Bloomin' lovely!

This clump of golden loveliness was found growing randomly scattered around the Acreage. Self seeded and very attractive to the large ants on closer inspection! Everlasting daisy.

Day 8....Journey home.

Leaving Apollo Bay after breakfast and stopping along the beach to take one last photo. The sea is quite calm and serene today after all the rain of the previous evening. Upon my return home,I ventured into the garden to see what surprises awaited me. I always do this before I start the tedious chore of unpacking! Well,look what I found! One of my dendrobiums (native orchids) had flowered for the first time, even producing a double flower! Look at the intense purple colour! Walking round to the front garden I was again surprised to see another first bloom....my bearded iris in flower.Tall,healthy and looking fantastic! My week long road trip was very enjoyable.But....it's always so good to be back home!

Day 7......Apollo Bay

First stop en route to Apollo Bay was Port Campbell,after stopping to see the scenic Bay of Islands and London Bridge. The scenery was spectacular! I couldn't resist a photo of Trev with London Bridge in the background because the last time I took a similar photo,the actual 'bridge' was still intact! On our journey to the Otway lighthouse we stopped to see an amazing sight.A beautiful Koala was calmly walking along the roadside beneath tall gum trees filled with sleeping koalas!The scene was so natural and unaffected by tourists or 'staged'. Driving along, we passed by spectacular scenery of rich green undulating hills (dairy country) alongside the Otway Ranges National Park. Having reached the Otway Lighthouse we climbed all the way to the top and admired the sensational views. We finally arrived at Apollo Bay in light rain which set in by the evening.Very calming way to fall asleep......

Road Trip......Day 6

Journey to Port Fairy. First stop, Port Mc.Donnell. This lovely Port is the home of the Australian Rock Lobster Fleet.Unfortunately, all fishing boats were still out at sea when we dropped by. Port Mc.Donnell was also the first place where St.Mary Mc.Killop set sail for Port Adelaide to take her Final Vows. Next stop....Portland.A brief stop here for a yummy morning tea. Port Fairy. We went for a lovely,leisurely walk by the sea and saw fishermen and gorgeous holiday homes with direct sea views. Enjoyrd a delightful lunch of fish and chips by the water. Later, we toured the many local craft shops and Artist Galleries. A very relaxing and enjoyable day!

Road Trip....Day 5

Whilst at Mt.Gambier, we went to view the screening of 'Volcano'. This documentary is a must in order to help understand the interesting background of the 'Limestone Coast', old volcanoes.sink holes and lakes. Drove round to view Valley Lake and the beautiful Blue Lake. Explored the amazing 'Engelbrecht Cave'. There are really two very different dry limestone caves to explore,one of which has an extensive underground lake whose water is so clear you would think you were looking through a mirror! These caves are an experienced diver's paradise! No fish can be found in the waters of these caves only minute, blind crustaceans, older than the dinosaurs!!

Road Trip....Day 4

Travelled to Mt.Gambier for a two night stay. First stop....Naracoorte Caves. These were fascinating underground caves with very high ceilings in some parts.The limestone ceilings were often pock marked with deep 'avens' or holes.These caves were dry caves so the usual stalactites and stalagmites associated with 'wet' limestone caves were not to be seen. I was amazed by the large peppercorn tree growing from virtually the rock face of the cave entrance! Stopped at Penola (St.Mary Mackillop association).A lovely little town with great galleries and eating places to enjoy! We drove past kilometres of wineries,each one alongside another and decided to stop and visit Wynn's. The founder of this winery region and a great deal more of Mt.Gambier was a gentleman named 'John Riddoch'.I thought my son Stephan would be quietly amused by this association..... After several wine purchases we drove on to Mt.Gambier. That late afternoon, we visited Umpherston Sinkhole. I was gobsmacked! This virtual deep hole in a city street was an amazing garden with overhanging curtains of ivy! Perhaps you can estimate the depth of this sinkhole garden from my photos. A lovely dinner followed by a trip to the cinema ended an astonishing day which also happened to be my birthday! (The huge sculpture is of a prehistoric wombat located in the grounds at Naracoorte Caves.It was so lifelike!)

