SWELL 2019

A gorgeous day at Currumbin to view the SWELL sculpture exhibition for 2019. I think my favourite was the one in the top picture here. It was interesting to stand back and listen to other people's view of it. I'll let you scroll through and see what appeals to you. If you are visiting Currumbin there's a very lovely place to stop and have lunch at Elephant Rock Cafe, take a trip up to the top of the stairs to have a spectacular view over the beach and a cool breeze.

Magic on The Mountain

"Don't just exist, wander and explore."

Some days the ocean beckons, other times the mountains. I wonder what it is that draws us into nature, (pause for wondering). No answer forth coming. Anyhow, whatever the reason, they do, and right now the mountains have been beckoning. I felt like a bit of an explore today, an energetic climb Mt Everest type of explore, just a lovely slow amble. So off we headed to the mountain.

I pulled the car over to check the information board, and after a random pointing on the board, decided to try Tambourine Mountain Botanical Gardens as a destination for this visit. Our pointer of the way, Ms Google Maps guided us down a scary descent, around a winding road, and we discovered this delight on our way. I do love to happen upon a touch of whimsy. Almost something that I'd expect to see in The Shire.

Speaking of which, if you are a fan of Lord of The Rings, and haven't yet seen the story of it's author, go and see Tolkien, it's a really enjoyable watch. I'm not an avid reader of his books but loved the movie anyway. Take the tissues with you, even the better half - who is an avid fan - had a tear or two, but don't tell anyone I said so.

We arrived at the gardens and even though it's winter and most of the plants are in hibernation mode, it was still gorgeous.

Metal flower blooms are the first sculptures to welcome visitors to the garden. I'm always enthralled by sculptors and how they turn old bits and pieces into art.

Seeing this egg through the garden vistas, it's easy to picture a giant animal lurking somewhere nearby.

Will post some more pictures soon, our internet connection isn't the best here. Hope all's well in your world and you are getting out to explore.

What would this world be like without dogs? Mary Oliver

"What would this world be like without dogs?" Mary Oliver

Mary Oliver reads from Dog Songs

Usually when we are asked to house sit, home owners are going away and need care for their beloved pets. I am posting this for the dog lovers among us, I hope you enjoy this reading by the late Mary Oliver.

Percy (One). Mary Oliver.

Our new dog, named for the beloved poet,
Ate a book which unfortunately we had
Left unguarded.
Fortunately it was the Bhagavad Gita,
Of which many copies are available.
Every day now, as Percy grows
Into the beauty of his life, we touch
His wild, curly head and say,
“Oh, wisest of little dogs.”

I'm going to take some inspiration from Mary Oliver and tell about it. Will you join me in writing about what you see in your every day life? The little moments that make up the day.

Our Pee Wees - Kareen F

It's a heatwave out there.
The birds even want to come inside.
The peewees are frowning at me
not letting them.
Instead I fill their water bowls
and they jealously guard it.
The air feels like soup to walk into.
And I wonder if it feels like soup
to fly in.

In fond memory of Mary Oliver.

Confederation Basin Kingston Ontario

Wanderlust: Noun - a strong desire or urge to travel and explore the world.

I was talking to a friend at yoga yesterday, and she said that she thinks I have wanderlust. For the next half hour I heard all about her travels overseas, and the ones she has planned. What's that about everyone we meet is our mirror? Wanderlust is the word for the week. Here are some scenes from our recent travels in Sydney. After meeting some new Canadian friends in Sydney, we are now contemplating house sitting in Canada.

The view from where we stayed in Sydney. So many cruise ships visiting, a different one each day. They are so quiet entering and leaving the harbour. We were only aware of the ship's horn as she notified the harbour of her exit.

A Salvador Dali sculpture exhibit was on at The Rocks, but we'd seen it in Paris. Just thought I'd drop that in there.

We wandered around Sydney's foreshores, and then hoped on one ferry after the next. Thoroughly enjoyed walking around Watson's Bay.

The magnificent fig trees at Camp Cove

We had a great time in Sydney, meeting up with old friends and meeting new friends from Canada at Squires Landing at The Quay.

A little bit of synchronicity, on returning home. I found a sweet little watercolour at my local shop. We'd been chatting with new friends and sailors from around this area in Canada. I've never seen any artworks of Canada before in our small home town, in fact anywhere in Australia for that matter.

Confederation Basin Lake Ontario not sure of the artists name - G. Gage?

The Hawaiians have a saying, 'mea e kālele ana ma luna o kou kiʻi hou o' - 'what you focus on you get more of'. Perhaps it was after listening to stories of sailing on Lake Ontario, which brought my attention to the painting or synchronicity, who knows but it was fun to see. I hope you get to visit OZ again one day M & R - thanks again for a lovely evening at The Quay.

A little t-shirt wisdom I spotted at the Quay.

Fancy a water front camping site for a night or more? Check out Cockatoo Island, for basic stays to upmarket glamping.

We have seen more of Sydney now that we don't live there, as tourists, than we did in over 30 years as residents. What a beautiful Harbour we have. And, how great are our ferries and water ways to travel on. Can't wait for our next trip down there.

Before the drive home we had a lovely stop off at a favourite spot we discovered last year, while house sitting on Sydney Harbour. Flying Bear at Kirribilli - highly recommended.

The Mountain Is Calling

The mountain seemed to be calling and so we headed off to visit Mt Tambourine

A little bit of fun at a Japanese store

I really 'should' have asked for permission to photograph inside the store... it was so gorgeous, and I'd have loved one of the kiminos that were sold there. Only thing is, what to do with it, once I got it home.

Loved the sculpture at the lookout on top of Mt Tambourine.

Had to giggle at that chain and the sign together. AND not one padlock but two.