Yoga on the Deck

It was a beautiful autumn morning on the deck overlooking the sparkling pool surrounded by lush tropical gardens. With the warmth of the sun bathing me in it’s radiance, I relaxed at the end of my first Iyengar Style Yoga class in a heightened state of awareness – and felt the first urges to write in my blog again. I had lost all inspiration to write for weeks, and now suddenly I could hear the faint beginnings of a post gestating as I savored the experience.

I spent most of last year sitting at a computer, so this year I was determined to get into physical activities and enjoy life. Apart from walking and swimming, I’ve been going to a personal trainer which has been great to wake up the muscles and strengthen the body, but I decided my body is more suited to yoga. Yoga is a more conscious and balanced form of exercise to create wellbeing and inner strength.

Mark and Paula Cave

My friends Mark and Paula Cave have offered classes on their deck on Saturday mornings – which is a fantastic way to start the weekend. The class included both men, women and children, and we all just managed to fit on the deck!

This was my first experience of having a high level of instruction with both Mark and Paula helping to adjust the poses where needed, offering structural guidance and support. We worked on opening up the chest and had a good all over workout with assistance from using props and belts.  Mark said the poses help to release accumulated toxins etc, but I had no idea what else it would release and open up!

I have practiced yoga on and off for years and have been to classes commonly known as Housewives Yoga – as only women turn up! For some pictures of ‘Housewives of Yoga’ from the 50’s click here

I look forward to attending weekly classes as yoga obviously benefits the mind, body and soul. Due to the popularity of the classes Mark and Paula are going to offer evening classes at a larger venue in Murwillumbah next term and I wish them great success.

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Relief for Dolphins at Kingscliff

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.

They were being monitored daily by Australian Seabird Rescue,  National Parks and Wildlife Service and had been assessed by experts from SeaWorld. They also maintained an exclusion zone marked by buoys and anyone who violated that was warned they will be fined.

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 images and 12 Facts About Dolphins that you Must Know click here

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Uki Village

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 the Uki Buttery Bazaar while a Local Produce market is held in the Uki Hall every Saturday’.

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Tumbulgum on the Tweed River

Tumbulgum has always been a laid back little village on the banks of the Tweed River except on the weekends – it comes alive with boat enthusiasts, water skiing and picnickers.

I remember when the old car ferry was the only way to cross from Terranora to Tumbulgum before the bridge was built in the 90′s, and when the ferry broke down it was a long drive to get to the other side! The public boat ramp is where the car ferry crossed over to North Tumbulgum.

Here’s a photo gallery of some images of Tumbulgum.
Click on the images to enlarge.

Boat Ramp

Relaxing Riverside

Riverside Drive

Sunset

Tumbulgum Tavern

Tweed Endeavour Cruises

I have often taken a detour through the village as it’s so beautiful to see the river and the view of the surrounding countryside with Mt Warning as a backdrop.

Mt Warning in Background

You often see houseboats taking a slow cruise down the river and can be hired at Tweed River Houseboat Hire at Tumbulgum. A great way to cruise the river for a day and learn about the history, is with Tweed Endeavour Cruises that stop at  Tumbulgum.

Tumbulgum Village General Store

It’s a lovely stroll along the riverside and interesting to peruse the quaint village shops and the famous historic Tumbulgum Tavern. There is also picnic facilities, boat hire, a public wharf and boat ramp.

The Poinsiana Trees on the riverside are in full bloom at the moment and look magnificent.

Tumbulgum was one of the first settlements in the Tweed Valley. To learn more of Tumbulgum’s history, click here

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Ukitopia Festival and Eco-Expo

The Ukitopia Festival Opening Ceremony on Saturday was exceptional and I love watching the YouTube videos that I made about the Wishing Wall and Be the Love.

Not only was there non-stop entertainment on the Main Stage in Uki Village all day on Sunday, the famous monthly Uki Buttery Bazaar was in full swing also. There were many interesting stalls and a line-up of entertainment and activities at the Buttery Market stage.

The little village was packed with people keen to see and experience all that was on offer. The Images of Uki Art Exhibition was most impressive and the Uki Primary School held their 1^st Annual Eco-Expo.

Fresh Organic Vegies from Bio Organic Farm

Zehvitt and her husband Avi from Bio Organic Farm grow certified organic fruit and vegies and have recently opened a stall to the public on their property at Byangum.

Solarwise Hotwater

James from Solarwise Hotwater was glad to be in the shade and Mt Warning Spring Water next to him should have been doing a roaring trade as it was so hot!

I learn’t a lot about the environmentally friendly and sustainable options available and was amazed at all the local businesses and groups there to share their knowledge. Free workshops were available throughout the day and the Uki Kids Club had activities for the kids.

I spoke with the new Principal Jeff Robinson (who was once my son’s teacher) and he was very happy with the day and looks forward to it being bigger and better next year.

Caldera Art Display

Caldera Art and the Rainforest Information Centre had a lovely display with art students working on their latest creations under the tutelage of Andy Reimanis.

Art Student Regina at work

For a slide show, click the link Ukitopia Festival 2009 Photo Gallery

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Ukitopia Festival Opening Ceremony

The Ukitopia Festival is about celebrating all that is Uki. It was a beautiful start to the festivities with wishes from the community Wishing Wall being sent out to the universe. Armed with a hand held camera and no experience, I filmed some of the event and created my first YouTube videos.

Through the dedicated and untiring work of Natascha Wernick , the Ukitopia Arts Collective and a team of local community groups, they served up the most engaging opening ceremony that set the stage for an extremely unique celebration of Uki life, arts and culture.

