Carol's Captures

balloon afloat

2011-01-03T21:16:00.001+11:00

Bucket List

2011-01-03T19:58:00.009+11:00

I recently celebrated a special birthday....My daughters and future son in law surprised me with an amazing gift, something I have wanted to do for a very long time..

We were up early 3am and headed to Camden, NSW Australia to join a team of ballooners.
I was so excited one of my daughters was a little nervous she is scared of heights. After joining others we travelled a few ks in a bus to a farm just outside of Cobbity.

We all had to help unload the balloon.The paddock was knee deep with wet grass.The sunrise was superb. and its colours were
out of this world. There were four balloons up in the air at once ,we reached a height of 2500 metres. I could have soared higher.We flew for around three hours skimming over creeks and trees. Played cat and mouse with another balloon. After landing we returned to where we had set off and celebrated with a champagne breakfast..

"On The banks of the Snowy River"

2009-09-22T22:01:00.017+10:00

Just a little Aussie history lesson...

One of the places I wanted to visit during my recent holiday In the Snowy Mountain area was Dalgety; mostly I wanted to wander through an antiques shed called "The Old Tin Shed" unfortunatley the only day of the week it closed was Wednesdays... yes I visited on Wednesday.

This little town with a population of around 70 was previously known as Buckley's Crossing ; was once a major stock crossing
when bullock trains were an important mode of transport. It is the only town left on the Snowy River.

Before the bridge was built in 1888 a punt was used to carry stock and travellers across the river.

In 1902 Dalgety was gazetted as a site for our National Capital, Canberra. There is a story going around that the reason it wasn't suitable was because politicians after swimming in the river decided it was too cold . The real reason however, was because it was too close to the Victorian border and the fishing wharfs at Bombala. They wanted the capital to be half way between New South Wales and Victoria. Which is where it is now.

It was disappointing we did not get to browse about the Tin Shed but we spend many hours walking around the historic buildings.

The earliest building is Dalgety House built in 184o.

Making the perfect picture....

2009-09-06T23:13:00.003+10:00

I have a habit of carrying my camera everywhere with me, It sometimes drives my family crazy, they become embarrissed when I drag it out to "take the perfect picture"..

I took these photos on Saturday, at The Wisteria Gardens, which is situated at Cumberland Hospital, Westmead.
Each September it is opened to the public, every Saturday and Sunday during this month they have little market stalls which the proceeds go towards patients who are mentally ill...

Saturday was a perfect day, a beautiful day for walking, and taking in springtime.... I 've learnt something valuable from God, if we are in a hurry we can miss seeing the perfect picture and fail to recognise Him.

As much as I love to see the photos I have taken during the day , I love to see the perfect picture He gives us each day; if we slow down we will see it and thank Him...

Peace in a busy shopping centre

2009-09-03T08:27:00.006+10:00

Yesterday I had a chance to spend an hour of my busy day walking about a shopping centre, filling in time waiting for my son and daughter....

These are some photos which I took.

I found this great little swamp. I couldn't resist whipping out my camera and taking some snaps..

This little swamp certainly brings peace to the busy industry which surrounds it..

2009-03-22T15:48:00.000+11:00

Giants of the North (Gija Jumulu)

2009-02-15T00:07:00.005+11:00

Just a little history first about the Boab trees. They are a distinctive landmark of the Kimberley Ranges. They have relatives in Madagascar and Africa. Boabs are relics of Gondwana, a time when the southern continents were close together millions of years ago.

The Boab is a rare example of an Australian native plant which drops its leaves during the dry season. It lives to a ripe old age storing large amounts of water in its trunk.

This huge giant above was transported by semi ( below) 3200km from Telegarph Creek Western Australia to where it stands today in the Botanical Gardens Perth WA.. It made the huge trek on the 20th July 2008 the longest journey in history for a tree of this size..

I found it awesome and amazing just looking at its size and magnificence and to think it survived the long journey.

His Light

2008-12-21T23:48:00.000+11:00

Be Gentle

2008-12-02T23:01:00.000+11:00

I Was...

