2021 - And that's a wrap

 I everyone, I hope you have all had a safe and happy Christmas season and New Year. I wish you and yours all the very best for 2022 and thank you for visiting my blog over the past year. 

And so we come to the end of 2021. Like 2020 it has been a mixed year of anxiety, some people have been sick or lost loved ones, many have been isolated and restricted in what we can do. Rules have been placed on us by our governments in order to keep our population safe from Covid 19 that is running rampant across the world. 

As one year closes and another opens bringing with it new opportunities, I take this time to look back on the year that was 2021. It is a great opportunity for me to look back and remember the past year - so easy to forget isn't it? I hope you will indulge me as I look back.... or at least look at the pics! (smiley face)

January - Clockwise from top left - I took photos at the Forza dragon boat club's hosted regatta in Bunbury, we watched the South West Opera Company's SWOCC on a truck in the park, I made my first masks, we enjoyed some beautiful sunsets as we strolled along the estuary at sunset after dinner, I attended a watercolour workshop with my sister in the Stirling Street Arts Centre in Bunbury, and I made tomato and grape chutney. 

I was still doing my Covid photo-a-day project and I see I also had my first attempt at paper making, and of course there was also fun at the beach. 

February - we went to the Chinese lantern festival for Chinese New Year, visited Wellington Dam near Colllie to see the completion of the dam wall mural, went down to the beach during a summer storm, attended a natural pigment making course with Helen Coleman in Mandurah, photographed the glorious red-capped gums, and enjoyed lunch at Green Door winery in the Ferguson Valley. I also danced with Sol y Sombra Spanish Dance Company at the Multicultural Festival. 

You can see more of February at my Covid photo-a-day project. 

March - I eco-printed some upcycled shirts in preparation for the Tree Street Art Safari, exploring the Sculptures by the Bay in Dunsborough, we had an amazing dolphin experience when out in our boat in Koombana Bay, I had a very successful day at the Tree Street Art Safari in the beautiful Tree Street area of Bunbury (many thanks again to my wonderful host Maggie in Banksia Street), we visited  Denmark on the south coast to visit my elderly aunt (these are karri trees in the pic), and photographed the beautiful pink Rosea marri tree. 

See more at my Covid photo-a-day project, which was a 12 month project I completed at the end of March. It really was a great way to record the year. 

April - I had a very successful market stall at the Dardanup Art Trail with 3 other ladies, remembered our fallen on Anzac Day, enjoyed local daily walks, explored the Collie Mural Trail, resurrected an old Easy Money game to play with our grandsons (an alternative to Monopoly), and photographed banksias in our bushland 

oh.... how could I forget....I was thrilled to win the photography section of the Dardanup Art Spectacular with my photo of a ghost fungi taken at our son's block. 

May - seems like May was a quiet month as we slumbered into winter. 

However we did take our caravan down to Northcliffe where we enjoyed the Northclliffe bush walk art trail, and bushwalked in the towering Karri forests. Our son had the drive way laid into his block, I attempted to photograph the lunar eclipse, and I attended a natural ink making course with Helen Coleman in Mandurah. 

June - we relaxed by the Bunbury waterfront, started enjoying oranges from our back-yard tree, photographed the pincushion Hakea, enjoyed a lunch in Busselton, photographed sunflowers in my garden and took a walk along the river in Donnybrook while my husband was visiting a school for work down there. 

And I danced with Sol y Sombra at a Western Australia Day event in Bunbury. (that's me far right in this pic) 

See more from June here - Random days of June

July - Part way through July, to escape the winter, we hitched up our caravan and headed north for about 6 weeks up to the top of Western Australia. I have just remembered I haven't shared that trip with you yet, so I will have to make amends with that in the coming months. Until then, here is a snap shot - 

We walked on some gorgeous sunset beaches (this is 100 mile beach), saw some amazing wildflowers (these are mulla mulla), hunted for dinosaur footprints in Broome, went on a boat trip to see the waterfall reef at Cygnet Bay,  had a perfect almost beachfront camp at Gumbanan bush camp on Cape Leveque and saw the staircase to the moon for the first time over the low tide mudflats - truly wonderful. 

August - our trip continued - we saw some amazing country (this is a Millstream National Park), saw some stunning wildflowers (the Sturt Peas and the wildflowers were exceptional this year), saw brolgas dancing on Pardoo Station, saw a dugong in the wild for the first time at Shark Bay, gorge walked at Exmouth  (unfortunately the weather was no good for snorkelling on the Ningaloo reef while we were there), and finished up seeing amazing canola crops at my nephews farm in the wheatbelt. 

What amazing camping sunrises and sunsets we had. I feel so privileged to be able to travel about our stunningly beautiful and varied country. 

