Weekend of lunch, gardens, music & dance

What a wonderful weekend we have had -

Lunch in the cappuccino strip in Bunbury.  There is a variety of restaurants, some of which are housed in lovely old buildings. Trees which are lit up at night with fairly lights, line the street. It really is a lovely place to go for coffee or lunch.  There is a variety of restaurants - you can go from a simple sandwich to Chinese to pizza to fish and chips to a top class Italian restaurant. Take away, dine in, tables along the footpath, and the cakes are devine! and the people watching - the place to be seen. The cappuccino strip certainly has a lovely feel about it. It is a great place to go and meet up with friends, or just go for a stroll!

On Sunday we went to the 16th Annual Nannup Flower and garden festival - They have had 4 days of garden and floral displays, quilt & craft displays, stalls, art  exhibitions, choir singing, workshops and entertainment.  As you can see in the collage below it is tulip time. I love the "beetle" car covered in grass and run by solar power! And I might have to dig out some old boots and plant flowers in them!

And a beautiful quote from Buddha on the display from the high school - 

"The perfume of flowers travel only as far as the wind

but the fragrance of goodness travels throughout all worlds

The garlands woven from a heap of flowers

fashion your life as a garland of beautiful deeds" 

On Sunday late afternoon-evening a friend and I went to "Concert and Cocktails" at the Koombana Bay yacht club. 
This was a fund raising event for the Stirling Street Arts Centre, going towards renovations and additions to their facility. 
It was a wonderful evening. Performing were the South West Opera Company (with songs from Carmen), South West Philharmonic Orchestra, Bunbury Musical Comedy Group (with songs from Fiddler on the Roof), Bunbury Catholic College Girls Choir (with songs from the Beetles and the 60s), Bunbury City Band and South West Jazz Enzemble, and a crowd favourite, the Soly Sombra Spanish Dancers. 

In the mosaic below in second from bottom left, and on the far right of the top right photo, you can see my daughter in law in the bluish gypsy dress.  Don't they all look so beautiful dressed in their gypsy costumes? I joined the dance group earlier this year, and my teacher says next year I will be dancing..... I don't now about that.......

Thank you for stopping by. I look forward to hearing from you. I am linking up with Mosaic Monday at Little Red House. Click on the link to see the work of other wonderful contributors. - Mosaic Monday at Little Red House

You might also like -
Spanish Flamenco Dancing 

Cappuccino at the grand

Tulips in my garden

July and August is the time for tulips in my garden. Last year I grew them for the first time, and earlier this year I bought some more bulbs, kept them in the refrigerator, and then planted them when I thought the time was right.  The first one flowered the day after my mother died on 19 July, and every day I have seen the new buds forming and opening. But this morning is the first time I have photographed them. They were still in shade, so not yet open. But I will go back this afternoon and capture them in full bloom. A bit like life I guess, forming, being nurtured, and then blossoming in full bloom.  And then like the second image in the collage, there can still be beauty in the closing stages of life. 

And Ruth Tearle's quote for today? - 

The way to stop being a pawn fighting for someone else's ambitions,

is to create your own dreams

and share them passionately, with others.

 Back at 11.30am with sunlight - 

 And how about a little tulip texture? for Kim's Texture Tuesday - Texture is "dream-it" applied in soft light, with quote from Paul Simon. 
Click here to see more of Texture Tuesday -  Texture Tuesday

What is your passion?
Do you have tulips in your garden? 
Thank you for stopping by my blog. I look forward to hearing from you and welcome your comments. Have a wonderful week.

You may also like - a visit to see the beautiful tulips of Araluen near Perth last year - click on the link here - Spring is the time for tulips

A walk in Yalgorup - Western Australia

After the last few weeks, it was wonderful to get out and go for a walk in the bush on Sunday with our grandsons. We walked along the Lake Pollard walk trail to the bird-hide at Lake Pollard in the Yalgorup National Park, only 45 minutes north of our home in Bunbury.

Laying on the western edge of the Swan Coastal Plain, the 12,888 hectare Yalgorup National Park protects a chain of ten lakes - Swan Pond, Duck Pond, Boundary Lake, Lake Pollard, Martins Tank, Yalgroup, Hayward and Newnham Lakes  The name Yalgorup is derived from two Nyoongar Aboriginal words – Yalgorup meaning swamp or lake, and up meaning a place of.

We are in late winter here, and the spring wildflowers are just starting to blossom   In the collage below are wildflowers I photographed along the trail. I haven't been able to successfully name all of these - but I can tell you some of them....

Left to right starting top left - 

1st row - Native Wisteria, Hibbertia. Dryandra, Dryandra with bee, perhaps one of the Grevillias.

