Week three ended on a busy high note for us but the school week was business as usual. It is hard to grasp that October is over and the year is coming to a close.
More beautiful flowers from our church garden. The aloe bushes (top left) are in bloom, and the Hibiscus had this gorgeous flower waiting for me. The bottom left is the lovely Ice Plant and the dark pink Pigface were looking stunning as well.
Whilst walking to and from the shopping centre on Monday, Munchkin and I noticed not one, but two different lonely Lime bike helmets!
I had one bloom each on my two cactus plants. Interestingly, I always thought these two plants were Christmas cactus, but my Google lens search of the flowers informed me it is actually an orchid cactus. At any rate, given the difference in size of flower on the two plants, I think they need a little TLC. I will start by adding more soil (both pots are looking a tad empty) and some fertilizer.
Another walk for grocery shopping - this time solo! I spotted two lonely Lime bike helmets this time, and enjoyed the spring foliage. I had to walk a slightly different way due to another section of footpath/sidewalk being replaced, which is how and why I spotted this beautiful flower in the photo on the left. It is a Norfolk Island Hibiscus. It is also Jacaranda season, and despite some heavy rain several days ago, the trees in the area are just stunning.
There was no Bible Study Thursday night as the pastor who holds the class had recently moved and didn't have his internet up and running yet. I spent the evening reading and working on my latest Querkles colouring page.
We finished these four wonderful books this week. They were all fantastic. I highly recommend the Michael Morpurgo book for anyone needing an "easy and understandable" way to introduce Shakespeare. Though the writing was below the boys level, the modern language allowed them to understand and follow the stories well. We will now read the second book and then choose several stage and screen adaptations to watch and enjoy further. The Oldest Foods on Earth was for Munchkin's Food Technology elective and explained how the use of native plants and animals is making its way into Australian kitchens finally. The book is six years old and although encouraging, there is a LONG way to go towards accepting the bounty of food that has always been in this land. Amazing Animal Journeys was a quick read about animal migration as it had a section on Bogong Moths. Finally The Cult of Lego was just a super fun read about the history of Lego and the following (both child and adult) it still has all these years later.
Beautiful wispy clouds Friday to alert us to the coming change in the weather.
Friday night I finished my orangutan colouring page and immediately got started on a new page. This wasn't my best choice as I was tired and therefore have already made a couple of small mistakes, but my hope is when the picture is finished they won't be noticeable.
Just for fun, I thought I would include my other two finished pictures. I have been wanting this colouring book for years and I'm so pleased that our local Kmart had them in stock. I love that my mum gifted one to me while she was visiting in September.
Now for the excursion part of our week. Saturday morning Monkey and I went out with two friends of mine to view the Sculpture by the Sea display. This is a yearly event and I haven't visited since well before the boys were born. The weather was glorious and the views along the walk were stunning. I really do feel blessed to live in such a beautiful part of the world.
A quick shot of the Surf Lifesavers hard at work on a busy Saturday.
Though it was sunny and warm at the beach, the surf told another story. It was windy and the waves were gigantic. We were all amazed at the number of people who were still surfing and swimming. It was also rather crazy to see the people daring enough to rock climb, fish from the rocks, or pose for photos on the rocks. The tide was coming in for most of our walk and one sneaker wave could have meant utter disaster for some of the people based on the choices they were making. We saw three helicopters in the three hours we wandered and I imagine they were there purposefully to try to monitor the crowds.
Monkey demonstrating this first very interesting sculpture that we saw. Perfect for the sunny warm day. He said the mist didn't really hit him at all as he walked through, but depending on where you stood to view it, you could get cooled down nicely.
The sculpture on the left had lights incorporated into it and a hollow section on the other side where you could enter. We all commented that it would be an interesting one to revisit at night.
Photo Credit: Monkey
I don't know much about this one as I didn't actually look that closely at it. The trees were planted in the sand in a circle. I don't remember the title at all. But I love the way Monkey composed the tops of the trees against the background of the sky and the surf.
The houses in the area are large and impressive. We all agreed that we prefer the older style houses as they tend to have more character than the newer "McMansion" style buildings that are creeping in.
This sculpture and the one above were awesome. I noticed that where the sculptures were placed often added (or detracted unfortunately) from the experience of viewing them. The background for both of these was simply perfection.
Another favourite of mine...
We were unsure what this beautiful ground cover plant was. My quick Google search says it is either Rose Ice Plant or purple Trailing Lantana.
Whatever it is, it looked amazing especially with this backdrop of a bare tree and a rather rusty old house behind it.
As we were driving home my friend asked us what our favourite sculpture was and I couldn't answer her on the spot. Now, looking through my photos and blogging about the adventure, I would have to say that these three were highlights for me. But you would also already know there are three other sculptures above that I love. It is simply too hard to choose ONE favourite.
This sculpture, as I've photographed it, doesn't really look all that impressive, but we spotted it as we came around the corner and all four of us initially thought it was a real wing on the ground. That alone made this a standout experience for me.
Another standout sculpture for me, with my friend cleverly framed in the background. We could also just see our reflections in the silver ball at the top which was some added fun.
Not part of the Sculpture by the Sea - but a plaque about whale watching as there is a perfect place along the walking track to spot whales out in the ocean.
This was a fun interactive sculpture. If you looked through the red circle and spun it around while gazing at the figures you could see horses appear. It is really hard to explain but was very cool to experience.
These four sculptures (starting with the Lego style Kookaburra) were also favourites of mine. Again, the thought put into the background added to the overall experience of the pieces.
Munchkin spotted this huge plant as we were hurrying to catch up with my friends and asked for a "size comparison" photo. Apparently it is an Elephant Ear plant which I think is a GREAT name for it!
The ocean pool actually had some brave swimmers despite the large waves that periodically crashed in.
A lonely Lime Bike helmet. I showed Munchkin when I arrived home and he asked if it was random (it was) or actually part of the event.
The rock on the left is NOT a sculpture but rather part of the natural landscape. Beautiful huge waves kept crashing up behind it, but of course stopped as soon as I tried to capture it on camera.
The sculpture on the right is the most perfect example of incorporating the natural background with the man made sculpture. I didn't quite line it up with the horizon, but it is just magnificent that you have that option.
Our final two sculptures were ones we missed at the beginning when we started our journey. Ever so thankful to the man who pointed out the hanging sculpture on the left, and Monkey was the one who spotted these colourful people as we returned. We are at a loss as to how we missed them heading out on our adventure.
The weather changed drastically from the beginning to the end of our adventure. These storm clouds were rolling in by the time we headed back to the car. It was a wonderful day out, despite the sunburn I got as a reward for not putting on any sunscreen, and we are already talking about attending again next year.
Though I have no photos of it, the late afternoon and evening were busy as well. Monkey and Munchkin headed off together to attend a friend's 16th Birthday Party that was a mystery themed Halloween party as well, and I set up on the front verandah to hand out chocolate and lollies to all the children as they went trick or treating. Groups started arriving at about 4pm and although the older kids were still out until much later, the little kiddos were done by about 6pm which was perfect as I ran out of candy then. Part of me disagrees with Halloween coming to Australia as it is mostly a commercialism stunt, but I saw a lot of really creative costumes and all the people who visited me were polite and happy. It was a great way to end the week.
