Rainbows on wave crests, apples and roses.

A few of my favourite things today... rainbows on wave crests and apples and roses...

Well, I never realised until last Saturday, that if the light touches a wave at just the right angle, it will create a rainbows on the wave's crest.

One of the highlights was watching the surfers trail rainbows behind them. One rainbow trail blazed red then the next purple, my little panasonic that I walk with each day, struggled to capture the sight, but I was still delighted to have a few reminders of the day.

It was so magical watching the waves turn into rainbows that my morning walk stretched into a three hour ooo and aww fest.

What's better after a magical morning than a delightful treat to follow, I discovered Manuela's Rose Shaped Apples.

A beautiful rose-shaped dessert made with lots of soft and delicious apple slices, wrapped in sweet and crispy puff pastry. Yummo.

Art Walk

The inaurgral Art Walk was on in Port Macquarie last Thursday evening. I realised at the last minute so we ran into town - OK well we drove into town that is, to take part in the walk.

There were so many people taking part that parking was hard to find - who'd a thought, trouble parking in Port?! We had a fun night taking part wandering the streets with thousands of others - loved the light cubes. Think Vivid but on a smaller scale.

Artist Yvonne Kiely hosted the giant 'colour me mandala' in the Glasshouse forecourt...

where many happy budding artists took up the challenge of creating a community artwork.

'Art is like chocolate for the brain', Dr Gene Cohen says and I'd have to agree watching the delighted faces of all taking part in the walk.

You had to be quick though as any spare room in the mandala got snatched up quickly...

We were delighted to watch art projections on local buildings...

Mic Rees hosted one of the projections with his iPad Art

Visit Mic Rees website: www.reesdigital.com

The projections on The Old Courthouse were very moving - visual stories of those who had loved and lost to war...

and a change of pace - we loved the window display at Sunset Gallery.

Many of the local stores featured artist's works and artist's were to be found at various spots around town painting, which was fun to watch. A great night had by all I imagine.

Walking at dawn...

"There's a sunrise and a sunset every day and they're absolutely free.
Don't miss so many of them." Jo Walton.

Up with the sunrise - well almost the sun was already over the horizon when I arrived.

I've promised myself to see more sunrises this year. Daylight saving ended this morning and I was up early.. so I decided to keep my promise to myself and head off to the beach.

I hope you enjoy this little walk here as well...

"Great wines come from stressed vines"

Really? I happened to see this quote while researching some information about the vineyard I had just visited. It was a scorcher the day we visited Long Point Vineyard. Not a visit for the wines, we had headed there to visit a friend's exhibit at their art gallery. But the quote got me to thinking about vineyards and some of the places I have seen vines planted. I've often wondered how on earth, ground that looks so dried out and depleted, is able to grow vines and grapes. Well, it turns out that...

Long Point Vineyard Entrance - love this mosaic

Great wines come from low-yielding vineyards planted in marginal climates on the poorest soils. Though hard on the vines, these tough conditions are good for the wine, because vines that are stressed must work harder to produce fruit, which leads to fewer but more concentrated and flavorful grapes.

By contrast, the vines used for bulk wines have it easy. They are planted in the fertile soils in ideal climates of regions such as California's Central Valley. Such regions are great for producing tons of grapes to fill up the bulk fermentation tanks, but not at all great for producing the complex, intense flavors needed to make great wine, because the vines are not stressed and the yields are way too high.

I stumbled across this info in an article by Ben Gilliberti in The Washington Post. A little impromptu vine appreciation lesson (and another fact to add to trivia nights). So in case you too have ever wondered why vineyards are often found in depleted looking areas, and how that whole system worked - well there you go.

Sculpture at Long Point Vineyard

The treehouse and acreage at Long Point Vineyard Lake Cathie NSW

The mosaic from Long Point Vineyard was created by Francesca O'Donnell and Vick Crompton - visit their website at Out There Design and Mosaic .

If you look at it the right way, the whole world is like a garden.

