An older piece , written on a far away island . I’m on a Greek island today , still remembering . Keeping a lookout :

Walking the Bickley Battery trail on Western Australia’s Rottnest Island . A beautiful walk along narrow paths winding through shallow valleys , up through the sand dunes and over the old railway to the batteries.

There is no one else here today , except for the two reptiles at my feet as I pause on this bend. Hey, two and a baby makes three !

Looking out over the sandhills this afternoon, as those soldiers did. Only I’m lucky enough not to be watching for enemies or guns .

Actually there are two babies . Wasn’t quick enough to take a photo.of them together

And there are at least four babies , one of the adults has rushed back to the nest in the bushes , while the other keeps watch .One of them is right next to my legs. Coming closer. On lookout.

Anyway enough of reptiles. I started this blog because the sand path is interesting and not well trodden. There are a number of batteries at various vantage points , the guns that watched out for the enemy in World War 2.

They need restoration , but even as they stand there is a sense of the life lived here while the guns were trained on the sea .I also think of all those people who looked after the guns , served in the military , played cricket in the bush below, laughed and joked

I’ve reached Point no 9 : “Peaceful Now “

I am sitting on the memorial bench close by.

Inscribed :

“ In loving memory of Kenneth, Susan Anne and baby Joseph Larcombe who walked lightly on this earth”

I remember. Especially the baby I never met.

But deep in my heart is another baby I knew too briefly and love deeply . I think of that beautiful little child everyday ; today he rests gently and perfectly in my heart.

Mind you visit Rottnest Island.Make sure you walk to Bickley Point and stand on the edge of the cliff and look out to sea . Keep a lookout.