Walked around the corner… and ran into a bee hive! These bees were so hard-working that they were working on a public holiday! No rest for the wicked…
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Fruits of the Season
A couple of weeks ago I talked to a friend of mine who went apple-picking in the Blue Mountains. Having never picked an apple off a tree before, I wanted to give it a try, and fortunately got the opportunity on the weekend.
We headed up to the little village of Bilpin and Pine Crest Orchard nice and early with our trusty Coles bags. There were a few Granny Smiths and Golden Delicious, but the prize picks were the Pink Lady apples. There were rows and rows of trees, all laden with big, bright red fruit.
We were beside ourselves. I immediately ‘sampled’ three apples on-site – they were crispier than a, er, crisp – and then picked enough to last at least the rest of the month. Add to that a cool, sunny day, and I was in heaven. Now, I’m busy compiling a list of apple recipes. I’ve already made a simple apple tart with my Pink Ladies, and it was wonderful. Any other suggestions?
Artistic
I received a little sketch book for my birthday and have been making gradual use of it since. It’s been half a lifetime since I took up a pencil (or a brush for that matter) so this foray into drawing has been a long time coming.
The sketch book came in handy during my recent visits to Jamberoo. I happily wiled away the time sketching in between walks and visits to the Abbey itself. I had forgotten how relaxing it can be. It is a meditation in itself.
Foggy Morning
The fog descended one morning this week, and being a fog fanatic, I just had to run out and take a shot.
The crepe myrtle leaves are turning so winter must be just around the corner.
When the Wind Blows
Made another rediscovery last night I was looking through some old art magazines last night and stumbled on an article about English author/illustrator, Raymond Briggs. Now, that’s a blast from the past. I first came across his work in high school. I was a nerd and spent most of my lunch times in the library with all of my nerdy friends, and as a consequence discovered some interesting sections, such as the children’s picture book section. Raymond Briggs’ books were in this section, but I certainly don’t call some of his work for young children. My favourite is the hilarious and clever, Fungus the Bogeyman, but the most affecting had to be When the Wind Blows. And what do you know, the whole thing is on youtube.
Ok, so the introduction is a bit dated now, but persist because this is powerful stuff, and unfortunately still a possibility even now.
When I’m Thinking About You
As you can tell, I’ve been indulging in a little mid-90’s nostalgia and re-discovered The Sundays’ classic album, Static and Silence. Unfortunately, this was their last album, but it was a good one and stands up pretty well more than 10 years later. I love the sweetness of the singer’s voice, very unique in this age of divas.
Dear Prudence
A little clichéd maybe, but cute nevertheless!
Let It Be
While channel-surfing last week I stumbled upon the Beatles musical, Across the Universe. I only aimed to watch 5 minutes and swap back to the food channel, but it was so good that I ended up watching the whole thing.
A poignant rendition of a classic song…
What do you do if you met Darcy?
Now for something a little different…
Question: What do you do if you meet Darcy? Worse still, what do you do if you had to sing for him?
Answer: Not my chosen solution, but this worked particularly well for a certain Amanda Price from Lost in Austen.
Canopy
In the middle of the paddock stands a Moreton Bay Fig tree. I have been fascinated with this tree ever since my first visit to the Abbey. The tree is magnificent, larger than the trees in the park behind my childhood home, bigger I suspect than the trees in the Royal Botanical Gardens in the city.
Everytime I see it, I gaze in wonder. The tree seems to have a presence of their own. What wisdom could it hold after keeping watch for hundreds of years?
Static and Silence 