A LITTLE MORE AOTEAROA

A few more snaps from my recent holiday, which - after Hawke's Bay - included a little time in Wellington (where I watched 'What We Do In The Shadows' in what must be the world's best cinema (The Embassy, if you're ever in Boot-town, schedule a visit)

HIATUS

Travel and work have consumed most of the last few months and I've struggled to find the headspace to set aside any time in my life for more writing as there's been a lot of demands on my creative juices at work of late, so to summarise;

BEACH STILLS

Another image series from some recent beach walks. Gorgeous as it is, I've started some different circuits recently as a break from routine is always welcome, so my next walkabout image series should be a little different.

FESTIVAL DAYS

Ack! It's the Darwin festival again - already! And for the third year in a row I've managed to arrange things so that it's during the month I'm feeling least inclined to do anything with my cash. The first year I was still looking for work, the second I was saving my pennies for a trip to the USA and this year I'm doing the same for an impending NZ departure...and all going well I won't be here for it next year. So, better take my chance to give a nod to Darwin's largest art and culture event.

PFJ UNPACKAGED

Not so earth loving, lovingearth

Well, that's the end of another Plastic Free July and a month of realising that if I want to actually do these things without ending up going periodically hungry then I really need to be a bit more diligent with my shopping routine (the road to plastic is paved with bad meal planning).

BOTANICAL WANDERINGS

I'm not sure how I've overlooked talking about Darwin's beautiful Botanic Gardens yet, but I guess the delay in getting around to it now means I can also throw in a mention about the recently opened cafe that sits within the grounds.

HIP HAPPENINGS

So, I don't know quite how this has happened, but Darwin seems to be getting a little trendy these days. There's raw/paleo cafes popping up, cold drip filtered coffee, wheatgrass shots, drinks in jars, hipster beards - and I even recently read about a local microbrewery starting up.
Ok, so we don't have cat cafes yet, nor have I spotted anyone reading Haruki Murakami under a 70's shade umbrella on the beach. There's also a distinct lack of the types of venues, clothing, eco-friendly, retro-vintage, paper goods, sign writing and book stores that are simply de rigeur if you want to make the trendy town cut...

But still...

DOWN THE TRACK

I don't come down here nearly often enough.

Litchfield National Park is about 100km south of the city, just past the small township of Batchelor. I've been coming here for about as long as I've had a car (and once even came close to a nasty accident during the freewheeling days of my youth when I decided my tiny tinny car and lack of driving experience could totally handle a bit of off-road adventuring). It's a prime spot for a little weekend getaway or daytrip.

30 MINUTES

I'm taking a look at one of my daily activities with a new lens (haha) and have put together a little photo essay on one of my most common dog walk routes  that I often do of an evening. Rapid Creek is a gorgeous little natural oasis in the middle of Darwin's northern suburbs an is an area that's certainly a semi-regular feature in my photographic pursuits. It still amazes me how much variety there is to see in 30 short minutes; suburbs, parklands, a river, horses, cattle, playgrounds...not to mention some of the regular dog walkers I stop and chat with on the way.

DOWN BY THE WHARF

Once a year Darwin has a harbour clean up day, which I'm lucky enough to be allowed to get involved with through the organisation I work for (though 'lucky' might be a matter of opinion, in proper 'oh god I'm getting old' fashion, I managed to properly strain a thigh muscle during the course of my day).

POT SET PERFECTION

So, I got down to the make-or-break remains of my store bought yoghurt yesterday. Granted, it was one of those biodynamic, ABC culture brand of creations, but in the interests of sticking with my Plastic Free July commitment then I was really going to have to give this DIY yoghurt thing a go without further ado.

DE LA PLAGE

There's a newish cafe on the scene for us northern suburbanites, who tend to spend our leisure beachtime around the beaches of Nightcliff and Casuarina. Although there are a few pop up food and coffee shacks along the foreshore these days, on the whole there's been a long-standing dearth of places to grab a drink and a snack.

A self-proclaimed 'Turkish-Belgian inspired beach cafe', De La Plage is a laid-back beachside establishment whose casually ramshackle setup alongside the Surf Lifesaving Club belies its delicious and not-unreasonably priced menu. Sitting in the cool shade of the foreshores wispy casuarina trees, it's the perfect spot to wile away the hours over the weekend - and often puts on some juicy tunes to boot.

Mostly staffed by a crew of the fairly constant flow of cute European backpackers that Darwin attracts for most of the dry season, the service is....ok, well to be honest it's a little on the slow side but then again this is not an eat and run kind of space either. It's a lazy day kind of cafe, where you'll get the most enjoyment by relaxing on the grass; at a table, in a hammock, on a beanbag or on your own rug, and watch the waves and the gulls until your order arrives...

SPECTACULAR

A few weeks ago (somehow, already) I chipped in a little elbow grease to the annual Tropical Garden Spectacular down at Darwin's beautiful botanic gardens. After taking a little time out during the week to help prepare some pop up garden beds (and remembering that while shoveling soil is good dirty work, due care is needed to avoid unwanted muscle twinges - or complete spinal displacement come to think of it), I also lent my barista skills over the weekend at the community cafe.

