think about our family travelling

Being the type of family who cannot live without travel, I need to update on who's where in the world.

Annabel and Jessica (seen here with a friend in Prague) have recently returned from their school's incredibly successful music tour of Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, Venice, Florence and Rome.

Standing ovations all over.

Colton and Jen spent a week in Beijing with Dave, who's currently residing there.

Paul and Myles are in Africa. Here's Paul, the week before they left, having conquered another fearsome peak in the Scenic Rim. All part of his training regime for the big one.

Here he is at Whistler training for the frigid conditions they're expecting on top of the big one.

Contact from the intrepid travellers has been good up until 2 days ago, when they moved into the safari  phase of the expedition.

We know that all was well when they were in Kampala visiting with Nick and Mey who are still valiantly saving the world from Uganda.

This what Paul really really wants to see. He might have to make do with a few stragglers.

Here's what they'll definitely see.

.....Not sure about this?

I'd like to thank all family members from whom I've shamelessly borrowed images.

Couldn't have done this post without you!!

try and catch up

Don't the days get away.

I have some serious catch up for my blog; here's the first.

My Sydney week.......

Day 1, attending the National Quilt study group Conference being held at the National Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour.

As my 2 friends and I walked across Pyrmont Bridge, it opened to allow a large piece of the Ice Rink construction to be barged into Cockle Bay. It was a tight fit, but the teams responsible succeeded.

Here's the end of the part that swings open and the Darling Harbour precinct.

.... And here's the section that made it through.

The Conference was wonderful, with great presentations and sharing of collections, both old and new

This quilt from the 1800s.

and these French toiles from the 18th and 19th centuries.

I indulged in a coffee in the Westin Hotel in the CBD. this building used to be the Sydney GPO.  

No 1 Martin Place. 

Here's a bit of personal trivia. Paul and I first met outside this building. Seems like only yesterday. Ok, maybe a fortnight ago.

The renovation is gorgeous.

Another coffee and caramelised icing donut that I needed for energy during this mega shopping day.

It was only mega in its intensity, not the number of purchases you understand.

This was my 'visiting shops that are really like museums day'. 

Such as the Christian Dior boutique featured below.

All of the other icons, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Burberry, Christian Loubouton, Gucci, Prada etc were visited, but I didn't really find anything I liked.

I saved the buying for another day.

lunched in Lower Beechmont

One year ago ,Paul and I had just returned from our trip to Spain and Morocco.

A few of us gathered at Layla's for a mini reunion.

The Norwegian flag met us at the front gate.

The garden was resplendent.

Quilt show and tell of course.

These guys live next door and are significant I believe.?

We looked out from the Outlook

And all in all had a lovely day.

really enjoyed another day in the country

Open studios are such a good idea, particularly when they involve a short drive into the countryside.

As we aproached Kalbar, we were taken by the effort the squattocracy had made in creating these letter boxes. We've often said that it'd be fun to record them as we travel. Dammit, now that we've started this series, we'll have to go back to our favourite places to find the others.

After a lovely picnic with friends with whom we travelled this time last year...

... we made it to the artist Patena Moesker's studio. 

Now, we love visiting Open Gardens, but the stickbeak potential at an Open studio is something else.

Can't wait for 2015 to follow the Cultural trails of the Scenic Rim this time next year.

miss Melbourne

Melbourne in Autumn is glorious.

Well, it was last weekend when Paul and I visited. I had a work forum to attend on Saturday and Sunday allowing Paul playtime in the city.

Couldn't believe it when he said he'd gone shopping.

Mind you it was Melbourne Central which has an historic shot tower and an architecturally surprising dome.

He fitted in a trip to the Australian Centre for Comtemporary Art. 

... And then found some fembots. (He enquired about the price for one, but they were insanely expensive)

At the National Gallery of Victoria special effects were in order.

For lunch a small bowl of paella.

Melbourne is famous for it's laneways. 

Let's talk about the sublime to the ridiculous. These are being sold in Costco. Really?!?

Paul would like to thank Peter Rundle for his technical support. We've got a little flouncy present for you.

scavenge with friends

We never really know where the whims of Broadstrokes members will take us.

M had been encouraging/suggesting/pushing us to do a creative scavenger hunt since November 2013.

Once the weather turned cooler, we complied.

Intructions were issued at a breakfast meeting.

We were able to draw, photograph or collect items listed.

Paired partners were assigned and off we went.

Some of us began our collection at the table before we left. Planning is paramount, when our competitive natures emerge.

This photo ticked off the square shape listing.

5 funky fashions.... No problem with friendly natives happy to oblige.

We needed to collect somthing from the Qld Art Gallery or GOMA. Whilst there we were able to tick off a few other items.

Fan

Shadows at 1130

And a very nice morning tea in the cafe. Okay, it wasn't listed, but we were thirsty and peckish by then.

On the walk back to our reconnaisance point, we had 2 tricky items to find.

Ghoulish. What do you think?

This close up from the same piece of street sculpture may work better?

..... And finally graffiti. My partner J decided to risk all and create her own.

The finished piece left for posterity, or until the next rain shower.

Note the seedy authenticity of the discarded cigarette butts. (Not ours)

Lunch was a cheerful sharing affair. One clever pair completed their mission in just one block. They did more drawing than us.

To our disappointment, there were no prizes. I guess our heightened observational powers and cameraderie were enough to make us all winners. (Aw shucks)

Next time J and I are going to set the rules!!