Portrait Luncheon Fundraiser

To be able to use our photography to support those less fortunate than us is a real privilege. The Chundikuli Girl’s College Old Girls Association (CGC OGA) Sydney, recently gave us this opportunity.

We were pleased to be part of the Portrait Luncheon Fundraiser. Tickets were bought for this event and the 4 hard working hosts (volunteers from CGC OGA Sydney committee) put on a banquet lunch, even hosted a game, sing-a-long and also had a lucky door prize! Our (Mind’s Eye Photography), contribution was to provide a free portrait photo-shoot and photo to everyone who attended the function.

This fundraiser was in support of the IDP (Internally Displaced Person) Children – the many orphans and children affected by the civil war in the country of Sri Lanka. The CGC OGA holds many events such as this, raising funds to support these children and their Alma Mater, Chundikuli Girl’s College, in the north of Sri Lanka.

In particular, this Portrait Luncheon  raised money to fund much needed building and infrastructure for the school, given its large intake of IDP children. The principal of the school, Mrs.Dushyanthi Thuseetharan writes:

“This is the college's major undertaking after the cessation of war in 2009. As you are aware, we do not receive any funding from the government for infrastructure development. In the past, the NGOs came forward to grant funds but now their focus has shifted to Vanni and hence we are unable to get any funds from them. Now the number on roll has increased to 1604 after the intake of children from displaced families. These children were taken in without any kind of donation on which the school usually relies on for any school development projects. In 2012, we increased the admission fee and the term fees but as most of our students come from displaced or lower middle class families, we couldn't increase much. Further, the cost of living has gone up and we had to increase the salaries of the teachers, to keep them at CGC without joining the government sector where salaries have been increased by 15%. So for any infrastructure projects we have to solely depend on the funds we receive from old girls and well wishers.”

We all had a great time at the Portrait Luncheon Fundraiser and thank the hosts for this opportunity to use our photography for a worthy cause. Below, are some of the portraits of the guests at the Fundraiser.

The four dedicated CGC OGA hosts!

Ted Green

I recently had the pleasure of photographing Ted Green for The Mountains Blueberry. Ted, who showed me his mining memorabilia and told me many mining stories, is now a self published author of the Explosion trilogy. Ted is currently making a flim about his mining experiences and has shared his story in the latest edition (Sept/Oct) of The Mountains Blueberry.

DH

Spring Gardens

Eastern Spinebill

With warm sunny days and clear blue skies, the Blue Mountains is bursting with colour. Celebrate spring by visiting some of the beautiful gardens open to the public.

This weekend (15-16th Spetember) as well as next weekend, gardens in Hazelbrook and Woodford are open. On the weekend of the 29-30th September, Yellow Rock opens their gardens to the public. Of course, the well known Leura Gardens Festival runs from 29th Sept to 7th October.

All gardens open support a worthy cause - click on the links to find out more. We hope you enjoy the beautiful surroundings, spectacular flowers and abundant birdlife in this amazing part of the world.

It's A Dog's Life

If there is reincarnation, I want to come back as a well-loved pet dog…in an English home! As a kid I never had a dog- and neither did anyone on our street come to that – so I loved the day each year when our gas fire was serviced by a technician who always brought his West Highland terrier and while he toiled to keep us warm over winter his little dog would let me follow him all over our house- up and down the stairs, under the dining table. As an adult I discovered how the occasional local pub had its own dog that would sit by its master's side, occasionally doing a tour of the room to see what titbits it could pick up. That’s just how life is for dogs in the UK. Dogs really are companion animals.

On my trips home to the UK I always miss my dogs left behind here in kennels or with a house sitter. And, I always look at the local mutts strutting their stuff and reflect on how much happier my very sociable dog Oscar’s life would have been as a northern hemisphere mutt. Yes, I know Australians love their dogs--- but here we are just not allowed to love them to the same extent. Not allowed in parks, on beaches, inside cafes, outside cafes – some don’t even set foot inside their owners' homes! Never before have I seen the extent to which pooches are accepted as ‘wo/man’s best friend’ as on this recent trip to the UK.

My brother’s family now have a dog and it goes everywhere with them. We took a lovely trip to Cornwall in early summer and never in my life have I seen so many dogs in one space, and, I might add, not a dog poo to be seen. In my youth, dog poo lined the streets and shoe scraping was a regular occurrence. Not so now. People do scoop poop! And this, hand in hand with well socialised dogs welcome almost everywhere makes for a lovely landscape! The narrow, winding Cornish streets were the adventures of Hairy Maclary come to life.

This cafe not only allowed dogs inside but had biscuits for them too!!

