Seasons reading

 Merry Christmas Friends

What was in your gift pile? I got some reading for the summer time. 

 The summer garden is also celebrating Christmas 

And reminding me of the season... 

How are you celebrating? 

I'm elaxing at home for a couple of weeks. It's quite lovely. 

Welcome Bailey

 This is Bailey. 

She's a 12 month old border collie/ kelpie mix 

And a bundle of mischief & energy

 Bailey joined us following being lost & found

Which means we dont know about her past. 

What we do know is she's beautiful & very smart.

Bailey surveying her new territory... 

7 days of black and white

I've been absent from my blog 

while I was winding up some uni assignments

But I've been participating in 

#7daysofblackandwhite

On instagram

@tullymoi6 

Images from my garden and other corders of my life. 

 

Poonhill, Nepal - My Mountaintop Experience

It may have been 430 in the morning, and I may have climbed 3000 steps the day before, and my body may have wanted to stay lateral for many more hours, but I rose. I stirred my partner and knocked on the paper thin hostel dorm wall to wake our friend,  and we pulled on our boots, unplugged the camera from its charger, and waited anxiously for our guide to meet us for the pre dawn walk to Poonhill.

Joining the possible 500 other trekkers doing the same pre dawn walk, we marched in an honourable silence, some with headlamps, others enjoying the moonlight path ahead. There were moments when the shrubbery holding us in, opened to glimpses of a pre dawn deep valley below up, and towering peaks above. The respectful crowds stopping just off the path to get that snap, or just to take a breath. We climbed for 45 slow and steady minutes to get to the summit at 3,200 meters. (Just for a reference point, the highest point in Australia is just 2,228 m)

This was both, the highest point we were going to get to on this trek, and the highest point in this, my post operative journey.  I'm a goal setter, and along time ago, I had set myself the goal of doing the Camino Pilgrimage this year, but having time off work for my hip replacement, meant I couldn't have the time off also for the full Spanish holiday I wanted. Next best thing, climb a mountain!! And I did. (Although for Nepalese standards, Poonhill is not a mountain).

 We stood at the top of Poonhill and watched, in awe, as the clouds sank or parted, and the sun rolled across the Peaks of the Annapurna Ranges. The Tibetan Prayer Flags, flapping in the light breeze reminded us of the mountain people & their faith and respect for the mountains. There something amazing about being with other like minded people, from around the globe, with no common language, just taking in the glory of a sunrise.

Our little party, guides and trekkers, took selfies, snapped photos from every vantage point and angle, but eventually you couldn't take anymore photos, it was time just to sit and be. (Luckily for my partner, there was a little tea stand on the top of that hill with hot coffee on offer).

We were on the top of Poonhill for probably 90 mins, before the steep stepped walk back to our trekkers lodge (teahouse) for a big breakfast. But those 90 minutes were really special. It was a time to reflect on just how big our world is, how diverse we all are, but yet how much were are the same. I saw the beauty of the pristine mountain ranges around us, and was reminded of what we do to the lands we have ready access to and how we must care and respect the earth in the places we live. Rescuing damaged lands is not an easy thing and protecting and maintaining natural environments is so important.

I was encouraged to come home and make a place where I will focus on these reflections, where I can find peace in my place, where I can remember and honour the people of the world.
When I share photos of Poonhill with others who have been there, they all gasp as they recall their own experience of being ontop of this hill. I hope I will be the same for along time.

Travelling Nepal

Busy streets and discovering secret temples.... Kathmandu is a constant source of surprise.

Travelling from Kathmandu to Pokhara, we get first glimpses of snow capped Annapurna Ranges..

Trekking on the Goonapani cirtcuit for 5 days, we had many glimpses again of snow capped mountains, and opportunities to meditate on the amazing glory of this country. 

Visiting the significant sights around Pokhara... the World Peace Pogoda is particularly outstanding. They ask for visitors to respect the silence as we walk around the Stuppa. I found this amazingly powerful.

Travelling brings with it opportunities to learn more about yourself, the people you travel with, and the host country. Today, we have changed our travel plans because we've been invited to join our hosts at their family home to celebrate the Hindu festival of Dashain. I'll post more about that when I know more about it...

Singapore weekend

 I'm reflecting on the past and taking time to recover and prepare for the next journey of my life by taking a holiday. This time, I'm enjoying a trip with some great friends. However, holidaying with others opens up both new experiences  and challenges. Im enjoying both..

