After spending more than 2 weeks stranded in Cudgen Creek at Kingscliff, the last 2 Bottlenose Dolphins were caught and successfully taken back to the ocean, where they were released to hopefully rejoin their pod. To view video footage of the rescue click here
Surfers around here are very familiar with dolphins riding waves alongside them, but there is a magical quality about encountering these unique creatures which land lovers rarely experience.
The dolphins certainly created interest for locals as we were made aware of how the unpredictable nature of the constantly changing ocean and estuary can affect it’s inhabitants – as they arrived with the high tide and were unable to leave.
We spent some time at Cudgen Creek on Australia Day captivated by the dolphins frolicking in the water as we viewed them from different vantage points. I took many photos trying to capture an image of the dolphins suddenly appearing before submerging into the waters again. Here’s an image I managed to catch with more than one fin showing!
Dolphins in Cudgen Creek, Kingscliff
It was an experience for everyone seeing the dolphins, but as the high tides came and went and the days turned into weeks, many became concerned about their welfare.
For dolphin imagesand 12 Facts About Dolphins that you Must Knowclick here
Today I was touched by an article posted by Laurie Boris on her blog conveying the gratitude she has for a teacher who impacted her life so long ago – Author Laura Jan Shore. Laurie Boris found Laura through my blog and I thank her for sharing her journey and reminding us to look back with gratitude to those who have encouraged us – and to acknowledge the progress we have made.
I was reminded of the journey that has taken me to being right here, right now. I had no idea that attending a voice and self expression workshop with Maniko last year would bring me in contact with Laura, who encouraged me to recite the first poem I had ever written at a Dangerously Poetic gathering – something I would never have dreamed of doing!
I attended her poetry workshops and connected to a deeply buried creative voice that I was unaware of. Laura awakened in me a joy of writing and she is an inspiration to many with her unending enthusiasm and energy.
Soon after in my Web Design Course, I was introduced to blogging and I enjoyed the freedom of creative expression that blogging allows.
After coming home from a one month journey overseas, I was feeling uninspired – then along came Laura to fire us up in the new year with a Dangerously Poeticworkshop. I felt this is what I needed to reconnect with my inner creative and breathe new passion into me.
The post by Laurie Boris has inspired me and I wonder how often teachers learn how much of an impact they have made on their students lives?
To the many teachers in my life and the lives of others, I thank you.
There’s nothing like a trip away to make me appreciate what I have at home here on the north coast of New South Wales. Since arriving home from a month’s holiday in Asia, I have been to the beach more times than I have in the last few years!
I made a commitment to myself in Thailand, that upon returning I would make the effort to enjoy all that the superb beaches here have to offer: sun, surf, swimming, strolling in the breaking waves and pure absorption of nature’s beauty and goodness.
We even dragged out our very old surf ski and had a paddle at Hastings Point estuary. We plan to be there again on Australia Day enjoying the afternoon with friends after the crowds have had their BBQ’s and headed home. To just have the time to absorb the magic and beauty the beaches have to offer is a precious experience.
I’ve also been swimming at the new Tweed Regional Aquatic Centre which is impressive and have enjoyed seeing how many laps I can do – but not timing it of course!
I’m so much healthier and happier and intend keeping it that way by regular exercise encouraged by Naturopath Olwen Anderson. She has a great blog full of health tips and information and here’s a post with a question about Our Good Health Intentions Last Year?
For a list of Australia Day Celebrations on the NSW North Coast click here
Just what I need to start the year with – a Dangerously Poetic workshop being held near Byron Bay that might inspire most anything. It’s not just for poets, more about connecting to your inner creative.
A one day retreat into stillness and the power of the word…
After the parties and holiday festivities, why not bring your soul to gentleness? Come into the still pastures of Possum Creek for a day of mindful connection with yourself and your inner voice.
“Put your ear down close to your soul and listen hard.”
–Anne Sexton
“A Feather on the breath of God”:
All spiritual traditions have called on the rhythm and repetition of language to communicate with the Divine. Whether it be prayer, psalms, petitions, songs of praise, sutras— all these are forms of poetry.
For both those new to putting words to the page and more seasoned writers, this workshop is an opportunity to access inner wisdom and express it. Working together in a safe, nurturing circle, this is a practice and not about perfection. Through meditating on sacred poetry, exploring sound and silence, we will open to our own divine voices.
Sounds great to me – hope to see you there!
When: Friday, 29th of January 9:30-4:30 pm.
Where: Possum Creek Retreat Centre off Possum Creek Road
Tuition: $ 75. Or $65. DP members
Facilitator: Laura Jan Shore, author of historical novel, The Sacred Moon Tree, and poetry collection, Breathworks, is President of Dangerously Poetic Press. Her poems have appeared in The Weekend Australian, Blue Dog, Famous Reporter, Five Bells, Yellow Moon, Eucalypt, Verandah, Poetrix,Takahe and Radio National’s Poetica. Co- editor of 8 poetry books, she has taught poetry and creative writing for 25 years both on the North Coast and in the U.S.
