A Watercolor Inspired by the Sea

My latest watercolor painting was inspired by photos from the Sea Cottage blog. You can see her photos here: http://seacottage.blogspot.com/../03/seaside-covesea-and-sky.html
Next I want to try one with the rocks, sand, and sea. It'll be more of a challenge. I'm trying to get braver and use more vivid colors. This one is 8x11.

DAWN OF A NEW DAY

The dawn of a brand new day from the corner of the field.

Will the harvesters come?





Today is a Baking day - possibly something to do with the Village Show? The Rayburn is fired-up and so am I. More photos to follow as the day progresses - wish me luck.





Bon Voyage, Jonny.

x





PS: First job was to make lemon curd - it took ages - but I think it turned out reasonably well.





Then I made cheese scones





and they look pretty yummy too.





The biscuits are so-so, the Victoria Sponge Cake was dreadful and only fit for home consumption (probably by the hens), my painted stone is ok, but not fantastic, the two flower arrangements are very amateurish but pretty.





I am now officially tired and ready to have a cup of tea and a bath. At least all this activity has kept my mind from worrying about Jonny!





By the way Jonny, your dad has now got the photography bug too. He saw my shot of the sunrise and decided that he could do better - and he did. His photographs are brilliant! We have printed one off so that he can enter it in the show tomorrow.

xxx

Cycling Project - en route to Poolewe

The long straight road belies some of the taxing gradients on the route. We re-traced the route by car later that summer, and were impressed by the endurance the group must have shown.
This is Day 3, from Kinlochewe to Poolewe - an up and down slog of 25 miles.
See the Cycling Project explained.

When day turns to night

Last night I decided to take a twilight/evening ride up to Binna Burra in the hinterland. It was the first time I'd done this ride at night (although I've done it in daylight enough times to do it blindfolded now). The sunset actually came a little earlier than I'd anticipated, but I wasn't enjoying the heat very much either, so that isn't necessarily a complaint. It was almost a surreal experience climbing the early section to Lower Beechmont in the almost pink light of the evening sky.

The darkness came quickly after the top of that first section, although the faint light in the western sky (pictured at the top) remained for quite a while. After that it was just me and a billion stars in the night sky. There's something about really clearing away from the city -- totally, and opening up across the plateau at the top among the stars. It's a unique feeling of being totally alive that just can't be achieved anywhere else. This eventually gave way to the lumpy hills and the unique night bird calls of Lamington National Park, and the final assault on Mt Roberts that represents the summit.
After this followed the screaming descent of Mt Roberts, before heading back the way I came to Lower Beechmont and beyond. The lights of the Gold Coast in the distance were a beacon and a threat all at once. On the one hand, it was quite entrancing to look at them from above, but I wasn't looking forward to descending to the rat race again.

As it was, I took a detour to Hinze Dam on the way home, if only to add some extra distance and push the climbing above 1,500 metres. The only mistake here was returning to Nerang via the not-so-old Gilston ride that Martin and I used to do regularly a couple of years ago. Even by Gold Coast standards, the expansion of suburbia into this area is ridiculous. I wouldn't mind so much if the area wasn't so damn sanitised. It seems like they can't leave a single tree standing in their quest to make the urbanites feel at home in "the country". As it turns out, this area has lost all it's character and charm. Even a lot of the ups and downs in the road have been flattened. I have some great memories from when this stretch was a little wilder, but memories they will have to remain now.
Fortunately, the trend is basically downhill, so I'm back in the other suburbia and closer to home a little quicker, and surprisingly tired at the end of it. So Binna Burra now joins Numibah Valley and the Tweed Valley as regular day rides that I have now done at night. Maybe I'll add Springbrook to the list next.

Back to the mountains

Last Saturday I made good on my promise to return to the mountains as quickly as possible. I had also hoped for a little rain, but I would have to wait another day for that. Still, the temperature did cool a little when I reached the higher parts of Springbrook, which made it all a worthwhile exercise. It's always interesting to observe the way that each mountain has it's own character, and Springbrook is no exception. It's one of those things you have to be there to experience.


What has been intersting about this part of the world in the last month or so has been the colour in the scenery created by the blooming of the flame trees and the jacarandas. This, of course, won't be around much longer, but the little picnic area at the bottom of the mountain had turned almost completely purple as a couple of grand old jacarandas started to drop their flowers. On the other hand, the blooming of the red flame trees six weeks early explains why it's been so bloody hot lately.

