Elizabeth's blog

Tokyo pix

2012-02-09T19:10:00.003+11:00

At the Yasukuni shrine

The holiday is well and truly over, work has resumed. We are planning the return trip. But here are some photos from the 2 days in Tokyo

Cold walk in the woods

2012-01-16T10:15:00.000+11:00

Weather. com said the temperature is -12C but feels like -18C

A walk around Lake Moreau

2012-01-11T12:05:00.000+11:00

Lake Moreau
-quite lovely , but not as summery as the link!

Well the lake was frozen anyway!

NYC

2012-01-10T14:09:00.000+11:00

After theatre drinks

Lost in Time(s square)

The Garment District

New photos

2012-01-02T13:27:00.000+11:00

Dining at Fort Edward

Sunday January 1 2012 about 1:00pm

2012-01-02T11:57:00.001+11:00

Cabin Fever

2011-12-30T11:35:00.000+11:00

A cold & cough has felled me. Yesterday I was indoors all day. Cabin fever sent me out to take a walk around the farm

Just a load of pix

2011-12-28T09:13:00.000+11:00

Not quite snowing yet

2011-12-28T09:07:00.002+11:00

Christmas Day dawned with a dusting of snow. It did not last. After church , the gathered family unwrapped presents. laughed a lot , and everyone played with their toys, even the children.

In the evening , a huge turkey accompanied by mountains of vegetables , was reduced to a small hill. There were thirteen or fourteen adults, three children and one cute baby.

Later we played a game of Wise/Otherwise. Sort of Ex Libris meets Trivial . Good fun. Louis & I came second. (Louis is one of our landlords, they of the beautiful horses & scenic sunsets)

This author continued to suffer with her cold, so she has a lot of drinking to catch up.

On Christmas Eve , Michael & I went to Shusan , a town with a covered bridge and interesting Antiques/ Gift store. Very close to the Vermont border , in sight of snow topped mountains.

A very pretty village.Well kept houses, I wondered who lived there and why. I cannot write my suggested answers here in case I decide to live here too. Nothing to do with thiw stuffed bear , M is wrestling though!

Today we drove into Vermont , to Bennington.

On Holidays!

2011-12-18T07:02:00.000+11:00

It was a long flight, well two long flights really, separated with a sleepover in Narita. When we arrived at JFK , a burst of madness driven by frugality, made us catch the Sky Train, then the subway, into Penn station. Not an unpleasant journey in itself, but hard work with all the luggage! And got our tickets to Albany on the Empire line ( Amtrak) with only a few spare minutes to get a soft drink before boarding the train. So JFK to Schuylerville took another six and a half hours, including Immigration and Customs .

The train journey along the Hudson is always fascinating to me, this time, all the boats in the little harbours & boat clubs along the way are wrapped tight in plastic; gigantic boat shaped wraps, protecting the contents from the advancing winter . Patches of snow from last weeks fall, still settled in shady spots, grubby now with the mud along the way.

View from my bedroom , first morning. Hudson Valley

Yearlings

Our hosts home, just below our cottage

Susie was there to meet us with a big smile and a new green car .

After dinner she delivered us to the horse property on which we are agisted until the English visitors have been and gone. We have a warm & cosy cottage with wonderful views of heaven and earth

Two days have followed with frantic shopping for snow boots , purple fleece gloves, car hire and a cheap mobile phone service. Now we can begin to feel settled and ready for the round of parties, gallery openings and who knows what that form the life here for Susie and John .

The weather has been cool, occasionally wet, sunny , and promises to get cold by the weekend. But Wednesday, our first day here, we were in short sleeved t-shirts! Better weather than the day we left Sydney!

We have joined the YMCA for swimming and the first morning there I met a friend I made 3 or 4 visits ago. SHe was a victim of polio as a child, and introduced me to two fellow travellers. I guess Australia did not experience the intensity of that dreadful disease , I know of only one or two I have met over the forty or more years I have lived in Australia. An illness that leaves a complex legacy for its sufferers.

Perth visit

2011-10-07T10:43:00.000+11:00

I was in Perth last weekend. The wildflowers were ablaze in colour in King's Park . It was so lovely I went twice. Also visited Pinnarroo Memorial gardens .

Planning an escape

2011-07-09T12:06:00.000+10:00

Whilst the chook run was being renovated the girls had some fun ways to get out.

Michael has a birthday Lunch

2011-05-22T19:56:00.000+10:00

And Katja gets a gift too!!

