Pacific Paradise by John Clarke (memoirs)
I’m just sharing a few memoirs here in my writing space, from my father (John). Here he is recounting two holidays he had as a boy. I notice that the things he saw as a boy really impacted him, because he later became a successful fisherman and diver…collector of unusual specimens, animals, flora and fauna..from the treasures of the earth, sky and sea. He also imparted this fascination of nature to me.
Pacific Paradise by John Clarke (memoirs) belongs to the following groups:
Animal Kingdom, Childhood, Riginals and Who are YOU to Judge?listen to Seachange by Richard Pleasance and Wendy Morrison while you read this and lyrics
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I’m just sharing a few memoirs here in my writing space, from my father (John). Here he is recounting two holidays he had as a boy. I notice that the things he saw as a boy really impacted him, because he later became a successful fisherman and diver…collector of unusual specimens, animals, flora and fauna..from the treasures of the earth, sky and sea. He also imparted this fascination of nature to me. When I was about 7 Dad brought home a baby blue-ring occy for our fishtank, as well as a baby croc on another occasion… he also used to dive (with only a snorkel/mask/flippers and no tank) under rock crevices and catch lobsters straight from the sea
Whilst at Katoomba we went on two holidays, when I was around 9 years old I reckon, we went and stayed with friends in a holiday house at Newport Beach, Sydney.
The house was right on the beach – long gone now and it had a bookcase with really old books and buffalo horns up on the wall. I just loved it and remember going to sleep listening to the surf and beachcombing and going round the rocks at low tide.
I remember playing with blue-ringed occies (octopus) there, long before anyone knew they were poisonous. I think that is where my great love the sea and fish began.
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The second holiday was to “Pacific Paradise” – a holiday camp near Norah Head, north of The Entrance.
My mum was hysterical when we arrived on the train from Katoomba, as what we stayed in was a wooden frame covered with canvas and hessian.
I just had the most wonderful time beachcombing and fishing. We were right on the beach and there was a kiosk where you could get rods and reels for beach fishing. Alvey side casters and big long cane rods.
Dad and I got out the rods and reels and went to fish the surf. We didn’t have a clue that to cast, you had to turn the reel sideways and after a few attempts at casting we gave it up and just had the baits (pippies) washing around our feet, pretending to fish (all the other fishermen along the beach were casting out great distances).
Anyhow, this huge bream came up and grabbed Dad’s pippy right at his feet and he hauled it out with great excitement. I remember that it was a huge bream.
I used to go prospecting round the rocks on my own every day and remember this bloke went in snorkeling and was pulling out these huge crays. One day a big wave knocked me over and washed me in and I had to swim round to the beach to get out.
One night we were in bed and a big rat was running across the rafters. Mum was not impressed!
While we were there Dad and I both got really bad sunburn on our backs, blisters, and Dad was really in a bad mess.
There was no electricity and we used kerosene lamps for lighting and a methylated spirits primus stove for cooking.
I have been back there to try and find the site of Pacific paradise, but could never find it again. I just know it was north of Norah Head and within walking distance.
Sorina Williams
I am smiling and the music is still going! Sounds like great days! Love the girl and her occie! :)...
Karin Taylor
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haha…glad you enjoyed Sorina… i just love that song…and the lyrics… thanx for taking the time to read my dad’s stories :) xx
danita clark
How delightful. Those summers as a girl have many memories! We spent part of our time at the Grandmas near the beach at Glenelg (coming from Canberra it was such a TREAT ) and part of xmas hols at my Nannas in the Adelaide hills near Balhannah. Riding ponies and swimming in the dam. Your words here bring back fond memories. It is so nice your Dad can share them with you. ANd that they inspire your art Karin
Karin Taylor
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thank you so much Danita, it’s so nice of you to have a read and a listen, i’m glad too, when i hear your stories and other peoples….it really is wonderful to hear about those days, when life was more laid back…very spcial to hear about your xmas hols at your Nannas riding and swimming, such carefree days!! wonderful :) xx
Sorina Williams
They are very precious stories, the best kind! I just listened to the lyrics, I was reading and not listening the 1st time. I can see why you love the song and its lyrics :)
Karin Taylor
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aw, cool Sorina… thanx again – glad you read the lyrics..i’d love to paste them, but copyright and all…thought better not…the lyrics speak my heart back to me… and out to all… i love them…i loved the series Seachange, did you watch that (with Sigrid Thornton…? Diver Dan was my fave character of course, what a rogue :) x
danita clark
PS loved the music TA x
Karin Taylor
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aww…..so glad you liked it Danita ;) x
catherine walker
Beautiful memories and writing karin..well done
reminds me a bit of some of my own precious memories of having fun near the
ocean.. gorgeous ..the old house right near the sea sounded so wonderful !
Karin Taylor
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I love hearing about your early experiences and if there’s one thing I’d love it would be to live in a tumbledown shack all whitewashed, right by the sea…. So I could see it and smell it every morning….every day… Could just walk down whenever I likezz I would love decorations of flotsam and jetsam, old glass buouys and fishing nets, and furniture crafted from driftwood :))))
Thx so much for reading Cathy and glad you enjoyed!
Lorna Gerard
Lovley memories Karin, it also reminds me of some of mine as a child around the beaches, I loved to collect shells and watch all the brilliant sea life, I remember we use eat oysters straight off the rocks. thanks for the reminders.
Karin Taylor
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I love how memories spark more memories like that!!!
Thx so much …. Glad you enjoyed reading my dads memoirs :( xxx