finding normal

Our days are slowly becoming the 'new normal'. Maybe not quite 'normal' as yet but certainly we are settling into a rhythm of sorts, considering that our living arrangements are also rather new! I mentioned in my 'debut' post, that we are currently living with our 22yo daughter and her partner for the foreseeable future but I thought I'd also share why!!

About 3 years ago Stuy and I thought it would be a good idea to buy a school bus. And it was a good idea because we live in Tasmania and my mum who is now 91 lives about 2000 km's and an overnight boat trip away on mainland Australia. Our idea was to fit out the bus, drive to mum's and live in it while spending some quality time with her now that we only had one child still living at home (she came with us). It took us almost two years to actually get organised to leave - we needed to finish renovating our house to rent out, as well as fit out the bus. Neither of which were fully accomplished by the time we left, but in April 2019 we boarded that boat and headed off on a new phase of our life!

We loved it! My mum was delighted to spend time with us and I am so very grateful that she is still alive and kicking (rather well in fact - she's still amazingly sprightly!).

My brother-in-law offered us the use of this very sweet, secluded little cabin on 100 acres to live in and we spent a happy 6 months soaking up the northern NSW sunshine, rummaging through fresh food markets, swimming in crystal clear waterholes and creeks and eating all manner of delicious warm weather food.....

 .........like pawpaws, fresh from my mums trees! Not everyone likes them but they are one of my favourite fruits along with mango and watermelon!

My sister who also lives in the north, was creating a heartwarming space for her aspiring business Sacred Earth Funeral Home and Sanctuary  * and I spent a lot of days planning, sewing and decorating the hall and the old church building with her.

Then the bushfires came and the idyll was over. I think it was late October when we were evacuated and had to move the bus to the local Showgrounds along with many others. It was scary and sad and happened really quickly

We returned to Tasmania in early December for Christmas with our children and fully intended heading back to mum in April. On Easter Sunday night in fact - tomorrow. But now it's not to be. We'll be staying here in Tasmania until the government says we can leave again. And because our house is rented out, and winter gets pretty cold in a bus, we have moved into our daughters spare room. Fortunately we all get on really well and are quite social people so life certainly wont be dull for the next few months!

I hope wherever you are gives you a feeling of home and who ever you are with can feed your soul with love and laughter.


*Do have a peek at my sisters website even if it's just to look at the 'gallery' page, it really is so beautiful. Not many people want to think about, let alone talk about dying, however my sis has a way with words and you might find something there of use to read about at this time.

visiting home

Ive been gallivanting around the country again but this time I've been home. The place where I grew up.....or fairly close to it anyway! My brother still lives near our childhood home and its always lovely to come back and be reminded of my roots.

It's funny though, because I do now feel that I have several parts of the country that seem like 'home' to me. There's this area here where I grew up, went to school, moved out with a friend, and spent the early part of my mothering years - this is 'home'. My mother moved to the north NSW coast from here about 20 years ago, so when I visit her now I still feel like I'm home simply because that's where my mum is.

We spent 13 years raising our children in a lovely place on the mid-north coast and I think thats where I feel is where I've truly put down roots. It's where I'd choose to live if I had to stay in one place forever!

There's also the home Im currently living in which is in Tasmania. We've been there for almost 10 years and while its grown on me and its my home at the moment, (and Im happy to be going back there tomorrow) it doesn't really feel like Home. I think its been a place to grow and learn and it has many beautiful memories but its not where my heart really is.

And then theres my feeling of home relating to my Austrian heritage. I long to live there for a few years and really get to know my abundance of relatives and I hope to make it a reality sometime in the future.

Perhaps thats always the way. Perhaps we feel at home anywhere we put down a few roots, share some joys, live through some sorrows and make new friends or enjoy family. Maybe its the familiarity of a place that makes it homier. The more you spend time there meeting people and seeing familiar faces, the better you feel about it. Maybe thats the key. The people.

Yes, it is for me.

How about you?

new zealand and other things

I went to New Zealand in February. February!!! And now its June! Already. I went to NZ with Stuy for 10 days and we attempted to recapture our youth by hiring a very cheap camper car (masquerading as a camper) and staying in backpacker camp sites. It was fun and NZ is so beautiful that we are keen to go again. For longer.