September - We held a 40th birthday celebration party for our youngest son in a function room at the Dolphin Discovery Centre - such a wonderful day. Spring is the time for wildflowers and we went hunting for wild orchids and wildflowers whenever we could, we went to the annual Blooming Art Exhibition at the Bunbury Art Gallery held by the Flower Designers Club of Bunbury - always gorgeous. 

and we attended the 30th birthday celebrations of the Forza Dragon Boat Club - here I am cutting the cake with the two other life members. Sadly the guy on the right side of the pic below, Grant, the founder of our club, died suddenly from a stroke only a few weeks later. Which goes to show you need to do whatever you can, as you just never know. 

October - In October we spent a few days in Nannup and went bushwalking on several trails in the area. That is a huge karri tree along one of the trails, a rattle beak orchid, and a tavern we went to in Nannup for dinner one night where we had a delicious curry.  I, along with others from the Photography Group of Bunbury, took photos for the Bunbury Triathlon Club event. The blue flower is a Blue Lady orchid in our local Manea Park Reserve, our lemons were fruiting so I made lemon butter. 

November - my main event for November was being awarded runner up at the Photography Group of Bunbury for points awarded for images presented to their monthly exhibitions during the year ..... for the third year in a row....

December - The year finished with a final walk out to Manea Park to see the slipper orchids which flower in summer, I held a successful pre-Christmas market stall (despite it being a very hot day!), the red flowering gums are looking spectacular, I received a package from Creative Native who used my quandong image on the front of their cookbook and on their quandong Christmas pudding, I made some little Christmas puddings (so easy and no cooking), and it was so hot on Christmas Day that my grandson fried an egg in a pan on their driveway. 

We had our booster injections last week, but I feel we are still vulnerable to the virus, but hopefully the affects will be milder because we have been fully immunised. We have been very fortunate that our state, Western Australia has been very safe from the pandemic over the last two years, but with our borders opening at the beginning of February, I fear that the virus is just waiting to jump over our doorstep. I am not looking forward to that and fear for those I know who are unvaccinated. 

Thank you so much for stopping by. As the sun sets on 2021, I hope 2021 has been good to you, and 2022 will be safe and happy and productive for you and yours. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week. Take care. 

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!
   
MosaicMonday at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf
Sharon's Sovenirs 

Our World Tuesday
Pictorial Tuesday 
ThroughMy Lens 
Image-in-ing
My corner of the world through my camera 
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global hosted by Randomosity. 
       and Little bird - Pienilintu
Thankful Thursday 
Welcome to Nature Thursday
The Lovin' Life Team over at: Deep Fried Fruit

Hello there! I love reading your comments. If you scroll down to the bottom you can comment too! I would love to hear from you.

Covid photo a day project - March 2021 - final edition

 Hi everyone, I hope you and yours are doing well.

Back on 16 March 2020 I started my Covid photo-a-day project when it looked like we were going to go down into lockdown where I live and the pandemic threat started to become real. At that time I thought that it would be all over in 6 months. Sadly that wasn't to be, and over 12 months later we are still in that pandemic world. It seems that the virus keeps mutating, thousands of people around the world are becoming infected every day, and sadly thousands a day die. Sometimes I despair. The world is such an uncertain place at the moment. All I can do is hope and pray it will end soon as people are vaccinated. 

16 March 2020

Here in Australia our Government took a tough line from the very beginning, and although there has been some restrictions, mainly around numbers at venues and events, life has gone on fairly much as it usually does. Most new infected cases in Australia are people returning from overseas, and every overseas arrival has to go into mandatory 14 day isolation in a hotel. This has kept us safe. 

Now that the vaccine is being rolled out, I hope that the world will finally get on top of this terrible virus, though I fear that it will never leave us entirely. 

So, I made the decision the during this past week that I would end my Covid photo-a-day project on 31 March, 381 days from when I began last year. It has been an interesting way to document this Covid year. But I think I need to end this project and maybe start a different new project, whatever that may be. 

Therefore, here is last edition of my Covid photo-a-day project - March 2021.

Monday 1 March 2021 - We went down to Sculptures by the Bay in Dunsborough. I was particularly drawn to pieces with an environmental message. This is piece by Merle Davis has been made with plastic fishing and household rubbish washed up on our beaches.

Tuesday 2 March 2021 - plus bonus shot - the beautiful pink variety of Marri - "rosea" - Eucalyptus calophylla

Wednesday 3 March 2021 - it's been raining!

Thursday 4 March 2021 - raindrops on roses

Thursday 4 March 2021 - bonus shot - we had a lot of rain from a tropical low sweeping our state. This pic is out on my back patio garden. 

Friday 5 March 2021- on the road from Bunbury to Denmark - we lost track of how many roadworks we went through. This particular one south of Manjimup will improve the safety of the road through the forest.

