Taking a break...Part 1

In Late January we abandoned the chooks and the garden to head North.

This was our destination  in Northern NSW - So gorgeous and unspoilt I am reluctant to name the location ! Let me think about that :)...We were away for a month and the next couple of posts will be about some truly beautiful places and inspiring people, trying to live sustainably, creatively, and connectedly.

Anonymous walkers on Mylestom Beach

The sand is covered in driftwood, beautiful pebbles and translucent blue jellyfish  that I am yet to identify.

and growing like weeds everywhere on the edge of the sand is the very glorious Gloriosa Lily.

 

In the spirit of the title of this blog I should include some of the bird encounters. For example this 'chook tragic' as I am fondly known, in desperation for some chook loving by the end of the first week  was out trying to hand feed Brush Turkeys. Sad I know! A close look at these and you can readily see the link between birds and dinosaurs :)

Our "glamping"  beach tent

We stumbled into a pop up exhibition at the Old Butter Factory, which is brimming with creativity, including the work of local Coffs Harbour artist Amber Carbury. Apologies for the bad photo but better examples of his work can be found here.

Amber Carbury - The last flight

 Also in the spirit of upcycling, creating, AND feathers...this unusual piece by Nick Warfield from "found objects" caught my attention.

Wren - Found object Assemblage

 The Butter Factory is a maze of interesting nooks and crannies, as well as having a coffee shop.

I loved these  crafted timber items - unfortunately not locally made but inspiring none the less!

Yes I managed to sneak another chook in *rofl* But isn't it fun? Even non-chook lovers would happily have this on the wall of their holiday beach house.. along with the great chair for sitting out on the deck reading.

Then you need some vases and the table made by this creative dude at the Coffs Markets, Jordan Rogers, creating fab and funky furniture from old crates and wine bottles. Now he IS local.

  Jordon's Facebook page RewinedDesigns

Right next door was his gorgeous mum Jane selling tasty coconut treats like these flakes infused with chilli and lime. These were pronounced verrry fine by the chilli lovers in the group and found favour added to curry dishes.

Jane Bettega

It is a fun, colourful market with a wide variety of products mostly local and handmade or grown.
 

Coffs' up-market version of Bangalow's "Feral Feet" (first seen in 2001)

 and this wonderful jewellery place where I bought a Green Amethyst/Quartz pendant had a great range of unusual designs and stones, including Larimar which I had never seen before.

Not a bad setting for the market eh?

 And just before I go here's one for the dog lovers out there. On our way through Gundagi I had to stop for a photo of the iconic dog ...who if the truth be told apparently did not actuallyt "sit on" the tuckerbox in the original song. Add an "h" to sit and replace "in" for "on" to identify the PC change of lyric!

 

 Ten metres from the dog was this gem of a sign.

 Oh dear...