fog days

We have had lots of foggy mornings the past few weeks. But I quite like fog. I like how when you walk in it your hair gets wet and I like how it diffuses light. I took these photos in my garden this morning when everything was still wet with fog.

Listening Modern vampires of the city by Vampire Weekend.

dancing queen

We were in Australia last week staying in Melbourne and Apollo Bay. One of the highlights of the trip for me was visiting the Cape Otway lightstation. The photos show the road into the lightstation, one of the many koalas that live in the gum trees in the area, the lighthouse built in 1848 and the view from the top deck of the lighthouse. In the 1880s it must've been an isolated wild place. It's hard to imagine that Mary Anne Ford, the wife of one of the lighthouse keeper's from 1848-1878, birthed seven children on her own and managed to feed them all on rations delivered once every twelve months.

It was also a surprise - as it seemed so out of place - to discover the delicate pink wallpaper. It was a Christmas gift to the daughters of a lighthouse keeper back in the 1960s. A small piece was left intact during the restoration of the lighthouse and surrounding buildings. Did those little girls dream of ballerinas? Did they grow up to be dancers? Or, maybe, they became lighthouse keepers themselves?

Reading A sight for sore eyes by Ruth Rendall + Listening to Desire lines by Camera Obscura

baby, baby

- red flame tree flowers - seen everywhere at the moment. The flame tree is one of those deciduous trees that flowers in spring before it has its new leaves so a big tree full of bright red flowers looks amazing.

- another baby beanie about to be wrapped in tissue and posted off to my new soon-to-be-born great great nephew, Oliver

- a pair of booties I knitted and crocheted onto sheepskin soles using this kit. I'm pleased with how they turned out - they'll be toasty warm - but they were impossible to photograph as they are a dark navy colour and fluffy (I used a possum merino yarn). Maybe next week I can reveal a big secret and tell you who they are for.

Have a good week.

Listening By the horns by Julia Stone + Reading The liberty tree by Suzanne Harrington

new

New shoes - sensible, sturdy, comfortable with stylish removable fringe bits that I think are fantastico.
And a few things bought on the recent South Island trip: another lonely Crown Lynn cup that I bought for 50 cents in Ross. I've planted a pinkish sempervivum succulent in it. And, from Roxburgh, a knitting pattern for a cute sweater (I like the fair isle yoke) and a couple of Stitchcraft magazines from the 1970s.

Reading: 365 gratefuls: celebrating treasures, big and small by Hailey and Andrew Bartholomew and Was she pretty? by Leanne Shapton

through windows

Here are some iphone photos taken on last week's South Island holiday. The first two are a couple of shots taken from the car while driving from Haast to Greymouth. I like the out of focus blurriness of them. Most of that part of the trip was like that as we drove through mist and rain. But it wasn't all bad weather. I put some sunnier landscapes on instagram.

The last two photos (also taken through windows) are of Queen Mary Hospital at Hanmer Springs that closed in 2003.

animal house one

Some of the animals in my house.

The bowl with the dog image is by New Zealand ceramicist, Sarah Guppy and the cats are Eric (orange) and his brother, Mingus.

I'm off on more travels - to the South Island this time. Enjoy your week - wherever you may be.

Reading Island wife : living on the edge of the wild by Judy Fairbairns

three things

1. One half of Mr Mingus

2. A new cactus cutting I planted in a lovely but badly crazed Crown Lynn cup with a pattern called 'Lilian'. Perhaps I should've divided the cactus and planted the two 'ears' separately. What do you think?

3. A batch of badges I made for winter using woolen fabrics and velvet. They add a bit of colour and texture to a dull winter outfit. My wardrobe seems to have settled on black and grey. I used a badge-maker machine but you could make a covered button and attach a small safety pin on the back instead. I think my favourite is the green tweedy one (centre left).