just something lovely

On friday after a wee drink at the new cove oyster bar at southbank I was wandering home and to my absolute suprise and delight turned a corner to come across these.
I love that someone(s?) had taken ownership of the council bikes, decorating them with these shiny balloons. It was also a fortuitous break in the weather, with lovely moody clouds behind but a beautiful summer sunset as well... before the rain that was saturday morning!
I'm so please to see more and more people out riding these bikes lately- I rode the velo's in montreal as a touristand absolutely loved the freedom and flexibility it gave to explore. Hurrah to more bicycle goodness! Ps. a massive thanks to lucent imagery for reaching out to me about my blog- it's so exciting to connect with people in real life or on the inter-web. If anyone is looking for a little something something to brighten their day, check her website for some wonderful, inspiring images...
L :)

Spots to sit a while

While in a job at Mooloolaba this week I strolled past this planter box, bordering one if the cafes along the esplanade up there. Although I'd love to see the planters made in recycled timber I think they are such a great idea- the tops are wide enough to provide a sitting ledge for the casual passers-by (and there are lots around there, strolling in off the beach) to perch and chat and people watch- how great?! As someone who loves greenery + plant life but who doesn't necessarily have a green thumb, the ability to interchange the inner boxes with standard sized planter pots that are readily available at garden centres makes rejuvenation a far easier task. Greening our cities and providing spots for socializing at the same time- happy days!!! :)

summer. coming.

This morning run pic indicates I am justified in feeling hot + bothered post-run and wanting nothing more than to plunge into any kind of cold water body upon finishing. Yup- the frangipani says it all- summer is on its way to Brisbane!

Praise the slow!

I have blogged about the return to slow before... Veg boxes, DIY and Home style deliciousness... On the weekend a mob of us got together for lunch... In the true Italian sense- home made pasta!! It took 6 of us 2 hours to make from mixing to rolling to cutting to cooking but at the end we had the most delicious fresh bolognaise to enjoy over Sunday lunch with friends. Thanks Italy for leaving your mark :)

I love Bne in the spring time...

I am having the most wonderful time lately, living locally, acting locally, loving Bne! I was chatting to some friends the other night about how Brisbane is just the right size, just now. It is big enough that there is loads going on and loads to do but small enough that young, small + local groups have the confidence to start up their own creative inspiring projects... This pic from the weekends West End Twilight Markets is a prefect example. Young peeps- doers rather than talkers (though plenty of space for talking and sharing great ideas as well...), people who share the love of local and the love of people and who love bringing it all together- hooray!
L.

special voyage to biff

Last night I felt so humbled and privileged to be in the audience for the Brisbane premiere screening of Inuk as part of BIFF. I went in with no preconceptions- actually I didn't have any knowledge of what I was about to see- I simply accepted a ticket from a friend and proceeded to spend the entire night glued to the screen. The film took me in- the beauty of the frozen land, the gripping anxiety and reality of life there and the comparisons and contrast that kept popping into my mind of our own red dust desert and indigenous people. (You can read more about the film and its story on their website.)
The end of the film came with much applause and strangers in the audience couldn't help but make conversation with neighbours about the gripping journey they had just experienced, via a little silver screen in the backrooms of the Tribal Theatre on Brisbane's George St.The best bit was still to come...
At the end of the film, BIFF introduced us to the lead 'actors' from the film- all the way from Greenland. I say 'actors' because Inuk used no professional actors in its filming, only real people, most of who were involved with the real Uummannaq childrens home, about which the film is centred. My goosebumps were enormous as I listed to these wonderful people, including the social worker and 4 children from the home talk about their experiences, love for their country and difficulties facing Greenlandic Inuit's.
I felt so overwhelmingly lucky to have been in the audience, so greatful that in Brisbane, we have a strong arts culture that allows things like BIFF exist and that their programming is such that it lets ordinary Brisbanites be part of such wonderful events.
Happiness gush over for now! Go see + support Inuk! :)

twilight buzz run!

Last night I was so excited to be part of the launch run for a new community exercise crew I have been working on called buzz!
We had a beautiful run through the Brisbane twilight- the city was definitely buzzing after Melbourne Cup lunches and celebrations! We finished with drinks and chats at the Ship Inn at South Bank. We are hoping the group will evolve and grow to make the community come alive by connecting through exercise - so feel free to pass it on and come along- check out the blog or facebook pages for details.

clare delights!

