Happiness

 Monday 20 to Friday 24 October - camping at Lennox Heads, New South Wales.

It was long overdure for Eli Eagle, our Jayco camping van, to have an outing. This past week looked to be the only week free before Christmas, to be able to go away. At such short notice, noone was able to join me, but I determined to go anyway!

It was a week filled with happiness enjoying the company of new friends, the benefits of daylight saving time, sunrises, sunsets, kilometres of walking, ocean vistas, beach walking, reading, whales breaching, birds singing and during the middle of the day, ticking off completed chores I had brought with me. 

Happiness ......

Successfully driving to Lennox Heads and erecting the van by myself.

Rewarding myself with an icecream and spotting whales out to sea.

Happiness .........

Walking 9 km over a headland, around a bay and back. Relaxing and watching the whales.

Watching the calves constantly hitting the water with their tails. Look carefully.

Happiness .....

Sunset colours, an old tree trunk and volcanic rocks as round and smooth as cannon balls.

Happiness ......

Sunrise wave watching.

Happiness ......

Relaxing on a clifftop and discovering gulls hovering on thermals, just 2 metres above.

Happiness ........

Spotting an eagle fishing, a rainbow bee-eater resting, swallows chatting,  a pipit blending with the grass,  a red backed wren eating a moth, dolphins gliding.

Happiness .....

The joy of setting off walking before 5.30am [in the dark] to the sound of frogs croaking and birds singing and witnessing the magic of colourful sunrises over the sea.

3 videos of 3 different mornings and sounds. Volume up!

Happiness .......

Ducks lined up to welcome the day.

This is a glimpse of my wonderful week. The glorious sunrises and beauty of Lake Ainsworth will follow in a future post. All the selfies are a result of a challenge by friend, Jan. Anyone watching the progress would think I was going crazy, as I tried to prop the phone up on the grass etc, and in the wind, press 10 seconds and rush to a relaxed pose. I love the very first. I took it before clicking a selfie, when I noticed my face close up. I then posed without running!

I would love to read your comment.

Can't Beat a Country Show.

Friday 26 September - Day 1, Kyogle Show

This sunrise was the forerunner to a wonderful day at Kyogle Show.

Mt Lindsey was looking stunning as I drove south.

The effect of no rain for a couple of months was yet to change the beauty of the country scenes I was driving through.

Stopping to take this scene I was greeted by two impressive males. Were they facing off or just chatting on their opposite side of the road?

This video  travels through day 1. I wanted to be in more than one place, most of the day.

Hall 1 - school entries, frui and vegetables, cakes, photography.

Hall 2 - flowers and cakes

Ring 2 - young riders

Main arena - I sat fascinated, with dust blowing constantly, as the riders cut one calf from seven, guided it out of the yard and tried to control it through a figure of eight course. The calf mostly won.

Ring 4 - stockman's challenge

Ring 3 - Young judges competition. 

The day ended with an exciting rodeo.

   

 Day 2 - I missed most of the horse riding as I was engrossed in the cattle judging of the magnificent beasts.

Video - cattle judging, hacks, ponies and galloway horses took us to mid afternoon and the opening of the show.

The remainder of the day was entertainment.

Hot wheels stunt team

Aussie FMX team

Demolition Derby entrants

Jumping cattle dogs

Fireworks - these were so impressive I was too mesmerised to take photos. 

Final two rolls - the crowd and the arena the morning after the night before.

As you know I entered photography. One section was titled - People.

I selected 3 from my albums. When writing the entry form, I suddenly realised they weren't my photos. Joc had taken them. She took out a first prize. 

My sunset image won third prize.

Another section was, a group of three. Kim had recently sent photos of Nora and Gunner on their local beach, after school, on a particularly hot day. Kim not only won 1st prize in this section,, but Grand Champion of the thirteen sections. I was thrilled for her.

I have been crocheting gifts for friends over the past 12 months and so entered my cow [given to Joc] and a Major Mitchell parrot just given to a friends new Grandchild. The cow placed 1st and Major Mitchell 2nd. All very exciting.

Attending the show in 1955 with my two brothers.

1958

And with my Nana and Mother, in I think, 1953.

My love for the Kyogle Show goes back a long way. Only nine years lived tat Afterlee, but my heart always wants to return. Sadly only two cousins remain, but I am so grateful that cousin Robert welcomes me with open arms, each time I visit.

I woud love to read your comment.

The Joy of Being in the Country

Friday19 September

Two years ago I attended Kyogle's Country Show. I was very impressed. 

I was able to attend again last month and decided to enter in the photography and crocheting competitions, with no great expectations other than adding to the number of exhibits. This necessitated my driving on two consecutive Fridays, to enter my pieces and then to attend the show. 

The drive down is always relaxing. Country vistas quickly calm and soothe.

It was a low cloud foggy morning. I was unable to see Mt Lindsey but but Mt Barney was gently unwrapping itself. 

 Photos delivered by the 9am deadline, I continued on to Locheil. Look who greeted me on my arrival.

The Jacaranda tree's foliage was turning yellow, before the leaves drop and the arrival of wonderful purple blooms.

The 30 year old Azalea in front of the house was looking magnificent, as were all the staghorns.

King Orchid

Chinese Ground Orchid

I was interrupting my cousin's morning of fertilizing his finger limes. Once we shared coffee, I insisted on helping.

Mulch spread to perfection by yours truly.

Avocado blossom

Blood Orange

Macadamia Nut blossom

Red Cedar

White ants destroying the old dairy.

Moreton Bay Fig planted by my Grandfather on my Uncle Stan's 7th birthday, 1928.

Almost home, I just had to stop and enjoy these Spring Minions.

Spring in my garden the following afternoon.

A week later .................

Saturday 26, I was woken by a wonderful dawn chorous. I had travelled down on the previous day and had totally enjoyed day 1 of the show.

Once woken, I didn't linger long.

I hope your volume is up. More stirring country sounds.

The agisted cattle took off once they spied me, eventhough I was a great distance from them.

Spectacular cluster of branches on this tree.

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo - can be heard screeching noisily in one of the videos.

The following morning .........

If you hadn't noticed, visiting Kyogle, Locheil and being in the country is a very happy place for me.

I would love to read your comment.