My friends have joined my partner & I in singapore for a few days, so weve be creating an itinerary to suit all. So we've been to the botanic gardens (my choice), and to have breakfast with the Orangutans at the Zoo, and to see a light show at Marina Bay.. each experience different and exciting.

Breafast with th Orangutans (my friends choice to add to itinerary)  was very touristy, as we sat down to a smorgasbord of Macdonalds quality french toast, waffles, eggs & terrible coffee with 100 other families. The Orangutans sat on a timber perch while individuals & families lined up in front of them for photos.

I had imagined something more like being seated in a location where we could watch them in their own space while they also had breakfast... more natural...

Visiting the other animals in their enclosures also came with mix of awe & wonder, distress & concern. But who cant love a meerket??

 The National Orchid garden is in the Botanic gardens and is just amazing. The garden designs and the 1000s of varieties are just beautiful.

 Singapore has the most amazing gardens, and I can get lost in them for hours.... but apparently its not everyones cup of tea..

Our final night in singapore with friends was celebrated with a boat cruise and a light  show. This was not on my itinerary but so glad i was convinced to do it.. the light show came with music, smoke, laser lights & fountains. It was thrilling, and (even the costly price tag for the boat) well worth the time.

Now for the next phase of the journey, my partner & i are heading off to Nepal fora few weeks... a very different adventure.

Spring & Wellbeing

I started this post several days ago, and just got distracted... but the intention was to celebrate Spring and Wellbeing.  I was so proud of this harvest recently, I found myself returning to the photo just to check it.... yep all of this came out of my garden.... chuffed!

This spring my garden is flourishing, which is nice because the past few years its been a struggle.  This Spring, I too have been flourishing after a long period of hip pain (since 2015). But  since my hip replacement I've bounced back, as my garden has....

I see my vegetables as signals of wellbring in my garden & myself.. 

This magnolia is near my flat in the city, and it too, speaks to me of spring, new life & energy.. Next week, I am off to Nepal for my 2017 adventure, trecking in the Annapurna Ranges!! 

So, here's to Spring 🍾🍹

I love this poem of an Australian Spring..

Spring is the magical time

When the rainbow lorikeets hum and the honey suckles Blossom,

When I actively bounce down the sand dunes

And onto the pea green grass,

The waratahs and the wattles bloom,

And my heart opens to the riot of spring.

I love this time when everything comes to life,

Nature triumphs in the trees, swaying freely in the wind,

Stealing my train of thought

And making my imagination run wild.

I am inspired by this heavenly kingdom,

The tranquillity of dew droplets falling,

Slowly

The mastery of the rain.

I feel connected.

Tree sap trickles down the bark of native gum trees

I examine this , calmly, curiously.

Sometimes the wind whispers to me at dusk

Giving me confidence within my body

I promise

I will always make the most of springtime.

Source: these poems were written by Australian children in masterclasses on The Four Seasons using The Hathorn Technique led by Libby Hathorn.

Spring & seasonal change

Paris in July 2017 has been and is now behind us for this year.... its time my blog changes direction for spring... I now focus on my garden and growing things, creating a new season ambiance here at Thyme-for-tea.  

I do love July and my month long focus on Paris & France, things french, and sharing that time with many long  time blogging friends, and new ones..

But here in Australia we are on the verge of a new spring.  This is a real time of celebration for me. I love the new life that springs up around me. 

What does the changing of season mean to you? 

Last Sunday afternoon walk... 

Treated to a reminder of the amazingness of this creation! 

Paris in July 2017 ...... the Finale!

Here it is, the final few days of Paris in July 2017. Its been a delightful month of dedicated posts to many different things we all love of Paris, Franch and French culture. I regret that I have not had enough time to visit all of your posts, or to have even read the books on my TBR pile... but I know many of you have had a chance to visit and support each other during this blogging event.

So as the sunsets on the Eiffel Tower, I'm going to invite final reviews, commentaries or "best of" posts....  you could nominate another bloggers post as one of the best, or review a series of posts, or even post a link to one from the past. I will hope to get some time to do a few visits this week.. 

Paris in July ...... ma post en Francais...

Les chocolates pour La Quatorze Juillet 

Ca fait longtemps que je n'ecrit pas en francais, et maitenant j'essayera sans dictionaire. Si vous avez des corrigions pour moi, si vous plait les me donner.

Bienvenue a Thyme-for-tea, mon espace pour les contemplations de la vie... pendant le mois juillit, je celebrerait Paris in July avec mes amis qui a bloggers comme moi.

