Shinju Matsuri Float Parade 2013

The Shinju Matsuri festival of the Pearl is in full swing in Broome at the moment, and on a lovely Sunday evening we attended the spectacular, fun filled float parade, here are some snaps...

If you ever have the opportunity to come to Broome, I strongly recommend coming at this time of year, the weather is perfect, it's nearing the end of the caravan season and this festival spans 10 days of fabulous events. So check it out. More information can be found at shinjumatsuri.com.au

Aren't festivals and celebrations funtabulous! xo

The Villa @ number 10

We moved recently....thus the extreme lack of posting...and I have been working quite ferociously....and I find it takes a little while for me to settle before I can comfortable post and coincidentally practise Pilates again....if these two things are happening it means I'm feeling comfortable in my environment...well it looks like this might start to be happening... lol or ltm as my favourite manager once said!

Our little villa is exactly what we needed and has plenty of space for us both to spread out, without being too big. I can ride to work, the shops, the beach anywhere really.

Here is to regular blogging, starting with a picture gallery from a float parade we attended yesterday coming up tomorrow. 

xox

tuesday.

its been almost 2 months since we moved back to Broome, and I never really did a farewell to hallsy post. its been a pretty hectic 2 months, challenging and surprising, and we still trying to find our feet and our Broome groove...

we ended up being in halls creek almost 9 months to the day, that's the longest we have ever stayed anywhere in the last 6 years! i still remember like it was yesterday, the day we arrived and subsequent days getting to know the town, getting a job, a donga of our own and meeting some pretty rad people, everything happened really quickly and before we knew it, 6 months had flown past. there are so many people that made our time there so special and to those we thank you, you know who you are. 

Disclaimer: this is a mish mash post, its flow is a little all over the place...

this beautiful sunrise was captured on one of our last days, to me, this is halls creek - a hidden gem.

Halls Creek Visitor Centre, where i spent 9 months learning about the Kimberley region and pretending i knew all the answers. little plug for them... go to their website where you can book all your tours and accommodation when travelling in the Kimberley and beyond, they also have an amazing online shop check it out hallscreektourism.com.au

in the last few months of our time in hallsy we were swimming 3 times a week, and it was freezing! halls creek aquatic centre is one of my favourite swimming pools, if you are travelling through stop by, have a dip.

and with that, many sad farewells, promises of visits, keeping in touch and a few tears, we packed our bags and headed for the big smoke*...

*im not kidding, in those first few days, Broome was overwhelmingly large.

had to get a photo of macchi at Mary Pool rest stop between Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing

and one of us....excited to be on the road again headed for a new adventure.

the scenery in the north of Australia is so unique, and beautiful in its vastness and stark, harsh nature. i feel so blessed to be able to experience and take in this amazing land.

we stopped to refuel ourselves and macchi at Willare Bridge Roadhouse...long way from Perth!

they are like the stately watchers of the Kimberley, the boab tree.

and then we saw our first Broome sunset after nearly a year, and it didn't disappoint, i don't think it ever will, every night the sunset can be just as magnificent.

i'm not really sure where this blog is headed at the moment, i'm going through a period of re-evaluating areas of my life, and i feel like there is so much more going on in the world that we need to talk about and deal with, i guess i don't want pple to think this is a self-indulgent space for me, i would love to tackle the more 'important' issues that our world is facing at the moment in this here space, however i'm not sure this is the right place. never think i am ignoring these issues or sweeping them under the carpet, what is happening in Australia at the moment in regards to basic human right is shocking saddening and embarrassing to me. think of this space as a place to escape and catch up on our ever 'exciting' lives, i will try to keep it upbeat, but i might also go deeper when i feel i need too. fortunately i have the freedom to be able to do that...

to all those without a roof over their head tonight, and to those fearing for the safety of their families and themselves, wherever you are in the world, my thoughts are with you. xox

All photos in this post taken with my iphone5

Cycling Broome

its sort of the best place to have a bicycle, of whatever variety you prefer,our choices are pretty much polar opposite...

my bike is a single speed beauty purchased from mojobike just after we arrived in broome, i knew i would need my own set of wheels as b uses the car for work. i use her everyday to work, to the shops , to the beach, just for a ride, wherever i feel like going really. she has a handy basket with a lid which fits all the necessities and a steel rack on the back, perfect for dinkying children! (no that does not make me sound cray cray, it's purely a fact)

b's bike on the other hand is a stunning harobike that he chose here in broome from the local bike shop, who also hire out bikes if you are ever in the need for one: broomecycles. b's bike was a very early 30th birthday gift from family and i know it will be so well used here and always, cause it's cool and it's exactly what he was after. 

