A flying visit to Palm Cove this morning for breakfast; en route to Cairns airport and home.
Palm Cove
Photography
Port Douglas, Far North Queensland
Our first visit to Port Douglas was en route from Cairns to a QuickSilver snorkeling boat trip from Cairns to the Barrier Reef in around 1999.
The next time in 2005, we stayed at Palm Cove between Cairns and Port Douglas and went for lunch at Salsa Bar and Grill situated in a classic white Queenslander near the marina.
In December 2006, we came for Christmas, an experience that literally took our breath away with the extreme heat and humidity. Thereafter we came annually in October for about eight years always staying at the Pink Flamingo Resort, managed by Cath, Sam, and Leigh.
In 2013, we were joined by friends for my fiftieth birthday celebration. By that time, Gigi and Andrea were managing the Resort. They moved on to open their own Gunnahdoo boutique holiday property in Rocky Point north of Port Douglas.
The following year we honeymooned at the Pink Flamingo before getting married a week after my birthday. We are thrilled to be back in Port Douglas after ten years.
Sadly, the Pink Flamingo Resort is looking like it needs some TLC.
St Andrew’s cross spider
atop inanimate entity
lithe life lazily lurks
a striped Saint Andrew’s Cross
spider silently sits in stealth
secure subterfuge awaiting
lunch to land
linger
and never leave
Green, yellow, brown abstract mixed media
Quite a while ago, in fact when exactly is vague, I designed a zigzag pattern using a watercolour brush in a painting app on my iPad. Its purpose was specific, the background panel for the title block on this blog.
My husband returned home from walking Stan with the gift of a feather. We think it is from a rainbow lorikeet because of the green and yellow colours. I decided to use it as inspiration for a watercolour.
Being fond of ovoids, I sketched out an idea and painted the first wash. A few more layers followed.
Horizontally, it looked a bit like a misshapen footy ball. In portrait it resembles an avocado. At this point, I sprayed water onto it. A soft outline formed from the wet edge. Rivulets of colour settles in the warped dips of the contorted paper. I added reused salt crystals and left it to dry overnight.
The zigzag pattern remained in the back of my mind during the process.
I added the darker yellow oval, fresh salt and darker areas to the green and brown topped with recycled salt.
I think this is the finished piece.
modicum of hope
i feel different
perhaps it is losing weight
being comfortable
in thirty eight inch waist chinos
from a different pre-covid state
surviving the sacrificed shirts
faded frayed familiar
from Brooks Brothers
operations in North America
sadly no more stores in Australia
there is a lightening of mind
of spirit of outlook of something
maybe it is the pink blushed clouds
against a brightening sky
rather than nowhere in sight
there is a modicum of hope
glimmering
against backdrop of self doubt
easier to rest on my laurels
thoughts vacillate between
can can’t worth worthless
i will finish the application(s)
submit ahead of the deadline
i will win the new role(s)
i will make the pertinent decision
it will be interesting fulfilling
enjoyable motivating work
after all Spring has sprung
Dew bejewelled leaf
Emerge from Central gloom into a brash world.
Persevering down pain filled steps,
Hunched against chilly drizzle,
I am engulfed by swishing traffic
And beep beep crossing noises
To traverse Creek Street.
Epiphanic; time and raindrops slow
Gaze catches a leaf of coffee shade
Resolutely reclining in the gutter.
Dew bejewelled before dusky rose kerb
Gold, ruby, sapphire, amethyst
Shimmering in the spartan morning rays.
In minds eye, the moment lingers
While crossing over Ann Street,
During descent of Creek Street,
And left into Adelaide Street,
Ad infinitum
The image remains to this day.
Scarlett Fever
When we arrived in Queensland six years ago we were introduced to the quirky mayhem of Drag Queen, Scarlett Fever at the Beat Megaclub, Fortitude Valley on a quiet Sunday night. I was struck by the originality and grace of this gazelle like performer.
Nowadays, connecting with our gay tribe is limited to discrete preplanned visits to Brisbane.
Last night, I was thrilled to see Scarlett Fever at the busy Wickham hotel. Scarlett’s eyes and character have grown into the wonderful contemporary artist they are today.
Riding pillion
67 years ago in July 1957, my Mom and Dad were married at St Mark’s Church, Smethwick, Staffordshire, UK.
The wedding reception was held at my Grand Parent’s house in Smethwick. Mom and Dad’s honeymoon was spent touring North Wales by motorbike.
The photograph below shows Mom dressed in travelling gear standing next to a memorial.
At 22, my mother was the same age as I when I was riding pillion in a one piece padded suit. An attempt to keep out the bone chilling wind and rain.
White Horse watercolour
Decaying buildings capture my imagination. I am generally thrilled when they survive the threat of demolition.
I painted this watercolour in 1986 after a trip to Whitby, North Yorkshire. A check in a few years ago revealed red and gold paintwork.
A DuckDuckGo search just now revealed the restored White Horse and Griffin, 87 Church Street.
According to TripAdvisor, an almost 450 years old coaching inn, the first built in Whitby to serve people travelling to London.
Blackpool watercolour
A year on from moving house we are starting to declutter. A portfolio of drawings and paintings from the ‘80s were rediscovered
I lived on the north shore, Blackpool, Lancashire, UK during the off seasons 1982 to 1984 whilst studying hospitality management at Blackpool and Fylde College of Higher and Further Education.
Wild weather frequently lashed the esplanade. I painted this watercolour was from a photograph of the North Pier taken on a calm day as the sun was descending.
WordPress informed me this is my 1000th post, wow!
theINFP 