Now, is this perhaps a step too far?:

My very bold sister-in-law wanted to try on some clothes so, without a ‘by your leave’, in she pops to the changing room, Ted in tow. Hilarious!!! Poor old Ted didn't know which way to look. Made for a great iPhone opportunity for me and raised a few smiles in the shop.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed my selection of happy dog shots.  I so wish this could happen here. A quiet beer at the local with a dog at your side – doesn’t get much better in my opinion. Ah well, here’s hoping….

LB

Journals and Notebooks

Introducing our new range of journals and notebooks now available online!

Gardening Journal (front and back view)

Notebook - Images of the Blue Mountains (front and back view)

Dog Days (front view)

Travel Journal (front view)

We have created a beautiful range of journals and notebooks, each with it's own unique touch. It's a place to record your ideas and plans, with inspirational, full colour photos throughout.

The Gardening and Travel Journals are specifically for those who have a keen interest in those activities. They contain specific, helpful pages as well as room for your own thoughts and creativity.

The Notebook with images of the Blue Mountains scattered throughout, is an all-purpose book which has many uses - journal-ling, poetry, recipes, recording ideas ... anything you wish.

The Dog Days book is a smaller sized book for dog owners - designed so that all the records of your best friend are in one place and can easily be referred to. There is also enough room to record special memories and anecdotes.

For more details have a look at the Unique Gifts page of our website.

These journals are available from The Nook in Leura (Blue Mountains) and can also be purchased online by going to our page on Blurb.

Transit of Venus

Location: Start at Woodbury Street, Woodford

Duration: 1.5 hours

Grade: Easy

Features: waterfalls, lookout, 

Trip Notes:

The smell of eucalyptus called us into the bush as we entered the track of this unusually named Woodford walk. The golden wattle shone in the sunlight and the long white arms of the scribbly gums waved and welcomed us as we walked along the sandy track, a lonely path, but one not forgotten – a notice board heralding its start and a few informative signs along the way.

As we made our way down the hillside we soon came to the first of three pretty little waterfalls. A short 5 minute detour took us to Mabel Falls and a lovely pathway of old stone slabs across a marshy section of the track led us to its base. Maybe these were some of the sandstone blocks that once lined this old swimming hole. The pool’s edge is no longer outlined by the blocks but the shimmering clear green water still beckons.

We started this walk at Woodbury Street in Woodford. The signs tell us that part of the land that this track passes through was donated in 2005 by the Johnson family to NSW National Parks, while the track also traverses over land owned by Sydney Water. The astronomical wonder, the Transit of Venus, was viewed in 1874 from a telescope stationed at Woodford and this walk was named after it by the Blue Mountains Conservation Society. They also donated a footbridge which provides the way across a bubbling stream where a sea of golden wattles rise and surround the creek bed.

We soon cross a fire trail and start the loop walk to the other two waterfalls. We can already hear Edith Falls and catch the view of the top of the falls from a lookout (formed by a safety fence). The old stone barbecue here is a reminder of bygone days and this is a good spot to stop and enjoy the peacefulness of this bushland. A detour to the right at the end of the lookout gives us a short but steep descent to the base of Edith Falls where we are rewarded by glass like pools that reflect the orange and green colours above as the water tumbles over the red-brown rocks.

 Further down the main track is Hazel Falls, different from the other two since we can walk behind it and watch the water dripping veil-like in front of us. Part of the track between Edith and Hazel Falls is covered by a boardwalk to protect a small hanging swamp and a big sandy overhang provides an interesting place to rest before completing the Edith-Hazel Falls loop. We now head back to the car, past flowering grevilleas and gnarled banksias, back through the avenue of golden wattles to complete this 1.5 hour walk.

 DH

 This article has been published in the October 2010 edition of The Mountains Blueberry.

Save the Gardens of Stone!

The Gardens of Stone reserve is part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area – an area north of Lithgow including the current Gardens of Stone National Park, Newnes Plateau and Ben Bullen and Wolgan State Forests.

The area is of great ecological and geological significance, containing many special rock formations and features giving it the evocative name Gardens of Stone.  It is a magnificent landscape of great biodiversity and a habitat for many native plants - some like the Eucalyptus cannonii are listed as vulnerable. It is also a haven for native animals and birds including the Regent Honeyeater and Tiger Quoll which are listed as threatened. 

The most striking feature of this area is the sandstone pagoda rock formations – these impressive and unique structures emerge out of the bushland and spread across the landscape. Layers of rock and sandstone form these amazing towers with weathered crevices, ledges and turrets giving it its unique look. This “Lost City is an amazing sight and one that is currently open to the public to enjoy. The pagodas also provide a safe home for many native animals, especially providing the lyrebird a place to nest and raise its young. Moreover the Gardens of Stone area contains important Aboriginal sites and is an area of significance to the Indigenous people.

Unfortunately most of the Gardens of Stone area is not protected and now part of it is at serious risk. A mining company has put in a proposal for open cut mining in a large section of Ben Bullen State Forest.  Apart from the obvious devastation this would cause for the unique landscape, the native plants and animals and for the ecology and biodiversity of the area, there are many more reasons why this proposal should be objected to.