there are many places to see on a bike, and broome is so flat, it feels like you are hardly working those leg muscles (at first that is, 10mins in you start to feel it, but thats good right!?), there are loads of off road tracks, and the famous Gibb River Road just out of Derby for the hardcore cyclists. However, im not so much into the off road stuff, and my bike isnt really created for that, so we stick to the streets of broome. it is an amazing way of seeing a place.

broome has been created with bikes and walking top priority, most streets have wide walking paths that are suitable for bikes, there are plenty of bike stands at all the major shopping centres and you will always see a couple of bikes chained to posts around China Town.

there is really no better way to explore a place.get out on your bike today. where do you ride?

I put cocoa powder in my hair and other notable events

So, yea, I used cocoa powder in my hair...the water up here is rough on hair and skin,  so I don't like to wash my hair as regularly as I normal. Last week in an effort to stave off the impending oils seeping from my skull (gross image?) I decided to research dry shampoo and in particular home-made dry shampoos, cause you know, I like to keep the chemicals out of my body....and I like to try new things! My research came up with cocoa powder for darker hair as it doesn't up show like rice flour or something similar would ( I mean I don't need to highlight the fact I already have the odd grey hair starting now do I?!)

I tried it, it worked! Not only could I starve off the oils for 1 more day, but I also got delightful whiffs of chocolate all day! Win win I say. Try it if you dare!! and yes, I would recommend it, I might even do it again....

Here are some photos....photos speak louder than words....

Caroline pool - Halls Creek. I visited here for the first time with friends last week, its beautiful. 

I took a trip to Kununurra to visit some fab friends, we went out to Lake Argyle for the day - STUNNING! So is the infinity pool at Lake Argyle Resort. 

Have spent a lot of time with this guy of late, he is a special pup, and an absolute joy to hang with. Reeva swimming at Lake Kununurra, and Caroline Pool in Halls Creek. He is also partial to a croc.

We're pup sitting this weekend, these two are full of energy, they actually never seem to stop...I'm exhausted!

We had some unseasonal rain, it was fantastic! Not so for the tourists, but the locals loved it! Well, these locals did!
The first Halls Creek Market happened - sort of.....the second was a bit better....slowly but surely!
ABC Kimberley broadcast live from the Halls Creek Visitor Centre balcony...

We have had cause recently to create and devour some tasty treats...

This is starting to happen! Yep, we are officially moving.

Broome in 1 week!!!!!

 I know! I can't quite believe it...but I think it's safe to say that it is really happening, and we have to get our butts into gear with the whole packing thing...cause that photo shows the current extent of the packing and I have a full work week ahead of me! better go and get stuck into it...or maybe not...maybe I'll enjoy the rest of my Sunday.

Here's hoping the next post will be from Broome Town!! Excuse me while a go and do a crazy head shaking dance! - but yes, we will miss Halls Creek and those friends we have made. 

Onwards and upwards, as our four feet become more firmly planted on this earth. 

Love to all. xox

When Love Your Sister rolled into Halls Creek

Samuel Johnson and the Boob Mobil ride into Halls Creek

Sam had ridden some silly amount of kms to reach us in time! Thanks Sam!

Jaru and Kija elders welcoming Sam to country.

Outside the Halls Creek Visitor Centre

We took the boys out to Palm springs to experience  the real Kimberley

Someone left a little pressie! Kimberley life!

Local croc!

Samuel and his crew rode in to Halls Creek on the 1st of May 2013! It was a whirl wind of a couple of days filled with laughter, love, and a side of fundraising. We were so stocked to have Sam spend the time with us in Halls Creek, and pretty excited to share one of Halls Creek's finest - Palm Springs.

The Kimberley Hotel put on a fantastic couple of nights of extra fundraising and raucous behaviour! 

Now the boys are travelling towards Perth, you can still donate to the cause by visiting: loveyoursister.org please do!

On another note: Tam's campaign to take a Solitary Choice to Kansas Fringe has far exceeded Tam and Mik's expectations and they have successfully raised the funds they were after, if you donated - you are AWESOME! If you didn't you still can! Go for it! A Solitary Choice

Much love to you all. Life update coming up soon! 

Be happy xo