MY second home….

I have been coming to this gorgeous place by the seaside for at least 35 years….the first time was as a family of three …my husband and our little boy about 3 yrs old. We stayed in the original old cottage that belonged to my families friend who was a farmer. He & his brother had built alongside each other these cottages for their families to come for summer holidays by the seaside. Then one cottage was demolished with the niece building a beautiful home and attached ceramic/pottery studio. Having loved her Uncles cottage so much she had kept many artefacts from the cottage so that when she built a little cottage to replace the old one she incorporated these artefacts into the cottage. It is in this newer cottage that we continue to come ….the inside is mostly white and has beautiful artworks throughout including beachside finds.

The first thing I do when I arrive, is unload the car, shoes off and roll my jeans up, cross the road and sigh with the smell of the seaside and walk…..it’s like loads drop off me with no thinking just absorbing the loveliness of the sand between my toes and fresh air…..depending on the season I come..often there is no one on the beach except for the occasional walker with their dog…come summer it’s just abuz but in a nice way as it’s never crowded like some of the European seasides/beaches.

It doesn’t matter how many time’s I walk the beach I still enjoy collecting shells, driftwood, coloured seaweeds….finding a use to make collages for photographs with arty things I bring with me. I usually have enough things to do for three weeks not three days which is usually how long we come for…..what with a pile of books, embroidery, painting, sketch books and knitting…what better time than to immerse oneself in creativeness and loveliness with no interruptions and timelines….also popping into Alisons Studio and seeing her working away with her pottery with so many interesting pieces picked up like me from along the beach…yet Alisons collection grows every day…..

These precious restorative times are highly recommended amidst a pressured life……

The beginning of the day…calm despite the clouds hovering ….

Love how there is a Di dean the sand with the rain spotted part not touched while the other is smooth from the lapping water with print marks highlighted with the amazing light…

Lichen covered this stark tree that’s almost not alive …like it is in hibernation for the winter but allowing the lichen to spore on it..

Just so love the colour combination amongst simple seaweed…simple yet so detailed….

This morning was so rugged and woolly o the walk but refreshing non the less…

My dearest on our walk to the old jetty with glorious coloured sky…

This Canadian couple on their last spin before going to new owners. The young man has another project …

What a smashing 1931 Ford having gone for its last spin before it went to new owners…this scene looks so English to me…

Just as is…no filters the incredible light as we walked back from the jetty…

No filters used just as it was…..walking back from the jetty….

Litttle Time Family in KL

French Toast with a mini fruit compote & mascarpone on the way along with clever coffee art ... 

The Menu at the Antipodean Cafe was handwritten on a wall board which creates part of the ambience ... 

After lovely start to the morning with breakkie we walked across an enclosed bridge & the view below !!!!

Coffee on the glass enclosed bridge - very atmospheric...... 

On the drive home, despite much concrete there are plenty of windows of beautiful green trees almost like Silver Birch in the fineness of the trunks & leaves ....

Whenever we come back to visit our young  family, we never cease to enjoy all the lushness if greenery & what grows here die to such humidity all year round. It was so humid today that as I stepped out of the airconditioned car I thought I had smudged my glasses but no ...the humidity was so high it fogged my glasses .... below are photos of some of the beautiful moss’s & ferns growing up the tree trunks ....

This so looks like it’s on the ground but it’s all on the tree trunk .. 

A little maze for the children near the clubhouse & pool ... 

A Sneak Peak of Goodies Coming....

As I mentioned on my Instagram, my online shop is in the production stage, not just coming but actually being put together with the help of Suzie my niecce, who is so accomplished having studied Architecture, moving into full time Wedding Photography & keeping fit with her passion of Rowing & being in the State team competing regularly in Sydney….so I am so grateful for her insights & wisdom.

In my last journal I mentioned about what it is to rise above all that swirls around us & to bring that sense of loveliness to those around us whether family or friends & especially into our homes.  Just to go the extra mile brings such a smile or touches ones heart as does smelling roses on the journey !!!! 

We are experiencing such gentle weather for this season of Autumn which means we can be in the garden for quite some time rather than dashing in & out between showers….we have had so little rain which we so need but as it is quite cool by 4pm lasting during the night until around 10am the next day it means our flowers are still blooming & the gardens just soak up the midday warmth….amazingly so we even have little seedlings sprouting which usually only happens in Spring.  I have been able to spend longer hours outside not just in the garden but stripping some old furniture so I can renovate it….see my Instagram for progress, with pieces soon available online as well.

Keep connected to see what is unfolding & value all those who are following my progress….

Repotted & organised pot plants on my patio.... 

My current project that I am working on !!!  Oh to be finished & onto my next one .....

You are probably thinking what is this random photo - but whala it is my first batch of yummy organic chocolate that I have learnt to make amidst all my projects....

Where has my journaling been !!! Well another adventure is about to being with my gorgeous Cousins & Aunt.

I always come home from my trips with the best intentions of continuing to write every morning ...  somehow when I touch down life overtakes & working for my husband who has a busy practice always take precedence, then keeping our home & garden running smoothly along with the special friends I am in regular contact with.....

Well here goes I will try again.  My bag is packed, though sorting weightage for trips is always a bit tricky as I always seem to be over & needing to send parcels home.  I need to get sorted & signed up with a worldwide courier !!!  I feel like this is a really special adventure as it is the first time I have been away with my cousins.....so very different to just catchups & cups of tea - this feel so much like the Famous Five Adventures with the children going off with their cousin George but instead of George it’s Me as I said to my cousins.  Mind you we are missing doggy with air travel.....We are hoping to have High Tea to celebrate all our Birthdays.  Ooooops where are we off to - well Bali of course.  My eldest cousin has been so many times & know her way around like it is her backyard so couldn’t be going with a better travel companion & guide.  I know we will have many laughs, talk lots & especially taking their Mum, my Aunt who is turning 88yrs.  

This gorgeous photo is looking over the fence to our neighbours home - but so hoping this is what I will see on Bali.....oh what fun......

Well not disappointed - we landed safely after so many laughs before we even got on the plane - with drinks before we started along with Dear Aunt in a wheelchair that was soo narrow that she felt she might fall off .... we arrived at our hotel quite late but after a hot shower setttled well knowing we would be up & off early. 

In the open at our hotel for breakkie ....

My lovey Aunt at 88 still loves adventure & here she is sitting next to a Bonsai with cousin Jenny ..

Right outside our Bedrooms - I was able to swim in the lap-pool every morning before we headed out our adventures...