My Island Home - Part 1

Here are some of the beautiful waterways where I live. We have not long moved here so we are still discovering this area. Each time we go somewhere new we have an 'Ohhhh that's beautiful moment', we nod our heads and agree this is the reason we moved here (forget the commute for now!).

Flying pig-tails

My girls on the jetty

When I saw the below image the mast's looked like floating crucifix's.

We have these beautiful calm harbour waterways and then the most divine beaches (I will get to the beaches in another post). I have lived on the beaches for a long time, but that was the northern beaches in Sydney. Funny how you can live so close to these area's and never see them. I didn't know how beautiful the central coast was! All part of my journey, getting out there seeing and appreciating what is on my doorstep.

The Race That Stops a Nation

The first Tuesday in November will see Australia frocked up in beautiful heels, hats, dresses and suits. You will see it at the races, in the city, at your office and at every pub. The TAB will be overflowing with everyone wanting to have a flutter, the talk of the impending favourites and who likes what....everyone has an opinion and it is everywhere. It is the Melbourne Cup....the race that stops a Nation.

Fashions in the field.

This year I was at Copacabana surf club enjoying a sweltering (36 degree) afternoon of fashion, friends, food, bubbly and horses. A fundraising event for a charity called http://www.savethechildren.org.au/ Wonderful people doing wonderful things for the next generation both here in Australia and overseas. The proceeds of this function were aimed at children here in Australia. When you hear the statistics about children who can't read, who are not part of a community where they feel safe and valued, where children have never had the pleasure of having a book read to them...There are some fundamental things that children should have in this world. They should have hope, dreams, faith, love and support. Can you imagine not being able to dream, to not have faith in those around you who should be caring for you or to have no hope, no hope of a bright happy future? Can you imagine not being loved and supported throughout your life? it is very sad indeed and it is happening in our own back yard.

As I found at the last fundraising event I went to, this charity was bowled over by the community spirit that the central coast showed. They did not have to pay for the venue, food, drinks. The donations were incredibly generous and the lovely ladies who were bidding in the auctions were (husband defying) cashed up and happy to part with their $$ all in the name of charity (OK!! there were quite a few dresses in that auction, but all for a good cause).

A great day by an incredibly generous spirited group of ladies. Certainly made me hug my girls a little tighter and read them another story when I got home..

Nearly forgot! The winner of the 2009 Melbourne Cup was SHOCKING...

The Hills Angels

It is amazing how one person, one life, one story can touch you on so many different levels. This is the story of Hillary and her Hills Angels, as I know it.

The amazing location, Stillwaters - Davistown Waterfront

I had been invited to a fundraising breakfast through a friend and had heard the heartbreaking story of Hillary. A beautiful person who has been struck with a terminal brain tumor. Sadly for Hillary it is a matter of time. If ever there was an example of living in the here and now Hillary and her Angels certainly demonstrate this.

As a new mother Hillary was part of a mothers group, like many of us. It is here that sleep deprived mothers got together to exchange stories about life with children to share a laugh and to support each other in this new life. It is here that firm friendships and bonds were formed. It was so eloquently described by one of the mothers, Lisa, that HILLS angels stands for Help Involves Love, Laughter and Support. When Hillary became ill her friends rallied around. Unfortunately Hillary was continuing to decline in her health. Her husband had to leave work to care for his wife and child. This in turn has left an incredible strain financially. How do you pay your mortgage, put food on the table and care for the people who love and need you without an income? Enter the Hills Angels.
These mothers were determined to do what they could for Hillary and her family and with steely determination stomped there way down the fundraising path with the resolve to ease one part of the stress this family faced. They have formed their own charity - Hills Angels and have linked into the Gosford Lioness club. The president of the club also came to the breakfast and cheered them on as the future generation for the Lioness Club. This is a power to be reckoned with and leaves you in awe of these strong..invincible...women (isn't there a song about that?)

