We’re towing a trailer full of camping gear fastened with ropes and octopus clips. In a little cage atop it all is Captain our German Shepard puppy, yap yap yapping, his ears flapping back in the wind. We crawl along hour after interminable hour, Raymond Terrace, Newcastle, Bulahdelah – finally, Seal Rocks turnoff!

I spy the church they made into a house, the tarred road finishes and we’re on to the dirt, dense bush on both sides, eyes peeled until around the last bend, the ocean appears. Joy springs from my heart – we’re here!

The caravan park is across from the beach. We pitch our green canvas two-pointed tent down the side with the clique of the campers feeling superior to the suburban caravaners. Inside we lay down old Persian carpets and erect stretcher beds. I love the canvassy smell and the sound of the porta-gas stove.

The Murnanes are here again from Newcastle. Greg Murnane has a crush on me I can tell.

Wearing my dark blue one-piece cossie I got for Christmas, I read, lazing in warm, powdery sand with mum and my sister. I catch waves on a blow-up surfmat with my brother; I star playing British Bulldog with 20 kids or more on the lawn up near the showers. I patiently wait my turn to jump on the trampoline at the caretaker’s house.

We catch a bucket of pippies, scrinching our feet in the sand this-way-and-that as the waves retreat to the sea. Changing their water each day until all sand is expelled then we cook them and and eat them, they’re sweet and delicious.

Some afternoons my family and I walk up the hill to the General store. We can choose any ice cream we want, but Chocolate Hearts are expensive so I don’t choose them, even though dad says I can. Anyway Pine-lime Splice is my favourite, sometimes I’ll have a chocolate paddle-pop.

Days are endless, my skin deeply tanned. I am filled with sunshine, I feel as light as the wind, I am free.

Share my journey through guided meditation and visualisation. Watch this space…