I’ve just spent a week in a favourite place of mine, the Gariwerd. This is the Aboriginal name for the mountain ranges also named the Grampians National Park in Western Victoria. I’ve been fortunate enough to call this place my second home ever since I can remember and have experienced multiple treasures of the Australian bushland throughout my visits. In the last week alone I have seen countless Kangaroos, Lizards and Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos whilst also spotting a rare Powerful Owl and its mate on a hike up the Chautauqua Peak. These owls are AMAZING. They grow to about 60cm and can catch and eat up an adult possum (not a trivial task). The one I found was sitting at head level and wasn’t phased in the slightest with our staring and pointing. After searching for the partner we found it high up in a nearby tree feasting on one of the big cockatoos I mentioned previously. Uggh. But amazing.

So I’m feeling quite refreshed and ready to take on this new year. I’m excited about 2008 and how it will pan out. Hope is a good thing.

I also had the time and headspace to do a little sketching in my brand-spanking-new sketchbook (a well thought out Chrissy present) in this holiday time and will probably post a couple of them over the next few days. This one is a view I saw a lot of as I rested on the porch of the house we stay at when visiting.

A happy and hopeful new year to you blogger friends.