Christmas Day on the Gold Coast

An early morning run

It was just after 04.00am when my feet hit the ground. It was Christmas Day and all I had on my mind was to get to the beach. A little dazed as I walked to the car I still wasn’t aware of what the weather was like outside. The ten minute drive to the beach allowed me wake my mind up a little more.

I parked the car at the Broadbeach car park and walked the short distance to the beach. As I popped off the end of the boardwalk and onto the beach the first thing I saw was a Lifeguard tower.  The dark skies looked threatening, the sun still come poke it’s head above the horizon.

Lifeguard Station No 27

I walked down to the beach and took in a long deep breath. It was shortly after 04.30am and there only a couple of souls visible at this hour on the massive expanse of sand to my left and to my right.

A Father with his sons heading to the surf

The first glimmer of daylight – Christmas Day

I turned around as I heard voices from behind. There were three young boys with their father walking down to toward the ocean with a variety of wave boards and surfboards under their arms. One of the boys came close to me and wished me a merry christmas, I returned the kind gesture. The four of them walked together into the ocean and without hesitation started their individual rituals for catching waves. The day was coming alive.

There you are – welcome Mr Sunshine

As I continued to watch the early morning being born I started to notice more of humanity coming from their hideaways and to join me on the sandy expanses. The dark laden sky was stopping the sun showing all of its brilliant self.

                                        

I laid down and started to further wake up my body by doing some stretching. The sun appeared to be fighting with the heavy clouds from where it was journeying up behind.  As I reached my legs to the sky I felt my body coming awake even further.  Two more members of humanity appeared heading toward the surf.

                                                          

A runner appeared seemingly from nowhere, the special glow that was now illuminating the horizon made for a beautiful framed shot as they jogged past me. Next, someone busy on their mobile phone walked past. Maybe sending a christmas greeting to someone. I sat and just watched as the now many different routines unfolded.

                                                                              

I started my run and headed toward the south. My destination the Burleigh headland. As I left Broadbeach area behind my lungs filled of fresh oxygen.  I passed people heading toward me, many with smiles on their faces and many wishing me merry christmas. Tourists, locals, surfers, runners, walkers, surf life savers, dogs, paddlers, all of humanity was now sharing the best the Gold Coast has to offer.

I ran up the few stairs that took me to the top of the heads. Upon reaching the top I could look back toward Surfers Paradise  to the north, and to Burleigh South,in the opposite direction. There were now a few people on top of the headland enjoying the early morning view. I took in some deep breathes and then headed back down the stairs.

                                                                     

My return course was met by many more in the way of interesting sights. First off a couple walking their dog. I noticed the festive headwear on the dog so I stopped to take a photo. The dog was well aware of the attention he was getting. Next thing that came into sight was the Surf Life Saving team at the Nobbys Beach Surf life Saving tent. I noticed the festive cheer that was going on, so I went on over to take another picture.

                                                   

Further along the beach more surf life saving personnel stopped and gave me a smile and a cheer for Christmas Day. Then it wasn’t long before I came across my first sand man of the day. Someone had taken the time to build a christmas sandman. While many of those in the Northern Hemisphere have the good fortune to build snowmen, down under we need to be happy with a sandman. I gave a wry smile when I saw the carrot sticking out acting as his nose.

The day had now come to light. As I came to the end of my run I slowed to a walk and just took in the magnificence of the beach ahead of me. Now there was only one thing on my mind breakfast.  Food. I needed to find some and to restore the energy I had burned up during the first hours of my Christmas Day.