Closer to the sun

I resisted the slight temptation to do a solstice swim yesterday but promised myself I would see the sun rise from the beach this morning.  Cloud prevented this, but it was a gorgeous stroll.

brave souls gathered on first slightly  longer day

and took the plunge

I ambled on to Marla Singer, my current go to for hot chocolate.  I love that I can do this, plus buy a croissant and paddle back along the beach, greeting numerous dogs along the way.

I have just returned from Adelaide so have been luxuriating in Bellerive.  The bad news is that council has approved 8 units to be built on the land next door.  This will require the demolition of the beautiful red roofed house, and will occlude my view of the mountain, beach, water and city lights.  Currently you can just see my unit window (above the undulating roof) from the beach

but this will be obliterated by the new development soon.  Win some, lose some...

I have been to the movies a cuppla times to distract myself.  Inspired by my current ballet orientation, I went to see Ballerina.  Which was appalling.  I also saw Karate Kid Legends.  This I thoroughly enjoyed.  I was attracted to it because it was set in New York and I thought it would be nice to see NY again - plus a little bit of Beijing.  All in all, it was a romp down memory lane for me.  All those years of being part of a martial arts family.  I emerged from the cinema ready to take on the world.

I have also been to the most perfect Celebration of Ken Schroeder's life.  Ken was the partner of Georgia and Jake's Mum.  She created the perfect tribute to him.  Beautiful photos and music, including a small chamber orchestra.  Strangely, it was another elating experience.

And then there was being a roadie for Georgia as she set up for a Tasmanian Made Winter Market on the Boardwalk at Wrest Point Casino.  Such beautiful work - but I have no photos.  I was so exhausted from rolling up bubble wrap that I forgot.

Other pleasures:

amusement at the library with this display - Harry Potter on the mantel piece

Corinne would have called these library books 'uxorious'

walking the long way back from the chemist to see the small cove between the beaches

flathead from my local supermarket - memories of fishing with Mum and Dad

8pm view across the river to the city

I read this library book while in Adelaide.

It is poorly written and edited, but the writer is an herbalist and I like much of her information.  It was she who suggested an 8pm walk each night to assist sleep.

I also saw this book and have an hold on it from my local library.

And so to the Adelaide trip:

Had to arrive in time to see Willowa race at McLaren Vale, starting at the Social Institute

note the orange socks

and that's all I managed to take as she crossed the finishing line...

Willowa didn't win but these are the gorgeous women who did.  I loved their camaraderie and whimsey as they, somewhat irreverently, played on the podium.

We set off for Canberra the next day.

early morning view from overnight cabin at Hay

geocaches galore, to Heather's delight

even at the Dog on the Tuckerbox

We were in Canberra to visit Bron.

We were allowed to view photos from our Easter Trips on the big screen in the Tickety Boo Bar

and relive some of the madness of those days

There were other delights:

resident fish, some basking

some trying valiantly to escape

nearby street libraries

Tuggeranong lake

Tuggeranong Arts Centre

an exhibition titled Walking With The Gardener

delicate shoes that remind me of fish frying in a pan...

a trowel that takes me back to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York

on a slightly different scale

and then there was the magnificent meal we had on our last night

and the desserts we shared

Walking back to our motel that night provided one of the  most magical experiences of my life.  The road is quiet at  night and probably 50 wallabies / kangaroos were out feasting on the verge.  Walking through their midst was like a dream of Australian living, something I may have imagined as a child when we were planning to migrate.  I truly felt Australian.

The next day Heths and I shared the long drive to Mildura and Chez Sandrine.  We were greeted comme d'habitude.

perfect for our evening arrival

Happy days followed

as  Sandra did all the work

when Heths gave us a break from geocaching, though she traitorously made us hunt them down on the King's Birthday

If you don't hear from me again, you'll know He was not well pleased.

I was well pleased with this car sticker

I liked Sandra's coffee

which was rare for me who usually prefers instant (zut alors!) so on the day of our leaving we breakfasted at the cafe where she buys it.

I sat captivated by a row of elegant stemmed glasses that kept disappearing.  Eventually I realised they were an optical illusion caused by the shape of the bottle necks...

It is now nearly a week later - big problems with my laptop which, $95  later, don't quite seem to be resolved.

Sandra packed us a yummy lunch that we ate at Moorook, one of my favourite  places on the Murray,

and then home to Heth's where we were welcomed by the amazing aloes on her corner.

We had coffee Vietnam-style in a buzzy Glenelg cafe.  Then it was time for my direct flight back to Tassie, fortunately with no Icarus incidents.