Australia 2014

OMG!

Our first excursion was to visit three huge Moreton Bay figs Helen discovered by accident on her farm and aptly named 'The Grandmothers'. Brook, the dog shows the scale. Lucas disappeared up into the branches and I had a hard job finding him.

Hundreds of T trees (Melaleucas) line the route through the National Park to the beach.

The waves crash onto the rocks and swamp the rock-pool to overflowing. If you are unlucky to be in the pool when this happens the waves suck you out and dump you on the rocks below!!

I love the pattern and texture of the waves and spray.

The first days I arrived were cloudy with patches of rain then sunshine and soft rainbows.

Even the gulls had a hard time escaping the breakers.

The rain cleared leaving blue skies, a bright sea and a single boat.

The Queen's Birthday long-weekend on Manly beach was a fundraising time for fallen Aussie heroes.

Watching for Predators.

Another shot for my 'Locks' gallery.

Barriers for the Manly Ferry at Circular Quay.

As we approached Manly the clouds were getting ominous and our car was parked on the hill behind all these flats – I'm going to get drenched!

The New South Wales Police Brass Band were giving a concert outside the Museum of Contemporary Art. These shots are of some members warming up.

All three of these trees are wrapped around huge, granite boulders that have been cracked by the root growth. They are probably over two hundred years old.

A flock of Galahs came to roost for their midday nap in the trees at the back of the house.

Unfortunately, life ends on farms. This ewe died giving birth. The lamb had lost its mother and had adopted the carcass and was trying to suckle when we found them. The lamb was taken and introduced to the flock in the hope of being reunited with its mother.

All life comes to an end, unfortunately even wombats die, struck by a vehicle of sorts.

Helen is thinking of growing more garlic; the sheep seem to like it.

Concrete blocks supporting the wharf.

Tree maintenance in a National Park by the coast.

When he's not working the farm, Alan prepares for his next exhibition.