I couldn't help but have Mt Nimmel for desert on the way home -- a slight detour, but worth every one of the 8km extra. Oddly, the steep gradients didn't bother me in the heat, and there were even a couple of locals hanging around to cheer me on. Most of my rides up this mountain are either at night or early in the morning, so it was interesting to take in the different appearance of the views slightly later in the day. Absolutely beautiful.

Spring is Around the Corner...

Its amazing how short (or long) the winters can be in Northern California. Its mid February, and many trees are blooming, including at least two different types of magnolia. Not only are trees blooming, but some are leafing out. The California buckeye trees, (photo on right), had their buds swell about two weeks ago, and now new leaves are emerging fast. My banana plant has woken up because of our recent warm weather and is now starting to grow. My California pipevines are showing signs of growth, and so is my pygmy date palm.
It looks like spring is early in 2007...I hope.

Taos

Was a little before 8 am Yesterday when I headed on the road toward Taos. Woke up early enough to chat, have a good breakfast (Village Inn) and finished loading the car.

Picked up so more tourist stuff at the Visitor Info on I-25. She did not tell me about detour at the interchange for the major highway to Santa Fe. Found my way back on track. Up past Espanola, turned onto highway 68 (the low road) to Taos. Much of the road follows the Rio Grande River.

Stopped in at the Rio Grange Gorge Visitor's Center. Wish they told me to take the side road to Taos - Rt 570 - maps shows that I would had a nice drive closer to the Gorge.

It was not even noon when I got to Taos. So, kept on going - drove the Enchanted Circle scenic byway. The first stop on the circle was Angel Fire (a ski town). Picked up some powerade and found the Viet Nam Veteran's Memorial. From there it was a pretty boring drive to Eagle Nest on Rt 38.

From there, the road climbs to Bobcat Pass. Steep climb. Part way down was the town of Red River. Red River has a very vibrant main street through town. Also another ski town.

Still losing elevation out of Red River. The road follows the Red River. There were many women pedaling their bikes UP the pass. I could not imagine climbing the grade on a bike!.

A turn on Rt 522 at Questa and a pretty fast drive to Taos. Checked into the hotel and drove the 2 1/2 miles into the Plaza. Toured there, took photos, and shopped. Back at the hotel it was time for Manager's Reception and dinner.

Quality Inn, Taos - good sized room with fridge & microwave. Free first draft beer, wine, etc, with snacks. Restaurant has a salad bar (needed my greens) and decent prices on the Early Bird (5-7) special. Service was nothing to write home about.

The photo with this post was taken along Rt 38 on the Enchanted Circle.

I don't know...

I really don't know how I could enjoy myself more on a bicycle. This last stint of cycling has really just been so eptastic amazing... Its silly.

I'm kicking the pedals and tackling passes these days with Cass Gilbert. Never before have I ridden with someone so experienced and like minded in the ways of knobby tired travel. We have gotten into some beautiful, ungringified out-thereness! The kind of bike touring that has you bug eyed, grinning from ear to ear and sleeping well at night from the effort.

An unloaded day ride out of Huaraz.

The crew of traveling cyclist at Joe's Place in Huaraz. This was my send off photo. I left a day before Cass (back row in green) He caught up to me the next day farther South.

A cold persistent rain had us duck into these first class abandon digs for the night.

The next morning loomed bright a sunny!

A very friendly and optimistic woman in Ticllos told us there was a route through to Llaclla. It started out nice and easy.

but soon got a bit trickier

Eventually we wound our way down through the brush.

After Llaclla, we bumped into this obstacle. A bit swifter than we wanted to carry bikes through.

The next morning we were so nicely guided...

down this trail

To this bridge.

On the other side. We did a little of this...

...

and bit more this

...And rest. Yes, that's my left pedal strapped to the bike. I didn't need it for a while.

Our little lunch pal in Gregorio

We escaped that cauldron of fire and descended the road on the far canyon wall

Ol' buddy has seen a better day

Two Surlys in the village of Mangas

Why stay to the roads when you don't have too?

Power food for the monster climbs!

Abandon mine on the way to Oyon

Like I said... Just silly!

When darkness catches you on a long climb, sometimes its best to just see what morning brings.

Our last few day have left us grinning like this, most the time.

We are following roughly (except for our own single track long cuts) a route laid down by the Pikes. Who are just ahead of us, also swooping and grinding these gorgeous Peruvian highlands.