What a gorgeous world we live in. I am always touched by the beauty of the places and people we visit. One of my hobbies is gardening, I love getting my hands into the dirt to plant new little members of the family, and watch the seasons come and go through the flowers that emerge. Sometimes feeling a little sad watching the final leaves fall.

We had a colourful stop off at the river, caught up with friends and noticed the last of the season's frangipanis in bloom. Our tree at home is dropping it's leaves rapidly now, the seasons are changing.

I have no idea what type of tree this is, but I feel in love with this one and I'd love one in our garden. It would be worth all the sweeping for the joy of seeing this colour. The day I took this photo, there was a lady sitting under the tree with a yellow t shirt on, it was an artwork to see her there. I think I've lost her contact email, I'd love to share her picture here.

There was a definite yellow theme happening - or did you notice already?

Easter Weekend

Wishing all who celebrate it, a Happy Easter, this weekend.

Love this deep pink Frangipani I spotted on our walk one day.

We discovered this bright and happy piece of artwork at the top of Ballina Street in Lennox Head. I had to take a photo as our new little grandson has been named Lenny. I'd just left him about an hour before spotting this with Len written on it - I was feeling a little sad not to be seeing him again for a few weeks.

After living in Lennox Head for a while, no matter where else I visit I find Lennox is still my hearts' home

Who knows maybe one day we'll return to live. In the mean time, we visit often and always stop off on our way up and down the highway.

Time for a coffee at The Point Cafe Lennox... love the little heart in my cup

House sitting in Paradise Point

It's a tough gig being sent to Paradise but someone's got to do it. We have been focussing on house sits on the northern end of the Gold Coast at present, as my dear little grandson was due. He headed into this world a little earlier than planned. So as he was heading in, we headed up to Paradise Point to house sit and wait on his arrival - four weeks earlier than due date. All worked out well with mum and bub, and a very proud dad has been born as well. It's such a delight to be able to house sit for people as we get to see family, stay in lovely homes and help others out in the process. It's win:win all the way.

We had a wonderful time on our walks with Ruby-Sue and Fuzz. They do love their walks along the Broadwater at Paradise Point Queensland. Ruby Sue is like having a balloon on the end of a leash, she is only a few months old and just getting the hang of this walking caper. She absolutely adores everyone and all other animals and is soooo excited to say hello to all in her way.

It's been a very overcast stay so far, but when the light peeks through it is quite beautiful. Even thought it's been so overcast we have been making the most of our stays here with walks, Tai Chi and Yoga in the Park.

The view to Ephraim Island and The Sovereign Islands.

We really love our walks around The Broadwater. The view is beautiful, the light on the water is always changing, and it is so easy to walk here. A wide path weaves it's way around the water's edge, and it's great to walk doggies and ride bikes along. Walkers and bike riders seem to be able to co-exist without too many problems. Congratulations to the Gold Coast Council for creating this great park.

Sunset over Paradise Point at Salacia Waters Marina.

There are huge trees, including some lovely old Moreton Bay fig trees (I think that's what they are) to sit under, a netted area to swim in, exercise machines to keep those muscles looking gorgeous - although apparently I need to use them, not just appreciate them on my way past to do that, hubby tells me. I spotted a swim club in the pool one day, eagerly splashing their way lap after lap across the pool. Have you ever watched triathletes burst into the water on top of one another? That's what I noticed that day, and was slightly envious of their stamina and ability and enthusiasm... not enough to jump in and practice laps myself though. I think I'll stick to my walks.

While I was in Paradise Point, I discovered that the City of Gold Coast Council offers Tai Chi in the Park. They are free classes and a big group of enthusiasts gather to practice together. What fun! If you are visiting you can find out more at the: Gold Coast Gov Active Healthy Program - click here

On my way home from shopping at Runaway Bay just before Easter, I noticed the full moon was emerging. I quickly unloaded the shopping and suggested to hubby that we run down to our favourite little club on the water to take in the view. We had a lovely hour or so watching the moon rise. It was one of those moments in life that I'll remember for a long time.

Sadly my little camera struggled to capture the images, but hopefully this will give you an idea of how beautiful it was. From the Hollywell branch of Southport Yacht Club.