To enrol: Contact Laura on 66801-967 or email-lshore@linknet.com.au
Dangerously Poetic is an incorporated community group seeking to encourage, publish and promote quality poetry from the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia.
For moreinformation aboutDangerously Poetic Pressclick here
Here’s a blogging tip I found for people using WordPress blogs.
Have you ever lost your post and have been frustrated because of the time you put into it? I found a great article about the Post Revisions feature on WordPress, that keeps track of your revisions and allows you to restore them.
Upon reviewing my posts using the image gallery, I have found that the larger ’stand alone’ images I had inserted in these posts are now not visible – though previously they were. I would advise not using separate images in posts using the image gallery as they are the only posts that have been affected in this way.
For a post with lots of links and interesting information about the great features on WordPress, click here
Byron Bay on the north coast of NSW, is a very unique town with magnificent beaches and spectacular views to the mountains.
What I always realise after travelling overseas is that Australia has many beautiful stretches of unspoilt white sand beaches and I am lucky that I don’t have to travel far. My husband and I often take day trips to Byron Bay and always enjoy our visits. On our last visit I took alot of photos, but have just a few on show here.
Can you guess what this picture is of?
I have to confess that I have taken Christmas off this year and left the north coast for an overseas holiday with my husband and youngest son – to fulfill a desire to visit the beautiful beaches of Southern Thailand after 22 years.
Phuket – Krabi area is famous for spectacular limestone rock towers, island out crops and beautiful beaches. We enjoyed a longboat tour of the islands and snorkelling amoungst tropical fish in the pristine waters of the coral reefs and it’s been a fantastic experience for our 13 year old son.
It took a few days to penetrate the heart of the country and find the genuine honest and kind Thai people that we remembered them to be, but I am affraid we have been disappointed by the overdevelopment and greed that has invaded this beautiful region.
The end result is realising what I already knew, that there’s no place like home. The north coast of NSW is a fantastic place to live and for a laid back lifestyle it’s hard to find better. I just have to make time to get out and enjoy the many beautiful beaches we have access to on the north coast – it’s heaven right here!
I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year.
Thanks for all the support I have had for this blog and encouragement along the way.
Best Wishes to all
Fiona
At gatherings on the North Coast we are often asked to bring a plate to share, and with Christmas upon us I’d like to share a delicious gluten free muffin recipe for those that cannot partake of all the rich and luscious treats available.
At a recent gathering, gluten free dishes and deserts were put together at one end of the food table. This is not to ostracise those that are gluten intolerant, it was a courtesy to those like me that unfortunately have a restricted diet.
For gluten free melt in the mouth muffins, you can’t go past this Blueberry Muffin recipe with chocolate chips and icing sugar on top.
This recipe makes 12 muffins and is absolutely delicious!
Uki is a beautiful little historic village in the foothills of Mt Warning (Wollumbin in the Bundjalung aboriginal language means ‘Clouds Catcher’). It’s such a tiny place but it has a fantastic community with it’s own Uki Village website full of information and the local Uki News is on-line for all to view. There are alot of very talented Artists around Uki and environs, and here’s a great website with a list of Galleries called Cloud Catcher.
My good friend Paola Emma of Living Moon Astrology is so passionate about Uki she has offered the following history
‘The cute name Uki, (pronounced yook-eye) may be the aboriginal word for a water fern with edible roots, but many believe that it was derived from the sign, reading UK1, the timber cutters used to put on the first quality lumber, in particular the precious red cedar, that was exported in great quantity to Great Britain in the early days.
Uki Village in the Foothills of Mt Warning
There is a book with real life accounts of the way life was in the Uki, Main Arm area since the first white pioneers started moving to the Tweed around 1860, called ‘The Way it Was‘ . This wonderful collection is full of fresh and interesting accounts of what life was like for the brave men and women of these bygone days. It also provides some ideas of the ups and downs in the relationship between white settlers and aboriginal people. The book was edited by Mary Lee Connery and is a very good read.
The region around Uki was, first of all, settled for lumber cutting and export. Then the sugar cane came and many dairy farms populated the area from the early 1900s. The latter soon became the commercial backbone of the Uki area. The historical Uki Butter factory, affectionately known as The Buttery, was the place where the local dairy farmers used to bring their milk and cream to be processed, until the early 1960s.
Old Butter Churn
Uki Butter Factory
The Restored Buttery
The Butter Factory
Uki Village Historic Hall
Uki Cafe
Over the last few years the Old Butter Factory has been transformed, through the dedication of community groups and grants, into a busy shopping and cultural centre. There is a good selection of shops inhabiting the Buttery including the Uki CTC (Community Technology Centre) which is run by volunteers.
Uki is also close to the wonderful Mebbin Forest National Park and the Clarrie Hall Dam (only ten kilometers from the village), a haven for sail boating, canoeing, fishing and picnics.
Uki has been hosting a colourful monthly market around the Old Buttery called theUki Buttery Bazaar while a Local Produce market is held in the Uki Hall every Saturday’.
