SUNSETS

THE SKY HAS BEEN ABLAZE this week, long spectacular sunsets and now the full moon will be here tomorrow

FILMS

HOT WEATHER is an inducement to enjoy the airconditioned comfort of the cinema :0) so i've seen two films on the weekend, both good.
really enjoyed this one and the lead, hailee steinfeld,was terrific.

good old woody harrelson is her wry, funny teacher

HOT HOT HOT

IT'S BEEN 40 the last couple of days, but the cooler in the house is keeping the temp ok to work in.  I've finished the botanical illustration and a swan lake piece that needed darkening.

i received a beautiful handpainted card from elisabeth cummings this week with a lovely message thanking me for the time she and euan mcleod and michael kempson spent here last year, they drew and painted on the riverbank before we all had dinner on the lawn.  i've lost all these photos from my library so i'm glad to have a record of that day here on the blog from last january

went in to see a movie and escape the heat yesterday and had a drink with sonja and helen afterwards.   'Why Him?'  with bryan cranston and james franco.  a funny film

THURSDAY

I'M ENJOYING my two current commissions, drawing a gorgeous wedding dress in graphite and another botanical illustration for Fossey's Gin labels, this time a navel orange for their naval strength (57%) gin

unfinished

LAST NIGHT i met sonja and helen and fossey's headquarters for a tasting paddle under the grapevines.   very nice

on the way home . . . 

and later . . .

and still later . . .

HELEN

HELEN'S daughter jenny sent me this lovely photo - great to see helen looking so well and relaxed

ANOTHER NYE PIC

FUN AND GAMES on the riverbank in mildura new years eve

HOME SWEET HOME

LAKE WALLA WALLA

I'M BROADENING MY HORIZONS - heading out into the country with friends and my new swag.    Lake walla walla is about 2 1/2 hours away and i took the car.  not a good idea, i won't do that again - i'll get a lift.   very rough corrugated stony roads, to rough for bluey.   but the destination was gorgeous, my swag is amazingly easy to put up and so comfortable and airy.  i went with sue and derek, and their friends (now mine)  rob and geoff.   very warm days and lovely cool nights

rob takes charge of the toilet digging spade :0)

amazing box tree - dead now but impressive

i love these spectacular orb weavers -
their webs are golden, magic

     so here are the pelicans that are missing from my place

in the magic swag, i drifted off in the sun

 
    geoff, sue, me, rob and derek

CAMPING

NEW YEAR'S DAY i headed off with sue, derek, rob and geoff to lake walla walla for a night's camping. i took my new swag, hadn't even taken it out of the box so hoped it would all be good and that i could assemble it.  i bought an expensive one because it looked comfy and easy and boy, it was so much better than i ever imagined, light, strong, just opens up in one easy move, finest netting so i can almost sleep under the stars and comfy!   and big, i love it!!

that whole top bit can come down all around or be taken off completely, breezy and so comfortable even without a mattress  :0)  i dozed off in the sun just trying it out

DEAR BLOG . . .

SORRY I HAVE NEGLECTED YOU :O) but it's been new year's eve and i've been away camping news year's day with friends and my new swag,  my new best friend

another best friend, young kite visiting the riverbank

NEW YEAR'S EVE at the brewery with sue and derek and a table of friends, then fireworks on the riverbank. a nice night in gorgeous weather

                     with stefano's lovely wife donata and helen
                        vivian doing the honours

sue with friends geoff and rob

don't know this lady but she looks like a party girl

derek in his knotted hanky hat

I STAYED THE NIGHT with sue and derek and spent the early morning wandering through their gorgeous sanctuary of a garden.