Road Trip.....Day 3

Journey to Hall's Gap. Our first stop was made at Mc.Kenzie Falls.We went on a lovely bush walk walking amongst and near towering gum trees and other native flora.Unusual and ever so pretty native wildflowers greeted us on our journey to the Falls. I stopped beside a towering 'Blackboy' or xanthranthus australis'. I had never before seen one growing so tall! Next stop....Wartok Reservoir. This huge reservoir was full and very expansive! Our approach to Hall's Gap was so scenic! Magnificent scenery and rugged mountain range. Whilst at Hall's Gap we visited the Native Wildflower Exhibition.I especially loved the dainty native orchids on display. Travelling on, we stopped at Mt.Zero Olives.Acres and acres of olive trees at the foot of towering Mt.Zero.I was particularly surprised but impressed by all the wildflowers growing in the sandy soil beneath the many trees.It looked like the olive trees were springing up from a blue carpet!

Road Trip Day 2.....

Our journey To Horsham led us through St.Arnaud and Warracknabeal. En route we passed acres and acres of golden canola crop as far as the eye could see! In St.Arnaud, whilst walking along quiet, sleepy streets, I caught sight of prolific beds and nature strips planted with bright arctotis and gazania flowers. These plantings were like carpets of flowers in shades of gold,red,bronze and apricot colours. A central sculpture located at a prominent roundabout in Warracknabeal depicted a flock of sheep being rounded up by a sheep dog. Further in town at another roundabout,a sculpture depicting the same sheep dog but this time,atop bales of wool! These sculptures were adorable and so lifelike. Journey to Horsham involved driving through very flat country with many acres of farmland, mainly canola,wheat and sheep.

We walked along the peaceful and full Wimmera River before dinner and saw many lovely tall gum trees.I came across a huge fallen gum and wanted to stop for a photo. Overlooking parts of this River were many new homes which we admired and wondered how much their owners enjoyed their location.....

Spring road trip.....Day 1

Early October,glorious Spring day and Trev and I commenced our week long road trip around Victoria and briefly touching South Australia. First stop was visiting the Elmore Field Days. Acres upon acres of rural displays ranging from the latest in agricultural and rural machinery, eco systems,'country' lifestyle choices,farm machinery,delicious home made ice cream and much much more! On arrival, I first caught sight of this impressive,big,black, shiny cadillac in the carpark opposite to where we parked.It looked so out of place amongst the many varieties of utes and 4wd's and large trucks! Perfect excuse for my first holiday snap!! Couldn't resist taking a photo of Trev standing in front of a tyre belonging to this humungous piece of equipment. We could actually almost stand upright beneath its front section. Amazing!

Up the garden path.......Springtime!

My camera and I went for a leisurely stroll up the front garden path, down from the front verandah and up to our lychgate. This is what I saw.....

Don't you just love springtime?

Finished necklace.

Here it is, the completed necklace featuring the handmade reproduction button in hand cast pewter with additional paper beads. I love this necklace so much! I had this necklace on display at my monthly craft market and wow! This necklace was snapped up very quickly by a discerning young man! A person with great tastes in jewellery.....

In the works.....

Here is a sneak peek of the latest creation I've been working on. This necklace will feature a gorgeous handmade replica created by the talented Lynn Davis from Louisiana. This is the first time I have incorporated her inspirational piece into my work and I know it won't be the last. Are you looking forward to seeing the completed necklace? I hope so!

The garden in Winter....

On those brisk cold days when the sun does manage to shine, though weakly,I love venturing out into the veggie patch to see what new life I can find. Recently, I discovered my peas and broad beans were thriving in the cold Winter's chill and delighted me with their colourful, fruiting flowers. Look at these beauties and dream of the delicious peas,sugar snap peas and broad beans to come!

Post earrings

Recently, I've ventured into the realm of no fuss, petite and pretty post earrings. No dangly bits,no intricate wiring and use of multi diverse gems. The aim is to create lovely earrings suitable for everyday wear. Comfy, practical and interesting. Here are a couple of my first designs ready for my etsy and madeit shops and of course,ready for my craft market. Please note,the pink rose earrings were sold recently! More to come.....

Pomegranates.....

My pomegranate tree has been bountiful this year and yesterday I picked this ripe beauty to enjoy. In previous years,my first fruits have been cut off my tree by passers by leaving me with none to enjoy! This year, though once again the mystery takers have returned, I have been left with three luscious fruit to finally enjoy. These pomegranate crumble topped muffins were delightful!