I wrote up a long post about our stay with many pics.....and then Blogger ate it. No trace. I was so mad that it put me off not only writing another one but writing at all.

So here we are in June and I find I must tell you about things. Random things.

Firstly, I'm busy. Really busy. My studies take up a large portion of not only my time but also my brain. The little grey cells are cranking over and throwing off years of only mediocre work outs combined with the general mush of keeping a bundle of children in hand! As you can imagine, this means that I am having to spend twice as long reading, taking notes and writing up legible essays than... say....a younger person ;) It is in fact rather tiring but I can slowly feel the cogs throwing off years of rust and starting to turn with merely a squeak or two. I am however, looking forward to when the brain cells are once again on full throttle and soaking up all that lovely juicy oil that we call knowledge!

Then theres the dilemma of not being home all that much anymore. I now work (outside of my 'home' work!) two days a week and let me tell you, I am even more in awe of those mamas that manage to do this full time! Thats two full time jobs!!! Well done, clever women! And I also travel to Hobart twice a month for two 2 day stints to complete the face to face component of my course.
Now, if Im honest, this is not actually a hardship. No, indeed its not. I leave home early in the morning and I have a whole 3 hours to either think (uninterrupted), or listen to what ever music or podcasts I like (unchallenged), or sing out loud really badly (undisputed), or even carry on a scintillating conversation with myself where I am always right! Then I spend a whole day with other interesting women learning all sorts of interesting things, I spend a night on my own at an AirBnB, a cafe dinner and breakfast, another day with the same wonderful women and another 3 hour drive home. Alone. Who could ask for more?

But to top all that off, I also drive through the most stunning scenery - the Midlands of Tasmania. The Autumn colours have been breathtaking and while I didn't manage to stop and take photos (it's not an easy task when one is driving along at 110kmh) I am beginning to wish I had, as the yellow leaves are all gone now. They have been replaced with swathes of skeletal branches stretching toward the weak, wintery sun, although they too have a beauty of their own. Its been delightful to watch the changing of the seasons and while I'm determined to enjoy the winter beauty, I will be looking forward to the fresh spring growth and many blossoms later in the year.

This post was originally named 'Vincent and other things' but as I've already rambled a bit, I'll leave that for another day!

Have you been anywhere exciting lately?
How is the autumn scenery around where you live/work/play?

Till next time xx

holidays are always fun…now its time to get busy!

Yes, our little jaunt to the warmth is over. I've been home for just on a week now almost a month and trying to get myself back into some sort of rhythm - I think its finally happening. We had the most beautiful weather in NSW - hot and hot - with just a few cooler days. I'm having a giggle right now because the weather does seem to come up a lot in my blog posts, and indeed in my thoughts! 

Anyway, we visited almost all the beloved friends and family that we'd wanted to catch up with (Granma and Granpa, your turn next time!) as well as some places that we hadn't expected to see……. Nimbin, Murwillumbah, Byron Bay, Lennox Head and Ballina were a day trip in the northern rivers area. I took along two 15 year olds - my Dj and a friend Lily - and following along with their ideas for the day was loads of fun! In Nimbin we were offered 'marijuana cake, the best in town' which gave us all the giggles (no, not coz we tried it!) and then a second time, although we decided to forego a bag of something green, which a happy young man thought we needed! An interesting place, that Nimbin!! Byron Bay is much busier. Lots of beautiful people, funky shops and a very leisurely feel to it. 

My lovely mum was very happy to see us all. She is a sprightly 87 years old and still gardens, goes on 5km walks and dances around her lounge room to Roger Whittaker and the Beatles! Yes, she's a hoot! Her garden was in disarray because she broke her wrist in June (she was playing chasing in the park with my 8yo nephew…but was too embarrassed to tell the doctor that, so just told him she fell) so my brother and sister in law, my youngest two, mum and I, spent a couple of days weeding and replanting her veggie garden. The weather was warm, (ha!) we chatted, wet each other with the hose, drank copious amounts of water and really soaked up our too infrequent time together. I think that was the highlight of the whole trip. I do so love to be with family.

