weekly stills

Oh that's a lot of photos hee hee. It's been a while since I posted weekly stills, so I got a bit carried away. In my defence, I always take heaps of photos in the school holidays. 

Our family is having such a relaxing break, the days have been very slow and peaceful. I'm loving all the time we are spending outdoors, sometimes together, and sometimes alone.

This coming week the pace will pick up a bit. Ben is involved in our local theatre festival (he's the lights and sound man), so there will be lots of rehearsals and late night performances for him. Harry and Till have a week of intensive horse riding lessons, so I'll be scrubbing jodhpurs everyday! I also hope to get some jobs on the "to-do" list ticked off before Term 4 starts. I'm anticipating the months leading up to Christmas are going to be crazy busy. But for now, I'm soaking up these calm days. As long as there is time for more walks this week, I'll be happy!!

seeing the details

Palm Glen.
Morning walk.
Just the two of us!
And the birds.

rose red

My friend Heather made this gorgeous Red Riding Hood cape for her daughter (for Book Week). I adored the cape from the very first moment my eyes set upon it. The velvet texture and colour is  divinely rich and the fabric drapes beautifully. At the Book Week parade a few weeks ago, Matilda swooned over Heather's creation too! She had been itching to try it on ever since. So I rang Heather this afternoon to ask if we could borrow it for a photoshoot in the forest. Over styled, "staged" images aren't normally my cup of tea, but I couldn't resist this one time! I was anticipating that a little bit of fairytale role play may be fun for both of us, plus I never knock back a chance to wander through the woods with my camera (especially with my new bestest-ever lens). It's no secret my favourite spot on Norfolk Island is Hundred Acre Woods and this place was begging to have it's very own Little Red Riding Hood. Lucky for us, the big Bad Wolf was nowhere to be seen!!! Just my own sweet Rose Red! She makes the perfect Red Riding Hood, don't you agree?

Thanks for loaning us the cape Heather xx

at the pier

The kids gave up on the fishing pretty quickly and turned their attention to luring crabs instead - it worked, and kept them [the kids, not the crabs] entertained for ages.

No crabs were harmed, I promise.

And when the fun of catching crabs wore off, there was rock climbing, scootering and handball (of course the ball went in the sea and had to be retrieved by Dad).

Not one of us caught any fish for dinner but we didn't go without...a friend gifted us some of his fillets!

oh sweet lens of mine

Swoon, I'm in love...with the lens of my dreams! Yup, you know that 70-200mm I've been harping on about for some time? Well it's mine, ALL MINE! Call it a very early birthday gift (or an extra extra early Christmas gift) if you will.

So I guess I'm out of the photography funk. A new lens will do that.

And yes, that last photo IS blurry. But I love it anyway.

Our day started with a morning walk. Harry and Till thought it was a little chilly. I couldn't say...I was too busy seeing the world at 135mm, f stop2.8.  LOVE I tell you!!!

two chimneys reserve

It's been a while, yes? My heart just isn't into blogging these days - I'm in a bit of a photography funk too. There are just too many other concerns jostling about in my head...even though I do try and file them in the 'it's out of my control' compartment.

But I had some special time with my girl today and even have a few photos to share. The pair of us packed a picnic and headed for Two Chimneys Reserve - Till chose the location because it's a good spot for bike riding. I was happy to oblige as I love watching the white terns that soar above the pines there.

It's true being outdoors is good for the soul! I'd forgotten how lovely this part of the island is. The grass was lush and soft, the sun warm and the breeze perfectly light. A large black butterfly fluttered very close to Matilda's face which was quite special to witness! 

I'm looking forward to the school holidays and more time in nature. How about you?