2008-10-25T00:12:00.001+11:00

click on photo for enlargement

My prayer is

2008-10-14T22:56:00.001+11:00

Bryce Canyon

2008-09-29T22:20:00.004+10:00

I took this photo in December 1998. I was in awe of the Canyon. It was so breathtaking. As I edged my way to view it,I was overcome with tears and fell backwards with its awesome beauty.

Click on photo for enlargement

Be Still

2008-09-23T23:12:00.000+10:00

One Rainy Day

2008-09-15T12:38:00.002+10:00

Click for enlargement

How It Is

2008-09-10T14:24:00.000+10:00

Goodbye

2008-08-24T23:38:00.001+10:00

click to enlarge

God Is

2008-08-23T09:21:00.001+10:00

I Look upon the Canopy of Heaven

2008-07-27T23:15:00.005+10:00

click on photo for enlargement

From Long Ago

2008-07-26T17:05:00.003+10:00

2008-07-19T12:34:00.001+10:00

Miracle of a Rainbow

2008-07-16T22:58:00.003+10:00

Click on photo for enlargement

Milford Sound Falls

2008-07-08T16:19:00.002+10:00

One of my solitary Walks

2008-07-07T17:16:00.004+10:00

I took these pictures in February this year, On the Central Coast of NSW it is about 100ks north from the centre of Sydney.

It is surrounded by two lakes which lead out to the Pacific Ocean...

On this particular day, I met many interesting people and some wonderful animals. This Rosella was just one of the many birds who greeted me as I walked.

This lovely old dog was just so overweight, she could hardly walk and was the pride and joy of her owner who was a scavenger. He looked as well fed as his dog.

Blessing

2008-07-04T22:15:00.004+10:00

Click photo for enlargement

His Light

2008-07-02T16:34:00.002+10:00

For My Life

2008-07-02T12:55:00.001+10:00

(Click for larger picture)

Rotorua New Zealand

2008-06-29T16:40:00.012+10:00

I took these photos at Rotorua which is on the North Island of New Zealand

The smell from the sulphur and hot springs was quite overpowering. I did get to spend time in a hot spa at the resort we were staying in and I have to say, although the sulphur was not a pleasant smell it was very relaxing..

A celebration was held in our honour in their meeting house. We were entertained by a group of Maoris and their chief. Their singing was beautiful and their humour very entertaining some of us were chosen to join in and be part of the entertainment . Thats me in the pink making a fool of myself swinging the pois. I had really bad co ordination, what made it worse was that I couldn't stop from laughing..

The end of the night was finished off with a traditional Maori feast..

( click on photos for enlargement)

Cody's Secret

2008-06-24T23:41:00.003+10:00

( Click on picture for enlargement)

Australia Day, Parramatta

2008-06-20T22:18:00.006+10:00

January 26, is the biggest day of celebration in our country and is observed as a public holiday in all states and territories.It is the day all Australians come together as a nation to celebrate what's great about Australia and being Australian.
Many activities are organised through out the country. I was able to arrive early to watch as air balloons coloured the skies in Parramatta Park.

My daughter and I sat on the damp early morning dew listening to good old Aussie songs, eating pancakes and hot coffee .
We wandered about the many craft stalls which were filled with lots of goodies..

To our surprise an old English bus was available for short rides.. It was a bit rickety, the original seating had been replaced with a row of benches. still it was a fun experience..

We finished the day by watching this awesome display of fireworks

( click on photo for enlargement)

Fairy Walk

2008-06-17T23:19:00.005+10:00

Click on picture for enlargement

Larnach Castle pt 2

2008-06-16T23:45:00.021+10:00

( click on photos for enlargement)

As you can see from this signpost the weather
was pretty dim, this was taken just leaving Dunedin..

Dunedin is on the South Island of New Zealand and one of the prettiest places I
have ever visited.

The area is very much Scottish influenced. I won't give up too much information about Dunedin as yet, you will have to wait until I post about it..

These photos are views taken from the very top of the Castle

I climbed, this staircase which took me to the top of the tower. It wasn't so bad climbing to the top, coming down was the problem; the steps were very narrow and there were no hand rails. We had to walk in single file.