Firstly the nearby town of Cullen Bullen, already affected by current mining operations in the area, will face further negative impact. Residents will be exposed to health risks and lower quality of life, and children attending the nearby Cullen Bullen Public School will face serious health risks due to airborne particles resulting from open cut mining. Blasting may damage nearby homes while the town itself will become a dusty town surrounded by degraded land.

Mining operations will impact upon the surrounding Gardens of Stone area and could cause land subsidence, and irreparable damage and destruction of the pagodas. Pollution and acid mine drainage could impact on local streams, killing aquatic life and drying out the landscape as well as contributing to climate change in Australia and globally.

There are many more reasons why this mine should be opposed and why the Gardens of Stone area should be protected within the State’s conservation reserve system. Currently submissions are being accepted from the general public until 1^st June 2012. If you are moved to speak out to save this wonderful area I encourage you to complete a submission via the Department of Planning & Infrastructure’s website by going to:

http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=4332

For more information, you may like to see The Blue Mountains Conservation Society’s website by going to:

http://www.bluemountains.org.au

 DH

Merin and Jethro

Recently we spent a wonderful Sunday morning photographing Merin and her greyhound Jethro.

Merin is one of those people who is as utterly beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. She adores her greyhound Jethro who has been through the wars somewhat and couldn't be more loved and cared for than he is by Merin. Merin loves all things vintage and it made for a great photo shoot.

Merin works at the Blackheath Veterinary Clinic. All the staff there are amazing - as compassionate as they are skilled. They see quite a bit of me and my menagerie, especially my ageing dogs and they never cease to amaze me with how kind and thorough and dedicated they are.

Hope you enjoy the photos:

LB



Blue Pool

Location: Enter the National Park via Bruce Road, Glenbrook and drive in through the entry gate – a $7 park entry fee is payable. Follow the road down a couple of hairpin bends to car parks with a sign pointing to the Blue Pool.

Duration: 20 minutes return

Grade: Easy

Features: creek, swimming hole, overhangs

Trip Notes: 

The Blue Pool is aptly named - its striking blue colour (at times almost turquoise when the sun is out, the sky is blue and the water is just right) is unusual to find in the middle of the Blue Mountains bush – this phenomenon doesn’t happen all the time however, and those lucky enough to see it have chanced upon something quite special. This curious colour varies greatly depending on the weather and the water, and is said to be caused light refracting off clay particles in the water.

Flannel Flowers dot the landscape as we take the steps at the start of this walk to the pool. There is a short wooden bridge to cross before descending further. Lime green ferns around hollowed out boulders, ruby red mountain devils and splashes of purple Trigger plants are around us. The well-made stone steps complete with a railing lead us down the track - we seem to be following a small watercourse as we descend the escarpment where the large grass trees wave and rustle in the breeze.

Soon the track flattens out and we walk along the base over large stone slabs, with interesting textured rock faces on the cliff beside us. The weathered sandstone overhangs create interesting dark orange textures and we also found that they provided a cosy shelter. We took refuge in this sandy bottomed cave from a sudden downpour and enjoyed watching the rain wetting and colouring the vegetation from our dry haven.

The track meanders along the base of the escarpment and soon what looks like a fork is reached. The sandy track on the left goes to a scenic spot on the creek – there s a bit of a rock scramble and after clamouring under an impressive gnarled tree onto the large rocks there is an engaging view of Glenbrook creek from here. The creek rushes by at this point so care needs to be taken on the slippery rocks - looking downstream the picturesque creek is surrounded by trees yielding brilliant yellow wattle while upstream the Blue Pool is in sight. 

To get to the Blue Pool, it’s the other track that hugs the cliff which needs to be taken. This track narrows out a bit and footing has to be watched over a few small rocky outcrops but soon we come to a small clearing on the left giving an easy entry point to the inviting waters of the Blue Pool. This pool is a popular swimming spot and great for a dip during the hot summer months. However care needs to be taken especially after rain as water levels become unpredictable. 

Today we arrived at the pool after a downpour so the colour of the water wasn’t blue. Despite that it was a relaxing spot and we met a friendly family picnicking on the shores and enjoying swimming in the pool. Of course it wasn’t long until the leeches appeared! We all packed up quickly and headed back the way we came, grateful for the short peaceful walk and hopeful to come back soon for a full day picnic in clearer weather.
DH

This article has been published in the Jan/Feb 2012 edition of The Mountains Blueberry.

Congratulations Sarah and Shaun

Last month we had the pleasure of photographing the marriage of Sarah and Shaun at a beautiful location in Mudgee. Luckily the rain held off and it was a gorgeous day. Here is a small selection from the day.