Drawings & Sketches - Australia
These sketches came out of a truly outstanding and treasured day in a special place in NSW Australia. A private place seen by few. It was so special I often revisit it in my mind.
Enjoying 'Down-Under' hospitality of close friends Susan Bradley and Sarah Reeve, we visited Susan’s sister and brother-in-law Virginia and Tony Armytage at their Property Kirriwa East, Tooraweenah near Gilgandra in NSW.
Susan’s family have been always been wonderfully hospitable and welcoming to me. For this special day Tony and Virginia had planned a picnic.
Sarah, Susan and I share July as our birthday month. Susan’s birthday fell during the time at Kirriwa-East. For all three birthdays the day was the best possible gift.
Without once leaving the property we travelled for nearly two hours. Clinging to the back of the ‘Ute’ as it travelled over the humps and bumps of the rough terrain was an experience in itself, but what was on offer during the ride was an eye feast for anyone, but especially artists.
Tony made several stops to point out especially beautiful views, an Eagles Nest, Basalt Formations that looked like the remains of a lost city. Finally we descended into what fitted my childhood image of ‘Doone Valley’.
Doone Valley I had imagined as being magical and special since having reading the book Lorna Doone by Richard Doddridge Blackmore. Note: Linda, put this as a link so it isn’t necessary to put the author’s name here.)
Good company, mouth watering food from the barbeque, genuine Billy Tea, feet soothed in the coolest clear stream leading to a rocky escarpment where it pooled, it was heaven.
Susan (Suzzee) said:
'I remember my birthday that year with them so fondly, the July afternoon light so beautiful from the ridge overlooking the Uargon River valley, the Warrumbungle Mountain off to the right. A Tuscan palette of pale winter grass and green of Kurrajong trees re-shooting after loping.
Susan took me to the Warrembungles for another fabulous day out but that is a different story. (Note: there will be a link here to the story' (when I’ve written it!)
