'Holland, ik hou van jou'

Translation: 'Holland, I love you' and I'm happy to report that we really do love being here and are having a wonderful break in this pretty, pretty land.
I must appologise for the huge break since my last post but due to my reasoning for sending a pc from Australia to Europe being questioned at this end and then a 50euro fee (for what i'm still baffled) it took a while.  Thank goodness for our wonderful relations here who have been so kind and helpful with our settling in and translation of the small forest of paperwork involved finally i'm up and running again with my blog. 

The weather hasn't been too bad since we arrived but we have had some very chilly days with tops of 5deg and howling wind brrrr and then today was our best day yet sunny 20deg, so grateful for sunshine.  Spring is here but a little slow to get started this year apparently, so proud of the kids who just take it all in their stride with no complaints they've been amazing.

I can't tell you just how beautiful it is here, it really is so pretty everywhere its like living in a postcard everyday.  The dutch folks are all so use to this beauty and don't really seem to 'see' how stunning it is at times, although they are a very proud people and happily fly their flag for all to see.  Its wonderful for us to be learning about their culture and history, so different to home obviously.  Some of the windmills we have been seeing are 500yrs old, and still look so grand quite an amazing sight up close.

The kids have not yet started school here and so have been struggling with the language barrier, they will start next week and i'm told by their new teacher in 6 months they will be speaking fluent dutch (me, may take a bit longer) we are all excited to see the progress and will keep you posted.

On the photography front well its a smorgasboard of amazing locations, if I die tomorrow I am a happy girl.  I just now need to begin setting myself up for some paid work again, not an easy task with the current economic situation here in Europe but will try my best.

Have a wonderful week everybody wherever you are, and enjoy the sunshine if its shining on you.

Your friend B xo

    

Farewell friends, till we meet again...

Well the day is almost here, only 10 days till we leave this beautiful place we call home and fly half way round the world to our new home (for the next two years) The Netherlands. 
I've been flat out sorting and packing all our belongings, donating to friends and op shops, trips to the tip.  Its been an emotional time as well parting with all the baby items we know longer use or need, finding old photos of our once 'babies' time has gone so fast in some ways.

So now a new chapter in our lives is about to start and I will be treasuring every day we have on our adventures because I know it will go so quickly as well.  The kids are saying farewell to their friends, and as promised to Miss S I took her and her other bestie out for a 'friends shoot' this time they wanted the beach and they had a ball running in the sand and splashing and laughing in the water which was really warm.  Now I need to go and print some to make my collage in our new home so that our friends are never far away.

Will be keeping up the posts once I get my pc set up and look forward to sharing with you soon.

Peace be with you

B x

A very special visitor...

As most of you know I went down to Melbourne in January to attend an amazing photographers workshop called 'Art and the Heart' organised by two of the best photographers and people you could ever be lucky enough to meet Dan O'Day and Samm Blake.  I also got to meet a wonderful group of fellow photographers and our likeminded connections was something I will cherish forever. 
So back to my visitor 'Tracy Lee' was my roomie for the 4 days and from the time we met we became instant friends.  Tracy hails from Canberra and I was so lucky that she and her bloke drove up to Sydney a couple of weeks ago,  for a quick visit of family and little old me. 
Tracy and I grabbed our cameras, raced to the beach and while giggling endlessly snapped each other in some of the pretty afternoon light. Just wanted to share some now with you.