Japanese Raisin Tree

2011-05-21T22:24:00.000+10:00

Today at the markets, the lady at the stall where I buy my rhubarb offered me a taste of a Japanese Raisin.

It was sweet, crisp and chewy. fibrous but not unpleasant . Bit like a Nashi pear flavour- honey? The drupes are not pretty until you bite them!

I perched them on top of the fresh cauliflower ( that is now soup!)

those naughty hens

2011-03-20T20:49:00.000+11:00

Were pretending they has stopped laying now we are well past the Summer Solstice. No "I'm gonna lay a cackleberry noises" and the frantic rushing around that goes with telling the whole of Leichhardt that an egg is happening.
But I kept looking at a couple of them thinking they must be laying them somewhere. Found them amid the thorns of a rose bush at their back gate. And yes they are all still fit to eat, they passed the sink test!

Christmas Eve @ Katja & Justin's home

2010-12-26T13:17:00.001+11:00

These lovely German women learn Italian together

A lovely setting!

Justin prepared a stunning meal Garlic prawns followed by Grilled Salmon on a puree of peas, and several salads and potato dishes. Thank you Justin and Katja!!

SMALL HANDS DO NOT MAKE ME TALL

2010-12-13T21:30:00.001+11:00

I have written this previously. If you have small hands, it is likely that you are not a tall person. So why is it that when I go to buy rubber gloves in the supermarket, they are up high? What kind twisted aesthetic says the gloves are "shelved"

Small

Medium

Large

I bet it irritates tall people in need of rubber gloves to have to bend down so.

More photos from the weekend at Culburra

2010-11-06T22:06:00.000+11:00

The Sea The Sea!

2010-10-25T23:24:00.000+11:00

We went to Culburra for a couple of nights

2mbs-fm

2010-10-22T13:23:00.000+11:00

Held captive for hours in the Book & CD bazaar.
hooray, only bought CDS!!

Things my little hens teach me.

2010-10-12T21:05:00.003+11:00

There are four little bantams, but they range in size. The littlest gets chased away by the bigger 3 (‘henpecked’) when the food is out. She & I have a private arrangement whereby she follows me to a corner of the garden where I give her a small pile of grain of her own. She has to be quick, else the others rush over .This does not work when they are in the run, but sometimes we manage to work out another secret arrangement.

Generally Nanette, the littlest hen has a hard time of it. But at dusk, when it is time for rest, if she hangs about outside the gate waiting for the others to settle ( and not therefore peck her) the largest hen, Blanche, waits around for her and eventually head butts Nanette into the boudoir. A sort of maternal responsibility. It touches me to see that this care is displayed at the end of the day. The peaceable kingdom

Flying to Perth

2010-09-26T15:18:00.000+10:00

Do I look like a terrorist? At 5’1’’ with short grey hair I am beginning to look more like someone’s Gran.

Do I look like an arms dealer? Well yes , the carry on brief case with Lap top is a bit on the heavy side, it could be samples of weapons, but really it’s just the laptop and the water bottle (which was empty when coming through security) and a book & sandwich. (I like flying with Virgin, the meals are great, I bring them myself)

Oh, maybe I look like a geologist or a blast supervisor from the North West? It’s the only reason I can imagine why I get stopped & tested for explosives at both Perth & Sydney airports at least once each time I cross the nation. I tell the operative, whose English is not often sufficient to cope with my irony, that my personality is magnetic, not explosive. So far I have passed the test. Probably should not push my luck.

New Chicken Hilton

2010-07-03T15:46:00.000+10:00

Warm room arrived just in time for the cold nights!

At a Craft sale today

2010-05-08T14:07:00.001+10:00

I purchased three handmade spurtles for $10. One will go to a family of ours who will be soon moving house! Along with relevant victuals.

Cockatoo Island 2010

2010-03-28T16:08:00.000+11:00

It's been 4 years
since I went to Cockatoo Island. A few changes since then. This time I took a friend who has not been before. It is a great ferry ride on the harbour and a good many things to look at once you are there.

amigurumi

2010-02-14T22:46:00.002+11:00

Her name is Gulab meaning "Rose"

Kitwana, my new Pilates instructor. ever so gentle!

