Whirlwind tRip abounds

Who would have thought in a matter of a few short weeks plans were afoot to prepare for a trip to my old stamping ground of the UK……plane tickets made it feel a reality ….then lists to prepare for the trip itself …….as I’m still working for my dear husband Tony I needed to get things sorted workwise & on the homefront……Well all seems in order & just last minute things & Whala my case can be shut. I feel like I have been scanning the Uk map checking car distances to the Fairs & Brocantes along with many collected small business I’d love to visit. So much to see in a short time but inspiration plus. I have managed to get tickets to the early bird opening of the lovely ‘The Country Brocante’ which is held at the Daylesford Organic Farm in Gloucestershire. Having thoroughly enjoyed & still enjoying the book by ‘the Flower Hunter’ by Lucy Hunter I have booked into her workshop which is being held at the Brocante - this is amazing timing to be able to be a part of this…….more to come ….

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....