PEAKS AND TROUGHS

I must admit that I've been stumped for ideas these last few weeks. It's gradually crept up on me that I've felt like I've been in a holding pattern for the last year or so now, working mostly on getting another decent notch on the career bedpost and putting together some cash for the next step. But now that I've well and truly reached the point where I feel like it's time to start walking - or at least drawing a map - it's like my boots have got stuck in the mud somewhere along the way.

RETURN

Down to earth with a bump.
My three-week quasi-offline Indian summeresque trip over the Tasman was done and dusted a good couple of weeks ago now, and mostly I've been sitting around wondering what to do with myself ever since getting back. Whether it's a case of the post holiday blues, a culmination of a work life/home life slump or the simple fact that the month before the fun, festivities and weather of the dry season properly kick in is a notoriously frustrating time for this part of the world (or all three, it's currently up for discussion...) In the meantime I'll get on with some sweet imagery and nostalgic reminiscence...

SUGAR FREE, GLUTEN FREE BANANA BREAD (AND PLASTIC FREE TOO)

This recipe is slightly modified from one I found online when I was looking for a gluten free banana bread (I'm lucky enough to live a life free from any dietary intolerances but some of my friends can't eat any foods with gluten). Either way, I don't think it hurts to find grain-free alternatives sometimes.

Considering this recipe packs a pretty wholesome punch, I figured it wasn't too gluttonous to eat a couple of slices for breakfast. Slathered in butter because seriously, what do you take me for? A joyless ascetic?

So, without any further ado, here's the recipe

LONG WHITE CLOUD

Exciting travel plans on the horizon. Early next month I'll be whizzing off for a short trip to my old Kiwi homeland. Since leaving New Zealand in 1991, I have only been back twice so I'm looking forward to catching up with old friends and family, pottering around the beautiful countryside and revisiting some old haunts. And of course having some different subject matter to photograph!

DYNAMO BREAKFAST

I'm a week into my sugar free month and, apart from probably eating a bit too much fruit as a coping mechanism, plus one mistakenly ordered mocktail over the weekend, I have been doing pretty well all up....considering that in one week, there's been an influx of gourmet chocolates from a returning work colleague, and an afternoon tea to welcome new colleagues that stretched over two days due to excess cake (I'd like to say this was an anomalous week at work, but it's a pretty common scenario).

KING TIDE

Over this side of the globe the phrase 'king tide' is just another way of describing the biggest of our high tides. As I recently mentioned, Darwin doesn't get much surf. What we do get though are some substantial tidal variations - approaching 8 metres in height. King tides happen a few times a year, but aren't especially noteworthy during the dry season when the winds are relatively calm. However a monsoon season king tide accompanied by stormy winds is the kind of event that gets people to the beach in droves. The evening's entertainment feature of recent days has been a churning sea accompanied by 10 metre high seawater plumes slamming into the rocky shore.

FEBRUARY FAST

Historically, this time of year commonly involves a period of fasting. I'm assuming it's because February often falls within the religious period of Lent...either that or everyone's collectively freaking out over the fact that those extra Christmas kilos are still there, even after we bought that gym membership and that new pair of lycra pants and have spent 31 days willing the kilos away. The act of fasting often accompanies a cleanse (physical and/or mental), a religious doctrine or a form of protest. While our modern preoccupation with food and eating disorders means that any suggestion to voluntarily starve ourselves can trigger a red flag, there are many studies that demonstrate the health benefits of short, regular fasting periods (anti red flag caveat: 'within the context of a well balanced and healthy diet').

LEADER ON A LEASH

This is my average spaniel walking experience for the first 20 minutes or so of our daily wanders (or at least until I can let him off lead somewhere).

Believe it or not though, this is progress (aka he's finally hit middle age in dog years and is finally giving me and my shoulder a bit of a break), I've even been able to dispense with the 'anti-tug' harness (yeah, that's in air-quotes for a reason).

Anyway, this isn't a post about trying to walk a headstrong spaniel, but rather the lovely nature walk I finally got around to exploring this week, tucked in behind the beach and running through pockets of very lush coastal vine habitat and mangrove thickets...

(whatever, they can call it whatever fancy name habitat assemblage they like, it's jungle as far as I'm concerned. Pure coastal jungle. All that's missing is some monkeys. And some sexy Indiana Jones type).  

Although the (very likely outdated) online map from Parks and Wildlife appear to have this track listed as not allowing dogs, the signposts in the area specify that dogs on a leash are permitted. 

Walkers can either follow this path back out to Casuarina beach - exiting near to the nudist beach area (we have one of those, apparently) or keep going the full 5.5km up to Lee Point and Buffalo Creek (where dogs definitely aren't allowed)

BIG YELLOW TAXI

I'm probably what you'd describe as a lukewarm activist. Never one for crowds, slogans and rallies, I prefer to let my consumer persona do the talking. I have steadily imposed a personal bouycott on so many unethical and/or environmentally damaging brands over the last 20 years that there are certain supermarket aisles I now no longer even bother with. Then there's my attempts to live life 'plastic lite'. The fact that I don't own a TV. Trying to support small businesses. Cleaning up beaches. Buying a lot of goods secondhand. Donating to environmental groups. Writing letters. Getting three degrees in environmental science...that kind of thing.

