Joy is…boats, beans and driftwood dreams!

Sharni and Johnny haven’t been out in their boat since the floods, but last weekend they decided it was time to once again enjoy their local waterways.

It’s a little tinny — to match Johnny’s little car — but with just enough room for me too, when I’m keen.

We packed sunscreen, hats, bottles of water and some yummy snacks, then headed for the boat ramp.

There were a few people ahead of us launching jet skis into the river, and I could almost hear Johnny’s thoughts. He and Sharni shared a knowing look followed by cheeky grins, and if he hadn’t been operating a motorised vehicle, I’m quite sure Johnny would have penned his letter to Santa then and there.

It’s at this point I should mention that stepping from solid ground into a floating boat feels about as natural to me as walking a rocky track in heels. While Sharni and Johnny navigated the transition with nimbleness and glee, I can only assume I looked like a sack of potatoes being dragged off a delivery truck.

Anyhoo, it wasn’t long before we were buzzing along, the wind in our faces and the sound of the motor drowning out Sharni and Johnny’s animated conversation. They looked excited and were clearly hatching a plan, but I had no hope of hearing them. I’d just have to wait to be surprised when we got where we were going.

Turns out we’d be anchoring on the shores of the estuary — a place that had once been soft sand but was now a splintery carpet of driftwood. As we puttered around looking for the right spot, we took in the sight before us.

I thought the beans would be disappointed, but where I saw devastation and change, they saw joyful opportunity

They built a fort. Of course they did. It had been the plan all along.

A quick scan of the horizon showed the silhouette of driftwood teepees reshaping the landscape.

Sharni and Johnny poured every bit of energy into their construction project while I loitered in the shade and supervised.

When I awoke I saw before me a magnificent architectural marvel and two exhausted, but extremely proud, beans.

As we headed for home, it occurred to me that although the landscape may change, joy always finds new ground to play on — well, Sharni and Johnny do anyway.

-Sam