Day 6. If you asked both Pop and myself where our favourite place was globally,, we would both give the same answer; Magnetic Island, and more specifically Alma Bay.
Magnetic Island holds a vast amount of Pop's history. When he was just a boy, he and his mother stumbled upon this North Queensland paradise. They lived in a quaint cottage with the most magnificent view of Arcadia and the surrounding waters. Everyday, Pop would trek either on foot, or by bicycle, 5 miles to the nearest school. When it was raining however, he and his friends often were "unable" to make the distance and instead would find themselves bathing in the waters of a hidden waterfall. Found well behind the streets of Acardia, this waterfall was set admist flora and fauna native to the Island. Pop ensured that both Katie and I had experienced this waterfall in it's purest form as he had.
Every year without fail, we would visit Magnetic Island with Pop as our guide. Every one of those visits was spent listening to the same stories; often beginning with "back when I was a boy..." More often than not, this statement would be followed by a series of groans, and the rolling of eyes. At the time, I could not appreciate the wealth of Pop's knowledge; I wish I could have but I was still just a child, and children's brains are unfortunately not wired that way. In saying that, I am still very much a child now but as I've grown older, I have managed to shape my own opinions, and find my own interests, which have led me to be 100% in awe of Pop's life and what he stood for.
(I have digressed slightly here and I do aplogize but, I have vowed to let my writing go wherever my pen will take me)
When Pop would accompany Nan, Mum, Katie and myself to his slice of paradise, would would always travel and "camp" in the "Bus." A camping site at a locally run caravan park would be booked and we would make ourselves at home. Whilst sitting in our folding chairs, with our folding table, every morning we would eat English muffins topped with Nutella (and plenty of it). We would also get the great pleasure of sharing our morning meal with tens of vibrantly coloured, rainbow laurikeets. One bird on each shoulder and at least two on your head, was the standard way to begin your day.
After that reoccurring episode, we would head out on one of the various picturesque bush walks which connect all of the Islands villages. One of our favourites began at horseshoe bay (where our temporary home was) and would pass through Radical, Balding, Florence and Authur bays before ended up at Magnetic Island's iconic Forts walk. The Forts walk is a 4km return, undulating hike under the little shade that the gum trees provided. Almost without fail, at least one koala would be spotted lazing in one of the tall trees above our heads. Seeing a koala in a cage at a zoo is one thing, but seeing one of the teddy bear-like creatures in the wild is a truly unforgettable experience.
Concluding our day, we would drive directly to our favourite beach - Alma bay. Barely after the car had been parked, we were racing each other towards the twinkling blue waters which awaited us. Tearing off our clothes as we went, we were relentless. Winning the race to the water meant that you were awarded with the prize of being first to ride the "boogie board." The waves may have been small, but our hearts were swollen with adventure.
There's nothing in this world that I miss more than those trips. They were pure family time and nothing warms my heart more than those memories. Thankyou for sharing your slice of heaven with us Pop - when I have children and grandchildren of my own, I hope to be able to share it with them also.