Let the sun shine in - Macadamias

Let the sun shine into your life.

I took these images at my friend's Macadamia nut farm yesterday at Roelands near Bunbury, for her new Facebook page. 
Nuts are available to purchase at the Boyanup markets the fourth Sunday of every month. 

Is life running too fast?

Do you find sometimes that life seems to be running a little too fast? This is what seems to be happening to me at the moment. It has only been two months since I took redundancy (early retirement) from my day job (wow that went by quick!), and I wonder how I ever had time to work. I distinctly remember that first day of my "retirement", as I watched all the workday people in their cars going to work while I was taking a lovely morning walk along the river. I couldn't help smiling to myself - the feeling of freedom from work was so sweet. But then at times the days seemed to loom empty before me. I even said to my lunch-girl-friends that not going to work was a little isolating... But now it seems other things have come into my life to fill the space. I have so many thoughts of things I want to do, new things to try, and lists of things to do, sometimes I feel pulled in many directions at once. And I still haven't decluttered my house! How easily that has moved down the list! 

 So I have decided to give myself a little blogging break this week, and just bring to you a short post, a snapshot of my world this past month. 

Enjoying the Australian bush

This time of year with crisp cold mornings, it is a delight to go walking in the bush, particularity on days like last Sunday when we had a clear sunny day. Just to wander with my camera trying to catch the light filtering through the trees and taking time to be quiet and at peace away from the usual work-day world.

All these photos were taken with my 100mm macro lens.  I achieved this look below by moving the camera quickly upwards as I took the photo. Do you like it? You can see before and after here.

A walk on the Bibbulmun Track with track volunteers

On Saturday we had a fabulous day bushwalking and assisting Bibbulmun Track volunteers on their section of the Bibbulmun Track at Grimwade.

The Bibbulmun Track is one of the world’s great long distance walk trails, stretching nearly 1000km from Kalamunda in the Perth hills, to Albany on the south coast, winding through the heart of the scenic South West of Western Australia
Please click on the link here to read more - Bibbulmun Track

 It has been some time since we had been out on the track, and it was great to revisit it with like minded people who enjoy bushwalking. This time however we were not there to just bushwalk, we went along to find out what my friend Wendy does as a volunteer for the Bibbulmun Track. As you would expect for a track which is nearly 1000km long, volunteers are essential to help maintain the track and campsites to a high standard for those walking the track. 

Aussie loos with views

Today 1 June is Western Australia Day when we celebrate, with a public holiday, the establishment of a colony by the British in Western Australia in 1829.

 On June 1, 1829, Western Australia's coast was first sighted from the merchant ship Barque Parmelia. This led to the establishment of the Swan River Colony, the first permanent British colony in Western Australia. Western Australia Day (formerly Foundation Day) is officially celebrated on June 1, but the public holiday is observed on the first Monday in June.

You can learn more about Western Australia Day here - Western Australia Day

We love getting away to go camping, but sadly this long weekend it wasn't to be. 
So for something different today I thought I would follow the lead of my blogging friend - Redz Australia with some camp site reminiscing with my own -  Aussie Loos with Views (Please click on the link to read about Redz book, Aussie Loos with Views, and Redz adventures and Australian travels).  Thanks Red for the inspiration. I am tracking down loos for you Red.  I am sure people wonder what the heck I am doing. 

Remembering Africa

The homework for my writing group this month was to retell a memorable meal.  In the process I was taken back to Africa, October 2002, Jackalberry Lodge in the Thornybush Private Nature Reserve, adjacent to Kruger National Park, South Africa. 

So my blog for this week is a tiny part of my memories of our incredible "soft option" African experience. I feel so lucky to have had this experience and would recommend it to anyone who has the dollars. 

I only had a film camera those days, but oh my goodness I soon learnt to quickly change films rolls. I would love to go back now with my digital camera! 


 Please click on "read more" to keep reading and seeing more pics.

Pumpkin soup - autumn warmer

Inspired by the colour of the autumn leaves at the Balingup Golden Valley Tree Park last weekend.... (if you missed it you can click here - Autumn in the Golden Valley Tree Park)



 and a burst of sunny cooler days but cold nights, I decided it was time for pumpkin soup. I love making and eating soup, and pumpkin soup is one of my easy favourite recipes if I am in a hurry. 

 Please click on "read more" to keep reading and seeing more pics

Autumn in the Golden Valley Tree Park, Balingup, Western Australia

It is autumn here in Australia. As our native trees are evergreen we don't experience here in Australia the rich fall colours on mass like those who live in the northern hemisphere. There are pockets though where this can be enjoyed.

One place is at the Golden Valley Tree Park located on two former farming properties (c 1890s) only 2 kilometres south of Balingup in Western Australia's south west corner.  Last weekend we visited to see the autumn colours. It was a beautiful windless day and as there was a light cloud cover it was actually a great day for walking and photography. 

 Please click on "read more" to keep reading and seeing more pics

Playing with food at 1/800th second exposure

This is just a short post from me today as I am preparing for a "food photography" workshop that I am running at beautiful Lyndendale Gallery next week.

Recently a Photography Group of Bunbury topic was "Freeze Frame" - an image taken using a shutter speed at 1/800th second or more. 
I am very happy to say that I received a "silver" award for this image.



The most essential ingredient for this shot was to have a very patient partner to help you by pouring the wine. My husband fitted the bill - bless him. We tried many different glasses and many pours over an hour and a half. Pour, put back in the bottle, clean up, pour again. You need to take multiple shots of every pour.

In the end this shot won it for me with the way the wine sloshed up both sides of the glass and those drops bouncing off the rim. 

 Please click on "read more" to keep reading and seeing more pics

ANZAC Day - 25 April 2015 - 100 years centenary - We will remember them

On 7 September 1914 Norman Albert Clayden, a 19 year old Mercantile Clerk, originally from Pingelly where he had gone to school, his current address listed as C/- Hill & Hill, Wagin, Western Australia, enlisted, as did thousands of other young men from across Australia, only a month after the declaration of war on 4 August 1914.

Norman was a Lance Corporal and was assigned to the 11th Infantry Battalion AIF, H Company, a rifle company.

Following a period of training at Blackboy Hill Camp, Northam, the Unit embarked from the port of Fremantle, Western Australia, on board Transport A11 Ascanius on 2 November 1914.
The Ascanius formed part of the convoy of 38 troopships carrying approximately 35,000 Australian and New Zealand troops destined to join the Imperial Expeditionary Force. They reached the Port of Alexandria, Egypt on 2 December 1914, where they spent the next nearly 5 months before being deplored to Gallipoli, Turkey. 

Norman was shot in the head and killed on 2 May 2015 at Wire Gully on the Gallipoli Peninsula, only a week into the Gallipoli campaign.  

 Please click on "read more" to keep reading and seeing more pics