Between a Rock ...

A bleak start to the day. A click of a button delivers an unwelcome development. Off to the radio however as programmed, where I enjoy the distraction of a smorgasbord of news to choose from. Zelenskyy addressing the Australian parliament tomorrow afternoon, the Great Barrier Reef suffering its fourth bleaching, can it be saved? The Australian public lukewarm about the budget and ably described by the opposition leader as "having all the sincerity of a fake tan". The fallout out from the Will Smith and Chris Rock still rocking the front pages of most of the papers and sometimes these things just keep resurfacing. 

The sun crept out and I was looking forward to my walk through the park. A beautiful vista as I turned into it near the Gandhi Memorial and walked past this ROCK.

I get home to find that half my tibouchina tree has crashed down in the winds and only a part of it is left. They say bad things happen in three. Just wondering what the third might be. What doesn't break you makes you more resilient - perhaps even as hard as a rock ! 

Discoveries with Dougall 45

It is nearly a month since the 28th of Feb floods and Dougall and I are reunited for a beautiful though sad walk down Ithaka Creek. It was lovely to spent time together, its been a while, and he was on his best behaviour and very happy to see me. We headed out in the bright sunlight and saw the destruction everywhere. Hundreds of trees uprooted. Favourite ones where I would wait for the blooms to share with you, now a mass of decaying colours by the side of the creek. Debris from the force of the water stuck high up on trees, piles of branches and shrubs collected in neat piles in the parks for removal. 

Houses by the creek have all been severely impacted and skips are parked out in front to take away the ruined furnishings and personal items. This sign seems more pressing than ever. 

It was the sodden books that made me stop and take a photo here.

Elsewhere though the creek was at last subdued and burbling along and Dougall loved to dip in it and cool off. The house with its weather vane intact ready for better days, the colours changing in the trees and nature coming out again in all its glory. 

And those trees that mercifully have survived, a daily reminder in their magnificence, of how much we still need to do to preserve them from harm. 

Kirra Beach

Perhaps it will be an annual pilgrimage. It felt that way today as we headed down the M1 to meet good friends, Robyn and Paul, holidaying at Kirra Beach. We walked down to the waters edge, white, pristine, fine as dust sand on our feet, warming but not burning and we dived headlong into the sea. Beautiful colours of green and turquoise by the shore and then that deep blue of the Ocean engulfing the rest. We walked on the nearly empty beach, a few families, some with children, babies and elderly couples, enjoying the sun sea fun. 

A cycad bursting with its fruits 

I swam out deep until Robyn beckoned that I was going too far. This is not the Med,  but the joy of being in the sea was wonderful and I dipped and dived into the breaking waves as if I was fifteen. Back out and a lunch of fresh prawns and crusty bread, heavenly. I felt that warm after glow of the sun on my body and the ravenous appetite that the sea always gives me, reminding me of my childhood and my life by the sea. I found a shell with a hole and gave it to Grace, Robyn's granddaughter for the most natural of necklaces. 

A sense of invigoration and freedom in this anxious, parlous world of ours. 

As waters recede

Walking the Ancient Path to Peace and Kindness. 

The waters have receded and the cleanups are well underway. The war is raging and Ukrainians are fleeing Putin's army and those that remain are brave beyond words. I just worry that once these two shattering events get knocked off the front page their plight will fade. I cannot bear the thought of those rendered homeless here, and those driven from their homes there, do not receive all the support and love their communities and neighbouring countries can give. Aussies raised 25 million dollars in one night.There have been some astonishing stories of compassion and community here. Poland and neighbouring countries have opened their homes and are welcoming refugees. All actions will surpass the measly offering of a Kit Kat and a bag of crisps by the British government and their bureaucratic nightmare visa requirements. 

Muddy leaves the one remaining sign of flood levels that were high.

Beautiful craftsmanship in the windows with the Kangaroo and Emu, national symbols depicted in them. 

With the sun out and warming I walk the neighbourhood once more and take solace, in this troubled and unjust world, of the beauty I see around me which I share with you. I can go about my daily tasks without the spectre of war and I am grateful of this every day. I do not want to even entertain that possibility for my lifetime or that of my children and yet it is not so long ago that Europe, the Balkans, Syria, Iran and Cyprus and many countries in Africa were engulfed in their own wars. The list is too long. We don't seem to push diplomacy hard enough or find solutions. This one may have world ramifications which we all dread. Not all leaders are caring or inspirational so using our vote is a must and a need. 

Green / Clean Monday - Kyra Sarakosti

Today two young Aussie Greek Gals lead the way for a Greek Community event which was just perfect. We were celebrating the beginning of Lent and Green/Clean Monday (Kathara Deutera). Normally people would be out picnicking in the fields and flying kites and eating food for lent, greens, taramosalata, tachini, artichokes and olives. 

The weather has been atrocious here, and they knew the ground would be sodden so it was held at the respite centre of the Greek Community. The Women's Auxiliary produced their usual delicious spread, young men made Greek Frappe Coffee, the little Hellenic Dancers delighted everyone in the room with a couple of dance numbers. There was a kite making station for the kids and a raffle.

I was also introduced to a Greek Custom I knew nothing about and here she is in her splendour. Kyra Sarakosti - Mrs Lent - who as you can see has seven feet. Each week of the Lent period one foot is removed ( poor woman I am sure she did not agree to this) and then the final one is hidden in the house for someone to find. That person will have good luck for the rest of the year. Hope made these beautiful clay figurines and I came home with one sporting grey hair to reflect me more accurately - if one identifies with these cultural figures in any way. It was a heartwarming morning, signalling collaboration and support in the Greek Community and care for others - Contributions of $500 will go to a Ukrainian Relief Fund.