I did a little sketching, stopped for a quick visit to a beautiful old cemetery and managed to catch up with most of my best-est friends. Alas the time slipped away and 4 weeks disappeared, just like that and once again I had to fly south. Luckily its for the summer!!

I've been busy since I've gotten home…. you may notice that my Etsy shop is stocked once again. Ah, yes, its time I cleaned out some of the very many old books I've collected and made space for some new ideas that Ive been fermenting! And on that note, I'll say goodbye!! Its lovely to be 'speaking' to you again…thanks so much for still dropping in!!

a day at the beach

So where have I been? All over NSW! Well, maybe not all over but quite a way. I spent all of September visiting friends and family as well as driving some holidaying Austrian rellys around to see the sights. They loved it!!

These pics are of a lovely day spent at Ballina with my 85 year old soccer playing mum - I really hope I'm as fit and active at that age as she is!

I have a lot of photos that I'd like to share with my folks, so please just bear with me for a short while and I'll soon be back on track with our normal everyday doings!!

Jetzt kommen endlich amall etliche Foto von meinen schonen urlaub mit Familie.
Lois und Maria, Mama, Djwal und ich sind nach Ballina in NSW gefahren, für einen herrlichen tag am Strand.  Wir haben ein kleinen ball gefunden und eine weile Fußball gespielt.... meine liebe Mama natürlich auch mit! Ich hoffe ich bin auch noch so gut beieinander wenn ich 85 bin!!!  

phoenix rising!

And thats how I feel, once again! 

Rising out of holiday mode and the general lethargy that has kept me from writing in this space. 

I've been home for three weeks but I always find it hard to get my rhythm going again after a while away. Of course, the daily rhythm must be resurrected first and thats been my main focus but eventually I start thinking about my blog and how I've been neglecting it for so frightfully long. 

And I have so many stories to tell you too!! I just could not get my iPad to cooperate while I was holidaying........ and since then I couldn't get my mind on the job! 

So here I am (with my beautiful girl, Layla) just popping in with a hello! I'll be back in a day or two with some late but beautiful holiday photos!  

Namaste 

Hallo, meine lieben! Ich bin wieder zuhause und bin auch endlich eingestellt zum schreiben! Ich hab viel schöne Foto von meine zeit auf Wanderschaft und bin in ein paar tag wieder hier!

Servus bis dahin!    

Melbourne

Hmm, I seem to be having these long, long blog sabbaticals. I've lost the groove at the moment. Perhaps it's the downward spiral as we travel past the autumn equinox and head towards winter solstice, or maybe it's just the busyness of my everyday life and the lack of creativity.

Whatever it is, I miss the connection with my blogging friends and the soothing process of writing. Most of all, I'm missing the creativeness that's NOT happening in real life or on my blog.

There has also been a little hiccup with my camera lens which has kind of stifled taking any photos in recent times. Thankfully I have a new lens now and although the light levels are dwindling indoors, outside pics may still be an option..... be prepared for all manner of bits photographed on the lawn or in a tree or draped over rocks!! 

On the weekend though, we had a glorious 4 days away from home. For Christmas, our oldest son gifted Stuy and I an airfare for a long weekend in Melbourne..... and last weekend was the one!! I decided not to take my camera (silly me) and missed it everyday - the weather was glorious, the city has some amazing parks, buildings and art installations, and all of it was worth recording. Oh well! I managed to snap a few reasonable pics on Stuy's iPhone. 

We had lunch in this park full of deciduous trees and crunchy leaves. We munched fresh bread and cheese, olives and mascarpone stuffed honeyed figs and pretended we were in Greece! If you go to Melbourne you must visit the Queen Victoria markets - oh how I love all that food, especially the deli section with the delicious smells redolent of Europe.

Can you believe that I have never been to an art exhibition before? Me neither. So when we saw, by chance, that there was a Monet exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria, just a short walk from Flinders Street station, I was delighted. 

There were a few interesting pieces in the foyer, including this blue pool which was completely  mesmerising. The bowls moved gently down the centre and back around the sides, only to be driven down the centre again (by a little pump) and each time they 'bumped' into each other they made the most beautiful tinkling sound. Like wind chimes but with the added effect of being visually inspiring as well. We all could have sat there for hours. 

