A quick stopover in Goulburn to deliver a painting to Kerry, stock up on supplies and head out to Bungonia, the village where my Grandparents lived and gateway to the Gorge.

Aunties Edna and Kathy and Uncle Ross came out for “a cuppa”

Grandma’s old blue stone home used to be the police station there and memories of the place are still quite vivid. Drawing/scribbling on the wall along the back of the couch is a stand out alongside the lock up gaol cell, which ran off the kitchen. It was all wood stoves, hand washing, irons on the hotplate, wood chop down the back near the outhouse, meat safe covered with a wet hessian bag hanging from the pine and lanterns from memory. Grandma was a most loving and beautiful lady and I still miss her being. Back in the day, it was a bit of a drive from Goulburn on a pretty windy dirt road and sometimes there would be as many as 6 kids in the back seat if we were heading out for a family gathering (no seatbelts in them there days) and always so much fun and food with the Hogan clan. Today the road is sealed, the house still stands in all its glory shrouded by massive trees with a couple of extensions to boot and the gorge is a National Park.

What a beautiful campground, and all to myself!!!

A G A I N!

Pays to get away from the hustle and bustle of the south coast!

Set up a great sprawling camp studio, went on lots of walks, had a visit from my Aunties and Uncle Ross for afternoon tea and finished a couple paintings. Winning!

View over the Shoalhaven River from Mt Ayre

I received news that my beautiful friend Nat passed away in her sleep on 28th, just 20 days after her 45th birthday. This was a bit of a shock and brings it home how important it is to be ‘with’ people when the opportunity is there. I knew her as the Adventure Queen; an amazing and compulsive artist who could make art out of anything and was planning a new adventure to the Americas. I was grateful for the time I had with Natalie and also the fact that I was here in this beautiful wilderness, alone, to process this news. The magic here, is that after a few tears and a couple of wines, I looked up into the trees and said out loud… “Ok Nat, I know you’re still hanging around this planet for a few days … so just let me know that your OK” At that a chorus of kookaburras started laughing for the longest time!!! It totally blew me out… I knew right then and there that it was all good and just so typical of her. Thank you my friend! I did not hear the kookaburras again for the six days I spent there.

Beautiful tracks out to the lookouts. I saw a lyrebird on this walk, the camera was tucked away in backpack :-(

20 Clicks to Canberra, oil on canvas 30X30cm

I did see a lyrebird on one of my walks which was totally amazing… we both stood frozen for a moment and as soon i went to retrieve my camera she scurried into the undergrowth. It really was a most stimulating sighting. Such a beautyFULL creature! Am I turning into a bird lady??? Mmmmm

I headed back into Goulburn to deliver my Edna and Ross painting, stock up for my next adventure and say a final goodbye to this part of my journey.

I am off to the Valley !!

Letterbox alley, along the Bungonia road to Goulburn

The last of the home bakes and ……………………………

………………………………………………..cook ups for a while.

Thankyou SO MUCH Kerry, Aunties Edna and Kathy and Uncle Ross for all your love and care and chats and tea and beers and wine and peace. It has been the absolute best hanging out with you all. See y’all soon up in D-town. LOVEX