A Piping Hot Hike at the Old Fort, Corfu

A Piping Hot Hike at the Old Fort, Corfu

A storm has blown in, cold and blustery, clouds heavy with rain. I’m hiding away inside, watching Miss Marple as I wait for a loaf of seeded, whole-grain bread to finish baking.

It’s the perfect sort of day to escape to a Greek isle for a sunny trek around Corfu’s Old Fort (Paleo Frourio). Even if it’s only in our imaginations.

Old Fort Corfu

I visited this 15th Century fortress three years ago with my brother and a group of dear friends.

Although it was only May, it was blisteringly hot, and we guzzled water as we gazed up at the crumbling rock walls that have protected Corfu for centuries from pirates and invaders.

Built by the Venetians on the site of a Byzantine castle, it used to be connected to the mainland by a moveable, wooden bridge.

The British replaced it with the current solid pathway in 1819.

Old Fort in Corfu

The fortress has seen fierce battles, parades of prisoners condemned to death, and worshipers gathering at the only Doric-style church in all of Greece.

Historians believe it was the site of an ancient temple, and others have found written evidence of a settlement there, complete with churches, water cisterns and storehouses for gunpowder.

Greek temple Corfu

Walking down to see the Doric columns of the church, we craned our necks up the cliff face and saw a lighthouse towering high above us. In spite of the heat we were determined to see it, so up we went, one scorching step at a time.

lighthouse on Corfu

Our steps led us around and through the Old Fort, deserted now after hundreds of years. I wished I could’ve closed my eyes and seen soldiers tramping through or heard lookouts hollering that they’d seen a ship.

I wondered what they’d eaten, where they’d slept, what their lives were like.

Old Fortress Corfu

At last, huffing, puffing and drenched from exertion, we reached the top.

It was worth it.

The views were stunning, providing brilliant vistas of Corfu Island and the sea.

Even better were the breezes that swooped around us, cooling us just enough to let us enjoy the view we’d worked so hard to see.

Greek lighthouse

What is the best view you’ve worked hard to see?

A Little of This, A Little of That

A Little of This, A Little of That

Good morning!! After being very sick for two weeks, I’ve been a busy beaver this week with a new writing job, Spring Cleaning and more visa paperwork.

Today I had grand plans of writing a post of a beautiful far-flung locale, but then got sick again (grrr) so today’s post will be an utter hodge-podge of bits and bobs. Consider yourself warned. πŸ˜‰

I’ve been puttering in my garden, getting things ready for spring, and was so happy to see my sorrel bush return after the chooks ate it. πŸ™‚ I can’t wait to see those big, green leaves again so I can turn them into scrumptious, lemony sorrel pesto. It is so good spread on sandwiches, tossed with pasta, or used as a dressing with perfectly ripe tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella.

sorrel pesto

I just received pictures of our two new puppies that we get to pick up next week. πŸ™‚ Aren’t they darling? They are Maremma Sheepdogs and will be perfect babysitters and guards for our herd of Kalahari and Boer goats at our farm, Citadel Kalahari. I can’t wait to meet and name them. πŸ™‚

Maremma puppies

I also received news that two dear friends from the States are coming to visit me in January. πŸ™‚ I’m so excited to see their dear selves and introduce them to my beloved Queensland, Australia.

Now that Spring is here, I’ve been going for walks each day, basking in the gloriously warm sunshine, happy to see my first tan of the season. πŸ™‚

I’ve been perusing local garden centers, excitedly choosing all sorts of herbs and veggies for my gardens: lavender, curry, borage, and thyme, tomatoes, strawberries, potatoes, and fennel.

Warwick nursery

I’m most happy about my new gooseberry plant (I’ve always wanted to grow gooseberries!) and the crab-apple tree that Bear surprised me with.Β  Whenever I think of crab-apples I think of Canada. It will be a little piece of my homeland in Australia.

