VIC Secondary Schools Orienteering Championships

Last Friday the VSSOC 2010 was held at The Tye Estate near Romsey, Victoria. This property belongs to children's author and teacher, John Marsden, and is also the location of his school "The Candlebark School" which has been running for 6 years now. John generously allows the VOA and School Sport VIC to use the property free of charge about every four years as the event is rotated around the outskirts of Melbourne. Over 400 children from about 15 schools attended and competition was keen in both A and B age classes. The property contains unlogged native bush with beautiful tall trees and is quite steep making for challenging orienteering.

John was happy to talk to students and sign copies of books they had brought along as well as donate books for the first placegetters. My son noted that the kids could ride ripstiks at break time and a lamb happily and safely wandered around the playground.

It was a successful day for my son, he won 15 A boys title and received a certificate, micro compass and book as well as ribbon for 1st place in the Galway Schools competition.

Rocket Quilt progress

I have been hand quilting the Rocket Quilt with perle threads and it is very rewarding to see the effects. I do like hand quilting, it is therapeutic I believe. The only stress I have is to keep my rubber thimbles hidden from the dog who thinks they are great to shred ...

M took this photo yesterday at our weekly get together, thanks!

Autumn Colours

I love the colours and days of autumn ...perhaps it was growing up in New England (NSW) that led to this feeling! Sunny days, crisp fresh mornings, still nights ... The change of seasons is not always evident in Australia but places like Armidale, Glen Innes, Orange, Bathurst, Katoomba, Canberra, Bright ... they all have wonderful autumn leaf colours. From our bedroom balcony we have a lovely view of the Manchurian Pear tree in all its glory, with the purples of the salvias beneath making a wonderful contrast.

Today we woke to pea soup fog here in Melbourne but it is now lifting a little and the sun is streaming through.

Textures and Shapes

I am always stopping to photograph shapes and textures that appeal to my eye (and sometimes get tripped over in the process ...ask my family!). Here are some from London and thereabouts.

A woven fence near Highgate Cemetery:

Intricate brickwork on chimneys at Henry VIII th's Hampton Court Palace:

Grate in the floor of Southwark Cathedral:

Westminster Bridge:

Mud in the Thames:

Greensacks

Are you still putting fruit and veggies in plastic bags ... I have converted to reusable greensacks and thought you might like to know about this useful product.  You can order from the website (click on Products) or there are several stockists. The business is run by Pam of Seddon, Melbourne.

The sacks are very lightweight, washable and strong and can be put to other uses as well. Checkout operators can still read the product codes through the sack.

Rocket Quilt Basted

Today I spray basted and pinned this cute boy's rocket quilt which I will hand quilt in perle threads. The backing is a bright red spot and the fabrics are from Prints Charming (2 Young Street range) with the pattern by Laura Lobb of In Stitches of Williamstown. When done it will be another UFO finished. It will give me something to stitch while watching TV and those addictive Master Chef episodes!

The warm north wind also provided incentive to wash the chenilles for a charm square quilt using the pastels from Kaffe Fassett's latest range.

Delicious Dinner

This fish curry went over very well on Sunday night ... my husband's serve garnished liberally with fresh red chillies from the Urban Orchard swap meet.

Urban Orchard Swap Meet

This morning was the monthly Western Urban  Orchard Swap Meet in Footscray. I have missed a few but today I had granny smith apples, tamarillos and parsley seedlings to swap. There were quite a lot of swappers this month, with lemons, feijoas and tamarillos the most common fruits contributed. I came home with lemons, chillies and some gorgeous little bananas.

I was hoping for some quinces ...maybe next month. Our home grown red apples have been delicious to eat right off the tree - so crisp and sweet. Many desserts have been made from the granny smiths and the birds are enjoying them too!