And another year has past, so time to look back on some lovely memories. Its generally been a pleasant year, and I'm still very happy in retirement. No O/S trip in 2018 (though I'm planning a visit to France, UK & Ireland in Jul-Aug 2019). I did enjoy a roadtrip up through inland NSW to Brisbane for their Lindy Exchange, and back down the coast in May-Jun. Some highlights included a couple of days walking in the Warrumbungle National Park (which I just love, and have been far too long between visits) with photo of the Breadknife and Grand High Tops below. Then me at Curtis Falls on Tamborine Mountain, and the view down Numinbah Valley from Beechmont, both in Qld. Coming back down the coast, a view from atop the Byron Bay Lighthouse. In Sydney I enjoyed seeing both Vivid, with the awesome Customs House projections, and the "The Lady and the Unicorn" tapestries exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW.
I started the year as usual with my family in Melbourne. Enjoyed a walk with my friend Angie along Sorrento Back Beach, and going to see this year's "Aladdin and the Arabian Tales" sand sculptures in Frankston. In Oct I enjoyed showing my visiting Norwegian Anna Sofie around Canberra for a week, including seeing the Field of Poppies commemorating the centenary of armistice at the War Memorial.
I love being in Canberra with its myriad events. These included Enlighten (with the illuminated jellyfish) and the Balloon Spectacular (with the Humingbird kissing the lake) in Mar, and Floriade in Sept-Oct.
I like the new "Crying Dinghy" sculpture in the new Henry Rolland Park by the lake, seen here in Aug. I enjoyed seeing Patricia Piccinni work again in her "Curious Affection" exhibition at GOMA in Brisbane, with this being one of my favorites. And I headed to Sydney for a few days in Oct, to see this year's Sculpture by the Sea. This "Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are" tableau caught my attention.
Whilst in Melbourne in Jan I experienced the colors and sounds of the inflated "Arboria" installation in Fed Square. Back in Canberra I loved the glass neon hearts at the Glassworks in Feb. A balloon inflating at the Balloon Spectacular at dawn. Lead carillonist Lyn Fuller explaining how the bells are played on a Heritage Festival Tour, where I even got to play a few notes! And I ogled the bling at the Cartier Exhibition at the NGA in Jul. A warbird at the Canberra Airport Open Day in Apr. Some awesome music at Savoy Swing Social with Prof Adrian Cunningham in Aug, one of quite a number of dance events I enjoyed. Earthly Delights with their Music Box Waltz display at the Goulburn Waterworks Steampunk and Victoriana Fair in Oct. Also a photo of me there, middle below. I enjoyed Monique Clare playing at the NFF at Easter. In costume at the Sat Ball in Albert Hall at JAFA in Apr. Anna Sofie in the Skyspace at the NGA. And an interesting angle at the NMA on the "Knot An Ordinary Building" tour in Nov.
And a few more photos that I didn't get room to squeeze into the printed letter. Me on a 3D surfing mural in Geelong in Jan. A painting in the "Rembrandt & the Dutch Golden Age" exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW in Feb. More from Enlighten with one of the NLA illuminations.
Silo art on the Old Fyansford Cementworks in Geeelong in Jan. Some lovely reflections on a walk in Molonglo Gorge in Apr. A whale breaching off Cabarita Beach on my road trip in May.
And a few photos from dances (where I tend to be too busy dancing to take many these days). The Irish Ceili at the NFF in Mar. I enjoyed the Jumpstart West Coast Swing weekend at the Railway Barracks in Goulburn in Apr. A display at the Earthly Delights Baroque Dance Afternoon in May.
Saturn in the Melbourne Solar System Model at St Kilda Beach in Jan. The "Second Skin" sculpture in Contour556 by Lake Burley Griffin in Oct. "Spinning Slowly", another favorite at this year's Sculpture by the Sea. Then a photo of me with Naomi at the Queensland Swing Festival in May, and an awesome mural in Fish Lane in Brisbane, also seen on that trip.