Larnach Castle Dunedin

2008-06-15T23:33:00.007+10:00

William Larnach

built his castle for his beloved first wife Eliza in 1871. It took him over thirteen years to complete.

He had employed over 200 men, to complete it to shell stage which took three years.

The next 12 years were

spent with European craftsmen creating the beautiful interior.

There was no expense spared this was to be his dream home.

This castle didn't come without sadness; It was both tragic and scandalous. There is quite an eerie feeling as you wander about the second floor..The story goes it has its own resident ghost.

William's first wife died young and tragically leaving him with 6 children to care for. He married his wife's older sister, who also died unexpectantly.

He re married..

However, he became increasingly unhappy with his children and his third wife; after receiving the news that his wife was having an affair with his son and was carrying his child; William took his own life.

We were not able to use our cameras inside the house so, all the photos you see here I purchased as a souvineer pack. I did take some shots from the tower..

The day I visited was a very wet miserably cold day ..The views from the tower were still magnificent.. I'll add them shortly..

Poppy's Secret Garden

2008-06-10T16:20:00.004+10:00

I took this photo about five years ago before my Dad went into a nursing home. He was a mad keen gardener, not only with flower beds but had his own hydroponic vegetable garden..

This particular garden was filled with gnomes and maiden hair ferns all his grandchildren called it the Fairy Garden..It is not as pretty now, the old gnomes have faded and the ferns have since died..

(click onto picture for enlargement)

The Fairy Queen

2008-06-07T23:54:00.002+10:00

Canterbury Plains New Zealand

2008-06-07T13:42:00.002+10:00

Wisteria Gardens Parramatta

2008-06-04T14:16:00.015+10:00

It is such a wet and miserable day in Sydney today I had to sift through my photos and find something to brighten up my day. These were all taken during Springtime 2007. The Gardens are a part of Cumberland Hospital. It is opened each September for two weekends only.

Besides the gardens being opened the patients and their families run a fete selling crafts, jams , books and the odd piece of junk..

It is such a perfect place to relax and wander about smelling the flowers , at the end of the walk- about tea, coffee and Devonshire scones are served for a very small fee

There were so many photos to choose from; these are just a few...

They certainly brightened my very cold wet winter's day..

Norah Head

2008-06-01T22:28:00.019+10:00

Norah Head is famous for its views to the Pacific Ocean, and also for its immaculately kept Light house.

The Light House and it surrounding gardens make a great back drop for weddings and on any given day of the week there are often couples taking advantage of the superb scenery and native fauna.

These steps take you down to the rocky shore line. It is an easier enough walk , however the climb up is a little on the steep side. As you can see from the photo I did walk to the bottom.

There were reports of whale sightings along the coast. We did get to see two, from a distance but they were a little too far out to take photos..

Yesterday's sky

2008-05-29T11:54:00.007+10:00

( I forgot to post this )

I took these photos at 4.30pm Thursday afternoon...

From the look of the sky you would think that we going to have one almighty storm..

The sky was filled with lightening flashes and the thunder roared

The storm travelled all around us, and caused havoc in some areas, we didn't receive a single drop of rain.

Historical Briar's Inn

2008-05-26T22:27:00.005+10:00

Briar's Resort is situated just a few Kilometers south of Moss Vale.The village is filled with Antique shops, old book shops and coffee shops.

The Resort is set on 15 acres of
landscaped gardens....

This is the original Briar's Inn, which now is a restaurant and lounge Bar , it is opened to the public not only to patrons of the resort

Take a short walk from the resort you will discover a Native Sanctuary and this magnificent waterfall

More to come on this pretty Southern Highlands village and its surrounding area

On The wings of a Butterfly

2008-05-21T10:45:00.004+10:00

Last year a lady I was working with approached me and asked if I had written any poems about butterflies...Her 30 year old daughter had died from cancer a few years ago, she had loved butterflies...I didn't have anything, and I wasn't too sure if I could write her anything. A few days before my work was due to finish I went through some of my photos and came across these lovely pansies. I snapped them at The Wisteria Gardens, Parramatta and although it wasn't a butterfly, I wrote the words for my friend.. I framed and gave it to her on our last day together..She was so thrilled because pansies were her favourite flower..

