The weekend just gone was a long one in my neck of the woods and because the BC Crew were off an extra day too it was a four-day weekend for us…the weather was a mix…one of sunshine so a long walk on the beach…the others rainy, so gumboots on and walking in the bush…
When the sun was out, it was amazing
the light, the colours and the air are all breathtaking…there is nothing better for this pommie girl than being here in this new land, walking on the beach in the crisper Winter air…(translation: a pommie is an English person in the land of Aus)
this is one of the local ocean pools I was telling you about…not the one where the ‘sea creature’ put me in an ambo…another one…
the ocean rock pools are built into the corners of beaches…when I first came here I was a bit surprised to see the concrete thrown in with the outstanding scenery…most of them have local swimming clubs attached to them, so they have a community around them too…
…Mr BC loves to swim in them..
and they work with the climate….many of you have asked what are the winter temps here…well the average temperature in the daytime in Sydney in the Winter is mid to high 60′s though obviously on a sunny day in one of these sheltered spots it feels much warmer...so we are hardly talking the Arctic here
But it’s not all just about the beach here you know…
one of the reasons I love it so much is that every which way you turn there is beauty…
for nature lovers and those who like to be out and about there can’t be many other places that offer this much diversity…and our journey with Australia is only just beginning…we are at the tip of the iceberg in terms of exploring this land…
I love going out to walk in the rain walking in wellies…you can can splash about to your hearts content…
and I love rain droplets
and taking photos of them…this can get tedious for your walking companion though
we love walking to this waterfall in the winter..for most of the rest of the year everything is very dry and dusty there’s not much water flowing…
right now it’s gushing…and sounds divine…just like one of those meditation sound dvd’s…you know?….
I did record some on my phone…with two intentions…one to listen to while I am doing my homegrown yoga stretches and the other to put up on here for you to listen to…but blow me down I can’t work out how to get an audio clip on this here blog so bang goes that idea
you’ll just have to imagaine
...drip drip plop, bubble trickle bubble
I needed to get out this weekend…
I had a lot of parenting things on my mind and knew that being out in the fresh air, with nature and getting moving would help…not that this is anything unusual, we trek most weekends for at least a couple of hours…
…I am such an advocate of the humble walk/hike…
no special equipment needed, no fancy gear…just your legs and if you are out for more than an hour or so some fairly sturdy footwear…
You see so many things you just don’t come across in the everyday humdrum of life…
Walking = talking too
I love discovering while you walk….
secret paths and stuff like that
walking and talking in the rain is also very good in justifying how useful your rather expensive to buy in Australia, English wellies are and how that because said footwear is so darn functional you really could well do with a pair in navy too
So that is it from me for Good Life Wednesday…this is, to me, how to live it good…getting out and about and loving the simple things in life….
Gorgeous photos, Sarah. The light on the water is just stunning. And many thanks for hosting the party every week! Lots of love from my hillside cottage to your beach cottage
hi Sarah – looks like you had a lovely long weekend. I’ve just written and linked up a (kind of) similar post (linkedup) about the beautiful beaches and bush around my home town of Eden.
I’m coveting your wellies with all this rain.
cheers Fiona
Oh Sarah, those pictures of your bush walk brought memories of our hikes out in the Blue Mountains. Hubby and I used to do it almost every weekend from late autumn right through to mid winter. Yes it was a 2hr drive each way at the time but so worth it… We often walk the boardwalk near our place. It follows the river and leads us towards the national park but don’t venture too far because of the little ones. We do reminisce on these walks and have promised to return hiking again once the kids handle the walks. Lol I have started “training” my eldest little one and already she complains like a teenager only after 5 minutes! Thank you for bringing back happy memories, I need that after all this gloomy weather, not a ray of sunshine out our way…
Lovely pictures Sarah. A walk is always good to clear the mind and sort through things. You have a beautiful area to hike through. Love the waterfall! Thanks for hosting
Can I just say…Wow. Your pictures are always such a joy to look at. You make us feel as though we are wandering around with you in this beautiful place you call home. Thanks for taking me along!
Hi Sarah! I am new to your blog, but must admit that i spent a couple of hours yesterday pouring through your posts (mostly with an almost 5-month-old sitting curiously on my knee). I’m in love! And i was wondering, how can i become part of the Saturday Club? Please sign me up!
Thanks again for sharing your wonderful photos! I am SO envious of the access you have to such beautiful beaches, views and scenery. I think I’d be out wandering EVERY day if I was surrounded by such awesomeness! Great photos, as usual.