The breakfast had a theme of 'Hats and Heels' and was beautifully done. I was blown away by the community spirit shown. The owner of the restaurant, Domenic, (Stillwaters at Davistown) opened up her restaurant for the morning, the staff donated their wages for the day to the cause, the musicians who performed came up from Sydney (with no payment) at the request from one of the angels. There were bottles of wine donated - not just $10 bottles, but $150 bottles of champagne given away, facials, hair straighteners, handmade quilts, flowers, signed cook books..the list goes on and on.

The Angels not only organised this but were part of the staff for the morning. They went around filling up champagne glasses, judging the best hat and heels and having a chat to all of us that wanted to know more.

Hillary and her Mum.

Hillary's Mother had come over from New Zealand for (amongst other things) this breakfast. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house when Hillary and her Mother were at the front of the room with microphone in hand. Hillary's Mum was thanking everyone for coming, Hillary kept pushing the microphone closer to her mouth...such a moment that all of us daughters share with our technologically challenged mothers!

I met some wonderful women here too. Bianca and her mother Narelle were such fun and Narelle (in conjunction with the gorgeous muso Dani) provided some much needed light entertainment. Narelle lead the singing of Hey Big Spender as Dani took off his shirt....Go Dani, go Narelle.

You can see/hear more of Dani and his music at www.myspace.com/danicmusic
That is Narelle singing her heart out to Dani (finger in the air). Why don't you spend a little time with me...

Where's my hug?
This is where I met Hillary. I had heard about this story but not yet met this women who has already entered my life and touched my heart. She is a gentle soul, I do not pretend to know her, but she appears to have a quiet resolve about her. What I do know is that she must be a very special person indeed. To have so many people around her at this time is special indeed!

The restaurant

A huddle with Hillary and her Angels. It seemed too intimate to intrude, but I think this shot captures the mood!

Hold out your hand and open your heart.....Thank you to Hillary and the Hills Angels for all that you do and all that you show. Know that you are touching many peoples lives

The Journey Continues

My trip to Europe has changed me forever and there is a certain sadness knowing that it is going to be many years before I can return. However, this trip has opened my eyes, it has taught me to appreciate what is in front of you. We all too often take our surrounds for granted.

I live in a beautiful part of the world and there is still so much to discover right on my door step. Live today, be present. Sometimes we are always looking ahead and other times behind us. To what has happened let us live and learn, for what is to come lets wait, for now let us enjoy. Know that this moment may pass us by if we live for tomorrow or yesterday..

Back at home there is a beautiful church that I have admired and wanted to look at but have never made the time to do so. Well I have made the time and was impressed by it's simple beauty. It has a calming influence, the grounds (even the graveyard) are beautiful. Big old trees with seats ringing the trunks, the church itself is a lovely sandstone structure, gorgeous gardens that line the fence and a nurturing, calming feel. I come here to have time out sometimes and at other times to calm down! It is soothing and comforting and it is right here on my doorstep..

The gorgeous magnolias in bloom around the gardens

I loved the sandstone walls covered in vines

Chapter 10 - Losing Myself in Religion - Vatican City

We went to Vatican City on the Holy day (Sunday). There were people everywhere at Piazza San Pietro (St Peters square). It swarms with tourists & Polizi. It is awe inspiring....again with the sculptures! Italy just gets it so right. The beauty of this incredibly impressive square and building is mind blowing. I love the beautiful fountains, it was a very hot day when we visited and the fountains caught the sunlight majestically. It was a strange sight, however, to see about 4 massive plasma screens set up in the square (there is one just behind the fountain).

A huge area was cordoned off and had seating set up, we were sure Papa was coming to us. Around midday the screens flickered and we heard the Pope talking. It went silent and everyone stopped. Someone next to me asked very quietly 'what's going on? Is the Pope coming.' I was so excited, can you imagine visiting Vatican City and seeing the Pope deliver mass? Alas it was too good to be true, it was a televised link of the Pope delivering mass somewhere else.

I am anxious to go inside St Peter's Basilica, Ad sits this one out. The line is long, but moves through quite quickly before you know it you are passing the Swiss guards and entering the very grand St Peters Basilica.

