Canal Front Living, Broadbeach, Q'ld, Australia.
Broadbeach is a coastal suburb in the City of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Current development in this area comprises of low rise structures, which include single bedroom houses and apartment blocks. A large portion of this attractive suburb consists of canal waterways, and Lake Intrepid, both of which are linked to the Nerang River, and many of the established houses on the canals have been architecturally designed and are very grand in appearance.
No two houses are alike which makes a tour around the canals and waterways of Broadbeach an interesting activity.
And this is the theme of this blog. As we drove around the waterways, I admired the dozens and dozens of homes situated very appealingly at the edge of the canals, many of them having the bonus of fabulous boats tied up at their private moorings.
With each click of my camera, I wondered about the families living in these desirable and obviously very expensive homes. And then my thoughts turned to the difference between a house and a home and I wondered which residences fell into which category.
People can be housed very adequately……..very luxuriously and quite satisfactorily. But a house can be devoid of warmth, company, and a welcoming atmosphere, whereas a home comprises of all of these desirable attributes.
I realized it was easy to make judgements on the outward appearances and I know the words, “How the other half live,” crossed my mind as I captured these photos. And then I took stock of the times we are all living in. How many families from the homes/houses that I have photographed here, have been traumatically uprooted and forced to sell and downsize after loosing jobs etc as a result of the Covid-19 fallout?
The Covid-19 plague has affected everyone, and our way of living has been changed dramatically. I do hope that before too long, we will all be in a situation of being able appreciate every new blessing that comes our way.
As for this part of the world, I hope that locals and visitors will be able to attend the yearly, ‘Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival,’ next May which is the month that it takes place especially as is known as one of Australia’s largest Free Blues Festivals. This event started in 2002 and up until Covid-19, it continued to attract sizeable crowds every year.
Other draw cards to visiting Broadbeach is the Groundwater Country Music Festival (July), Gold Coast Superhero Weekend (April) and the Broadbeach Christmas Carols with all events remaining free.
The beach itself is a very popular venue and the Broadbeach Surf Life Saving Club patrols the beach in the centre of the suburb.
Broadbeach is close to the famous theme parks such as Seaworld, Dreamworld, Movie World and Water World.
The entire tourist industry is suffering greatly on the Gold Coast as it depends so much on overseas travellers.
Or course, Australia is not unique in this aspect but when the states borders remain closed, it also inhibits internal tourists as well.
During winter Australians from the colder states down south often choose Queensland as an ideal destination due to our warmer climate.
So I feel for those in the tourist industry north of Queensland and in the Northern Territory as school holidays are about to occur and numerous, idyllic locations will still struggle to make ends meet even if holiday makers within the state decide to support these venues.
Winter (in Queensland) is my favourite time of the year and it is the season my husband and I love to get out and about to take advantage of how much this state has to offer.
It is our dry season, so the air is crisp, the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the sunsets and sunrises are spectacular.
What a difference it has made since restrictions have eased, to able to leave our homes and venture out to appreciate nature.
The tide continues to ebb and flow.
The wind continues to blow, raking leaves off trees and leaving limbs bare in the ever evolving process of rejuvenation.
Creatures unseen, go about their lives in repetitive patterns, relying only on the elements to ensure their survival.
The stars and the moon remain poised in the heavens providing light, inspiration and beauty to all of mankind...…...but we need to pause and look up, in order to absorb the wonder and majesty of creation.
And while these constants remain, there is hope. Hope that will enable us to look beyond our todays and embrace our tomorrows, despite unexpected challenges.
A wildflower thrives at the waters edge bringing colour and beauty to the landscape. A fitting way to end this blog, I think.
THANK YOU FOR VIEWING. HAVE A GREAT DAY.