Still, I've always tried to bring a scientific balance to my inner knee jerk hippie that likes to commune with nature and eternally wonders where 'everything else' is meant to live. I try to consider the reality of development in the face of a growing global population as well as recognizing the mineral, petroleum and energy resources that, as a citizen of a developed country, I use every day.

PARK LIFE

Snapshots from the Jingili Water Gardens, a meandering and semi landscaped park space that runs alongside Rapid Creek between the suburbs of Jingili and Millner. It's a grass, tree and freshwater alternative to the sun, sea and sand of my habitual beach walks.

A RAINY EVENING AT THE BEACH

Highlights from an evening wander at Casuarina Beach.
I've been on many lovely beaches around the world, but this sandy strip of coast has a very unusual energy about it. Wandering with my hound in the evening, I often feel like I'm caught between two worlds - between this realm and the next. It's a relaxing way to finish off the day, floating between realities.

FOUR BIRDS

I've basically been totally useless when it comes to some previous (clearly non-binding) assurances that I'd review coffee and food and other such things that Darwin has on offer. This is partly because my lunch and dinner outings have been feeble these last few months (apparently there's some primordial part of my brain that still thinks I'm broke and shouldn't go out and treat myself to a damned overpriced cheese toastie once in a while) and partly because I feel like a tragic hipster whenever I take a snap of my food. Or y'know, most of the rest of the time.

Anyway, speaking of hipsters - Four Birds. This quirky little cafe in the Star Village arcade is about as close as you can get to the Brunswick experience in downtown Darwin (and is my current preferred lunch spot).

So screw it, I ordered my favourite vegetarian bagel, took a picture of my food and read a copy of Frankie magazine.

TOTES UPCYCLED

Diary of a self-confessed scrap fabric hoarder.

Aside from knackered knickers, almost every bit of clothing that stays the course until it's threadbare will end up in my fabric scraps suitcase...It used to be a bag, now it's a suitcase. When it reached the verge of spilling over into a second suitcase I started to think seriously about what the hell I was going to do with some of this hoard (there are only so many rag dusters you can use in one lifetime, after all).

LIFE IN THE BIKE LANE

Bicycles.

As a child they're often our first symbol of freedom and learning to ride one - training wheels off - is a memory that stays with us long after we transition into a busy adult in a 4-wheeled box.

SURF'S UP

I know, I know...How could it get more cliche than an Aussie blogger living by the sea and using a lame surf catchphrase?

But I promise you, Darwin is stuck in one of the corners of Australia that gets almost zero surf. I suspect Darwin would be a much different place if we did (crocodiles and toxic jellyfish notwithstanding). And as such we don't have much of what would be considered stereotypical Australian beach culture up here.

GO-TO MEDICINE

I planted a small gotu kola runner in a pot back in September of last year when I was doing a series of gardening workshops. Although one of the two I planted suddenly died, the remaining plant is bounding along nicely. They do very well in the tropics and, as well as having many medicinal benefits, they're also a pretty plant for garden borders. However, they do best in swampy areas so it's important to ensure they're always very well watered. Popular in Chinese medicine, I'm not sure how well known it is in Western herbal lore as neither of the two chunky herbal guides on my bookshelf make any mention of it.

Referred to as the 'fountain of life', gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is purported to cure everything from depression to shingles. Our garden instructors assured us that a few leaves taken every day would treat rheumatism and arthritis. As nothing was mentioned in my herbal books, I checked online to see which of these claims has some evidence behind them.

OASIS

This has been my little oasis for the last few days. We hit record high temperatures of over 36 degrees for several days in a row last week. Add in the stonkingly high humidity and it's been pretty unbearable. A big storm system came through by the end of the week so I was finally able to get a good night's sleep. Once upon a time you used to be able to survive this town without an air con, these days it seems even the old stalwarts that have been around for years can't cope without them (I'm admittedly not too far off myself, though my current quasi open air setup doesn't allow for it right now).

So mostly I loll about in the plunge spa. And the walking carpet is generally not too far behind.

mmm, delicious human infused spa water

wut? No, I wasn't drinking the spa water

RESOLVE

seriously, just google 'yoga mountain' sometime

Unless one of your new year's resolutions has been to avoid the internet since we ticked over into the first of January, then it's unlikely you've been spared the slew of feel good, do good, get the life/body/romance you want, here's why your resolutions won't stick, how to transform your life in 5 easy steps, stock photography of someone standing on a mountain in a yoga pose articles.

New year, new you. While every day is a blank page, the first day of the new year is like the first page in a leather-bound moleskine, a Dear Diary of endless possibilities that, much like my own attempt at journaling, start off with the best of intentions but that eventually wind up bitching about that thing that person did that time, zomg. A native of the antipodes, the push to step up when the clock strikes 12 on December 31st (or at the very least once the hangover has gone) is even further fueled by the fact that it's high summer. How easily the determination to feast only on fresh juice and salads is coerced by our Home and Away lifestyle of long sunny days on white sandy beaches.