Hope Photography

Perfect day

Today has been the most perfect day. It has been another gorgeous sunny day, t-shirt and sunglasses needed- I can't believe this is there winter! This morning we went to the beach, which was empty and we just sat on the sand watching the waves crash. It was one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. I didn't have my camera with me but was almost grateful for that. Sometimes it's nice not to see things through a lens, that way you remember it better. Jules said these are the moments you wish you could freeze frame, and I agree but I am glad I got to live it for what it was instead of worrying about capturing it on camera. We had lunch in a coffee house that had quotes written on chalk boards on the walls-my kind of place! Here is a quote that caught my eye-

'' I have never thought of living for reputation or honour. What I have in my heart must come out. That is the reason I live''

Elly and I spent the afternoon painting masterpieces and then went exploring the surrounding bush. Early night I think, while most of Australia slept this moring I was swimming lengths. G'day to you all.

Chittowa Bay

The sun shone very bright this morning so Elise and I wasted no time going out. We walked around Chittowa Lake and the sky was breath-takingly (is that even a word?!) blue. We had fun collecting treasure and writing messages in the sand. I dont know where the sunshine came from as they have forecast a cyclone for the upcoming days. Joy. Things in Australia are great, I think the jet lag has dispersed as last night I managed to sleep right through-which may not sound like much to some people, but I can't even remember the last time I achieved that. Being away I suppose does relax you and so sleep and living comes easier. We took a drive to the new house yesterday which sits at the end of the most idylic tree lined road. Things are building up for the big move on Monday. Jules and I spent the afternoon in Australia's equivalent of B&Q buying essentials and also managing to get excited about paint samples for Elise's bedroom-I never knew there were that many shades of pink. Anyway a snapshot from today.

Australia

The rain held off this afternoon so Elly and I managed to take a walk. We walked around Glenworth Valley and then called at Starbucks on the way home for a coffee. She has aquired a taste for baby cino's. She is such a pleasure to be with, her collection of words constantly amaze me. She replies to most things by saying 'of course' in this beautiful quiet english way. And her other favourite word seems to be 'cuddle' a hundred times a day it's 'mummy, cuddle' 'daddy cuddle' 'weese (louise) cuddle'. She is the most affectionate gorgeous girl. I was pushing her in her pushchair and she put her hand up and said 'hand' wanting me to hold her hand-I wondered then who needed that hand more. Anyway, Australia is good, being lost in Elly's world is better.

While out walking

I managed a quick walk before the heavens opened again this afternoon, and of course took along my camera.

Singapore airport

I am sure the title of this post gives it away, I am at Singapore airport. I am sitting in a cafe/restaurant which claims to sell the best italian food in the region. Curious I think. Anyway, I am eating here because I remember from my last trip that they did the best fruit salad-the fruit tastes like fruit! Though it did just cost me 5 dollars-um! I am even sitting at the same table, looking out onto the tarmac, watching day break. It's a humid 28 degrees but thankfully the airport is very quiet in comparison to February.

I am pretty wiped, but can't complain as got here safely. I wasn't as afraid as flying as I have been in the past. I was 50/50 this time. I had reasons that made me unafraid, and yet more this time to be afraid of losing. Madness, anyway, I am here 12 hours later waiting to board next flight. Signing off from Singapore, hope to write soon from Sydney.

Every moment

Something came back to me today. Written somewhere I cant even remember now.

'Hope dies last'

It means more to me now than it did then.

While looking through old notebooks tonight I found something I wrote last year, or rather something I was trying to write for my mother. It's indulgent of me to post this on here, but with only a few days from my trip I figured she should know, incase I haven't told her lately, that I love her.

Perfume

I miss you,

I busy myself with

menial chores

Stare at books with bleary eyes

get restless then spray

your perfume on my wrists and

clothes

Weaknesses...

While out shopping today I bought myself a book, I have a weakness for books on houses. I added to my collection today with this book, American Farmhouses which is just dreamy. I literally spend hours looking at the pictures and dreaming away the time.