Blog

As I write the sun has broken through the clouds that have brought spring showers to the Pacific Northwest. We have been here for 5 days now and I hope I'm almost over the jet lag from our 30 hour and 7 time zone flight from Australia, just in time for Tuesday's departure for Nairobi. That journey will consist of two legs--9 hours to Amsterdam, one hour getting through Schipol airport to catch the 11 hour flight onwards. Along with a 10 hour time difference I'm glad we have 3 nights planned for resting in Nairobi before we take the 6 hour shuttle bus to Arusha where we will spend another night before we start our trip up Mount Kilimanjero. We hope to reach the top peak in Africa on May 10!

This week, while resting, unpacking, repacking, buying more travelling gear, and clearing up all the mail and tasks that have accumulated here while I was away for 4 months, I have a few minutes to review all the Australian and New Zealand photos before clearing out my camera. I thought I'd put a few more highlights out there and show you what I've been painting in preparation for the next two months.

At Little Manly Cove--one of my favourite Sydney spots

On Auckland's North shore, near sunset

Goblin Woods (future painting subject) on New Zealand's North Island

Tongiraro Crossing--one of the top 10 one-day hikes in the world. We'll have to look for more! It certainly was a star of the NZ tour.

Approaching Lake Marian on the Milford Sound Road--another great hike before we started the Grand Traverse (The Routeburn Track combined with the Greenstone Track), South Island, New Zealand

Back to Aussie--one of the many beautiful parrots that we always look for. Apparently African birdlife is also fantastic--so watch for more photos in future!

One of our fantastic hikes on the Tasman Peninsula--the transported prisoners might not have appreciated their location but we certainly had lots of freedom to explore and marvel at its beauty.

See the map of Tassie formed by the outline of the rock cave? This is on the south end of the Tasman Penninsula as well. Another fantastic (short) hike.

Now THIS is really something to appreciate: a 120 carat opal worth about A$120,000. It was mined by a friend of a friend. He might sell it for less than $100,000 as the opal market is a bit soft right now. If you know someone who has that kind of money, and wants to get their wife/girlfriend/fiancee a spectacular, one-of-a-kind gift, I can put you in touch with him!

Meanwhile I was priviledged to see it!

It came from a mine near to where my wedding ring stone was found. These are Lightning Ridge, NSW opals, not to be mistaken for the white opals of Coober Pedy in South Australia (many thousands of kilometres away)

And now, on to some of the art I've been creating...

This is a small semi-botanical print that I am very happy with, created at Camp Creative in January.

Another slightly larger, that I loved the colours and the effect of the stephanosis seed (in white)

And here's a few animal sketches to get me ready for Africa!

That's about all for now, I must get back to my packing. The next time I post will likely be a month away, after Mount Kilimanjero and some safari action. We won't be carrying a computer with us in our travels so will be subject to whatever technology is available to rent.

Happy trails!!