Tweed Valley

Portrait of Tom Bass the sculptor (in white) with the artist

Tropical garden

Bangalow Markets

The Tweed River at Wollumbin before the flood waters

Elephant

Musician at Bangalow Markets

Nick enjoying a frozen mango pop

Nick tired but happy

Bangalow Markets plant stall

This video is from the DJ bus that was in Hyde Park for opening night of the Sydney Festival


Going north in January is always different each year. Some years it's hotter and more humid other years the big wet is coming and usually for some reason I don't get caught in it. This year that too was the case and it came in on our heels as we drove home. It was a quick trip and we got to swim at Clark Beach near The Pass in Byron which is one of our favourite beaches. Nick and I spent Saturday morning at the community hall in Uki catching up with two of Mum's friends over chai lattes from the Hari Krishna kitchen. Out on the verandah it was sunny and a great Saturday morning atmosphere, so much more relaxed than a Sydney cafe at the same time of day, I checked out the Curious Artists show at Chinderrah to see what works Anastasia Davis was showing this year. Her style is growing in lots of different directions now - photography, painting and still the quirky hand drawn pieces. Her art will have been packed up and stored out of the flood waters by now. I'll have to ring them in a few weeks time when they reopen to see that they're okay.

Jasper

Here is an indie song by Jasper

New Years Eve 2011

Waiting on the harbour forshore during the day - helicopter shot
Midnight fireworks Sydney - Time to Dream

Finally this year Nick and I camped out at Blues Point Reserve to wait for the fireworks. They were fantastic the best I've seen for years. We waited from 1.30pm and Nick makes a great companion to do this. We read books, played with the iphone and ipod and ate food. Around us the atmosphere was happy and friendly. There are dress circle views of the Bridge and the harbour from this point so there was always something to look at during the day. Once night falls it was cooler. The skies were perfectly clear. We held our breath and the sky exploded above us.

Alex ends 2011 and turns 12

It was the year Alex broke his leg, finished Year 6 and turned twelve. Next year it's on to high school with Tom. New friends and teachers and between now and then summer holidays.

Christmas Day

Christmas Pudding made by Jon

Seafood Paella made by Lisa

Remarkable Queen of the Night plant grown by Lisa over the last 5 years

Mc Carrs Creek at sunset on Christmas Day

Jon

Lisa and Richard our hosts

We were fortunate to spend Christmas Day at Lisa and Richard's this year. Their two sons Freddie and Felix played with Nick, all close in age together, and Tom and Alex went fishing, boated in the kayaks and then had their own boating adventure on Pittwater with Richard. It was a relaxing day centred around food and conversation. Finally close to midnight we drove home. Thanks Lisa and Richard for a great Christmas.

Carols at the Haven Amphitheatre Castlecrag

Each year on Christmas Eve, Carols by Candlelight are held at the Haven Amphitheatre in Castlecrag. Everyone comes together in this beautifully cared for public space and sings traditional carols as well as some popular seasonal songs. So many of our Crag kids end up overseas at the start of their young adult lives that we also sing "I still call Australia home" by Peter Allen as well. This year Nick and I went together, with our tinsel and chocolate almonds.

Alex's Year 6 Graduation

Year 6 performed a rap music farewell then sang Firework arm in arm. As they exited the hall they went through the traditional tunnel of all of the students in the school until finally they were free of primary school. It was emotional and I could see Alex was really happy.