Some Enchanted Evening

Some evenings seem like magic, especially when you're beside the sea.
Last yesterday afternoon after a scorching hot, dry day, we loaded into cars and drove over to Bribie Island and our favourite spot of toddler-safe, close-to-playground (and fish-and-chip-shop) water.
It's on the protected Pumicestone Passage side of Bribie Island, overlooked by the Glasshouse mountains, and every time we go, I love it more.

Very Cool

Look! Look! It's an animation based on the first scene in my first ever published book, Kingdoms of the Seventh Pool. The voiceover isn't from the book, but the images and music really reflect my story and it's fascinating to see a visual of how someone else sees my work. May I just say again - way cool. 

This was created by my beloved's cousin, Joshua Fischle for a University assignment, and may I just say (I know, again!) hey, I'm sort of chuffed. If you'd like to read the passage it's based on - check out here

Reconstruction in the Zone

Summer is already Icummen in, up here in Queensland.
I had plans to spend the day out on the verandah, writing to the sounds of the chimes and lifting my head every so often to admire the banana leaves, but the muggy heat pounced on me and I slunk inside to the comfort of the air conditioner.
My beloved has arrived and is spending quality time with the kids while I have solid writing time. Sound the trumpets, bang the drums. Yay!
I've pulled a story I've been working on for years out of the draw (or rather out of an old computer folder) and have been pulling it to pieces and putting it back together again. All that mulling is finally (touch wood) paying off.
Re-structuring is strange. In the past I fondly imagined it wouldn't require as much concentration as writing, as it doesn't seem like it would require going into 'the zone', but I've discovered that it's definitely 'zone' material.
Re-structuring, or deconstructing and then reconstructing, also requires being in the zone, stepping into the stories alongside the characters and re-living it with them as the story shifts and changes.
There is a lot of today I do not quite recall, as I was otherwise engaged living with my characters in more temperate climes.
Luckily, I have photos of today to prove it happened!

Stepping Back in Time...

We remain in holiday mode and today visited the Caboolture Historic Village. It shames me to say it's my first visit although I've been in and out of the area for the past 6 years.

As a place to take lively young kids it gets a definite thumbs up. There's heaps of space for the kids to run and extras like the mini train were the cherry on the cake. Major plus - the cafe had outdoor seats and we enjoyed home made devonshire tea while the kids frolicked. 

School holiday activities were happening and a policeman drove up with sirens blaring *, the old fire truck rolled up, and a man from St Johns ambulance demonstrated CPR. There were songs and dancing about safety and while my kids were too young to appreciate it, the older kids really loved it.

The village was of additional interest to us as the hospital the kids Great Nana was born in had been trucked in, and their Great Grandpa (deceased) donated saws. A lot of the kids relatives worked in logging - their Grandpa started work at 13 and their Great Nana lost fingers in a sawing accident. This is the area my Beloved and his folks belong to and it was fascinating to see the history.
And I wanted to house-nap most of the houses and move in! Gotta love a real old Queenslander! (Okay, folks on the far side of the world, not old by European standards, but Old by Australian standards!) 

We couldn't have had nicer weather if we'd put in an order.

              Sprocket with Aunty Bec. He had his doubts about the Safety Singers.

                         

                                         Blow, Aunty Bec!

                  Poppet in the doorway of the Hospital her Great Nana was born in.

A ward in the Old Hospital. Far prettier than the ones I had my kids in... but oddly lacking in life-saving machinery and ensuites... or even showers...

C-c-c-cold...

We've brought the bitter Southern Winds up with us and Queensland is c-c-c-old. My pride in managing to bring all our things as carry-on has vanished. The kids are wearing their pyjamas under their clothes and I have unearthed an old robe of my beloveds. To be frank, I would prefer not to go places that require removal of said robe.
The kids and I braved the rain for a walk down to the sodden park and made some sandcastles and then thankfully returned to the house and heaters. Luckily, when all seemed lost, Aunty Bec arrived to save the day, bringing all the stuff to make cup-cakes.

Do you have favourite rainy day activities?