The light that filters into the church brings a truly spiritual feel to it. It was the first thing that struck me as I entered. I later read that Michelangelo had altered the original design of the church because it did not allow enough natural light in. Michelangelo knows light!

This is the second largest Basilica in the world and took more than 150 years to build. Can you imagine designing on such a grand scale? Being humble enough to know that you will never see the end result of your work? That the structure itself is a labour of love, a gift to future generations and must take time, commitment, faith, love and dedication? You want to ensure it is so perfect, you accept that it will not be completed in your lifetime. The artists/designers/builders/visionaries were Bramante, Raphael, Antonio da Sangallo, Giacomo della Porta, Carlo Maderno and Michelangelo. It is a very different world we live in.......

The detail in this Basilica is amazing. You quite literally do not know where to look. The sculptures, paintings, alters, mosaics. There is mass being held, confession, prayers....... it is an amazing moment in my life. There is an alter with some pews set up in many area's of this church, many are cordoned off and are for the 'real' Catholics I guess? there is one for the tourists however. I sit at one of the pews, make the sign of the cross over my body and pray. I thank the Lord for allowing me to see this in my life time, I thank the Lord for the many blessings in my life. I sit and look and reflect. This is amazing.....

After wandering through the Basilica I head to Michelangelo's Dome. I really wanted to do this and had read about the Dome. The line is long and moves really slowly..It is 544 steps to the top or you can pay 10 euro for the lift, I opt for the stairs...whew, that's alot of stairs! The climb is worth it (see Pics below). The view of the Piazza amazing, the up close of the mosaics and the view down to St Peters Basilica worth the burning sensation in my thighs!

I return to Ad after a good 2-3 hours at St Peter's and am keen to head to the Sistine Chapel. We walk 1.5kms to the entry point only to find it is not open on a Sunday! Back we go.....Due to our change of plans we head to the Spanish steps and they are......steps! The passing parade is interesting, and the people watching is first rate.

We then go to the Fontana di Trevi. Ohhh it is beautiful, Italy really does great fountains. The aqueduct that feeds the Trevi is one of the earliest ones built in the city, they really built things to last. A coin is thrown in, in the hope I will one day return....

It is Monday, the last day of this magical mystery tour...we will be saying our goodbyes to Italia today, but before that I have to see the Sistine Chapel. We don't have a great deal of time, but I am sure we have enough to see the Vatican Museums where the Chapel is housed...Back to Vatican City, Ad & I pick a meeting point and agree on a time to meet. Ad will be reading in the shade so no pressure if the time is blown out a little but we must be no later than 3 hours as we have a plane to catch......
As I head off on the walk to the entry point, I am humming to myself...until that is I round the first corner and am faced with a massive queue. I have walked about 500 meters, so the queue is about 1km long. I am devastated! I stand in the queue for about 15 minutes, it moves at a snails pace. There are some tour guides asking for people to 'jump the queue and come with us'. I approach them and ask when, how long and how much. The next tour is about to go and takes around 3 hours. I have to get money and the next tour is not until another 30-45 minutes. I just stand there in disbelief. I am not going to see the Sistine Chapel.

I admit defeat and start walking back to our meeting point. There are tears in my eyes and it is all I can do not to start sobbing out loud! How can you go all the way to Italy and not see the Sistine Chapel, I am bitterly disappointed. I meet Ad and can hardly talk, he can see my disappointment, but the more we talk about it, the more likely I am to burst into tears. Lets just go.....and so we do, to Rome Airport. A quick stopover in Hong Kong and then back home to our girls.

Italy you have opened my eyes, ears, heart and soul. I have loved every moment of you and you will remain near and dear to me forever. My dearest Italy you have scratched the surface on what I hope to be a life of travels, and unearthed a creativity that was lurking under the surface, you have also left no doubt in my mind that I am married to the most wonderful person on this earth. My wonderful Husband made my dream a reality. In the midst of mortgage's, careers and kids he knew how important this was to me and made it happen...My love, my life.