Natascha and Sue lead a fabulous sing along with some of the local musicians weaving their talents into the colourful kaleidoscope that is Uki, and with the captivating Deya Dova and Loren lending their vocal talents, the crowd was spellbound and wanting more.

Afterwards we were lead by Natascha to the hall for the opening of the Images of Uki Art Exhibition. When the door opened we were greeted with an amazing display of talent and imagination that filled the hall.

Images of Uki Art Exhibition

The evening festivities had only just begun and things were hotting up with live music and DJ’s getting the crowd going off. Everyone was in a celebratory mood and I tell you, there was dancing in the streets!

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Ukitopia Festival and Uki Buttery Bazaar

With a great line up of entertainment, workshops, exhibitions, an Eco-Expo and more – there’s definitely something for everyone at the Ukitopia Festival this weekend November 14th & 15th, held in the historic Village of Uki

Everyone is invited to come and celebrate the unique community that is Uki, nestled at the base of Mt Warning in the Tweed Valley. I’ve always had a soft spot for Uki as I fell in love with the area when I first came here in the early 80’s, and I still enjoy the community atmosphere that pervades the town.

Starting on Saturday there are programs for the kids, live music, workshops, dancing under the stars, and the Anglican Church will host a special concert with doors opening at 7pm.

The Images of Uki Art Exhibition in the Uki Hall opens at 5.45 pm on Saturday and will display over 100 artworks by Tweed Artists, with 25% of all sales going to Ukitopia Arts Collective.

The Uki Buttery Bazaar that is on every 3rd Sunday of the month has been part of the north coast market circuit for as long as I’ve been around here. It’s still a genuine old style trash and treasure market, but this Sunday it will be extra special with a line-up of entertainment all day at the Buttery Market Stage and the Main Stage at Hall Park.

To view the great line up of events click here

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Get Inspired at Lana’s Studio.

I feel inspired just looking at Lana’s Studio website as Lana Tyacke’s quotes next to her fantastic sculptures come from the heart. Seeing the joy and passion in my friend that has attended Lana’s Sculpture Classes has inspired me to take up sculpting as my next creative endevour.

‘By letting go of things that no longer represent who I truly am, I make room for new experiences.’

‘I questioned the basis of my beliefs. Most of them belonged to someone else.’

Lana held an open day on Sunday 8^th November where she invited students to showcase their creations alongside her own very special unique expressions of creativity. My friend Mark has been so inspired he wanted to share his experience with others.

My wife brought me an unusual birthday present this year, it was 3 sculpting classes with Lana at her Byrrill Creek studio. The drive out there was through the mystical Mt Warning rain forest, and just getting there told me that I was in for a unique experience.

When I finally arrived after three wrong driveways and meetings with the local tribe, I was greeted by a familiar beaming smile and pint sized enthusiastic chick, that was known to me around the traps in Uki.

Marks First Sculpture

I felt awkward holding my lump of hebel (aerated concrete block), but with a bit of encouragement and guidance to the ways of the carving tools, I was in to it.  Now on my third class I feel confident enough to be guided by the stone, as Lana says let your intuition show you the way, and sure enough I have followed the dips, curves and bumps to creation.

Mark Cave at Lana's Studio

This has been a very satisfying experience, and I am now happy to be immersed in stone therapy whenever I can get there.  This new hobby is great fun, and I am very grateful to a wife that had the inspiration to send me there in the first place, much better than a new pair of socks any day!

Lana's Studio Pizza Oven

‘By learning to honour my true feelings and act upon them, I have achieved things I never thought possible.’

‘Change is one thing I can depend upon. I have embraced change and experienced things I would have never dreamt possible.

To view Lana’s unique creations and quotes click here

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Ukitopia Festival

I look forward to enjoying the second annual Ukitopia Festival celebrating Uki life, Arts and Culture this weekend 14th & 15th November. The little Uki Village will come alive with 2 days of performances, workshops and exhibitions.

Beginning with live music on stage Saturday afternoon, continuing into the night with dancing under the stars. There will be a creative space for lantern and flag making, and a wishing wall. There are so many activities organised I can’t list them all, for more information on events click here

The first Annual Eco-Expo will be held in the Uki Public School grounds. The expo will provide a platform for environmentally friendly and sustainable living businesses to provide information about, display and sell a variety of products and services within the community. For more about the expo click here

Ukitopia Arts Collective was founded in 2008 to nurture, support, and promote arts and culture in Uki and district, through initiating events and programs that bring the arts to the community and the community to the arts. This is a community event not to be missed!

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Showtime in Murwillumbah

When the annual Murwillumbah Agricultural Show comes to town the children are always excited to visit the animals and exhibits, with their schools on the Friday, then take their parents later to spend all their money on the rides and sideshow alley!

Alot of towns on the north coast have an annual show, complete with Rodeo, and all the events of a traditional country show. This year there is a Ute and Push Bike Show which will celebrate utes and sustainable transport with a donation to Greening Australia.
To download the program and events click here

Sammy is in for a busy week-end.  He’s agreed to meet and greet people at the Friends of the Hound stand at the Murwillumbah Show on Friday. He’ll be there with Gypsy for people to pat and talk to greyhounds, for many people a rare experience, because greyhounds are mostly seen as a flash on a TV monitor.

Sammy and Gypsy

On Saturday there’ll be other greyhounds from Friends of the Hound as Sammy will be in Grafton at the Jacaranda Festival where he will lead the parade of greyhounds for the main race.

The show is on this Friday and Saturday November 6th & 7th at the Murwillumbah Showgrounds and admission is free. There is something for everyone with live bands both nights and the fireworks spectacular grand finale on Saturday night.

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