A few photos from the Botanical Gardens in Hobart Tasmania

Poppies by the pond

The bridge

We spent a whole day at the Botanical Gardens in Hobart, probably because they are pretty amazing..... We wandered through the conservatory - complete with orchids, visited the artic exhibition and ate lunch at the wonderful cafe (I even quaffed a little wine).

A local!

There is so much to see at these gardens and the pond (more like a small lake), Japanese Gardens and flowers were wonderful subjects for some photos as our journey came to an end.....

Japanese Garden

At the entrance

This is the path to Mt Fugi..... Love the wonderful rocks

We are thinking whether this might work at Scribbly Gums (LOL)

Great waterfal in the background

Thisis cool - sort of a pagoda
Phil is thinking about a hebel block one!!

The Fushia House

Isn't this gorgeous??

Simple but so beautiful

Gorgeous Flowers (love the macro setting on my camera!!)

Orchids in the observatory

More orchids

Not sure what this is - but I love the colour contrast

Magnolia

Dryandra

Pierre Du Rossard Rose
(I am putting in a bid for a few of these - wonderful form and colour)

Protea

Protea

We thought these gardens were just spectacular - thanks for sharing them with me
With love
Carol

A bit of scrapping

I have been doing so many presents lately for work colleagues and friends that I haven't done much scrapping but I now have for a few challenges at the Scrap Therapy Cybercrop

So I thought that I would take a little time to share.... My scanner isn't working properly so please forgive the quality of the photos.... LSBS Cybercrop is next weekend..... which is fabulous.

I have been asked to be a guest designer on Scrap Therapy for January - and I already have an idea - should be fun!!

I love the brightness of this - I purchased the bag,
then I decorated it and a gift card and card to match

I know they are pests - but oh so cute!!

A challenge about letters and lists ... I quite like this

A gift box for my DD for her birthday!!!
This has just won aScrap Therapy Cybercrop Challenge ..... a voucher
to spend at Scrap Therapy - now what to buy!!

Other than that we are all well - We have almost finished the Chrissy shopping and I have finished the work presents. Count down is now officially on (thank goodness)

Looking forward to a couple of weeks off over the silly season.

Lots of love
Carol

LSBS Cybercrop next Friday - yea!!!!!!

I can't wait to do some creating - I have so much I should put together and I really would like to create tonight......

Here is the link

Hope to see you there!!

My old home in Melbourne

I could not believe this but Google Earth is able to see where your house is and give a street view - WOW. So here is the house I lived in East Bentleigh.... I feel a bit like big brother is definitely watching!!!!

Back from Tassie

Highfield near Stanley

Well here I am back from the beautiful Tasmania and while a little tired from travelling I am well and truly rested and I can honestly say I have had a wonderful and much needed break.

Royal Botanic Rose Gardens Woolmers Estate

Ross Bridge

My brothers Glenn and Ross helped to support Mum and Dad. I feel very lucky that I could rest easy knowing that Ross and Sonya for week two and Glenn, Heather, Jack and Zoe for week three were here helping out, providing support and entertaining Mum and Dad. Being the only one here sometimes is hard and I need a break from both work and caring occasionally. Luckily my family see that as well.

Poppies at the Royal Hobart Botanic Gardens

Highlights of the Tassie Trip

Colonial Houses - they have the most amazing houses in Tassie - I guess I think that because comparatively Canberra is so young. I love the quaint houses the tree lined streets and the gorgeous English Gardens. Loved Ross (town) and Hobart - especially Battery Point.

The lovely town of Stanley - North West corner - gorgeous


View over the ruins of Highfield (convicts quarters) to the Nut

Catching up with Pam - a loooong time ago - read 15 years at least - I used to help out with cubs. I met Pam and she and I got on very well - she says I was a bad influence - but I think it might have been pretty mutual. Anyway we got into some hi-jinks at a few camps and had a pretty great time. About 10 years ago Pam went to live in Tassie and I visited her 5 years ago when I was there last time. Well, to cut a long story short, after some initial sleuthing to find her (and she doesn't have the net or a phone in her name!!) you should have seen her face when I walked in to the market where she had a little stall........... OMG it was absolutely priceless - we had lunch afterwards and she was just so blown away!!!!!

Brown Tassie possum - came to visit each night with mate and baby
Smithfield (near Stanley)

Green country side and cute black faced sheep - yes I know it is sad but I love black faced sheep!!!! Can't help it - but don't put me away - I only get like this in Tassie!

No explanation needed! Baaaaaaa

The Eco Rainbow Retreat - where we saw gorgeous baby wombats and joeys being looked after by Ian and Peter. We met Sophia and Phillip who are very cute wombats about 1/2 grown.