Warwick gardens

With the days growing longer, my workday ends in plenty of time for me to really enjoy sunset. It’s always different and always gorgeous, giving me a deep sense of awe and peace.

Allora sunset

What bits and bobs have been filling your days recently?

An Early Morning Boat Ride Through Venice, Part Two

An Early Morning Boat Ride Through Venice, Part Two

Only three days left until Spring in Australia and I can’t wait!!!

These cool, bright mornings are so cheering to body and soul. I feel awakened, alive, and eager to dig in the dirt, gather armfuls of flowers, and generally celebrate my heart out.

It was on just such a day that my brother Ryan and I continued our early morning boat ride through Venice, Italy with our friends Ben and Natty. (To see part one click here)

There is something so glorious about a spring morning in a city like Venice: the slap of waves on gondolas, exquisite old buildings flooded with sunlight, flowers blooming everywhere.

Venice gondolas

We sat back in our seats, basking in the warmth of the just-risen sun, imagining ourselves living in these aging yet opulent buildings.

How lovely to wake up each morning, step out onto a sun-washed balcony with a steaming cup of espresso and gaze out over glistening canals.

Amazing.

Venice hotel

I loved spotting unexpected vignettes like the couple breakfasting on their balcony, utterly oblivious to passersby.

Venice bridge

I love the care Venetians take to festoon railings, balconies, window-boxes and courtyards with lavish profusions of blossoms. The buildings are gorgeous all on their own, but the brilliant spots of greenery and vivid blooms make them like something out of a fairytale.

Venetian church

As much as I loved bobbing along the canals, I envied the seagulls soaring above me, swooping over rooftops and perching cheekily atop those lovely striped poles.

They definitely get the best view of Venice.

Venice seagulls

What is your favorite way to explore a new city? On foot? By boat or taxi? From the top of the highest tower?

An Early Morning Boat Ride Through Venice, Part One

An Early Morning Boat Ride Through Venice, Part One

It was a glorious spring morning a few years ago when my brother Ryan and I and our friends Ben and Nat scurried through the deserted, pre-dawn streets of Venice, eager not to waste one precious second of our time there.

The sun was just rising as we emerged in San Marco Square and found our way to a vaporetto (water bus) stand. Although not as romantic as a gondola or fanciful as the colorful Venetian boats, Venice water bus tickets are very cheap (6 Euro as opposed to 90 Euro for a gondola) and if you are quick enough to get an outside seat, the views are impeccable.

Since we were among the first in line at just after 5 a.m., we had our pick of outside seats and chose the very outsidey-est ones with views unencumbered by the large hats or telescopic lenses of strangers.

taking the water bus in Venice

Soon we were motoring along the relatively deserted canals, seeing a Venice awash in pure morning light, the cool, fresh breezes masking the oft malodorous air.

Grand Canal in Venice

I love seeing European cities before most people are even awake. The lack of interruptions and distractions make for peaceful and thoughtful viewing.

Usually the only people up are locals, heading off to work or stopping by the bakery for their morning bread or pastry. I like that.

I liked the hundreds of boats tethered securely to crooked wooden poles, rolling gently on the waves, creaking rhythmically with each heaving swell.

blue boats in Venice

I was enchanted by the intricate detailing on the windows, balconies and doorways of lavish villas. Who lives behind those huge locked doors, those barred windows, those fluttering white curtains?

orange Venetian villa

Some buildings looked welcoming with window boxes spilling over with flowers and cheery, brightly-painted boats tied up front, but others were austere, like this beautiful but imposing edifice.

white villa in Venice

My favorites were those with hidden gardens: ivy-covered trellises, lush plants trailing over courtyard walls, and blossoming trees reaching up for the sun. What lovely escapes in a city with so little ground that isn’t covered by towering villas and exquisite churches and palaces. How precious each square bit of earth must be.

