Scenes from my life.

Katoomba roofs

Orange raspberries

Orange wine

Penrith Lakes

sunny day

burnt bush

unburnt bush

weeping gum

Millthorpe markets

Sydney Writers Festival - up in the hills this year.

I've been to the Sydney Writers' Festival the last couple of years. (Here's my story from 2 years ago)
And while it is lovely to go the main event in Sydney, I do not like the crowds and having to queue for the free events (although it is interesting to chat to others in the queues and if the weather is fine it's a nice place to be)

There were no writers that I felt I absolutely had to see this year - it would be a year of discovery.

So why not take the day to take in all the sessions up the hill - up at Katoomba, or Ktown as the locals call it?
Also why not offer to pay for H to come along as her birthday present?

Great idea!

 The Carrington is the grand old hotel right at the top of Katoomba, sitting up high over everything, with a big chimney stack dominating the skyline.
It's such a lovely old building and has been lovingly refurbished in recent years (and I think that can be a story for another day)

We didn't have the best seats as we got there a little late and so I didn't get a photo of the first session which was Michelle de Kretser in converation with Ali Lemer about her latest novel Questions of Travel.
I think I will put this one on my list as I love the theme of travel and reading about travel and although this is a novel it sounds like it deals with questions and issues of travel as well.
I have previously read The Lost Dog by Michelle de Kretser.

After a civilised cuppa and muffin it was on to the seemingly serious topic of Australia's literary treasures. The book is The Burning Library and the writer Geordie Williamson is such a good and engaging speaker that the hour just flew by leaving me with mental notes to visit some of the Australian classics he mentioned.

Tegan Bennett Daylight and Geordie Williamson

 Next three first time novelists discussed the themes of love and loss in their writings.

Here they are at the book-signing bit afterwards - Yvette Walker, Jessie Cole and Berndt Sellheim

I do love a good biography! What is it about peering into the lives of others?
It was fascinating to hear about the research and findings of Helen Trinca as she sought to uncover the life story of writer Madeleine St John.

Helen Trinca and Geordie Williamson

The last session of the day was Cheryl Strayed talking about her journey along the Pacific Crest Trail in the west of the US.

Cheryl Strayed and Cate Kennedy

I liked it so much I bought the book!
And the delightful Cheryl signed it.

The books I heard about today were -
Questions of Travel by Michelle de Kretser
The Burning Library by Geordie Williamson
Darkness on the Edge of Town by Jessie Cole
Beyond the Frame's Edge by Berndt Sellheim
Letters to the End of Love by Yvette Walker
Madeleine: A Life of Madeleine St John by Helen Trinca
Wild: Stories from the Trail by Cheryl Strayed.

What's your style? Industrial chic or cosy colonial?

Now I am not and interior designer, nor an expert on architectural styles, but last weekend I was lucky enough to stay in 2 totally different places, and it got me thinking.....
What is my style?

Is it the cool modern interiors of the Harbour Rocks Hotel in the Rocks area of downtown Sydney or the grandmotherly comfort of a guest house in the Blue Mountains outside Sydney?

Here is our room at the former -

and some other images from their website -

image courtesy Harbour Rocks Hotel

 The hotel has been sculpted out of heritage listed buildings that are 150 years old. Built on the site of Sydney's first hospital the buildings have most recently been used as workshops and flats.
Their website has some photos of the buildings before they were renovated - quite a job!

image courtesy Harbour Rocks Hotel

I wasn't sure how to describe this style of decor.....Industrial Chic?
And sure enough when I googled it - up popped these images -

image from apartmenttherapy.com

image from Bonnie's murals and more

image from twistedsifter

What do you think? Your style or no?

And now for something completely different.....
In complete contrast our accommodation the next night was more cosy, colonial country.
Kurrara Guest House in Katoomba is an one hundred and twenty year old custom-built guest house.
Katoomba has long been a tourist destination due to the amazing scenery and temperate climate so it's not surprising that some enterprising business people built these guest houses.

I must say that I'm not a great fan of tizzy, chintzy places but Kurrara has just the right amount of comfort and period style without being too OTT!

Actually Kurrara falls into the Federation period of architecture, which was the start of an individual Australian style. Typified by verandahs, shingles, gable windows and the use of ausralian motifs.
Kurrara is a very sweet example of this style which is being lovingly refurbished by the present owners, the lovely Evelyn and Iain.

So what's your style when you are looking for accommodation?
Or is price and location your only consideration?

What have I been up to this week?

 You know how it sometimes seems that a whole week has gone past and you feel like you have acheived nothing?

Then you look back and - why, yes! you have got stuff done, been places, talked to people!

So this week was a bit like that - and here is what I found when I looked back.

 We went for a walk at Katoomba, which involved descending some steps (as is the way with the Blue Mountains!).
Because of all the rain lately the waterfalls were in full flow - very impressive!

 Just along the bottom of the cliff was a sculpture exhibition - a bit like a mini version of the sculptures by the sea in sydney, but these were sculptures in the bush!

A couple of my favorites - wombats -

 and flowers -

 There were some very abstract ones and the best part is reading the artists statements form the guide book!

I also made stuff - some cards for The Nook @ Leura as I mentioned in my creative space post yesterday.
Here are some of the finished products.

And I was thrilled to have found a source of dominos for my domino brooches.
These are a little smaller than the previous ones, but they are that lovely ivory colour, and I think that perhaps they are a better size for a brooch.

How has your week been? Productive? or frustrating?

winter magic festival

Is this the only place in the world that is silly enough to have a mid-winter out-doors festival?

Over the years we have had rain, wind, sleet and sun, sun, sun! And so it was this year - a glorious, sunny, blue sky day - if a little chilly. Almost perfect and the many visitors, performers and stallholders were out in force enjoying the happy, joyous atmosphere.


The main street of Katoomba is filled with stalls, buskers and roving performers.


I set up my jewellery stall at about 7 o'clock in the morning and I wasnt even the first there.
we were on the eastern side of the street so had to wait to get the sun, but in the afternoon when the sunset I was in the last little bit of sun as it set between the buildings - and then it did get chilly!



It's essential to get dressed up - but I was so busy and the crowds were so thick that I couldnt get any good photos.



GC, my assistant got into the spirit of the day with dragonfly pants made by Lynne Lade and a sparkly hat.
Here he is suurounded by white haired old ladies!

We loved the devil and his unicorn dog. So cute!









All in all a great time was had and we finished the day tired, but very happy.