Mangoes, plums and cherries.
Exploring rock pools and collecting shells.
Dinner served at the backyard table.
The Christmas rush forgotten momentarily for slow, saltwater soaked days.
Summer's finally here. And I couldn't be happier about it!
Belinda x
Every year about this time, the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition takes over the Bondi to Tamarama walk. To me, it kind of heralds the arrival of Summer and festival season in Sydney, my favourite time of year.
It's always a treat to do this iconic coastal walk, but with the addition of beautiful and fun artworks to be discovered along the way, it really is a must see.
I met a friend shortly after sunrise on a morning heavy set with fog and haze. We went early to avoid the crowds and took our time strolling from Tamarama to Bondi beach, sharing stories and taking pictures. The crystal ball, "Horizon" perched atop the cliff at Tamarama is a popular piece. I wish it could stay forever, sat on that cliff like an oracle. I would visit it often, stare into the inverted reflection of the waves below and be reminded over and over again of the beauty and power in perspective.
Afterwards we stopped into Lox Stock & Barrell for breaky. They do bagels and coffee really well, definitely worth a visit.
Altogether, a fantastic way to start the day. Bondi's Scupture by the Sea is on till 10th November, any time of day. If you're in Sydney, don't miss it!
Belinda x
Summer has always been my favourite. I love the light and colours of Autumn, the smell and energy of Spring. Winter's ok. Maybe if we had lashings of thick fluffy snow, I'd be a bit more partial to Winter? But for all the crazy weather in Summer, I forgive all when the sun shines. It's all plums and mangoes, summer dresses, lazy beach jaunts, it's melting ice creams, it's social get togethers; planned and impromptu and it means there's an almost endless list of music, art, dance and theatre performances on offer.
January is the month of the Sydney Festival. An annual program of events for grown ups, kids and families, often free and all over town. This year we didn't get to see nearly as much as we'd have liked but managed to get along to a few live shows, most notably David Byrne and St Vincent and their choreographed marching band (mind.blown) and Bat For Lashes (utterly charmed).
Her performance was so clever and beautiful and captivating. AND, she wore a cape of rainbows. Couldn't have loved it more.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Belinda x
Well, the rain is lashing down in Sydney. Major storm warnings as a result of ex-tropical cyclone Oswald moving down the coast after battering Queensland. Isn't it odd when such a destructive force is given a charming name.
Yesterday, I met my Dad in town for lunch. Just the two of us, I cant even remember the last time we did that. It was so great to stop and chat one on one. And more importantly face to face, this makes a huge difference with deaf parents. We've vowed to do it more often. Make time.
I arrived early (friends of mine reading this will be shocked, it doesn't happen all too often) so I decided to take a little wander into the Royal Botanical Gardens to kill some time. Something else I've not done in years. It was a grey, wet day in Sydney so the walk was almost deserted save for a handful of poncho'd tourists and joggers.
I was struck again by the beauty of this harbour city, even under heavy grey skies. The best thing was the quiet. Just the sounds of rain drops on tree leaves, some birds and my footsteps. All this and the city skyline was ever present, towering just beyond the Moreton Bay Figs.
As I walked back from the Garden and around by the Sydney Opera House and on to meet my Dad for lunch, the bustle of the city soon consumed the hush. But the hour in the garden stilled my heart and head for the rest of the day.
Belinda x