If I lived in Venice, I would love a hidden garden to putter in.

hidden gardens of Venice

I would also love one those fabulous little boats painted in deliciously bright colors. A little Venetian boat, all of my own. That sounds like pure bliss. πŸ™‚

Venetian boats

While we’re indulging in such lovely daydreams, what little things would make your heart happy if you lived in Venice?

PS – Thank you with all my heart for your unbelievably kind responses to my last post. Your supportive and celebratory words made me laugh and get teary and feel so lucky that you are part of my world. Thank you. xo

The FBI, An Engagement Ring and The Gift of Belonging

The FBI, An Engagement Ring and The Gift of Belonging

Ayiyi, what a week it has been!! I’ve been frazzled as can be filling out reams of paperwork, tracking down documents and even getting finger-printed at an Australian police station so I could be verified as legit by none other than the FBI. Phew!!

It’s been a bit crazy.

getting finger printed in Australia

But even in the midst of the mind-numbing paperwork and angst-ridden waiting for documents to arrive, there is much happiness for I am engaged!! πŸ™‚

Yes, my dear Bear proposed and I accepted. Together we chose this beautiful antique jade ring. It’s not traditional but I love it to pieces and it makes me happy every day. It’s awfully nice to have something to remind you that no matter how bad things get, there is someone in this world on your side cheering for you. πŸ™‚

jade engagement ring

This weekend Bear took me out for a drive in the mountains to celebrate our relationship and get away from the stress of everything.

It was so good to leave the plains and climb higher and higher into the sunny, cold, and oh-so-refreshing mountain air.

Killarney hills

 

Bear made reservations for us at a place called the Spring Creek Mountain Cafe.

We’d heard the views were spectacular, but nothing prepared us for the stunning vistas of Condamine Gorge, Wilson’s Peak, The Border Ranges and a World Heritage listed rain forest.

Spring Creek Mountain

Our table was right in the corner near the edge of a hill that plunged down into the valley below.

Although outside the cold winds were blowing fiercely, inside we were toasty warm in a pool of sunshine.

Spring Creek Mountain cafe

I had pan-fried Barramundi with macadamia cilantro pesto, and Bear had a steak burger with caramelized onions and homemade mayo and the best chips either of us have ever had.

Spring Creek Mountain Cafe menu

Although the food was fantastic, it was the view we enjoyed the most. Both of us were tuckered out, and sitting there in the winter sun, drowsy from a delicious meal, was absolute heaven.

 

view from Spring Creek Mountain cafe

Being engaged is strange and wonderful. It’s made me think a lot about relationships, particularly about belonging. A friend recently told me that apart from necessary sustenance, mankind’s most basic need is to belong. To someone. To something.

I love belonging. Love being part of a healthy relationship, community, goal or project. I’m thrilled when I see someone’s eyes light up because they like belonging with me too. That is exquisite.

But I’ve also seen the dark side of this need. I’ve watched myself and others subject ourselves to abuse of all sorts, overlooking egregious treatment and behavior simply so we could belong. The need for belonging is so strong, we’re even willing to belong to bad people, bad family members, and bad groups just to fill that need.

The Border Ranges

Before I met Bear, I willingly subjected myself to neglectful, unloving, and downright abusive relationships simply so I could belong somewhere. It took me a long time to realize that in a healthy relationship – be it friend, family, or loved one – you never belong to someone, you belong with them. Equals and partners, respectfully learning and growing together. There’s no control or manipulation or crushing of body or spirit in this sort of belonging. It is safe, peaceful and happy.

Healthy belonging is not perfect. There are still apologies to be made and forgiveness to be given, fights to be had and misunderstandings to be sorted out. But the goal is always wholeness and happiness for all parties involved. I love that.

It is this new understanding of belonging that gave me courage to embrace my past, my present and my Bear with a delighted, β€œYES!!!”

I don’t belong to him, nor he to me, but we belong with each other, and that is the coziest, happiest, most peaceful thing.