As Busy as a Bee

2008-05-20T13:10:00.009+10:00

I felt something special about this common weed
and this little bee going about its daily ritual
of gathering up pollen and collecting nectar from flowers.

Did you know that for every tablespoon of honey
a bee must visit
over 4000 flowers...

"That to me is a miracle"

Milton Park Gardens

2008-05-17T23:11:00.013+10:00

Milton Park is a very exclusive "Holiday Camp" for the rich and famous...The gardens haven't changed their designs at all and are pretty much in the same condition as the early 1900's..

Milton Park is only opened for a few weekends during the year for the tulip season.

I am sure this fence has never been replaced. This day was wet and cold it was also the first day of the season so we were lucky enough to have the entire gardens to ourselves.

The fairy garden was just a magical place I could just imagine them whispering and watching me as a walked among them.
I felt totally in awe of the peacefulnesses of the gardens. I stepped back in time and dissolved into deep thoughts....

Historical Berrima

2008-05-16T14:06:00.020+10:00

Berrima is about three hours drive from Sydney heading south towards Canberra..

These are just some of the old buildings and churches which are part of this quaint historical town.

It is one of my favourite all time places to visit..

The first Building is The Holy Trinity Anglican Church built around 1840 ( if you click onto all the pictures they will enlarge)

The second is St Francis Xavier
Catholic Church built in 1851...

The Old Cottage and the Settlers Hut/Inn are now

used to display many of the locals art works

There are so many scrumptious, yummy restaurants, including one of the oldest hotels still in use in NSW. An old fashion lolly shop is filled with so many mouth watering chocolates and lollies, such as humbugs and boiled sweets. If you think you can just walk in and look you are wrong !!!

I just love browsing through the many craft stores and antique shops I am always in awe of the beautiful needlework, and century old furniture that still is in perfect condition.

The Guiding Light

2008-05-14T22:34:00.007+10:00

In the darkest of hours
The Light
Will always shine
Over us
Guiding us
In the right direction...

His light is everywhere

These lighthouses can be found in Port Huron, Michican,The South Island ,New Zealand, Darling Harbour, Sydney, Ballina ,NSW, and Brisbane, Queensland.

Ballina Beach...New Years Eve 2007

2008-05-13T11:20:00.003+10:00

A powerful message ends an almighty storm....

Sounds from Parramatta

2008-05-12T17:38:00.003+10:00

Above listen to the sounds of White Cockatoos and if you look quickly, under the brush is a Water Hen running from the camera..

And these noisy critters are bats, nesting by the thousands, taking over these trees along the river.

A Peace Filled Walk

2008-05-12T16:39:00.019+10:00

It was just the day for a very needy walk.It was so peaceful and just a perfect Autumn day..and being Autumn we would be sure not to encounter any snakes along the path.

We did however,come across this obnoxious weed.. I thought it look really pretty sitting in amongst the dead gum tree leaves and the dried and dead grass.

We came across these Bats they were hanging by the thousands. They stank and their noise was just unbelievable..

(I'd be making a noise too if I were hanging upside down looking at the ground....)

Oberon

2008-05-10T17:06:00.006+10:00

The area around Oberon, which is about 3 hours drive out of Sydney, heading west over the Blue Mountains was very dry...Nothing much was growing other than these Blackberries which were well and truly in season; as you can see Warren was making a feast of them..

This Llama was just so cute and friendly
we were able to walk up close
and pat him .

Mum's childhood house

2008-05-10T16:55:00.002+10:00

Mum and I found her old house she lived in over 65 years ago. She wasn't too sure at first because it looked smaller. But as I told her everything looks a whole lot bigger when we are children.

The Three Sisters

2008-05-10T09:32:00.002+10:00

I love this area of the Blue Mountains. The Three Sisters is at Echo Point , Katoomba about an hour and half drive from Sydney.

Blackheath Gardens

2008-05-09T22:34:00.003+10:00

These Gardens are famous for their rhododendron's. They are just beautiful and relaxing to wander through..