Christmas Hot Cross Buns

2010-01-08T10:06:00.001+11:00

Well if I made a bet with myself, I lost. I guessed that hot cross buns would be in the shops before the schools go back. In this town that is the end of January. But they were advertised in this week’s Coles specials. Which means that the flyer was printed before 12th Night. I did not imagine it would be this soon. Hey, lets have Easter before Christmas next time round eh? Pity the Wise men, barely delivered their gifts, gone on their way & they are back to watch the star being extinguished
In the household in which I grew up, we had Hot Cross Buns on Good Friday at lunchtime, we had one each, it was all we had for lunch as we were fasting.
These days I feel that I occupy a strange territory, populated with people who think that my religious engagement is either excessive, or insufficient, and others who privately shake their heads and wonder why. Yet we are all happy to take the Public Holidays, do the shopping, and say,”well it is family time”. In my current household, I joke that every day is like Easter Sunday as I go hunting for eggs that the chickens like to hide in secret places. But that hunting time is also a time to remember to feel gratitude and thanks to a generous and loving Creator. And that joy can be found in strange places. Even when I fail to find the eggs.
I also feel for those of other faiths who are committed to their religious and faith practices. How must they feel when they cannot take time off to engage in their practice? And yet they have to endure the inevitable price rises that happen in our supermarkets, the parking hassles, the road rage (and just plain bad manners on the road) and the stress that a so-called Christian celebration imposes on everyone.
And I wonder about families and individuals who are struggling with loneliness , or D & A problems, or severe poverty, or the loss of special people, how stressed they must feel at this time of the year. There have been many road deaths in NSW this Christmas/New Year period, often involving more than one family member. How will next Christmas be for them?
I find the whole matter a dilemma. I don’t wish to sound like a mealy-mouthed naysayer, but I can’t help feeling cynical about the whole she-bang. Maybe Herod was not the only reason that the little family with the special babe headed off to Egypt. Though I wonder if that was not a nation of excess at the time? I bet they all would be shaking their heads in horror at what has become of Christmas and Easter.

Today we swam

2009-11-16T10:25:00.000+11:00

At Leichhardt Pool
as we have been for some months. It was Michael's request even though he is in a lot of pain. Only four more sleeps till he goes into St.Vincent's for a new hip. Please hope/pray/wish that all goes well with no complications.

The desert comes to Sydney

2009-09-23T22:19:00.001+10:00

These photos were taken just after 6.15 am

Helping Lizzie prepare the veggie patch

2009-09-12T21:34:00.000+10:00

P9070035

2009-09-07T22:03:00.001+10:00

P9070035
Originally uploaded by peetemm

Sorry about the Powerhouse being on it's ear. I haven't refined video editting yet! But listen to the birds!
the Powerhouse is set near housing , but in a pocket of musical bushland

A day out to celebrate our years together

2009-09-07T21:20:00.010+10:00

Interior of the Casula Powerhouse

Blacksmithing in Timbertown

2009-07-31T18:36:00.000+10:00

And some lovely pieces from Don Marshall

Churches of Port Macquarie

2009-07-26T16:50:00.000+10:00

In the stocks at Timbertown

2009-07-26T16:45:00.000+10:00

Nelson Bay

2009-07-16T11:36:00.004+10:00

Fear & The Pelican

Along the wharf, people are fishing, dressed against the cold weather. Inside the bay, a lone pelican is paddling back and forth, in search of breakfast. It seems strange, to see it alone. I usually see pelicans in small groups. I wonder if it has been rejected by its group. But I know nothing of pelicans. Small hens are my birds.

I walk to the end of the wharf, turn around to take more shots of the land, the morning sun glinting on glass, the buildings lit in a kaleidoscope as the sun is revealed through the parting clouds. Behind the land ridge, clouds are heavier, darker, threatening. The wind comes from the south, chilling me.

As I walk back along the wharf, I watch the pelican fly low, and land on the path ahead of me, near the fishing folk. Perhaps they know to throw it discarded fish, perhaps this is a disabled or elderly pelican. But I don’t think these thoughts yet. I think it would be good to take photos of Katja’s favourite creatures. Katja is coming to join our son, Justin. She is coming from Berlin. We love her and want to welcome her as best we can.

I take several photos, the pelican turning its head side on to observe me. I put the camera in my pocket and move to pass the pelican to leave the wharf.

The pelican opens its beak wide, and makes a trumpeting bellowing noise. I am warned away. I mutter, "It’s alright", but the bird is clearly not happy with me wanting to get closer.

