried fitness balls of various colours.  Sculpture? probably not, anything goes. The artists are local, interstate and international.

 

There are numerous school groups, senior groups, families, couples and singles on the sand.  The school groups have clipboards and worksheets.  It is great to see some of the artists entertaining them with their stories of their creations.  We continue on our journey.

 

The path changes and so does the gradient. The wheelchair grumbles and threatens to roll over in the sand. A couple passing by offer their help and the man grabs the chair and we reverse back to the more even path.  The sculptures along the missed path are easily seen from the path above the beach path.

 

I had hoped to see the sculptures on the 100 metre groyne.  It is only accessible via the sand and a variety of steps.  I use the zoom lens to capture the big pink blow up. Is it a rabbit or a mouse? I don't know. It is the only thing on the groyne which stands out from a distance.

The Pink Blow Up on the groyne.  What is it?

 

 

The groyne so far away, Pink blow up easily seen here

The heat is increasing and there is nothing else we can see up close.  We make our way to Beaches Cafe for a welcome morning tea.  It's a small area but we find a table which we manoeuvre the chair to.  Merv enjoyed a cupcake and spearmint milk while I had a much needed coffee.  Mel and I had a date slice each.

Home we go with mostly green lights!