Autumn Colours

The vine outside our window has turned a beautiful colour - and I love the way the sun shines through the leaves.

 

I must admit that this plant I saw on my walk confused me a little. I'm not sure that in Australia something called a Captain Cook can also be native.

And I'm back to walking around the lake with the walking crew - kicking up leaves as we ambled down the avenue.

Feline Inspiration

I took Penelope and Melantho to the vet - they got a totally clean bill of health, and Penny was pronounced 'ideal'. Clearly they were exhausted by their visit and also very smug.

I've spent a lot of time working on this poster and am so very happy with the way it has turned out. The design is by Zoe Priest, an amazingly talented local designer who has been great to work with - I gave her a brief and she turned it into reality. This is feeling real now.

These cushion covers have served us well for many years, but they are getting tired now and I'm not sure they'll make it through the next wash - so I'm recoding them here for posterity.

Calamity Sue was tired so I fed her drinks and doughnuts. It's what friends do.

Back Home

When one returns from a long weekend joint, what else does one want but a feline assistant to help unpack the bags. 

Melantho 'helping'

Bedside books

It's slipper time

Heading to the hills

The RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) celebrates its 100th anniversary and a fly-past of planes and helicopters has been scheduled over the capital. I suppose they have to practice flying in formation and their timings etc., so on my walk today I encountered some of the air force's finest flying above the suburbs.

 

I also encountered the ever-changing and always inspirational sign outside the local primary school. I just hope they practice what they preach (teach) inside.

From the top of Mt Painter

I have to interrupt for a quick gripe about advertising. My Morning Tea suggests I should awaken in a diaphanous nightie and glide through the house, arms aloft, farting a merry tune. I do not. 

We decided to have a break and a short getaway - our first in nine months. We have, of course, arranged for someone to stay and care for the kittens, but it is still heart-wrenching to leave these adorable faces behind. And she knows it.

Anyway, we headed to the Blue Mountains, stopping off at an excellent cafe en route. The cafe has bikes, coffee, ice-cream, a pizza oven and BentSpoke beer. What more could you want? We had a cappuccino and hot cross buns, brought from home.

Slightly creepy out of context

We arrived at our accommodation, which was delightful. We had left it a little late (don't we always) so were lucky to get in anywhere at all, but the Kurrara Historic Guest House in Katoomba was something rather special. There's lots of wood and creaking floorboards; sweeping staircases and four-poster beds; leather sofas and cosy studies; sunlit conservatory for breakfast and little garden nooks for a pot of tea. And it appears they take their tea very seriously, of which I heartily approve.

Route planning

Unfortunately, many of the paths are closed due to rocks slides and recent rain falls. The Prince Henry Cliff Walk is one such casualty, although there are still some excellent scenic vistas to be had from the top. 

There now follows lots of photos from our walks in the Blue Mountains - firstly the Undercliff/ Overcliff Walk (yes, of course we sang The Wombles song all the way round).

I know it's some sort of drainage system, but it does look a bit like a pizza oven

And these are from the Grand Canyon Walk. 

And these are the traditional favourites from Echo Point.

The Three Sisters