Port Macquarie long weekend

We recently got back from a mini escape to Port Macquarie, which was just lovely.  We were only away for a few short days, but the mini break was perfect to just unwind and take it easy for a day or two.  Little Mr J loved playing on the beach and paddling in the soft waves, and we even found some crabs to put in his bucket which was very exciting.  My formula for a perfect long-weekend escape is quite simple:   Sun + sand + waves + ice-cream = bliss :)  

Long weekend in Noosa

 Ahhh, feeling very relaxed and revived after a lovely long weekend in Noosa.  The sun was out, the sea was warm and just a perfect place to chill out for a few days.   

We went for a 'stroll' around the National Park - which ended up being a 9km walk (!) although I did see my first koala in the wild which was exciting.  We also took kayaks out along the river for a few hours, so I felt less guilty for sleeping away the afternoon after that!   

The funniest thing was seeing some cushions I designed for Target a couple of years ago in the apartment we stayed in!!

10 years in Australia!!

Today I celebrate 10 years in Australia! 

We arrived in Melbourne 10 years ago, on Valentines Day feeling very, very jet lagged!  It was about midnight when we landed - and still about 30C.  Our first few days the temperature steadily rose from the high 30's to the low 40's and we were so unaccustomed to the heat - especially given it had been snowing in the UK in the weeks leading up to our departure!!

My partner Mr B had back-packed around Australia before going to uni and always knew he wanted to come back.... I didn't even think I'd get to visit Australia on holiday - let alone end up living here!  Australia to me was a very exotic far-away land that I would never in my lifetime see, so to have been living here for 10 years is quite surreal.

I've attached some snapshots of a few of the amazing places we've seen, experiences we've had and things we've done whilst living in this beautiful country......

 

Hung out in beautiful Melbourne.....

Visited the stunning harbour of Sydney more times than I can remember.....

Did a cycling wine tour of Rutherglen - highly recommended!....

Visited WA to see her gorgeous beaches and visit more wineries in Margaret River.....

Swam at Palm Beach - famous for being the Home & Away beach (very exciting for an English person!!)  That's me trying to edge my way into the surf - still haven't mastered how you Aussies just dive in! 

Visited Port Douglas in FNQ - there's the rainforest meeting the reef just like the advert promised!

Spent a fair few hours, yawn, driving to Merimbula stuck behind boats and caravans - but very worth the long trip......

Seen in a few New Years Eve's - not all of them in 1970's fancy dress though!......

Took out a boat in Noosa......

Explored Fraser Island which is amazing......

Had the odd Derby day.....

Hiked around the Blue Mountains......

Visited stunning Port Stephens......

Snorkelled with Dolphins at Rottnest Island.......

....And met some of the friendly local Quokka's!.....

Cheered on England (sorry!) at the Boxing Day Test, even in the rain!.......

Snorkelled at The Great Barrier Reef......

Chilled out in Byron Bay......

Re-stumped a house.....

....And renovated it.......

Took a sunrise balloon flight over Melbourne........

Entertained many friends and relatives.......

And had my fair share of Huntsmen visiting my bathroom!...... (Ironic that he was hiding behind the can of insect repellent!!)

Over the last 10 years my hair has changed lots.....but the friends we've made and our joy at living here has remained constant.  Thank You Australia for many wonderful years and memories and for allowing us to experience life here :) 

Old Australian stamps

About 4 years ago I bought several packs of old Australian stamps from an op-shop.  I didn't know what to do with them, but I do love all the colours and patterns on stamps so I've been hoarding them ever since!

I finally decided to do something with them - and created a collage style map of Australia!  I bought an old Atlass and tore out the Australia map as a background, and then collaged the old stamps in the shape of Australia over the top of the map!

It's a bit kitsch - but quite cute! 

 

 

 

 

 

Bangalow treasures

We had a rainy day or two whilst visiting Byron Bay, so we decided to hire a car and head out to the surrounding towns for some exploring. I'm so glad we did because one of my favourite places we visited was a small town called Bangalow.

It's a small historic town with lovely coffee shops, restaurants and gift shops. The main street retains a village feel with wide verandahs and it has a sophisticated feel rather than being too touristy.

However, the main appeal for me was the Retro Shop and Heath's Old Wares and Collectables barn!

These are some pictures from The Retro Shop (no website unfortunatly) It's a great little shop with some proper retro goodies all in great condition. It was a good job we were flying back home and had weight restrictions with our luggage - the kithcen units were fabulous!

Heath's Old Wares and Collectables was more of a mixture of anything old and found - books, ceramics, old tins, lamps, glassware etc and a great place for a good rummage on a rainly day! They have a blog here:

I bought this old Ladies Journal dated July 1949 which was originally one shilling!

I thought I'd share some of the illustrations from the magazine as they are typical of the imagery from this particular era. I love the fact most of the imagery is hand-drawn; there are no photographic images and certainly no CAD artwork, with even the advertisments featuring hand-drawn illustrations and type.

Most of the illustrations are in black and white - with only a very few, such as this Birds Custard advert, being in full colour! It's great to look through to see how much has changed with advertising, design layout and of course with the input these days of computers and digital photography.

Back home, holiday over....

Well I'm back home after a fabulous time away....why do holidays always go so quickly?!.....

First stop was Sydney and no matter how many times I visit she always stuns me with her beautiful harbour. There is always so much life and activity with boats and ferries constantly on the move, and even at night there is much to gaze at with the ferries and city lights reflecting in the waters.

Next it was onto the beautiful Blue Mountains. This was the first time I've visited the Blue Mountain region and it was well worth the visit! The scenery and walks are rather stunning, and there are some cute towns in the area (in particular Leura) with lots of yummy cakes - which is a must after all the walking :-)

Then it was time to chill out in Byron Bay. What can I say..... just a great laid back place with gorgous beaches, fantastic food and a totally relaxing place to finish the holiday. A highlight has to be kayaking with the local dolphins who were playing in the bay and skipping over the waves so close to us. Just amazing.