Friday 5 March 2021 - bonus - a quick weekend trip to Denmark to visit my elderly aunt. This is a Swamp Bottlebrush - Beaufortia sparsa - around Walpole

Saturday 6 March 2021 - beautiful Greens Pool on the south coast near Denmark, They have upgraded the parking and access to the beach, making it easier for people to enjoy.

Sunday 7 March - Sunday - I love the soaring Karri forests in the far south around Denmark.

Monday 8 March 2021 - plus bonus shot - gorgeous red capped gum - Eucalyptus erythrocorys, - Illyarrie

Tuesday 9 March 2021 - dry karri leaves and buds picked up from the forest floor in Denmark

Wednesday 10 March 2021 - our teacher at Spanish dance class tonight

Thursday 11 March 2021 - B&W of yellow roses in my garden this morning

Friday 12 March 2021 - the bees were enjoying the chive flowers in our back garden today

Saturday 13 March 2021 - a sign of the times - are you keeping Covid safe?  In Australia we sign in at venues with a phone app or paper sign-in, and if someone becomes infected they can be traced, and anyone who has gone to that venue can be contacted. 

Saturday 13 March 2021 -  bonus shot - the gorgeous red capped gum - Eucalyptus erythrocorys, - Illyarrie - flowering brilliantly in the Farmers Market

Sunday 14 March 2021 - entertainment at the Eaton Primary School Fair. 

Sunday 14 March 2021 - bonus shot - another look at that gorgeous red capped gum

Monday - 15 March 2021 - starting on a new eco-print project on paper with karri leaves.

Tuesday - 16 March 2021 - new tote bags featuring my photography, getting ready for the Tree Street Art Safari.

Wednesday - 17 March 2021 - green in my garden for St Patrick's Day.

Thursday - 18 March 2021 - sunset in my street

Friday - 19 March 2021 - first pick of this year's quinces from my garden. Delicious. 

Friday - 19 March 2021 - the beautiful home of my generous hosts in Banksia Street for the Tree Street Art Safari

Saturday - 20 March 2021 - getting set up for the Art Safari - so hot - but lots of people came through my venue and I had a fabulous day talking to people and making sales. Thank you so much to my wonderful hosts and everyone who visited. Thank you! 

Sunday - 21 March 2021 - the roses in my garden are feeling the heat.

Monday - 22 March 2021 - beautiful golden Cassia - flowering in a garden along Millers Creek walk.

Tuesday - 23 March 2021 - gumnuts for National Eucalypt Day.

Bonus shot - Tuesday 23 March 2021 - marri flowers for National Eucalypt Day

Wednesday - 24 March 2021 - eco printing karri leaves on silk

Bonus shot - 24 March 2021 - are the sea eagles nesting again along the Collie River?

Thursday - 25 March 2021 - steps in black and white at the Koombana Bay lookout

Thursday - 25 March 2021 - bonus shot - views of Koombana Bay from the lookout tower opposite the Dolphin Centre.

Friday - 26 March 2021 - gorgeous red flowering gum at our local primary school

Saturday - 27 March 2021 - washing day

Sunday - 28 March 2021 - dolphin in Koombana Bay, taken with the under-water feature of my point and shoot. It came right up to our boat as soon as we dropped anchor.

Bonus shot - Sunday 28 March 2021 - mother dolphin and calf, Koombana Bay. What an unexpectedly magical morning. 

Monday - 29 March 2021 - laying out the leaves ready to eco-print on paper

Tuesday - 30 March 2021 - pin cushion Hakea

Wednesday - 31 March 2021 - Spanish Sevillanas dance party for end of term and end of March.

And that's a wrap! - The End - Thursday - 1 April 2021 - that's all folks! The end of my Covid photo a day project started on 16 March 2020. A year is done...an then some.....

Thank you everyone for joining me along this journey this past year. I hope you have enjoyed my Covid photo-a-day project.  I truly appreciate your support and encouragement of my project. I plan to put my photos into a photo book. It will be interesting to look back on. 

For those who celebrate, I wish you a safe, happy and blessed Easter.  And to all, take care, stay safe, and cherish the ones that mean the most to you.  These flowers below are everlastings, photo taken last spring in our wheatbelt. 

Thank you so much for stopping by. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Stay safe and have a wonderful week. 

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!
   
All Seasons
MosaicMonday at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf
Sharon's Sovenirs 
Our World Tuesday
Pictorial Tuesday 

ThroughMy Lens 
Image-in-ing
My corner of the world through my camera 
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global hosted by Randomosity. 
       and Little bird - Pienilintu
Thankful Thursday 
Der-Natur-Thursday 
The Lovin' Life Team over at: Deep Fried Fruit
 Month end link up @ Live love craft me

Hello there! I love reading your comments. If you scroll down to the bottom you can comment too! I would love to hear from you.