Farewell walk on the block

We say farewell to 601 as the sale of our home for 14 years will be complete on 1 September. Spontaneously Fiona and I decided on one last walk together on the block.

We have made quite a difference to the block which was a shed with a steep block covered in weeds and feral trees when we took up residence.

The terraces are now a joy to walk on - criss-crossing the rock river amidst the camellias and maples; and the steepest corner is now full of native trees, bushes and bird and butterfly attracting plants and vines; and bits of art here and there.

You can check out Fiona's fond farewell blog here.

Looking up from near the water tanks - layers of camellias.

The peace book sculpture is part of the place so it will remain.

Fiona contemplating and enjoying over 100 natives trees and bushes we planted. 

Love the arches that have formed.

Birdwing butterfly chrysalis clinging to one of the four birding butterfly vines we planted and are now thriving.

Places to pause on the terraces.

The zig-zag bridge across the rock river.

 A couple of the many natives in flower as spring arrives.

And one of the four peace doves still hanging in the peace tree at the top of the block as a reminder of IPD 2019.

It is grand that we can depart 601 knowing that the place is being handed over to another artist and lover of the environment. The place has nurtured us and I hope that in a small way we have nurtured it.

For the times

 

I have printed a few postcards and a small poster using some words from John O'Donohue's blessing For one who  is exhausted. I had to work within the constraints of the metal type we have so I changed the word watch in the blessing to observe because I did not have another c. And I made the title of the poster WEARY to fit the times - we might not be exhausted but many can feel weary and worn.

I locked up and printed the 3 postcards and then unlocked them and created the poster lock up - lots of furniture, quoins etc on the setting surface.

I was pleased with the outcome of the posters - and edition of 20. Fiona encouraged me to print on two different light grey 300gsm papers to reflect the strength and calmness of stone. The brackets around John O'Donohue's name indicates that I have amended one of the words in his blessing.

May John O'Donohue's words encourage us to be gentle with ourselves and others.

Peace bell in a rainforest

 

A number of people have asked what has happened to our Japanese peace bell that hung at our house and was gonged for people, events (joyful and sad) and anniversaries.

Our friends Sue and Steve have become the caretakers of the bell. We ceremoniously farewelled the bell from 601 and it was moved to our friends house in a small rainforest on the range. The photos below show the removal of the bell.

Sue and Steve commissioned the building of a beautiful new tori-like structure - they then created a zen like gavel and rock setting for the tori and bell - below. When gonging the bell one looks out into the rainforest and sends vibes through the forest.

Fiona and I attended Sue and Steve's place where we all gonged the bell for peace and other matters in its new setting to establish it in its new setting.

The bell will still be gonged for people, events and occasions. In fact we visited the bell to gong it on ANZAC Day and Hiroshima Day for peace; and asked Sue and Steve to gong it on the anniversary of Jane's death.

The spirit and message of the bell continues.

Treehaven Way - last Wednesday morning walk

 

We have sold our house overlooking the valley and mountains; and will move into our 'new' smaller home next Tuesday all going well. So this morning was my last Wednesday walk along Treehaven Way. The valley was dark when we rose (below); though smoke filled the valley was suffused with soft light and clouds were caught by the rising sun (above).

Though winter still made its presence felt with a cold clear morning some buds and blossoms are bravely showing their colour.

And of course what is not to love about a the seeds of a spent dandelion and a bird on a wire in the sun against a clear blue sky.

We will carry with us images and very strong and fond memories of the time the universe has offered us on the block and the valley vista.

Sculpture to our new home

 

We have been flat out over the weekend moving stuff to our new home to be. By the end of the weekend the place began to look more like us.

We have left quite a bit of our 'sculpture-on-the-block' for the new owners of 601 - appreciated given she is an accomplished ceramic artist. We have given some away. But we have taken a few pieces with us. Some of mine, Ken Munsie and Kim Schoenberger - signature pieces that connect the new place with the old.

The photos are not so good - rushed shots along the way.

We are also taking one of my sets of Bending with us - will need to take time to install it.