The seasons they are changing

An Autumn sky littered with leaves

As I get older I appreciate the turn of seasons a whole lot more. I have always been a summer lover, but that is changing and Autumn holds a special place in my heart.

Maybe it is because my trip of a life time happened in that season, maybe it is because that is the season I married my great love, maybe it is the colours and the temperature....The change of hot, hot weather to cooler, comfortable weather. It allows me to breathe, to run, to change.........

Just 10 or so minutes from the beach you will find beautiful properties at Matcham. I love the wooden fences and the way the trees drape over them

Anyway I am enjoying the show mother nature is putting on for us at the moment..Her colour palette so rich and ever changing, the colours are not what you could dream. She is a grand artist and I am her humble follower....I hope you enjoy her grandeur as much as I do.

I love the look of this property, nestled in the ever changing trees

There was so much colour in this photo that I decided to simplify it and take the colour out. What appeals to me is the wood pile under the tree, next to a rickety fence. The fence is actually pink, the tree all gold and red, a bright blue tarp to the right of the picture and the grass a vivid green.

Now this little beauty goes against the gold and red leaves of Autumn, but she is just so beautiful. Camellia's are in bloom in my garden and are the most perfectly formed flowers. I love the dark green glossy leaves against the pale pink of the flower. She gets it so right!

Keep running, running and running, running

A clear blue sky....no excuses!!!

I am now on the downhill slide to my 12km fun run and am terribly unprepared!! My world has been one big juggle and the ball that always gets dropped is training time. That said I am determined to do this run and I will....Anyway I thought I might share a few of my training sights and my training buddies that keep me going (You have to sing to this one - let me hear you....loud and proud)

The lake that divides...This one splits Avoca into two distinct areas Avoca & North Avoca.

As I start my run Michael and I are getting 'Elegantly Wasted' with the rest of INXS. Such a good track to find your rhythm to. We run, we hide, we want the good life...I want the good life too Michael!

JT kicks me into gear by telling me he's bringing sexy back.I reply Yeeaahh them other boys don't know how to act..take it to the chorus JT. I will be getting my sexy out after the run, thanks anyway..

Meredith Brooks makes me smile as 'Bitch' belts out of my ipod, I hate the world today!!!!

I'm a little bit of everything all rolled into one - I'm with you Meredith, cause I'm nothing in between either.

Take me as I am, this may mean you'll need to be a stronger man....I am singing out loud to this one. Go the girls!!

Tone Loc keeps me going with wild thing. Love the start 'Lets do it' - I'm with you Tone....I'm doing it. 80's tragic I know.

The Cat Empire makes me want to salsa to 'fishies', dance, dance, dance oh no...it should be run, run, run. It gives me my second wind...Welcome fishies to my hook.

The shoes that will take me there

The Cruel Sea's 'Honeymoon is over' gives me strength and power....I won't let you cook for me baby its never gonna get that far....

hey it ain't no fun no more, I don't know what to say the honeymoon is over baby it's never gonna be the same again. Yeah!!!

George Michael sings 'I won't let you down, I will not give you up' on Freedom 90 - Me neither Michael, stay with me.

Princes 'Raspberry Beret' - the kind you find in a second hand store kicks me along. I want one of those too and if it was warm I might not wear much more either!! (need to click up a few more k's for that though).

Robbie Williams and I have 'come undone' - Robbie tells me 'if I keep lying then I'd just disappoint you' - I don't think so Robbie, keep singing for me baby...

Santana and Rob Thomas give me some Latin groove in 'smooth' - give me your heart, make it real or just forget about it. Another track I want to dance to but push on through and keep running.

All roads lead to ...the beach

Just a few of my friends that help me through my run..

These are a few of my favourite things..

My gorgeous Annaliese is such a beautiful soul. Her smile is as warm as she is. She is also my most obliging model


OK, I will warn you that this post is dedicated to my gorgeous girls. Girls who are full of life and have the wonder of the world in front of them.

So here goes my brag post....hope you enjoy

Beth in a rock star moment...statement sunnies and lots of attitude

Can you hear her laughing?

Trying for a smile and not succeeding! A grainy/textured layer for this shot. What do you think? I'm not sure about this...

So you think you can dance? Getting ready for the stage.

Love Bethy's freckles and cheeky smile

A pensive moment for our Belle. A gentle little girl with an incredible imagination. She is the first to share her toys, food..anything.