So I retreat to the other end of the wharf and wait to see if the pelican moves off. I divert myself by watching a sea bird patiently and unsuccessfully try to catch a fish. It dives, it swoops, and it hovers. But each vertical dive, so swift and elegant, brings no benefit. Its flight staggered as it leaves the water, battling the strong breeze. The wind chills me, I wonder the bird can bear it, once wet.

Three times I walk back along the wharf towards the fishers. The pelican turns its gaze towards me. I wonder if birds can sense my fear like dogs used to. Until I stopped fearing them.

Then I see an opportunity, a man is walking towards me-he will have to pass this bird, if I time my walking, the bird will have to deal with the two of us. I hasten my step, but I have left it too late, the man passes the pelican, and then me, before I have reached it. But the pelican had only moved to the side of the path when the man passed. That was all. I took courage from that, kept walking. Passing as far on the other side of the path without stumbling on the rocks, the bird turned to me, made a quiet clucking noise. “Yeah, two gulps and you’d be nice and warm in my belly”

Elizabeth Mulrennan 2009

Dressed up in lights

2009-07-05T23:05:00.000+10:00

Open Day at Auburn Gallipoli Mosque

2009-05-18T21:19:00.001+10:00

A Watchmaker & his proud Missus!

2009-05-14T21:51:00.000+10:00

A Graduate Watchmaker!

2009-05-13T22:03:00.000+10:00

Perth early morning Yokine Reserve

2009-05-12T21:56:00.001+10:00

It's time, to learn something new

2009-04-07T20:28:00.001+10:00

I was a bit fed up that I could not directly upload videos in the new blogger without using You Tube. Then I discovered I could use those nice folk at Flickr to help me. Actually the new thing I was trying to learn was taking videos with the still camera. So here we are!

Just because you are probably fed up with checking in & seeing no updates!

2009-03-15T16:14:00.000+11:00

More scenes from Sculpture By the Sea last year

Lake Macquarie early morning

2009-01-04T11:54:00.000+11:00

From the Garden!

2008-12-24T18:36:00.000+11:00

For years now I have tried to grow tomatoes in time for Christmas, and failed. Not this year!

Frugal happiness- Bargains at the butchers AND the bookshop.

2008-12-22T14:14:00.000+11:00

Aldo's meats at 375 Paramatta Road Leichhardt , selling lamb shanks 2 for $3 , lamb neck 2 for $3. When I asked why so cheap, they told me they are selling a lot of rolled shoulder to the local restaurants, who don't want the shanks! Lucky us! Curried neck of lamb coming up.
Gleebooks have some wonderful bargain books for sale , go upstairs, tell Ingrid I sent you, she will show them to you . Great titles , one of which is coming to a member of my household.

See them now before they are gone

2008-12-04T11:48:00.000+11:00

all Images© Elizabeth Mulrennan2008

Sculpture by the Sea

2008-11-02T07:36:00.001+11:00

More pictures can be seen at Kazbah's blog.

Who Me? Escaping? Never!

2008-10-31T23:39:00.001+11:00

I had put this screen door up as a barrier to stop them eating a polystyrene box. It challenged them , but not totally! I do not understand why they like eating polystyrene boxes. It's a chicken thing.

I shot the bird , I shot the Bird!

2008-10-04T22:08:00.001+10:00

Well, I shot him with my Olympus C-700..... In the link I gave earlier to the Backyard Birds site , they described the Koel as being shy of appearing in public. Well of course that would be right, they make such a racket, if they were seen, they might be shot at! Three thirty in the morning, this one, or it's progeny, has been calling in the park up the street. But this afternoon I heard it right outside the back door. It seemed to be posing for it's photo to be taken, preening its' glossy black wings and staring me out with the beady red eye!
Anyway daylight saving begins tonight so it will be 4.30 instead. Although I have heard them calling all night long. At least the planes have a curfew.

Slowly getting on with painting

2008-09-28T21:17:00.000+10:00

It takes a while, between Michael's studies & my work....just as well I can fit (lying on my side) into those tight corners to paint the floor with tung oil

wake up call

2008-09-25T07:54:00.000+10:00

I am going crazy, being woken up by a Koel at 3.30 am. Scroll down the link to hear the noise he makes.
Roll on daylight saving!

Still hiding the eggs!

2008-09-19T22:27:00.000+10:00

There are two eggs here. How they got in & stood up to lay them I can only guess at!

