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Camped in Ruins

We camped at Farina Ruins a town in the far north of South Australia, a bush camp on the edge of the desert.  It was settled in 1878 by farmers. The town is no longer inhabited, with the closest residents now living at Farina station, west of the town. The post office closed in the 1960s. In its heyday, the town had two hotels and a bakery. Today their is nothing but stone ruins.

Back on track in Burra

So were was I, until I was rudely interrupted. That's right. BURRA.

We fell in love with Burra. We stayed at the showgrounds for $10 a night and was treated to 5 star service from Pat and Bob who are the caretakers. Bob brought us wood for our fire every night. And Pat brought the children a bag each of second hand toys and books. It was like Christmas The children were so overjoyed with their special gifts and so were we with their warmth and hospitality. This generosity of spirit, seemed to run through the town. The information centre, gave visitors

 to the town a key and a extensive map to all the historic properties,so we could

 explore at our own leisure. This town is filled with historic stone buildings and is such a magical place. Have you ever thought about moving to a place just so u could live in the house of your dreams.oh! What could we do with a historic railway station. My husband Rod is a carpenter and together we have restored 2 old cottagers and spent 8 years in Brisbane renovating houses. We sold our last project oct 2008, with plans to redevelop in the Sunshine coast. That plan is on hold while we are travelling. However my sister just sent me some enticing information  on straw bale buildings which we have for years researched and contemplated.

Pin Hole Photography

 While we were camping on the banks of the Murray in Mildura I cut out a piece of cardboard to fit my lens then put some pin holes in the cardboard and fit it into my lens and took some photographs.

Lunch Date on the Murray River

Rhody and I had a lunch date at Echuca

We dined on the decks of the EmmyLou a Paddle Steamer, cruising down the Murray River

The trees on this part of the Murray are noticeably struggling

The boiler/power man, he keeps the fire burning, to boil the water to create steam to turn the pistons, that keeps the paddle steamer moving

dreams can come true



Gnomes, snow fields and huts



This is Mansfield Caravan Park's out look. We camped here for 3 days and visited the snow and high country.



On the way up to Mt Bulla we stopped off at the Gnome house to say hello, however the Gnomes were not home. So Suki checked their mail for them. Sure enough they had mail.



We reached Mt Bulla and it was snowing!



we had so much fun!

We then drove down the mountain and went four wheel driving up another mountain to Craigs Hut. The sun was out and it started to snow.

On the road to new growth and recovery

We travelled from the Yarra Valley to Mansfield via Marysville, which is in the Shire of Murrindindi in Victoria, Australia. The town, which previously had a population of around 500 people was devastated by the Murrindindi Mill bushfire, Black Saturday on 7 February 2009.  Around 90% of the town's buildings were destroyed and 45 people died. As we drove through we felt very emotional. and noticed  new growth on alot of the trees and new buildings being erected. I hope the town finds stability and peace once again.

Escape to Melbourne and Invest in Art

While we were staying at the Yarra Valley, I snuck away for a 2 day child free escape to Melbourne. Phew! I needed that.
I stayed with my wonderful girlfriend Jade who I have known for 11 years we used to work together at the Sheraton Hotel in Brisbane. Jade lives in Camberwell. (Don't know why I wrote Cabramatta, I must have sydney on my mind). Jade is currently housing 2 country Italian boys from Sicily who are studying English.What entertainment, wish I was 20 and single. Jade and I caught up on all the goss and had a quick window shopping jaunt. I went to the movies by myself at Chadstone, which was so therapeutic! I went and saw the movie Date Night, it was a weekday and their were 6 people in the cinema. I couldn’t stop laughing, I was crying. I was so loud. I had never been to the movies before by myself. I am looking forward to this again.

While I was in Melbourne my lovely friend Susan Buret was having a solo exhibition at Anita Traverso Gallery. I was very excited to be able to attend her opening, I had not been out in such a long time ohh! And to get dressed up.

Susan and I met at a art workshop in Brisbane around 2004. Since then we have both pursued our art careers and have met again many other times, at art workshops, gallery openings and events, BAD and for the occasional cup of coffee. While we were travelling, I also poped into see her in her new studio up in the southern highlands of New South Wales. I like Susan’s work because I am interested in conceptual work and pattern. What you see is not what you get from Susan’s work. It is thought provoking open to interpretation and intimate. Jades favourite piece in the show is Mist2 she said she found the work erotic and she saw lots of legs.

Mist2 2009 Acrylic Linen 1500mmx1050mm, Susan Buret

My favourite piece in the show is Mist 1. I can see a Bush landscape, with gum tree branches sprawling on a misty morning. Small filled bits of pattern add emphasis to the mystery and journey that invites me in to look closer. I want the patterned screen to drop down, if magically just for second, so I can bathe directly in my mystical misty gum tree. The very act of this unveiling though would diminish my interest and intrigue. Do we really want to know what happens next.Or do we want to create our own destiny and path. I feel a sense of memory with each layer a silhouette of fine transparent silk shadowing the past and gently moving forward.

I am biased so you need to go and have a closer look for yourself to see just how much depth is layered within the work. Susan’s show Stolen Geometry from the Gardens of Love is on till May 29th, Anita Traverso Gallery, 7 Albert Street, Richmond, Melbourne. Vic 3121.
Prepare to be mesmerized, you’ll want to take home your favourite piece, so take your credit card and invest in a piece of beautiful original art.




Mist1 2009 Acrylic Canvas 1500mmx1050mm, Susan Buret

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Open air photographic studio set up for 2nd Birthday Party on the Murray River

 Happy Birthday to my darling daughter Suki who turned 2 yesterday. We had a little party on the Murray River as we are currently camped 8kms outside of Echuca, Victoria. We had a fun day, playing freeze, ate way too much junk food and set up an outdoor photographic studio and took some pictures of the momentous occasion.