We're At Keswick Island -- Wanna Come?

Hello there,

Well I just had a four week 'forced holiday' and it's great to finally be here on Keswick Island. After only having visited the island for the first time in July this year, I think it's pretty amazing to actually be living here just 3.5 months later!

Situated 32km off the coast of Mackay, Queensland, Australia, we're the southern most Whitsunday Island in the Cumberland Group of islands. When we moved here, we made the population increase to a mere nine people. ;-)

Yes it's quiet... very quiet.

• No dogs barking all night long
• No cars speeding up and down the street - only golf buggies
• No 'domestic' arguments going on that you can't help but hear
• No neighbour's children screaming etc.

Really, we must be getting old for things like that to be annoying us... But we love it here and think we're the luckiest people in the world to be living our dream. :-)

We've made good friendships with the existing residents:

• Brian and Lyn Kinderman from the Keswick Island Guest House - I'd never stayed at a guest house before this one and I have to say that Lyn cooks gourmet food of the best quality (ultra yummy!) and their hospitality knows no bounds. A most enjoyable getaway to be had here. (Some great photos on their web site too!) Do take a moment to visit --> www.keswickislandguesthouse.com.au
  
  I don't know what we would have done without their kindness and generosity. Without their friendship, I wouldn't have been able to access the internet while we were offline without a phone connection for four weeks. They make happy hour terrific and beach trips a joy. I knew this couple were 'pivotal' in our move to Keswick Island and we're both honoured to have them as friends.
  
  
• Lyn & Mike - Being South Mexicans from Victoria, this couple are very down-to-earth and an unearthed treasure on the island. Always willing to lend a hand and very kind people. We were truly delighted to find that they're both capricorns like Brian and I are! That's gotta be special. :-)
  
  Plus, Lyn's mother Verna, who is 82 years old and very spritely I might add, also lives with them. I love older people because they always have a good story to tell. ;-)

The house we're living in is absolutely beautiful. When we opened the door to arrive, we felt like we were coming home. All the indian saris that I bought when I was in India in October fit beautifully around the windows. It's like a constant discovery tour walking around the house. Jenny and Nat, the owners, are wonderful people and we feel very lucky to be looking after their home. Who knows? Maybe one day in the near future we'll be able to buy it from them. ;-)

All of a sudden, we're noticing more about the nature around us -- the flora and the fauna, not to mention the tides. It's good to get back to basics and that was one of the main reasons I wanted to move here, apart from the fact that it filled 'the picture in my head I'd been carrying around for years' to the letter.

Each night at sunset, we watch as thousands of fruit bats fly straight past our house from the mango groves on the beach to the neighbouring St Bees Island. I don't think you could 'pay' for this kind of 'wonder'. With no natural predators, except perhaps for the monitor lizards, which are pretty slow... it's an amazing sight to behold. And typically, a terrific excuse to salute them with a champagne as the sun sets. :-)

I can't explain how the island itself is so much better to experience in person that it is to view in photos... But nevertheless, here are some photos of our lovely Keswick Isle that I'd like to share with you. [Just point at each photo for descriptions].









Wouldn't you just love to visit a beautiful island like this on your next getaway? Look I pinch myself every day to make sure I'm not dreaming! lol. We all feel like we're living a millionaire's life here.

Warmest regards

Eva Browne-Paterson

PS: The training offer that was previously available has now been closed.