MOB member moved to write...

My friend and I swapped boards when I could see hers was narrow and difficult to control and mine was wide and stable. Check out the dedication that follows -

A tribute to a surfboard called Bessie

Through Bessie I have overcome my fears and gained the belief and the confidence to know that I may just be able to do this thing called 'surfing'.

You see, I have been the slow one of the bunch, but Bessie has helped me in so many ways. She is always there when I need her and I love the times we spend together.

She is buoyant and keeps me afloat when I need support.

She is a little thicker through the middle than most, but she is colourful and pretty to look at.

She is always there when I need her and holds me afloat when I am out of my comfort zone or I feel a little bit wobbly.

When I show up overburdened with lifes demands, I spend time with her and my spirit is once again uplifted.

She encourages me to never give up and shows patience, staying with me wave after wave, responding only when I am good and ready.

Bessie doesn't hesitate to take on the white water for me and deliver me safely to the other side.

Now it is clear to me why Bessie is so special; she represents the collective attributes of the MOB - the girls I share the beauty and power of the ocean with. The ones I share the experience and the exhilaration of overcoming self imposed limitations through surfing. Bessie has given me something amazing, allowing me to do what I never imagined possible.

I have been blessed to know many a Bessie throughout different stages of my life, so I know that good friends really are something to be celebrated and cherished.

So here's to you Bessie - thank you!

Belinda Johnson.

And thank you Belinda. Everyone needs a Bessie ;)

Since I have finished study for the semester I have let my hair down, done a few jobs that needed doing and taken Husband to see Rickie Lee Jones at the Opera House in Sydney. She has been playing in the background of my adult life and it was great to see her live. Nice to be in a room full of other RLJ fans too (Husband was shaking his head in disbelief). The Opera House was in full colour and many other architectural landmarks were lit up along Macquarie St but the only thing that had enough light for me to photograph was this lovely lighthouse. Cute, huh?

While I was in Sydney I read that people only go out to restaurants these days to write about it in their blog so I feel obliged to mention that we had dinner in one of those all night restaurants at the Quay where the burgers are tolerable because its late at night and you are starving, and the chardonnay tastes like it came out of some smelly gumboot emptied over the kitchen sink straight into my wine glass. Well, it was raining that night.

Now, what can I dream up for this weekend...?

SM