Rainforest in the Huon Valley

The Coles Bay Cruise where we saw dolphins, seals, whales, albatross, pacific gulls and Australiasian Gammets..... plus the gorgeous rocks and beaches of Coles Bay and the Freychinet Peninsula.

Seaguls at the Friendly Beaches Freychinet Penninsula

Freychinet Penninsula

Birdlife on Coles Bay

The Swansea Golf Course - this is a bit odd (!!) but I pinched the best gumnuts from here and did some paintings and I will be forever grateful for the wonderful colours and shapes - they were just awesome - we will look for these to grow at our farm!!

I will do a bit more to this later and add some photos - but it is wonderful to go away but oh it is great to be back!!!! I love coming home!

Lots of love
Carol

So slack but a post at last

I cannot believe it it has been 3 weeks and no posts - sooooooooo slack!

Work has been mad - so full on I have been working 10 hour days for it seems weeks on end! But that is the price I guess for being 'boss lady'. Anyway 2 more days and it is holidays for me...... and DH - in beautiful Tassie and not a minute too soon!

Our trip will take us to Launceston for a few nights - great old buildings, Stanley to a sanctuary on 5 acres - and just us and a spa bath and view........, Sheffield - with the great murals, Ross on the Midlands Highway, Bincheno and Coles Bay and back to Hobart........

I have asked my brothers to come over and mind Mum and Dad a bit - and they are - thankfully. Glenn and the crew are coming over from NZ for the last week we are away and Ross and Sonya are here the second week - so Mum and Dad will be without family here for 4 days .... not bad!

Other than that I am not being really creative at the moment - no layouts to share unfortunately...... or photos - I have been just too damn busy.

But the garden is looking pretty awesome at the moment. Roses are starting to bloom and the days are warmer so the weather is pretty much how I like it.

Went to Scribbly Gums last weekend to have a check on things and measure up for the development application and fire abatement form. We have had to change our placement of the sheds because it is unlikely that they would have been approved. We are considered at Scribbly Gums to be in 'woodland' which brings in a bit of risk.

Other than that Jess and Jason are fine - looking forward to new housemates and a break over Christmas, Matt is also doing great and doing lots of gym and fitness stuff.

Me........ I thought I would cut down a bit on the wine for my health and I have lost a bit of weight - I think that is because 1/2 bottle at night adds around 1/3 daily calories to my diet. And I feel a bit better. DH is a bit confused about it all I must say when I make a cup of tea after work instead of pouring a large glass of Chardy. Anyway my thought is that I will try to only drink a couple of glasses at the weekend.......

Apart form that I am just waiting to finish work in two days and then go on a much deserved break I think!

Lots of love
C

3rd Wedding Anniversary Whale Watching

Hi everyone

I am so happy to say we had a great time in Eden and we saw heaps of whales too!!!! We arrived in Eden to the Two Fold Bay Resort on Friday afternoon and it was pretty cloudy and the weather did not look all that promising.

Well I did a couple of quick paintings and saw a leucadendron bush near to the front office which was a little inconvenient to pick a piece in the daylight so we went for a walk later that night - they are amazing plants and were fun to paint.

Saturday was drizzly and cold, but I had bought a couple of great books to read so that was great for relaxing. We also looked at the sea and wandered around a few points in Eden.

Sunday arrived and we were up at 6am (7am daylight saving time). This is no mean feat as we are so not weekend morning people. After tea and a little raisin toast and a travel sickness tablet each, we were off to Eden wharf for a bit of whale watching on the CATBALOU. I remember taking my kids on this about 10 years ago - and the new and improved boat is great.

We saw heaps of whales which is wonderful..... in pods of 3 to 5. Here are a few pics....

These are 2 humpback whales and a couple of shearwaters (or mutton birds)

A wave from a dorsal fin

Feeding whales - Eden is the only place that they feed on their migration

The boat was pretty crowded with lots of people standing on the bow so it was at times difficult to get in a great shot - so all in all these are pretty great..... under the circumstances.

I also did 6 or so paintings but keeping in the marine theme here are the ones of shells and a little flora. I like how the mussels in particular turned out in these paintings..... there are more added onto Scribbly Gums if you are interested. I really didn't want the shell pink and pastel shell paintings and I rather like these...... let me know what you think.....




On the way home Phil stopped at the Christmas Barn for me in Bredbo.... I spent a little on a couple of cute Christmas ornaments..... I am so pleased that shop is not in Canberra - I could do some real damage.

Thanks for looking and have a great week!!