By Carol Goddard

To quote Danish author Karen Blixen, best known for her novel Out Of Africa, the cure for anything is saltwater, sweat, tears or the sea.

And what a lot of water we see whenever the East Coast Low comes to visit. From the Bombo quarry to Kendall's Beach, the sea puts on a magical watery display.

The immense power of the waves, the swirling whiteness of our ocean shows just what Mother Nature is capable of producing.

During the week, our seaside tourist town is not notably busy. Rarely are there traffic jams, or conga lines of vehicles.

But this all changes when the word gets out. Surf's up. Let's go and look, take a few videos and pics, post them on social media.

And so, people are out at every vantage point, to witness quite a spectacular weather event.

At the north end of Bombo, waves crash into the headland affectionately known as the toothbrush, (look at the shape and you'll see why), and tower way up into the sky.

The beach is ever diminishing, while at the south end, little Spring Creek has now become a river complete with mini rapids.

Travel around the headland to Kiama Harbour, where the rockpool is barely visible,and there's surf at Black Beach.

There's rarely surf at Black Beach. Until the Low strikes. And then waves push to the walkway, crashing into and over it, leaving very large puddles of water. Great for splashing in.

The sea is boiling near the round rockpool, which resembles the suds in a very large washing machine.

And saltwater is creeping up the steps and beneath thankfully empty chairs. Surrounding rocks are providing a vantage spot for us awestruck sea lovers.

Further on,the Blowhole is working as I've never seen it before.

Quite a crowd has gathered to enjoy Kiama's most famous natural feature, and onlookers are keeping their respectful distance, while also getting drenched by the fast moving salt spray.

Around the headland to Surf Beach the sea is boiling, sand loss quite evident and on the sea surface there is a film of brown-coloured foam.

In an instant,the surf surge is so strong that a huge wave crashes into the wall of the park, close to the surf club, brown foam sent careening into the air, and coming down to land on the heads of some unsuspecting viewers who thought they were high enough to be safe.

They scurry further back into the park, unscathed except for getting foamed.

That foamy wave continues into the Coronation Park, which is now a seabird filled lake.

At the southern end of Surf Beach, the canal resembles a fast flowing river, and the car park is now sand and seaweed covered.

There is consternation that the two cars parked there should perhaps be moved before they float away on the tide.

The northern end of Kendall's Beach is enormous, the sea breathtaking in its raw energy.

Sightseers here are also taking in the vista all the way to our lighthouse. The majesty and the strength of the ocean, the sheer unadulterated beauty of it, on show for us all.

Jacques-Yves Cousteau said that the sea, once it casts its spell, holds you one in its net forever.

For those of us who are fortunate to witness the ever changing moods, and the mighty power and beauty of the ocean, this is most certainly true.