Road Trip and a ferry

Went on a road trip for a few weeks with the Teen who now is 18 and officially a young adult, still my baby though. We drove down on the inland highway to Port Campbell and then along the Great Ocean Road, brilliant scenery, and finally up the coast road to Sydney. We saw so much in few short weeks. There were emus, echidnas, a healthy fox, baby rabbit and even a pet goat encounter on a walk, but no kangaroos and that is what the Teen wanted to see.

There are some lovely beaches near Bateman's Bay and they are surrounded by bush. Many years ago I had actually stroked a wild kangaroo near one of these beaches so we took a detour and there they were, well the ancestors I suppose. Magic. They wouldn't let us touch but were a joy to watch.

We even managed some Christmas shopping on our travels. There were some wonderful craft and food shops in small country towns. Bliss.

By the way the ferry is from Queenscliff, Victoria across to Sorrento. With the car stowed below we sat on deck and watched for dolphin and sailed past 3 lazy seals floating in the bay. This was all for the small sum of $69, a bargain, there was even a cafe on board. The journey only takes 40 minutes across the Heads. I wished that some of the fur family were with us because dogs are provided for on the ferry as long as they are on their leads.

Okay not glamorous but practical.

And now we are home and there are things to do. Everyone else on blogs, Tumblr etc., seems to be on
track and now so must we. I rather like the tree we saw in Geelong, on the Bay, one evening. ours will be a little smaller :)

The dreaded lurgy - again

 

Some weeks ago we all had a flu like virus that involved visits to the doctor and several courses of antibiotics. Well it is back and yesterday, feeling most unwell, went to the front door to be met by my beautiful Mum with her arms full of spring like flowers and Vitamin C tablets. She wasn't brave enough to come inside and risk infection but I have to say it was a lovely feeling being cared about! So thank you Mum!

I am chewing the tablets but a little self medication could have taken place last night;)

Slept well, feeling a little better and now the teen is home feeling dreadful and hubby, not to be outdone, tells me that he is not well either. So back to the lurgy in the house.

Cushion craft

So I had a heart shaped cushion insert and a couple of hours to relax with a needle and thread and this is the result

The small pocket cushion is lavender filled,  very relaxing. It was also very easy to make. I know that I am not talented at sewing but I still enjoy having a go. I needed to make more nicks along the curved seam but got impatient and it has grown on me, the knitted cushion was made by my talented Mum - thanks Mum - she is a wonder woman with knitting needles.

Cute house button.

So a couple of hours and my old cane chair looks far more homely to me.

Crafty teen

A few weeks ago it was mum's day in Australia and my darling gave me a beautiful hot pink Cyclamen. It is lovely.

I took it outside to get better light for the pictures but it lives on the sideboard and brightens that space no end.

But there was more, she made me bath salts, lavender in colour and scent

and there was more - a lip balm (delicious) 

the teen felt it was a poo colour but I disagree, for my sake, hard to put something on lips that is described a poo coloured! It tastes like caramel.

Last, but not least, a skin conditioner

So maybe after high school a career in skin care for the teen? ;)

Meanwhile how lucky am I? Next year's Mother's Day has a hard act to follow.

Autumn Garden & mutts

Damp, misty, cool days. It really is a lovely time of year.

yep, even the 3 mutts agree as long as they can be inside with a heater on!

Foggy - but I forgot the camera...

The local church looked wonderful cloaked in a fine fog but wouldn't you know I did not have my camera and the photo is from a phone and doesn't show the slightly eerie vision I was seeing. To add salt to the wound there are so many great photos online of the very foggy Autumn morning that Sydney displayed today.
It is still a pretty church though!

Sightseeing & chocolate

Saturday was such a beautiful Autumn day that we caught a train into town and wandered like tourists.

The Queen Victoria Building is always a favourite.

The Town Hall

 How about this for a job on a busy Saturday - this guy had umpteen pictures taken by passers by.

Darling Harbour.

The carousel in Darling Harbour, when our teen was a tiny tot we would bring her into ride on the beautiful, traditional wooden carousel horses, she loved it. Tucked under the freeway - a unusual use of space but still popular with children.

Of course our day had to end in Cockle Bay at the Lindt Cafe, pots of tea and slices of cake to fortify us for the walk back up the hill to the station and the train ride home. Bliss.

Calm & happy

We went to Norah Head on Saturday. It is a pilgrimage for me because this is my calm and happy place. I always feel restored when I get there and can happily spend hours checking out the rock pools and just feeling the sand between my toes.

A slice of heaven on earth.

Cheep

Well the usual overindulgence of chocolate eggs in our house, plus the tree - a little corner of sunshine.

This gorgeous cut out bunny came from http://www.marleyandlockyer.com and the beautiful Ness made sure that my parcel of goodies arrived before Easter. Do visit her Etsy shop it is a treasure trove. I bought a gorgeous necklace of an angel wing and crown for my daughter that she was thrilled with.

Sand, sea - blah!

Tula had her first adventure to the beach

Nope, not enjoying at all

Never mind we will try again in a few weeks.

Evening sky

After a hot Autumn day it was lovely to go outside and see

and enjoy the last few blooms

and then inside and a cup of tea called

Haircut, knitting & flowers

Tula had a haircut, her first. She came home slightly traumatised but beautiful, "beauty is pain", poor pup.

                                                                           Before

                                                                         After

We have removed the bows - left her some dignity poor mite. She is now like a warm, fuzzy peach to the touch and no longer a walking duster!

The teen signed up for knitting squares to then be taken back to school and sewn into blankets. They are then sent wherever they are most needed. However this is the final year of school and school work takes precedence so I am knitting squares. I love it, am addicted even but I am not a knitter and I feel sorry for the person receiving my blanket contribution. I am trying honestly:(

At least they are pretty colours, the wool sent home from school is an unattractive yellow, scratchy wool.

The weekend is coming and it is supposed to be hot again. I was enjoying the cooler weather.