Create to Advocate Quilt

2008-09-11T18:50:00.001+10:00

Our clever friend, Alison entered a Competition, Micah Challenge,. Her Millennium Goals quilt has been selected to hang in the Houses of Parliament next month.
Well done Alison!

The Builder has left

2008-08-30T15:06:00.000+10:00

Night time and daylightHidden Power points(for you Ingrid)

Michael will fill all the creacks before we seal the floor and paint. He looks happy now, doesn't he?

The view from one of the windows. Might be better if photo was taken by a person of normal height!

We went to Springwood

2008-08-24T18:49:00.001+10:00

And rode a steam Tram!
Michael was very happy in this place. Loved the workshop!

Nearly done for the builders

2008-08-21T21:46:00.001+10:00

Then we start the painting!!

Up the stairs go

2008-08-18T18:46:00.005+10:00

more renovations pix

2008-08-16T18:29:00.006+10:00

Men In the Roof

2008-08-07T21:28:00.004+10:00

Finally the building is happening
we are sleeping in the dining room

Would you make a lemon sauce when eating roast cockatoo?

2008-08-01T16:04:00.005+10:00

Ubiquitous signs

2008-07-25T10:08:00.004+10:00

Cupcakes

2008-07-22T12:00:00.009+10:00

I helped a friend make cupcakes for her daughter's 21st & have a few photos I wanted to share. For some reason , the photos will not upload properly , I keep getting a message about the connection resetting. I have checked the Blogger support pages , but can see nothing that might provide a solution to this problem. Please make a comment if you have any ideas. I have managed to insert a couple more, but it was labour intensive ( save file to a folder, upload & publish one at a time). I think it might be to do with the new router. Hope the old router manager will investigate!

Wii fitness

2008-06-29T17:56:00.002+10:00

When I was in Perth recently, I had the opportunity to measure my fitness on Wii fitness ( or whatever it is called).
I was struck by how great this bio feedback system woud be great in Physiotherapy & other forms of rehab. While my nieces were hysterically laughing at my eye hand uncoordination!
Today I read this and was heartened and very moved.

Michael makes his own tongs at Blacksmithing

2008-06-06T16:45:00.003+10:00

and seems quite proud of his skill.

Lazy Blogger

2008-04-27T18:31:00.002+10:00

Easter Sunday morning. Greek Orthodox Church

Moon through trees

Lazy chikkins

April 2008

I went to Perth

2008-03-29T18:17:00.003+11:00

Had Lunch with friends

New working life

2008-02-20T20:52:00.004+11:00

Just having got ready to start 3 projects with Outreach, I spent a frantic week last week, teaching and handing the projects over to teachers who will run them now that I am off to 'Head Office'. The first time I have done a job like this in over 20 years. So, I catch a bus to the city, I've stopped wearing jeans to work, I queue for coffee. Today they had a morning tea to welcome myself & another newcomer,which was very pleasant.
All a bit strange really, did not imagine that I would be in a Policy job at this stage of my life. But it is still in the Outreach & Corrections area so hopefully I can stay grounded in a version of reality that suits me!
But let's have some photos that are nothing to do with work.

Well except that a dear colleague gave me some Bromeliad pups a couple of summers ago & they have survived my desperate care.

Secret egg laying locations

2008-01-15T20:25:00.000+11:00

Now, where will we hide the eggs from Lizzie?

In the Veggie patch?

Up the tree?

Behind the Compost bin?

How many days before she finds them?

Blowing a storm at the Fish Markets

2008-01-06T15:18:00.000+11:00

Fish N' Chips on a busy Saturday

Look what you are missing

2008-01-01T20:46:00.000+11:00

is what Susie wrote with these photos. Regular readers will recall last year, seeing a photo of Michael mowing the grass where this snow now lies.

Beautiful-my new occupation.

2007-12-24T08:01:00.000+11:00

One of my new occupations is frangipani redistribution. My first encounter with the scent of this pretty flower was at the swimming pool at the hotel we lived in when first we moved to Nakuru , Kenya. Every time I smell a frangipani flower, I am a shy nine year old, wanting to jump into the pool, waiting for my mother to tell me it is ok.
Now I find them on footpaths, gather them up, give them to women sitting a Cafe tables, bus stops......

It's been a while!

2007-12-16T08:02:00.000+11:00

I know. I have been busy in a few new jobs. Including one in retail, just before Christmas, I must be mad! I have a poor memory when it comes to the craziness in the lead up to Christmas.
We had party and there was a Pinata to beat. Do you know whose image? Does it help if I tell you it was filled with snakes, dinosaurs, and jelly babies (overboard)

Michael's Car!