2nd row - Native Wisteria,  Weeping Pittosporum, Cocky's Tongues-Templetonia retusa, Native Rose, Hibbertia

3rd row - unknown, I think the Helmet orchid before flowering on a bed of moss, Hibbertia, unknown, leaf of the Bull Banksia. 

Flowers like the "Hibbertia" and the "Grevillia" have many different species, so very difficult for an amateur like me to name them accurately.

 Along the trail also look out for other interesting things..... an ants nest, fungi, the red insides of a collapsed grass tree, a bird feather, sea shells on the lake shore, fungi climbing a tree, and a broken egg shell my grandson found beneath a tree. Looking for things like this along a walk trail is a good way to keep children interested and not thinking about how tired they are.....

The Yalgorup wetland system is international recognised on the Ramsar List as an important habitat for migratory waterbirds and so is a haven for birdwatchers. As well as native waterbirds, birds migrate to Yalgorup from the Northern Hemisphere, including the Red Knot which breeds around the Arctic Circle.

A good place to view the birdlife is from the bird hide constructed on the edges of Lake Pollard. Black swans arrive here in large numbers from October to March to graze on the musk grasses.

The six kilometre (approximately 2 hour) Lake Pollard trail conveniently begins at the entrance to the Martins Tank campground. The trail winds through parrot-bush thickets, and woodlands of jarrah, tuart, peppermint, bull banksia and Christmas Tree. You know when you are getting close to the lake when the tuarts are replaced by saltwater paperbark trees. 

We didn't walk the whole 6 kilometres - it is a long way for 2 little boys aged 3 and 5. We took the shorter flatter return option - about 1 & half to 2kms there, and then back - still a long way for little legs! We took food with us and ate it in the bird hide - you can see the bird hide in the collage below. Unfortunately we didn't see any birds!  But the bird hide gave us shelter when a shower of rain passed over. 

Can you see the kangaroo laying by the log in the third picture? We saw him and his two mates at the camp ground.

The trail starts near Martins Tank campground on the edge of Martin Tank Lake. It is a beautiful shady campground managed by the WA Department of Environment and Conservation. In the collage above you can see us having our picnic lunch after our big walk. The boys decided to go log climbing after that and had a kick around with the soccer ball - I think they got their second wind!

In the bottom left picture you can see the avenue of paperbark trees going down to the edge of Martin Tank Lake. 

Our grandsons are used to being out in the bush, but when you have little legs that are tired of walking, there is always Pop's arms......... whilst the 5 year old sang me songs he had learnt at school and this helped the walk back.

So much pleasure from the simple things....

 

Of the ten lakes at Yalgroup, Lake Clifton is the most unique, as it is the home to 2000 year old Thromobolites. These are the largest known example of living non-marine microbialites in the Southern Hemisphere, and only one of two known places where microbialites occur in water less salty than sea water. The Thrombolites are extremely fragile and an observation walkway has been erected so you can have a close view. 

To read my article about The Ten Lakes of Yalgorup - please see Go Camping Australia magazine - October-November 2012

You can read more about Yalgorup by clicking here - WA Department of Environment and Conservation

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed our walk in Yalgorup National Park. I look forward to hearing from you. Have a wonderful week.

I am linking up to Mary and the other wonderful contributors at Mosaic Monday at Little Red House. Click here to see their posts - Mosaic Monday 

 

Become what makes you special

I have used another quote from Ruth Tearle's fabulous pack of inspirational cards "unleash the magic within you" which came to me last week with her book " Blackboards Bubbles and Cappuccinos"

Thank you Ruth for your book, your email and for your inspiration.

To learn more please click here -  Ruth Tearle - Change Designs

The wavy technique with the fonts I learnt about in the latest day of Kim Klassen's Beyond Layers 52 weeks e-course.  If you want to know anything about playing around with layers, textures and photo editing techniques - check out Kim's site by clicking here - Kim Klassen Cafe

And a special thank you to everyone who has been so supportive of me over the last few weeks and months - sometimes life makes you stop and take stock, and realise what and who are most important in your life.

Have a wonderful weekend - and hug the ones you love - and become what makes you special.

Spanish Flamenco dancing

After two very difficult and emotional weeks, it was wonderful to get back to my Spanish Flamenco dance classes last week and be enveloped by the sound, colour, movement and vibrancy of a gypsy dance.

The class you see here is the advanced class. They are getting ready for a performance in August.
Spanish dancing is not easy - in fact it is very difficult to learn. I am in the beginners class. At the moment I am trying to get my head around the steps for the "Sevillanas"dance. My teacher assures me that it takes about a year before Spanish dancing finally "clicks" in your brain! You certainly can't think about "life" while you are concentrating on what your feet and hands are doing!