A weekend spent in the Clare Valley, cycling to wineries, collecting, cooking and eating great food and having delicious good times with great people- 10 out of 10 weekend! It was my first time to the Clare Valley- my first time to South Australia! I was wowed (and wooed) by the Adelaide Markets (pit stop for weekend fuel!), delighted by the beauty of the Valley, amazed at the age of the original stone farm houses, exhausted from riding (thanks cogwebs- you were amazing and I can't recommend you highly enough!) and partying with wonderful, energetic, like-minded and fun loving people. Life. Love. Happy days :)

Quirky new seats

A new green monster popped up in the middle of my run this morning- new seating + garden space in southbank... I love the colour!

bne love

another local project of love- bne festival

 

Sometimes you hear things; read things; see things that make your heart sing. Last night, as part of the SLQ Asia Pacific Design Lecture Series on 'The Architecture of Happiness', I saw Brissie local Yen Trinh speak about her work- and life- as an Urban Designer. It made my heart sing. So many things she talked about resonated with me and I guess her particular interest in communities + activating local communities, for communities, was particularly timely and appropriate given the ethos of buzz  that I am currently working on. She mentioned lots of other interesting -and exciting- projects happening around Brisbane and around the world at the moment which makes me feel so optimistic and full of love for the world I'm in, the like-minded souls who are in it too and being part of it all.
Hoorah for inspiration, and how lucky we are to have access to these things in our backyard- and free courtesy of public institutions like our libraries... thanks SLQ!
L. :)

blue swell

Here are some sneaky peaks of a project that is coming to completion. There have been a few tricky details in this one but I'm so happy to see it coming together now... and when I visited the other day and saw the beautiful big blue ocean outside- complete with whales passing by- it made everything fall into place. Hoorah!

risers in every shade of blue

the big blue inspiration!

new coloured glass screen

snowdome!

The last few weeks I have had so many ideas hanging around... or perhaps I should say 'buzzing' around... I have been trying to work them all out but they just haven't quite known how to fall into place- when I was trying to describe to a friend where I've been at I said- "I'm like a snow dome- all these ideas are shaken up and floating around but they don't know how to settle yet."
However.... they are starting to settle... things are starting to make sense... and I have to say, I'm quite excited! There will be more news soon but some hints: The ideas involve community. They involve you. They involve getting your sweat on. They involve being involved.
Cryptic much? Like I said... more news soon!
L :)

i did yoga on a purple carpet this morning!

This morning I did yoga here on this carpet of purple. I just needed to share because it was beautiful! Thanks to Lululemon who put on this free yoga caper and to Alison Sykes from Ten Toes Yoga for the class... Bne bliss :)

Roo's and views!

Last weekend I was the luckiest triathlete (try-athlete) when I did the straddie salute- an off road tri that takes you through some of the most beautiful spots- I think- in the world. Yep, I said it! I've seen a lot of beautiful places and I acknowledge a very strong history and personal connection to the magical place that is North Stradbroke Island, but it truly is one of my wonders of the world. The tri explored some of it and after the race, recovering with gelato with friends these roos stopped a couple of metres from us so they could admire the view too... What can I say- the roo's don't lie and neither do the photos!!

Lavender love

Brisbane and jacarandas. I think these lovely beauties really make our city. Not only do they herald the coming of summer but also to me they introduce the festive season. From here it's only a short step to poinciana season... Then Christmas! Can't decide if I like it better when they are in full bloom or when they are just slightly past it and so they drop a blanket of purple beneath their branches... Bne love!

inspire-ation

TED is not new but there are always new ideas, new people and new thoughts to stimulate and inspire...
Most recently for me was this quick (3 minutes of your day- watch it!) video by Matt Cutts who talks about using a 30 day challenge to try something new- something you have always wanted to do but haven't been able to start before. The theory being that if you can commit to it for 30 days then you will be on the road to establishing it as a habit...
http://www.ted.com/talks/matt_cutts_try_something_new_for_30_days.html
The idea of using habit forming challenges is not one that is new and there are loads of people in the blogosphere who create them and blog on them. Jen, over on smilewithyourheart, another lovely and inspirational blog I read regularly, always has a 40 day challenge going. I guess it's the idea of maintaining a consciousness about what you are doing in your everyday- striving to be better. It all sounds pretty good to me... perhaps I should be thinking about my own 30 day challenge... Details TBC!
L. x

