It's not easy being green

On Sefarina's (http://windleben.blogspot.com/) advice, I bought some little houseplants to sit on the windowsills to absorb some of the summer heat bursting through the glass. Unfortunately, after yesterday's 38 degrees, the poor plants themselves have got a little scorched and I have had to move them temporarily off the windowsills to recuperate! They are still giving a lovely display of cool, soothing green though, as you can see.

I had a good week in Sydney last week. Free of the distractions which come with a home office, I got some good work done on what I hope will become a novel and I also got to visit my favourite bookstore of all time...Kinokuniya. I loaded up on craft books, so hopefully over the next couple of weeks I will have some finished projects from them to show off to you.

We always say that Sydney is warmer than Melbourne; Sydney is closer to the equator, more humid, more tropical and so on. But these last couple of days have turned all that on its head. We had some very welcome rain this morning (and more on the way, judging from the skies) but it is so humid here in Melbourne. I would quite like to be back in Sydney in my air-conditioned room, with the hotel swimming pool just down the hall...Ah well, it's only summer here until Thursday!

Awaydays No.3

No, I can't read a word of Japanese. That's how much I'm in love with these books. I bought them anyway.

Who doesn't want to embroider a hedgehog?

Or a smiling rabbit?

So beautiful

Yes, I know the clothes' patterns will need to be...ahem...adjusted or shall we say up-sized?

I love the crochet book best of all

I would love to know what the rabbit's caption is!

As I mentioned yesterday, while on my rambling travels in Sydney, I found the most. beautiful. bookshop. ever. Kinokuniya. Oh yes. Originally Japanese (as you may have guessed), they now have shops throughout the world. Apparently their store in Sydney in the largest bookstore in Australia. It's surprising that I was able to leave.

I found the most beautiful Japanese craft books that have completely renewed and reinvigorated my interest in:

1. Japan (and so, all things Japanese)

2. Embroidery

3. Clothes-making (and so, using my sewing machine)

4. Drawing (and so, making my greeting cards)

Who knew that a visit to a bookstore could be so inspiring?

Awaydays No. 2

Back gate of the oldest house in Sydney

Back door of the oldest house in Sydney

Detail on an old building at the Rocks

Does this one need a caption? :)

I have been to Sydney several times before (and seen the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House etc., etc.) and of course it is only an hour away by plane, so I can go up there any time really, but I made a point of avoiding the tourist spots this time around just the same. Though I did walk down to the famed Rocks area one day, which is one of the oldest parts of Sydney, only to find half of it was shut and the other half was so boringly commercial and touristy that there was little to occupy my interest. I suppose I have done my fair share of souvenir buying in other countries (Tirolean hat, anyone?), but here I felt no need for a stuffed koala or kangaroo.

The one thing I did want to see - the oldest house in Sydney, which I think was built in the early 1800s (you have to remember we're in the 'New World' here!) - was closed so I retraced my steps. I had a brief look at the Harbour Bridge and then went back up George St (one of Sydney's main streets) where I found the Cupcake Bakery (http://thecupcakebakery.com.au/) and partook of a chocolate cupcake with deliciously thick peppermint icing (I would've taken a photo but I am sometimes shy about doing this in shops!) and the wonderful Japanese bookshop Kinokuniya (http://bookweb.kinokuniya.co.jp/indexohb.cgi?AREA=06)...but that's tomorrow's story.

Awaydays No. 1

I think this is a pomegranate.

There seem to be cranes everywhere in Sydney - I had to remind myself a few times that I was not back in Japan!

He's there...look closely :)

In case you've been wondering where I've got to, I've been in Sydney for a week, having a very nice break. My husband was at a conference up there so I decided to hitch a ride and have a wander around Sydney. I had some plans in mind - things to see, places to visit - but the best things I found were the places I hadn't planned on.

The Chinese Garden of Friendship was certainly one of them

(http://www.darlingharbour.com/sydney-Things_To_Do-Chinese_Garden.htm) Designed in the traditional sparse yet rich Chinese style, they are so very peaceful. I thoroughly enjoyed stepping off the busy paths of the Darling Harbour area and quietly pottering through the various beautiful landscapes, past the ponds full of gaping carps (hard to photograph - I think I was distracted by all those opening and closing mouths!) and into the lovely open-air teahouse where I sipped jasmine tea and watched the lizards pacing self-importantly to and fro.