 Canon G11. Straight out a camera, dance studio light, no tripod, hand held.

Last week I was given a wonderful book called "Blackboards, Bubbles and Cappuccinos". Written by Ruth Tearle. Not just a novel, but an inspirational book encouraging you to follow your own unique path. With the book came a little pack of cards of quotes. Each day I pull out one. Today's said - 

We are born to be creative, to do, to risk, to shine our own light. 

So here is my image to go with the quote

  

I call this image below "the dance class". Taken at my Spanish Flamenco dance class a couple of months ago.  I know there is a lot of blur happening, but I rather like it and the blur projects the feeling of fast movement.  Processed in Elements with Radlabs "Grandma's Tap Shoes" & "Vario saturation". I rather like the antique look of the colour. The dance classes are held in the dance room of the Art Gallery - a former convent. I love the feel of this classical old building.

Thank you for stopping by. I look forward to and appreciate your comments.

Take care and have a wonderful week.

You can find out more about Ruth Tearle and  "Blackboards, Bubbles and Cappuccinos" by clicking here - Change Designs

I am linking up to Mosaic Monday at Little Red House - to see the posts from Mary and other wonderful participants, please click on the link here - Mosaic Monday

You may also like ( click here) - Flamenco!

Sunset over paddocks

After two very stressful and emotional weeks, the beautiful late afternoon light over the paddocks on my way home tonight gave me a feeling of peace and calm and a reminder of the beauty of life and to cherish those we love.

Take care, have a wonderful weekend, hug the ones you love, and tell them you love them.

Forever in our hearts

Forever in my heart - my dearly loved and loving mother - passed away peacefully at home 19 July 2012. A blessed release from her suffering. Rest peacefully dear Mum.

30 July 1924 - 19 July 2012

And sending all my love to my wonderful father. He is greatly admired by his family and all that know him, for his love and dedication to Mum. He never wavered from his determination to look after her at home for as long as possible.  It is time to look after yourself now Dad.  I love you  xx

Straight out of camera, TV priority 1/200 seconds, F2.8, rested on mirror with black backdrop, natural window light.

Winter warmers - It's winter in Western Australia

It's mid winter in Australia, and I woke up this morning to the sound of the rain pouring down on our roof. So how about a bowl of hot home made winter soup to warm us up? I love making a big pot of hearty home made soup - there is nothing better on a cold wet winter's day. The delicious smell of the cooking soup seeps through my house - it is a welcoming smell - that says come in and have some!

I have some recipes of soups that my mother used to make - ie the Vegetable, Lamb Shank & Barley soup was always a standard in our house when I was growing up -  but now I like finding new recipes that reflect our multicultural Australia - ie Mulligatawny Soup and Minestrone Soup. During the summer when there are plenty of tomatoes, I make big batches of tomato soup, and freeze it in containers, then in the winter use it as the basis of the Minestrone Soup. It is wonderful on a cold Sunday night to have a bowl of Minestrone served with Italian Roll-up rolls, in front of the fire for tea.

I like a thick soup with lots of flavour. What is your favourite soup?

What sort would you choose? From top left clockwise - Pea & Ham, Moroccan, Minestrone, Vegetable & Barley, Pumpkin, and in the centre Mulligatawny  -

And we better have something to go with it - scones, Italian roll ups, and fresh crusty bread -

My sister reminded me today about making damper - I haven't made it for years - I will have to make some soon to go with our next pot of soup. For those who don't know what damper is - it really is a traditional Australian bread which was a staple food in colonial days, and now favored by people out camping, cooked in the camp fire - here is a link to find out more - Australian Damper

The sky is amazing in winter - What a glorious palette of colour it can be - these images in my collage were taken between lunch time one day and 5pm the next day a couple of weeks ago. In the first image - lunch time - the sky was blue, then in the evening there was beautiful pink colours in the late afternoon sky, threatening clouds next morning, rain at lunch time (the lighthouse pic), and then driving home that afternoon - a glorious sunset. What an ever changing colourful pallet the sky has!
These images are all totally straight out of camera.

Yesterday we went walking in the bush along the Timberline Trail in St John's Brook Conservation Park in Nannup - below is a pic. I love bush walking during winter or spring. We walked through some misty rain but it didn't bother us. There were a few wildflowers starting to open, hinting of the spring to come. We took a picnic and had lunch at the overnight hut along the trail. I hope to bring you the story later this week.

