A winter Gunyah residency, such a welcome break from the cold of Armidale. Although a mixed offering with the weather, the first few days were incredibly warm (for me) – almost tropical, and a wonderful treat. For the first three nights of my residency, my partner Dave was with me. On the second day, we headed off in the kayaks to One Tree Island, over near Soldiers Point (which I call Santorini because it looks like the Greek island of Santorini in the distance). I really enjoyed being on the water in the kayak, the sun hot on my body. When Dave and I arrived at the island, I stripped off to my bikini and went back into the water – which prompted a fisherman in a little dinghy to ask: ‘Are you crazy or what?’ When I answered, ‘I’m from Armidale!’, he laughed knowingly.
As a writer with a busy life, I always say I want ‘time alone’ but I think the Gunyah is a treat to be shared. A place to mix up time alone with time to socialise in the late afternoon and evening – which is why I’m coming back for a week next February with my writing group. I’m sure they’ll love the Gunyah as much as I do. But even though I felt the absence of others, I enjoyed the uninterrupted time to work and read and think. Like many visitors to the Gunyah, I loved the window seat in the loungeroom, where I sat each morning with my coffee and journal, marvelling at the paradise out the window. Ditto for the back verandah. I also loved the jetty – that feeling of being on a bridge to nowhere. Whenever I needed a break from my work, I’d wander down the path to the jetty. The surface of the water always so varied from the tides or the wind; my favourite was when the water was dusky blue and smooth as glass.
I love how I now have an ongoing connection with North Arm Cove, and how the residents and their dogs (particularly the two Border Collies on the walk to Heros Beach) are so friendly. I wanted to make it to a Coffee Morning at the North Arm Community Hall, but that’s for next time. Thanks to all who make the Gunyah possible – it really is a home away from home.
Helena Pastor
Gunyah residency report
August 2022