Love the light from the candles for this shot.

My attempt at a high key photo

Inspiration - Jennifer Hawkins, Myer catalogue. Trying to replicate the pose.

The ever questioning, never accepting and always loving Beth. She has such a questioning little mind. Whilst a little taxing from a 4 year old, I hope it is something she never loses

We will remember them.....

As dawn breaks throughout Australia and New Zealand, services are held all over the Countries to commemorate and remember the diggers that have fought and lost their lives in war.

The ANZAC's as they were known fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War 1. ANZAC day marks the anniversary (25th April) of the first major military action fought by these forces. Now ANZAC day more broadly commemorates the lives of those who died and served in the armed forces for their countries.


It was a dawn landing for the troops on that day in 1915 and the Gallopili campaign saw 21,255 casualties from the UK, an estimated 10,00 from France, 8,709 from Australia, 2,721 from New Zealand and 1,358 from British India.

So it is at dawn that the sombre services are held, the last post is played, wreaths are layed at war memorials.....Lest we forget those who have given their lives in war..

Wreaths and photos laid at the war memorial at Terrigal

It was a wet morning for the services this year. Terrigal did not disappoint....So good to see so many people turning up for the service even in this wet weather. This picture doesn't really capture it! This was after the service and the crowd quickly headed in the direction of shelter. All the cafes were doing a roaring trade for 5.30am!

The Haven, Terrigal at Dawn

My grandfathers were POW in World War 2. They were held at Changi and survived...I will remember them x

Growers Market

The growers market is held on the first Sunday of every month here at Avoca. I love to wander through and have a good look at what is on offer.

The produce always looks amazing from the crisp apples, fresh bread and cakes, organic coffee, vegetables and meat, herbs and plants, oils and dukkah and so much more.

It is something I must indulge in once a month!

I always end my visit with a brioche and coffee

The plants and vegetables beautiful and fresh, and advice freely given away ....


The people watching is pretty good too! Not a bad spot to enjoy your Sunday paper...

Although officially Autumn the temperatures are still hovering in the high 20's-low 30's. This siren below had the perfect spot to watch the surf, sun and sand. She looked like a mermaid on a rock, I had to capture her!

Now what would any of my post's be without the beach? These young guns were sizing up the swell before jumping in from the rocks

My gorgeous girls who (sometimes begrudgingly) accompany me to the markets. There is always the promise of a play in the park, swim at the beach or walk on the rocks.....

The Passion of The Christ

The passion perched upon a hilltop above Positano

It is hard to travel through Europe and not get blown away by the passion of religion. From Christ, the Madonna, John the Baptist, the Popes and beyond.....The Crucifix's, the churches, the sculpture and the paintings. The towns are adorned with them everywhere you look.

Although not a 'practising' Catholic, (or an overly religious person) all this religion has made me think about my faith. I really felt deeply connected to spirituality on this trip and it has made me think about it even more since my return home!

I have always loved crucifix's and to be truthful Madonna (the pop star and not the mother of Christ) was my earliest influence. I loved the multiple crucifix's hanging from her neck, and of course her music resonated with my sullen teenage years. I know it all sounds so shallow but such is the life of a 14 year old teenage girl!

Well fast forward 25 odd years and the crucifix still holds a fascination for me, but on a completely different level. For me it is an amazing story......It is faith, forgiveness, belief, sorrow & strength.

I have wanted to do a post on my collection of crucifix's and with Easter fast approaching thought this would be a good opportunity to display some of the passion.

The crucifix at the Colosseum had a very eerie feel to it.....so much blood had been shed here.

The churches in Europe were amazing to say the least. I was in awe of them and prayed at every opportunity.

With Vienna being our first stop, I just looked up with my mouth open and took so many photos. Welcome to the world little girl!!

Italy and religion go hand in hand, but I was not prepared for the grandeur and splendor of it all....Of course Vatican city takes the cake for religion, but man it is unbelievable the scale and beauty and age of some of these buildings. I have said it before and I will say it again, I loved being a Catholic in Italy..

The grand St Marco, Vinezia

Some Alpine crucifix's in Austria

Here are some home grown Churches and crucifix's. We don't quite do them like Europe, but they are still impressive to me.


In the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Ghost......Amen.

Happy Easter to you all xx