2007-11-18T19:40:00.000+11:00

Is a victim of street crime

and now has a bullet hole.
Photo and story from Sydney Morning Herald

The bean tree on the street is in flower

2007-11-11T19:53:00.000+11:00

Michael took these photos

Spring in the Garden

2007-11-11T19:23:00.000+11:00

The garden was in a bit of a mess when we came home. But my assistants helped me clean up. Then when I planted out the new patch, I had to deter them from further digging! They had such a great time when I opened the compost bins!

By Special Request

2007-11-08T22:29:00.000+11:00

Some more photos! (could not resist the car sticker!)

For great service for second-hand books

2007-10-29T09:21:00.000+11:00

Visit Old Saratoga Book s
Nice if you can go there in person. but not at all necessary.
And their blog.
I normally pay several visits when I am in Schuylerville. My aim is to be locked in overnight sometime. It is run by a large cat, Sam, and his human slaves, Rachel & Dan. They are all very friendly. Sam will even climb the ladders with you to help you find stuff. But he & I don't share the same taste in fiction.

more leaf peeping

2007-10-27T15:09:00.000+10:00

Sarah took a photo of me when I was not looking. She then took one of the scene I was looking at. Sarah likes to take candid shots! Thank goodness I was not picking my nose :-)

photo booth on MacBook

2007-10-22T21:25:00.000+10:00

Now in my back yard

2007-10-17T09:54:00.000+10:00

Went to buy some veg. seedlings & mulch for the much neglected veg. patch. These two cuties followed me home. Don't know what breed they are, they are tiny compared to the other 2, but eggs and other biological output are no smaller.
Well, Ethel had been broody for so long, over 4 weeks, I was concerned for the psychological health of Telur, she seemed a bit lonely. ( As in, "I have no-one to bother")
Little Nell & Nanette, with thanks to the kind attendants who paid court while we were away!

More leaf peeping & home in Sydney

2007-10-14T20:11:00.000+10:00

We caught the evening ferry to Manly for dinner with friends who have emigrated there. It was fun!

Peaf Leeping

2007-10-12T09:14:00.000+10:00

The Autumn colours in the New England area have been delayed due to Global Warning. But we managed to find some.

For some great images by a wonderful photographer, visit SkyLass' blog

my purple-ish hair

2007-10-09T10:35:00.001+10:00

has received a few comments, the best have been from teenagers & little kids!

some more photos from the road trip

2007-10-08T08:29:00.000+10:00

We help Susie paint a friend's house

2007-10-08T08:13:00.000+10:00

In Troy, a part of the state capital (Albany) that we like a lot.

Emperor Fuji

2007-10-05T02:09:00.000+10:00

I guess he is named Emperor Fuji after the apples that are being harvested in abundance around here. Speaking of Apples, this is the first edition made to the blog on my new MacBook!

Technology

2007-10-04T11:22:00.000+10:00

Just home from a party where I saw an Iphone in action. James took a photo & emailed it to me!

Another view of paradise

2007-10-03T10:56:00.000+10:00

Most of us imagine Paradise ( the human version) to include palm trees, sun and warm sands. I am sure that version exists, but we cannot all move to such places, and some of us may prefer a cooler notion of a perfect spot to inhabit. Well, maybe we have found it. It is in Vermont. Heading back to to schuylerville ( this dysfunctional shift key is a pain) I expressed a desire to visit small Dog.
for many years when we had the Norton Street Bookshop, Michael would purchase items from this Mac store. As far as we knew, we were the only bookshop that used Macs in the bookshop business in Australia. Items would arrive from Small Dog, accompanied by a small plastic dog, most of whom still inhabit our computer zones, even though our bookshop is now closed permanently.
but we still receive their weekly newsletters; the advice and information is always welcome, and the values expressed in Don's "soap boxes" always make me feel like I just had a great evening at dinner with him, his family & his crew. (well I would be lost for words about sport , but then I would even if he were an Aussie!)
To get to small dog, first we had to have lunch at Montpelier, at a fine Italian restaurant overlooking a river. After lunch I was allowed only to visit a knitting store, so i have to return to Montpelier , maybe within the next 2 years!
then we travelled to warren, (by now you may be wondering if this failing of a shift key is leading somewhere?), in order to get to waitsville. Home of Small Dog.
where my darling purchased , for me, a reconditioned Mac book. which I have yet found the time to remove from it's box !!!!
But the point I want to make here is that we travelled through some of the prettiest, inspiring and awesome parts of creation I have been privileged to observe.

