STORY

Along this path.......

behind this hedge.......

there is a meadow........

where the bees come to sip.

I wonder if.......?

Would you wander down the path?

What is your story?

Fairytale

Mystery

A traveller's tale

Romance

Gothic horror

Adventure

A comedy of errors?

These images were taken in May 2006 at Sissinghurst Castle in Kent UK.

(click on highlighted text for links)

LEAF

The palest of eucalypt green, pink and light brown. A confectionary of colours lying on the bush track.

This trackway is part of an old railway. Built by the first European settlers the railway used to wind up into the hills outside Perth. Now, the old stations are gone, but each village on the line has undertaken to preserve the wild bush that has taken the place of railway sleepers, bricks and mortar.

Now we have had some rain, the bush is beginning to show signs of growth and the green can be starlingly intense.

On this day the sky was a true Australian blue and the Ghost Gums were almost preening against such a dazzling backcloth.

Many of the Eucalypts had been shedding their bark and their new camouflage was particularly fetching.

This Australian creature enjoyed himself immensely.

CLOSER

Power is on. Decking is down on the verandah. All weatherboard walls are complete. All inner walls are lined with gyprock. All gyprock joins have first layer (two to go) of jointing cement. I now have to become aquainted with the electric sander to smooth each cement layer.

The leak that appeared under the back window and power box has been foiled by a can of expanding foam.

Coving for the top of the inner walls has to be bought and the floor needs sealing.

But today, Dog and I sat on the verandah. Swinging my feet and an arm around Dog, I looked at the view from what will be a room of my own. Trees, compost bins, magpies (of course), paths and leaf litter.

Today, while sitting there, I planned the layout of my workroom.

And it was good.

( click on image to enlarge)

FACE

On waking this morning, I stumble out of bed and push my feet into slippers, drag on a warm robe and then feed the hound. After he has come indoors from patrolling the garden, I shower and dress for work.

It happens when I am cleaning my teeth. Standing in front of the mirror I see my face looking back at me. Hair awry, shadows under my eyes, skin dry and a few more wrinkles.

How did I reach the age of 47?

I still feel 28.

(Forget the real age of your face. What age do you feel inside?)

DEW

Drenched with dew, we walk. The grass is a patchwork of browns, highlighted here and there with threads of startling emerald green. By seven o'clock, Dog and I are soaked through. My summer walking shoes have leaked and every step I take squelches. Dog's paws are covered in mud.

But hell's teeth it is good, so good. To see cobwebs laid out and sparkling over the grass, Grass-trees trembling with the weight of droplets and Eucalypts dripping.

I swear Dog has a grin on his face. Dropping to the ground he rolls over and pushes his muzzle into the grass. He stands, shakes and repeats the process, pure canine joy. Looking closely, I can see dew on his eye lashes and tiny drops hanging on his whiskers. He bounds away in pursuit of a parrot.

The damp air is such a joy at this time of the year. After the searing heat of summer, wet and chilly weather is a welcome relief. The ends of my fingers are cold, as are the tips of my ears. Revelling in it, Dog and I dawdle home, making the experience last as long as possible.

Later, opening our front door, the aroma of coffee drifts out to mingle with the perfume of the morning.

BIRTHDAY BOY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAR

AML

Sx

SUPPER

The last of summer was found in the freezer.

Back then the Bear's Grandfather had given us Broad beans

Divest them of their coats.

At this point as cook, it is important to celebrate the discovery of the beans, so open a bottle of wine and raise a toast to their little plump bodies.

Shave some Parmesan cheese.

Splash a little Extra Virgin Olive oil into a heavy pan.

Add finely chopped shallots and a little garlic.

Then follow with a cup of Arborio rice.

Stir the risotto.

Slowly pour in vegetable stock and half a glass of white wine.

Let the grains absorb the liquid.

Keep stirring.

Now a walnut sized piece of butter can be folded through.

Add broad beans.

Season with black pepper and sea salt.

Pile the risotto onto two plates.

Strew with parmesan.

Call out

'Supper's ready, you're washing up.'

( for Vita and others click on highlighted text for broad bean, Arborio rice and risotto info)