running mates

Ironic really that I should be posting about running right after posting about s-l-o-w-i-n-g down but I guess that's life- fast and slow thrown in the blender and wizzed around. This morning on my run, though not the first time I've enjoyed a d&m or debrief with a friend while running, was a good one. I've spoken about the phenomenal ease with which you can share stories, catch up, vent or muse while running before- it's easy even to share personal, emotional stories- issues which may be difficult to talk about with even your closest friends are opened up and fair fodder for discussion whilst running.
I'm not sure what it is about setting off on a run that brings down barriers- exhaustion? The sharing of a mutual bond, forged in challenging kilometres? I first saw this running/d&m phenomenon articulated by Kirsten Armstrong on her blog. This evening I read about it again in the latest issue of runners world magazine.
Of course I don't always feel like running and delving to the depths of my emotions at the same time- some times the best running partner is simply my smiling red dog (see above!). I'm so grateful though that some of my very best friends are ones I can share kilometres with. This isn't a coincidence- I've also noticed that people I start running with become friends a lot quicker than the relationship would develop if we were non runners... The sharing of life stories and opening up that occurs whilst distracted by the pain of a run (and the distraction from pain through talking about these same stories!) I'm sure is responsible. On a day that's dedicated to checking in with mates- and strangers- to see if they 'r ok?' this post is dedicated to my running mates. The ones who I run with here and now in Brisbane. The ones who I have run with, who might not be geographically here but who i often carry in my thoughts as I run... thankyou all for inspiring me, for motivating me and for keeping me ok. L. X

s-l-o-w it down!

This weekend was close to perfect! Hervey Bay. Blue sky. Green Sea. Life slowed down. Runs along the foreshore, rides arund the bay. Many lazy coffees at Enzo's- a cafe right on the beach. Weekend papers. Getting into some books that have been on my list for a while. Picnics. A pace of life slower than the usual at this seaside-come-country town to our North. The sea air, depth of colour of the water, wind in my hair and salt on my skin made me feel summer, even though it is still only spring and still a weenie bit too cold for ocean swimming just yet (soon though: straddie tri countdown t-minus 1 month!). It makes me want to plot and plan more trips, bike rides, beach adventures, camping trips for our long hot summer... bring on the bliss, I can feel it's going to be a good one!

canada trip... the food...

'fiddleheads' @ granville island mkt

I have been saving up for this post... I guess the time is now as I seem to be salivating as I write... so here are a few snapshots of some of the delicious food I had while I was away... And while I was, yes, suprised at the size of servings in Canada and the US, I was also suprised- and delighted- at the quality of food and coffee I was able to find if I did my research and knew where to sniff and which laneways to turn down to find things that were a bit off the beaten track... yum yum... enjoy this wee foodie journey...

coffee + croissant @ ezra's pound

japanese sangria @ guu izakaya toronto

that half almond croissant

coffee + herbs @ olive + gourmande, mtl

cheese toastie + coffee from le lapin presse montreal

famous st viateur bagel!

salmon @ fish + farm, san fran

local cherry cheesecake verrine! fish + farm

blue bottle coffee- siphoned straight to my cup!

boulette's larder, the ferry bldg san fran

Tall timbers

Some days the world does not seem to make sense. Instead of following day and night, night and day, it's as though life... the world... gets put through the wash. Everything comes out the other side upside down, inside out and wrung out. It has been a crazy week in Brisbane. One of the best remedies, handed down to me by my own mamma-nature, is to look at the beauty that still exists around you- look to nature to soothe and nurture and then, when the time comes, to reinvigorate and inspire. L.x

PS. I don't write this blog for anyone but myself, as an outlet, an inlet. If however you happen to be passing and need a hand or know someone who needs a hand, please know there is alwasy someone to hear your story, to care, to help. Here are a few:

lifeline

suicidepreventionaust

ruokday

Last day of winter!

I know I have been super lucky in that I have had a months holiday during the Aussie winter this year but even so I still feel ready for a change of season. I love that each season brings a change in the air and the weather. In the sky and daylight hours... The days are lengthening again and the pic below is the evening sky over brisbane on the last day of winter...
I'm also get quite excited about the possibilities of what lies ahead- it's as though each season is a mini "new year"- an opportunity to start fresh and consider goals and commitments for the coming months... In fact the more I think about it the more I like the idea if breaking the year up according to the seasons. Today I cleaned my desk, organized my work and even built some new shelves so I can manage my storage! How is that for a spring clean?!
Things I'm looking forward to this season: maintaining my self imposed clear desk policy; continuing to build on my training programme, especially getting into the pool more as the weather heats up; plotting and planning hiking and camping trips for the spring and summer... Hooray!
Good bye winter. It's been lovely to see you for a little while but it's definitely time we parted ways for another year! L.

Beautiful Brisbane!

Just a happy snap of our beautiful city on a sunny spring morning run. Soft colours in the sky. Sunshine beaming across the river... Ahhh!

Springing back into morning runs!

Mornings are back! 6am this morning was already full of sunshine- beautiful streams of early morning light. I have been trying to sort my exercise routine for the last couple of weeks since returning from Canada. I have a couple of regulars locked in each wk but I had been trying to use Monday as a rest day... Until I realised that in fact, I love the feeling of a Monday run! It makes me feel as though I've started the week right, and I have more hope for continuing in the right direction for the rest of the week! Here's to more morning runs (especially on a Monday!) as we continue merrily into spring! L. x

Baking for breast cancer!