Until then take care, by happy, and have a wonderful week. I look forward to hearing from you and your comments which I always appreciate. I am linking up with Mary and the other wonderful contributors at Mosaic Monday at Little Red House - click here to see their work - Mosaic Monday at Little Red House

Interested in seeing what I was doing this time last year? - go here - The Oceans Edge - Yallingup Western Australia - The Oceans Edge

Busselton Jetty & the Equinox Cafe, Western Australia

We had the most fabulous Saturday lunch at the Equinox Cafe on the beachfront in Busselton recently. The restaurant has always been a favourite of ours.

Years ago when both arms of the jetty ran right out to its full 1841 metre length, we used to go to Busselton for late afternoon fishing off the jetty, and then squidding in the early evening. Finishing with buying chips at the fish and chip shop in the shed at the end of the jetty, before the drive home.  And even before that, my husband and his family holidayed in Busselton every summer, and the boys would ride their bikes out along the jetty for a day of fishing. Over the years it has been a favourite place to take friends holidaying from Perth or for day trips with our children - only half to three quarters of an hour from our home in Bunbury. You could just about always guarantee you would catch something off the jetty!

Busselton Jetty is the longest piled wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere. Built in 1865 to cater for shipping for both goods and tourists, several subsequent extensions were added up until 1911. A final extension was added in 1960, and the jetty was closed to shipping in 1972.

In 1978 when Cyclone Alby swept through the south west, the southern arm of the jetty was washed completely away, leaving only the railway jetty.  Since then the "Boatshed" interpretive centre, just off the beach, and the Underwater Observatory, 1.7 kilometres from shore, have been erected. You can jump on board the jetty train to reach the Observatory. 

Or you can just take a picnic or buy fish and chips and sit on the grass or under the huge Morten Bay fig tree, and enjoy the views and the promenade of people walking by.

Or you can have a meal with a view at the Equinox Cafe as we did. We chose two of the day's specials. My husband had the Thai Style Chicken Curry - medium hot chicken breast pieces coconut curry with naan bread, salad, rice and raita.

Whilst I chose the Babotie - a mild fruity cap Malay minced lamb curry served with fruit chutney, naan bread, salad, rice and raita.
Both were absolutely delicious and so beautifully presented.  And the service was warm and friendly.

What a lovely way to spend a leisurely lunch overlooking the ocean, or just go for coffee or morning or afternoon tea. They are also open for dinner. To find out more - click here - Equinox Cafe

The local community have put a lot of time, effort and resources into restoring and maintaining the jetty and ensuring this piece of Busselton heritage will remain for families in the future.  A trip to Busselton isn't complete without visiting the jetty.

To read more about the Busselton Jetty - click here -  Busselton Jetty
 

Delighting in a bowl of cherries

Welcome July!  We are now past the shortest day of the year which means we are well into winter and spring is on it's way! Though I must not hurry it on as we desperately need the rain, the dams are so low down after several dry winters.

Of late whenever I go to our local fruit and vegetable market I look for interesting delicious fruit and vegetables to buy and bring home to photograph. I don't mind the simple approach to just photographing the fresh fruit in natural light.

It is mid winter here and certainly not the time for cherries - but our local market has been selling cherries imported from America - so of course I had to buy a bag of cherries so that I could photograph them and eat them after! Seen here photographed in natural light on my patio.  The china bowl has come from my mother-in-laws china cabinet.

There was also these Pomegrantes. This is my first try at photographing and eating pomegranates. Seen here photograhed in natural light on my patio and also in the bottom right hand corner under tungsten light on my kitchen bench. Drizzled over icecream and eaten by me afterwards - delicious! I must buy some more!

The cherries were so delicious l I just had to go and buy some more so I could play around taking more images. And of course eat them also! They feel like such a luxury! Photographed here in natural morning light on my kitchen windowsill - I really like the reflection in this one.

For this image I put the cherries on a mirror with a white backdrop-

And I also found these wonderful squat red pears at the market....

It is also the time when we have oranges and lemons ready to be picked in our garden. I always think that fresh tree oranges are so much more sweet and delicious than shop bought ones.....

And what about quinces - such a delicious smell and flavour - I can't describe it. They are a rock hard fruit that you can't eat raw, but when you cook them they turn a delicate pink - the aroma is wonderful. You can also make quince paste to have with biscuits and cheese!

and to finish apple tart..........

I hope you have enjoyed my fruit collages - what is your favourite fruit?

Have a wonderful week.

I am linking up to Mosaic Monday at Little Red House. To see the work of Mary and other wonderful contributors - click here - Mosaic Monday
I look forward to hearing from you and your comments are always welcome. I love making new connections and seeing parts of your worlds too!