J'aim beaucoup la vie Parisienne  (ou quelle que chose j'imagine il est) mais je suis habite en Australie que etait tres loin de Europe. Chaque annee je m'emerse dans la fantasies de le culture francais.

De temps en temps je lis les histoires de la vie en France ou regarde les films qui a fait au France. Parfois, je mangera ou cuisinier les nouriture francais... ou bois les vins de francais.

Cette année il est tres difficile pour moi de passe beaucoup des temps faisions qulle que chose francais, parce que je suis une etudient (MBA) avec les devoirs et ie suis tres occupe avec mon travaille et des autre activites.

J'ai au les reves de lire trois livres, mais..... je n'ai fait pas.... peut etre apres l'examen..

Sans la doubt, ni lisent ni cuisinier, ni regardent les films ou mangent les croissants,  j'ai au beaucoup des amusements avec vos posts tres interessant et tres diverse. Merci..

Paris in July 2017 - Week 4 - final

My French Dreams....

How many other tragics are there out there? Who else has a bookshelf like this one? All my dreams of speaking french fluently one day are resting on this shelf.... oh, yes, and on my tablet where I have multiple apps like Speak French by Podcast... On my phone I have one of those online radio apps, that allows me to listen to french radio and french podcasts. I do try...  Just this week, I've been listening to the Tour de France on french radio in french - and fairly proud to say I understand most of it.

Anyway - for Paris in July 2017 - I promised myself I would do a post in French - so I've only got this week left to do that.. I will.

And as the month is coming to its close next weekend, we have one more Mr Linky.. post your new Paris in July links here... I'm really looking forward to seeing what's to come!

France's entry in Eurovision 2017

One of my Paris in July aims was to listen to more French music but I didn't really know where to start, when one of my friends noted she had really enjoyed Frances entry in this eurovision competition. Here is it - both a really energetic piece and a great video...



For some of my readers, you may not be familiar with Eurovision. It's an annual song competition between participating countries, where ABBA became an international sensation. Its been in existence for 62 years.

I was never quite sure why Australia followed, or even participated in this competition, but this explanation is quite helpful.

 Australia first competed in 2015 when it was invited to participate in a gesture of goodwill for the show’s 60th anniversary and its ‘Building Bridges’ theme. The country, which has a strong Eurovision following, has since remained in the competition, both confusing and upsetting many fans. The simple explanation as to why Australia is in Eurovision is that SBS, its host TV broadcaster, is part of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which oversees the organisation of the contest; in essence, this qualifies them for entry.

 This years French entry was selected... by the French broadcaster France Télévisions, in collaboration with their television channel France 2, who internally selected the song "Requiem" performed by Alma and written by Nazim Khaled to be the French entry for the 2017 contest in Kiev, Ukraine (Wikepedia)

Le Foret de Troncais et Les Chamignoux

 So here's another chapter in the unplanned trip to France in 2002. We were cycling (cheapest way to live when unexpectedly on holidays) according to the TV news weather map - avoiding mountains!!  We ended up here - somewhere in Allier, near Montlucon. It was beautiful country, very french.

 Cycling through villages with amazing views in ancient streets.. we just couldn't believe how lucky we were.

 Constantly taking in the new and different... my partner was intrigued by the ancient architecture.

 Cycling meant having all our travel gear on the bikes... as this was an unplanned trip we had to do some sorting, rearranging and ended up with our little 'Bob' trailer. It worked a treat (as long as I wasn't towing it).

 When we decided to come to this part of the world, we booked a gite (local farm house for rent) and then started riding towards it. The gite was located in the village of Les Chamignoux near le Foret du Trancais. It was such a highlight of our trip.. we loved it!

 This was our Gite... white stone collage with red wines.

 

Time to play with fires in cozy corners... 

 

 And like any good French village - they had hunts!

Located near the Forest of Tronçais (Forêt de Tronçais) we enjoyed walks, rides & picnics. This is a French national forest, a forêt domaniale, comprising 10,600 hectares in the Allier, managed by the Office national des forêts. Its oaks, planted by order of Jean-Baptiste Colbert, minister of Louis XIV to supply the French navy, constitute one of the principal stands of oaks in Europe. The oaks of Tronçais, representing some 80% of production, are prized for the barrels coopered for cognac and the great wines of Bordeaux.

I will share another special story from this part of the world in next weeks edition.