This part of the world is truly special, Vermont has the kind of politics where people are given space to be themselves, I am not sure I could LOVE the winters, but it felt like a kind of home. Another paradise on earth. Along with Cairns, Bali, and Leichhardt
Maybe Don will open his third branch in New sOuth wales??
We had a wonderful conclusion to our road trip.

Not just pictures!

2007-10-01T23:13:00.000+10:00

or why you have not received a postcard!
We have been exceptionally busy since we arrived here in Schuylerville (pronounced"Skylervil")
Fun busy, but still busy.
We emerged from a post-30 hours journey a little dazed on Tuesday 17th September. Susie was hosting the Wedding rehearsal dinner on the Thursday evening , for over 30 people, so there were glasses to be polished, shopping to be done, tables to be set, and chefs to be humoured. Kathy, the garage sale queen , also rules in the kitchen, as well as being a painter (house , but very exotic styling), a potter & ceramicist (mosaics & pottery, often expressed as installations in people's bathrooms, museums and art centres). She also teaches at the Adirondack School, where John is the Principal .
A quick family tree:
Susie- Michael's(you know him) sister
Married to John.
Mother of Sarah & Campbell (both live here in Saratoga/Schuylerville) and Patrick, Famous actor who lives in London.
Kathy is a beloved family friend (and did I mention? a great chef!)
Back to story.
Later on Tuesday evening, John,who has been complaining of a sore throat for 2 days, takes himself off to Saratoga Springs hospital. He is admitted for what turns out to be epiglottitis
and will not be out for some time but we don't know that at that stage.
Wednesday, Patrick, Annabel & son, Finbar arrive. We are still polishing glasses, shopping at the Farmers Market, now visiting John in Hospital , and realising he will not be out in time to marry Campbell & Kelly. We are creatively seeking solutions to this problem.
Thursday , the happy couple and attendant family & friends head off to the wedding rehearsal, and a priest has been found. Cooking is happening here in Monument drive. The party begins.
You have seen some of the photos.
Friday is clean up after the party & make smart for the wedding. But we have time for dashing into Saratoga Springs to meet up with Melissa who has just flown in from London. Great to see her & hear her stories.
The wedding takes place in a lovely setting on Friday evening. The bride is beautiful, the groom is gorgeous. We dance and frolic till midnight .
Saturday morning , Kathy arrives at 8 am to take Michael & I to a town wide garage sale in Schuylerville. We rescue other people's junk for a few pennies & call it treasure. ( Well, I bought 2 glass cups for 50 cents and saw similar ones in a antique shop for $10).Then we (Susie, Michael , PatrickAnnabelFinbar, Sarah & Dick, Melissa) headed off to meet up with Kelly & Campbell , Kelly's family and other collected friends from interstate, at Kelly's parents' place at Lake Desolation. Pretty location for a cabin. Yes, we had fun with the name!

Sunday, after church (did I mention that John is an Episcopalian minister? They had to find a replacement for the Sunday service as well. Who gave us a good tip for accommodation in Kennebunk). Breakfast at Sarah & Dick's. Venison sausages prepared by Dick, from scratch. Yes he had hunted it! PatrickAnnabelFinbar get in hire car & drive to their flight from Boston to London. Later we will discover all the things they have left behind.
SusieMichaelLizzie drive Melissa to Albany to catch train to NY. Miss train so eat junk food & crisps at terminal while waiting for next train. When we get home, the Rev. is home from sick bay. Yeah!!

Monday, truck delivered to truck hospital ( we did this last year when we were here!). Later MichaelSusie go to SS to pick up hire car for our road trip.
Tuesday morning, down at Stewart's
for coffee & eggwiches and the road trip commences.
Day 1 Kennebunk Maine
Day 2 Bar Harbor via Sabbathday lake Shaker community
Day 3 Acadia National Park , then head off towards home,but on a different, northerly, route through Maine. Stopped the night in Waterville
Day 4 homewards through Vermont via Montpelier & Waitsville. More on that later. Hint: Waitsville is home of Small Dog

Everywhere, the scenery & views are amazing. Vermont is definitely a return visit destination. The trees are beginning to change colour , the backdrop of mountains & hills , the views of rivers, rocky outcrops, all present a perspective that is awe inspiring. I know that some of my friends wonder why I like it here, in Australia we mostly get the Hollywood-Cola or the political/religious right view of this country, but I love coming here, the way I suspect the earliest settlers did. The joy of discovery!

