Photography

Here are a few shots that we've taken since doing our course. We can't post everything - I think it would overload the blogspot, and most of them wouldn't be that interesting to you!
We had our last 'lesson' yesterday. We had to take an exam! Well, it was a pretty relaxed affair, but nevertheless, it's been a while since I sat a test! We handed in our final assignment which was a selection of shots from a theme of our choice. We mounted them as they will be shown in a mini exhibition at the centre (only upstairs in the workshop rooms, not in their gallery)! We’ve had homework every week! The assignments basically give you the practice after the theory of the classroom. We feel like we’re really improving and have finally taken the camera off automatic and put it on manual!! There’s been a mix of people on the course and we've got on really well. Despite it being a beginner’s course, I did expect everyone to have more experience than me, but they hadn’t. One guy had bought his camera an hour before the first class started! So it was a nice to discover that we were all in the same boat! It's a shame it's now ended. We intend to do the next course, but not sure how many of this group will do the same.

Amazing fig tree roots

Taking city shots for our assignments.

Dean contemplating his birthday!

Beautiful colours

Coogee on Dean's birthday!

This is a school PE class??!!!!

That's a ferry going past if you couldn't work it out!

Chinatown

Our stuff is here!!

Last Thursday our things arrived – hooray!! I was very excited – it was just like Christmas, opening up all those packages! I spent all day opening up boxes and at the end of it, there was quite a mess! Not only did I have all the things from inside the boxes, but I also had the empty boxes as well. I soon became overwhelmed and started to stuff our stuff into cupboards, just to create a bit of space.
I’ve finished unpacking now and there were a few damages, which we’re not particularly happy about. So now I’ve got to sort out the insurance claim for those!!
The living and dining area are now set up and it looks more like a home. It’s a bit strange seeing our furniture in this house and it does mess with your mind a little.

From Bromley.....

...to Sydney!

Aaahhh...and...relax!!

Sailing

As you will know, we’ve been taking sailing lessons, at Rushcutter’s Bay. We’re having a fantastic time and really enjoying the lessons. I get a bit nervous before the lesson, but once I’m there, it’s great. We sail in the harbour, so have great views of the Opera House and Sydney Bridge. There are hundreds of other boats out as well, as you can imagine. Sometimes we get a little too close for comfort! Last Sunday a freighter was coming into the harbour and it was travelling at some speed I can tell you! They're huge and you feel so insignificant in comparison. Only a couple of lessons left and a theory! We’re going to continue though with more lessons, so we’ll be ready to charter a boat when our visitors come to see us!
The photos here are taken on Mikey's boat that he built himself - it's amazing!! He even made the sails, which are a work of art! We went up to see Bee and Mikey in Avalon and we went sailing on Pittwater. The weather was a real mixture - we had brilliant hot sun, clouds, rain, wind, no wind - so it was quite a practise session for us. And of course we finished the day off by having a curry!

Why did I get the yellow one, I hate yellow!

Mikey and Bee!

Ahoy there!

Mikey's gorgeous boat!

The sun's coming out!

Blue Mountains

On Friday, we (me and Dean, Phil and Bianca) drove up to the Blue Mountains to celebrate our birthdays (mine was 19th, Phil’s was 20th and Dean’s is still to come on the 28th). Thursday night rained persistently and constantly, keeping us awake. I wasn’t particularly looking forward to going if that was what the weather was going to be like! But, when we got up, although it was still overcast and damp, the rain had stopped. We’d booked accommodation in an eco lodge in the woods near Blackheath. We were only staying Friday night as me and Dean had sailing on Sunday and Phil had work (on his birthday, poor chap!). After checking in we went for a walk in the Grand Canyon, which we’d first visited 2 ½ years ago. From the name, you can guess that the walk takes you steadily down into the bottom of a canyon and then up again at the other end. As you descend, it gets gradually darker and lusher. It’s such a beautiful and undisturbed place and so peaceful. There are lots of rocks and fallen trees along the bottom, some conveniently placed as stepping stones in the water! Eventually you get to the end (unfortunately) and it’s time to climb out! The rocks start to disappear, it gets lighter and more and more trees replace them as the landscape opens up. The climb up seems longer than the one down, but it’s worth it in the end, as you’re rewarded by another spectacular view at the top, across the tree-covered mountains. The boys were desperately in need of coffee and cake, so we took off to Leura. It’s a really lovely quaint little town, with fantastic coffee and sweet shops! After that, we had a quick visit to the Three Sisters. It was getting a bit foggy by that time, but it all added to the atmosphere. We went back to Leura for pizza before retiring to the lodge and a real stove fire. It kept us very warm all night. The next morning we got up to feed the rozellas outside the lodge. They’re amazingly colourful little birds and full of chatter! It was a great start to my birthday. After some delicious breakfast, we set out for the Three Sisters again and the Scenic Railway. We set off for a walk along the mountainside, but I’m afraid it was cut short, as the track seemed to disappear and became more of a mountain hike. We didn’t really have the gear and I preferred to take it a little easier on my birthday. So we took a much less stressful walk to the bottom of a waterfall. Then it was back to Leura for another coffee and cake break before heading back to the city.