Tomorrow morning, rain, hail or shine (probably rain!) I am going to a picnic brunch in the park. Why am I going to sit in a damp, cold park just so I can eat muffins and drink tea? Because a friend has organized this picnic as a breast cancer fundraiser and I know what it's like to have support around you when you're going through tough times. It can get you through bad days, it can make you laugh when you may have felt only like crying. It genuinely makes you feel as though you're not alone. That is why I have left Friday drinks early, to come home and spend the night baking! Here's to some bright sunshine or at least to making sure my biscuits don't burn and we raise lots of money!
L. x

more Van love!

So, after reviewing yesterdays post on Vancouver I decided I needed to share more vancouver 'love' images with the world... here ya go y'all:
 

views from kits beach...

post riot wall of love @ the bay store front

more wall of love...

it captured the city and the worlds attention- crazy to be amongst it

biking the sea wall!

view across to shakespeare by the sea festival... and mountains... always mountains...

heading to jericho beach

good night vancouver- thanks for being beautiful!

family time out!

I have had a 360degree life flip in the past few days. On Wednesday I was in bustling San Fransisco. On Thursday I was mid-air (yes the whole of Thursday!). I was back in Brisbane on Friday morning and spent the day washing, printing photos and catching up before packing again and setting off on a road trip on Friday night. Destination: Cunnamulla! Well close enough anyway, I have family with a property on the Warrego River and it is a super special place. Time there was spent fishing, eating, cooking (lots of cooking- I think we had 25 at meal times!), walking, talking, reading,  running (a bit) and just being. Being amongst beautiful, dear family and friends. Being away from phone reception, email and work. And not just away... really far away. There is something so wonderful about being able to completely switch off and detatch from the real world. I need to remind myself to do it- to make the effort to do the 9(ish) hours drive each year- the reward is more than worth it.

life/canada summ up!

I'm not quite sure how I managed to summarise Vancouver so succinctly... and with only 2 photos! The rest of my Canada trip has been fantastic... in fact, I'm a little unsure how exactly to summarise how great the past 3 weeks have been. I will try... With the help of brief sentences, lots of links, and a few photos!

Canada is beautiful. Beautiful scenery. Beautiful people. I have met new friends, caught up with and reconnected with wonderful old ones. This second part has been doubly important for me- not only is it always good to catch up with friends but it was a timely reminder that with real, true and dear friends, it doesn't matter how much geographical or physical time passes- when your soul sings to the same tune, your beliefs lie in the same sphere, your heart laughs at the same tricks, you can always pick up that friendship again.
Having made a life in London for 2 and a half years, itself a city with a transient population of internationals and travellers, I now have friends spread wide around the world. At times this is hard, when that one person I need urgently to share my news with or crazy dance with, or d+m with over tea is far rather than near, however the past couple of weeks have reiterated how lucky I am to have these people in my life. In fact it is no coincidence that these people are my friends- travellers, adventurers, people wanting to explore the world- these are my peeps! To keep any or all of them cooped up in one spot would make them bored and also far less interesting to talk to!
So, this has been a little deep for a Canada summary but it does make my heart sing to think about the time I have had here.
As well as the social aspect, there has also been lots of Lucy time, which is great and something I was craving. I have had some interesting and inspiring chats whilst travelling via bus (interesting random on the Toronto-Orillia Greyhound), train (to Montreal, where I sat with the travelling hobo and swapped travel and eating tips- check her travel blog!), canoe (Call of The Wild trip in Algonquin Park, Ontario was amazing- old friends and new and some amazing time on the water), bike (see pic left- awesome Canada Day/Pride weekend ride in Toronto,
car (Road trips! Hello new Rocky Mountain Bear Crew!)... and also quite a bit of down time for writing and journalling, Lucy-style!
Journalling also crept in as a way to pass time and observe life whilst simultaneously trialling every cafe in the country... Lapin presse for Grilled Cheese and coffee in Plateau Mont-Royal... Olde worlde charm with new world wholefood goodness at Olive + Gourmando in Vieux Montreal... coffee and croissant at Ezra's Pound in Toronto... Best bread (pic below) in the world from St John's... oven fresh... warm... crusty... sourdough.... Baked deliciousness for post-hike refuels at Wild Flower in Banff...
I have also managed to move my butt and run and hike (and canoe) in order to earn (some!) of the deliciusness... hilights were definitely Sulphur Mountain in Banff, Hiking part of the Sulphur Skyline from Jasper and hiking up from Lake Louise past Mirror Lake to Lake Agnes Teahouse, which was still partially iced over and wintery (according to this Subtropical gal!)... It has also opened my eyese to the possibility of hikes (previously an old people sport!) back in Oz... lots to look forwrad to in this life- all of it to be shared with friends and good people, new and old!
L. x