Weekend getaway on Hamilton Island

Last weekend we escaped the onset of winter for a few days on Hamilton Island, Central Queensland.
It was the ultimate relaxation. Nothing to do but watch the sunrise, laze about the pool, snorkel on the reef and wine and dine. Aaaah.

Here are a few of my favourite photos.


Sunrise from our room, from Catseye Beach to Whitsunday Island.



View of the Whitsundays from One Tree Hill.

Windy near the Marina.



The natives are friendly,

But even sulphur crested cockatoos have bad hair days when its windy.

The gardens on Hamilton Island are very beautiful with many exotic varieties of hibiscus.

Crystal clear water in the Island Pool.

It was a much needed respite from work and the daily grind. We were only away 4 days but it felt like so much longer. I have returned feeling inspired to create more and am pouring more effort into my business. Hope you liked the photos.

New DarlingBridget Store at madeit.com.au

I have just created a second DarlingBridget store, this time on madeit.com.au an Australian art and design website. My store address is www.madeit.com.au/DarlingBridget

I am going to concentrate on listing my art to wear range on this new store so have listed three autumn leaf brooches.  To see some of these brooches and read the story of their creation click here.

I am pretty excited about this new range of products and have high hopes for them being a successful venture.

By the way it is Sunday morning and another magnificent day in the Southern Highlands, clear, crisp and full of colour. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you are having a great day.

More autumn photos from Moss Vale and Bowral

Autumn is putting on a stunning display this year in the Southern Highlands.  Here are some photos of down town Moss Vale.

Made by Others art and design store in Moss Vale. A great place for a coffee and to buy unique gifts. 

I really liked the funky wallpaper flying ducks!  They were a bit like the wallpaper at the craft store at Bundanoon. Check that out here.

The main road through Moss Vale is tree lined and looking colourful.

This little park in the middle of Moss Vale is lovely all year round.

Spectacular skies over Bong Bong Common between Moss Vale and Bowral.

Its always a toss up between Spring and Autumn for my favourite season but this year Autumn is looking like it could be a winner.

Mary Poppins event on Bradman Oval, Bowral

Yesterday Howard and I participated in two World Record attempts on the famous Bradman Oval in Bowral.  PL Travers who wrote the much loved Mary Poppins books lived in Bowral from the age of 7 until 17.  To honour her and have a fun time about 2000 people turned out on the oval in the glorious autumn sunshine to win the record for the world's largest umbrella mosaic.

 It was a very exciting afternoon.

 But the wait was too much for some.

 A spoonful of sugar...

As soon as everyone had been counted and the helicopters were in place to film, it was umbrellas up and wait for the signal.

 We kept our umbrellas aloft for 10 minutes to get the record.

The shape of Mary Poppins with her umbrella aloft was marked on the oval in chalk. This is looking from her chest to her umbrella. The previous record was just over 1000 people so it would seem we beat that with a healthy margin.  

We also made an attempt at the largest number of people doing the hokey pokey with umbrella's aloft.