I also went along to my first ever football match - Hawthorn Hawks v Sydney Swans - but will refrain from showing you a photo of me getting into the spirit of things... ahem - and ended the weekend with a trip to the coast near Geelong. 

A big thank you to my delightful future daughter-in-love and her adoring young man for showing us the sights and sounds of the "big smoke"!  

he's gone.....

.......all the way to India! 

Yep, it's Stuy's turn for a little jaunt over the ocean. He's never been overseas before and when the  opportunity arose, we said Yes!!! on the spur of the moment (something that happens a lot here!) So he booked a plane and now he's off! Alone. To India. 

Well, not quite alone. Most of the time he'll be staying with friends of ours in Allahabad, which just happens to be the venue for the biggest Hindu festival in 12 years, the Maha Kumbh Mela! Andrew and Ginny have gone with their four children to build a boat that will enable them to ferry pilgrims across the Ganga during this festival. Andrew is a master builder and already the boat is looking pretty awesome - have a look at their adventures on their blog. They will be donating the boat to a worthy cause before they return home - a little poorer in the pocket but so much richer in experience. 

I created a few little zippered bags for him - one for toiletries, another for his iphone charger and power point converter; one for his money and card and a small random one that he used for his homeopathic crummy tummy remedy! 

I used up bits of scrap fabrics - mostly in green because its his fave colour! 

There was also a need for a man-bag and I just happened to have four diamond checked serviettes that I'd picked up at the op shop a while ago. I didn't have a pattern but just fudged my way through and was quite pleased with how it turned out. Theres a nice fat zip under the flap - I even managed to sew a couple of little pockets inside for small bits! 

So, complete with hippy sack, backpack, sandals and onyx charm bracelet, he's gone...... slightly nervous and just a teeny bit excited. It will all be new, scary and overwhelming but he's sure to get used to the bustle by the time he gets from Delhi to Allahabad. 

Wishing you all the very best of adventures, my love!! 

Mein lieber ist auf Wanderschaft! 

Er geht für fast 3 Monate nach Indien weil ehr war noch nie aus Australien und möchte auch ein mal was erleben!

Ich hab ihn etliche kleine Taschen genäht damit er nicht seine Sachen verliert und dazu auch eine Hippy Tasche aus alte Stoff Servietten. Ehr trifft mit unsere freunde in Allahabad und sicher wert ehr sehr viel spaß haben. 

     

cradle mountain

I was searching through all my thousands of photo's over the weekend (I have an idea that I'll share with you next week) and found these pics that I'd taken over Easter when my friend Joh and her children visited. We were lucky enough to have a snowy day, so we packed up the car and took ourselves off to Cradle Mountain National Park. Every time I go there I think to myself that I must visit more often, but you know how it is....... life gets busy and I just forget till the next time. We've been in December when the weather is quite summery, in autumn when the Antarctic beech trees are a glorious orange and twice on a snowy winters day - not that Easter is exactly winter but it seems that way when everything is covered in snow! 

I think my favourite time to make a pilgrimage to Cradle would be autumn/winter...... the weather is crisp, there's a clearness and cleanness to the air and of course there is so much colour. Green shades of tufty lichen and mosses, red berries, pink wildflowers, russet leaves and fungi and snowy white ice crystals. If you are really fortunate there'll also be clear blue skies! We had both - snowing clouds and wind, then blue sky and sun, and in a short space of time, more snow and wind! We have a saying here that if you don't like the weather just wait 20 minutes and it will change........ and thats certainly true here at Cradle Mountain! 

Cradle Mountain is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage area and attracts huge amounts of visitors each year. The walk around Dove Lake is a fair hike on boardwalks and up and down chunky stone stairs but has some beautiful views of Cradle as well as a diverse range of microclimates. I'm also a bit of a fan of Gustav Weindorfer, whose vision brought it all into being......  he was a lovely Austrian, after all! 

If you ever come down to Tassie and don't mind hundreds a few, tourists, it's well worth the trip to visit  this special place, no matter what season it is!