the delightfully named Aloha Lane
We moved to Main Beach on the Gold Coast in 1957, when I was 4. We lived at 3546 Main Beach Pde, between Aloha Lane and Breaker St. Growing up at the beach in the 1950s and 1960s would have to be the best thing that could have happened to a kid. Parents were not overprotective with their children as they are now, and we ran wild on the beach when we weren’t at school.
Our well worn track to the beach – it is still there!
In the school holidays we would have breakfast, then we would be off to the beach until lunchtime. Lunch would be gobbled down and back we went, rain or shine. Of course when we were very young Mum came with us, but I remember best the times when I was alone or with my friends in the surf or scouring the beach for treasures. There were always treasures to be found, particularly after heavy seas, when all sorts of things would be washed up. We found endless dentures, sunglasses, coins (the favourite) and thongs.
today’s treasure from the sea
There was also this huge jellyfish – note my green thongs for a size comparison
a more scientific treasure hunter
a much bigger one
These were the days before sunblock. All we had was pink zinc, which would bubble on our noses and cheeks. We hated it, and despite Mum’s warnings that we would be sorry, we tried to get out without the dreaded zinc or a hat, which was considered uncool. I spent many days in the school room peeling skin from my nose and shoulders. I do regret the lack of sunscreen, but I wouldn’t change those beach days for anything.
I still love the beach, and we have an apartment at Main Beach less than a block from where our old house once stood. We don’t get there often enough. Main Beach has changed. There are high rise buildings now instead of fibro cottages and Tedder Ave is full of restaurants and shops.
the high rise apartments where our house once stood
Tedder Ave has shops and restaurants – there used to be 1 corner store
Even the beach has changed. When we first went to the coast there was a row of sandhills in front of our house. Numerous cylcones changed that and the beach is constantly changing with different weather conditions.
erosion caused by big seas
hardy plants are used to help hold the sand in place
I think it looks great as well as being effective against wind erosion
The surf is always there, however, and I love nothing more than diving into that first wave of the day. It feels just as good as when I was 10. I don’t stay there all day as I used to. I am now heeding my mother’s warnings. I go early in the morning before the sun is too strong, I wear sunblock and I wear a hat.
Nothing beats diving into those waves
…..and I swim between the flags
I intend to leave lots more of these at Main Beach
Our apartment is at Norfolk apartments on the corner of Breaker St and Main Beach Parade. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and is available for rent. Check out the website www.NorfolkApartments.com.au