Bar Harbor early Morning walk.

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Mount Desert Island is very Beautiful. Acadia National Park is stunning. And we have to return!

sorry about the thumb!

Sabbathday Lake Shakers

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Only four members remaining at this, the last remaining Shaker community . As usual , I am astonished at the assumption, by American tourists , that celibacy was the cause of their diminishing in numbers. Another history lesson remains untaught.

In Maine now.

2007-09-26T09:42:00.000+10:00

We travelled through Vermont and New Hampshire to Kennebunk in Maine.

More jolly times.

2007-09-25T07:17:00.000+10:00

We had a big party on Susie's Deck after the wedding rehearsal. Linda also had a birthday & was surprised by her family with a birthday cake!
The following morning, the dew had fallen to wash all the glasses we had left out, it was a misty and pretty sight. Before I cleaned up...

Tomorrow we are off to Maine

Weddings, Parties, Everything

2007-09-23T04:35:00.001+10:00

Times of trial & travel

2007-09-19T12:16:00.000+10:00

Last week, just 4 days before we were due to leave for USA , Michael was advised that the company from which he sub-leased office space, may be given 3 weeks notice to quit the premises. So he makes a plan to move as much stuff out as possible, knowing that the circumstances under which this might occur may results in his possessions being thrown out , or taken control of by persons unknown to him. So on Saturday , we have just loaded the first load into the Volvo when it chooses to breakdown! 2 hours later, the car now with a failed alternator, we manage to hire a Ute & get one load into storage before that closes for the week end! Thankfully Martin and Robert helped us move the rest of the "essential to salvage " stuff out by Sunday evening, in time for M to pack his bag!
Apart from some hair-raising turbulence during which everyone remembered how to say their prayers , and the fact that it was a packed flight, the trip to Los Angeles was uneventful. Well the turbulence was not that bad,I started to worry when the Captain said that he had not experienced turbulence as bad as that that for some time, so then I wondered whether he had maintained his turbulence rating?!! Later, I was truly impressed as he or one of his sidekicks helped a small girl with her large suitcase down some stairs at LAX.
I was served the wrong special meal, I received the meal for seat 69J, a diabetic, I was 62 J, a vegetarian. When the waiter finally arrived , he said, "oh , are you a diabetic, too? so am I, isn't it boring?". Hmm, all about me, I thought.
I am still too short to watch the movies, even with my own screen. Make that too short & too long sighted. I have to wear my reading glasses & crick my neck. No joy in that so so I caught up on some Radio National listening, LNL, The Book Show, Lingua Franca. And I enjoyed the music of Ross Edwards & Arvo Part.

A MOMENT OF GRACE & BEAUTY
Standing in the queue at the coffee shop in the International Terminal, a tap on the arm & there is my beloved friend , Gaylene. She was in transit from Perth to Auckland & her flight was delayed so we shared coffees and a quick catch up. What a delight to see her , and what a good omen for a long journey, shining angel that she is!

Foil Virgin

2007-09-12T07:35:00.000+10:00

Last night I had foils for the first time-ever!

Colours? well use your imagination. You know my favourites!

Strange things

2007-09-02T19:15:00.000+10:00

This photo really should have been taken in situ where I found ALL these eggs. Seems Telur prefers the parsley patch for her egg laying , 13 of them ,12 all in one 'nest'. She muttered something about a trade deal, 3 dozen eggs & she would get early release for good behaviour. Doh!
Meanwhile, the next two photos offer a little test for my readers. Guess the mystery object:

More news whilst in Perth

2007-08-19T22:29:00.000+10:00

Met up with a bookclub that I helped to form 21 years ago this month! We had read Cormac McCarthy's , "The Road". Grim but compelling & thought provoking. It was great to plug straight back in , I was given a warm welcome & it felt like I had been coming for the last 16 years. Gosh , is it that long since I lived in Perth??

In celebration of some of my nieces:

A couple of days in Albany, Western Australia

2007-08-11T23:20:00.000+10:00

Diane & I visited Sally & Ken in their warm & cosy new home in Albany. Despite the cool wet weather, we had a warm welcome! Diane took a shine to some exotic chikkins. And the home grown lamb dinners were very tasty!