Rain ,Hail or Shine. Yep, one thing I have discovered while travelling this wonderful country of Aus, is that no place is ever exactly the same on any given day. The simple things in life are always the best. Your Photos are lovely. Oh & Thanks also for hosting the linky party.
Gorgeous photos, Sarah. I would love to do a walk with you. Sounds delightful with a camera. I often find myself holding up others in order to stop and appreciate little sights along the way. Thank you for sharing these your lovely walks. Reminds us all how inspiring, healing, relaxing and bonding they can be.
the beauty of sydney in winter…well – the glorious northern beaches in winter!
i love that you approach sydney in winter, like the english here approach walking and getting out in all winters!
i think you are blessed in this attitude- as i have many friends emailing me that they are sick of the rain blah blah blah…they perhaps need an english sensibility to enjoy sydney in all weathers…
we are going to bring home this attitude with us!
Love the watery photos today: the water ring, the water bubbles, the rain drops on branches, the water splashes on the last photo. Oh, and let’s not forget the lovely embrace photo. Have a great day!
Just a beautiful poatto read on a miserable wednesday morning in West Sussex – Only 5 mina from the beach myself – must find the time to see it more often!!
P.S Hunters have introduced a new ballet shoe – check it out – great idea for when the wellies are too much in your heat!!
Hi Sarah, you and mr bc always manage to take the cutest pictures together. is your camera on a timer, or does one of your bc kiddos pitch in to help? at any rate…they are always gorgeous, glistening pics! thanks for hosting sarah, marcia in cali
The only time I don’t go walking is when it is REALLY cold, AND really windy and rainy. When I say really cold I mean just above freezing or below. Walking and hiking is one of my favorite things to do, and when my health was barely hanging on by a thread, I truly think it saved me. It kept my body from giving up, and I think the fresh air just continued to clean my lungs and my system. It kept me alive and moving.
A lot of times I walk alone, it’s a great time to gather my thoughts. But more recently my family has been joining me and I love it. One of my favorite memories now, is of us taking a night walk with both of the pups, in the snow through the woods here. I would swear we were in Narnia.
I do try to walk and/or hike every day now. The outside is good for my inside.
fantastic photos! Looking out on a very dreary ‘summers’ evening back here in the UK, so not jealous
(watching ITV at the moment and it is showing a program called ‘poms in paradise!’ …… may be we should make the move!) Will attempt to link in this week after I have written todays post
Absolutely stunning pictures! Just stumbled on your blog and love your story of moving from England to Australia. We also have three kids and moved from somewhere colder and “inland” to somewhere warmer and on the beach (although we stayed within the same country), so I’m really enjoying reading about your journey.
G'day! I'm Sarah, I live in a tatty old cottage, near the sea in Australia with a battered old deck & a big old fig tree out the back...stripped wooden floors, old sash windows & a jumble of vintage furniture. [Read More …]
Beach Cottage ladies, we have some vintage linen and some wood/twig washed up on the beach today here in Beach Cottage Land….don’t say I don’t keep you entertained now will you . Come on in. So, yep I have posted about colanders on this blog, about things sourced from the side of the road, about [...]
G'day ladies, let's have a Too Easy Beach Cottage recipe yeah? The original place for Too Easy Recipes on the web ;-)
So, after my last salad went down a storm in my inbox, that's here if you missed it, I had to do this one seeing as I make it most weeks.
There is a problem with this salad and kiddos though...it looks, well, it looks, kinda yucky...but once they try it, they'll ask if and when they are next having it....at least that's what happens in this ratty old cottage...but I must interject here that my kiddos are 'good eaters'? ...they didn't get a choice in that ;-)
Now, stop, don't start running and hitting that next on your blog reading list, pulses are your best friend in the Too Easy Dump & Go kitchen for the busy mum, or busy anyone for that matter...that reminds me I must blog the garlic canneloni Go To for when you forgot to do dinner, feel like a bath but have three ravenous young Beach Cottage Kiddos on your hands...another day.
I am almost embarrassed to tell you how easy this is, we have it so much that I always have a couple, make that six, cans of lentils around and a jar of goat's cheese in the fridge...the great thing about this is that it's all too easy to get ready in just a few minutes, but it looks, tastes and seems like you did oh so very much more than that.
You can obviously too change it up a bit depending on what you have to hand in your kitchen, and I must say that is how I settled on this version...because one day when I made it I didn't have enough Parsley in the garden and so I chucked in some basil too, and liked the Summer feel it added.
I think of this as being a rather posh salad, not sure why, because it couldn't really be further from the truth...the great thing is that it works so well for an average run of the mill day, (when I did this for this blog post, it was a hot Sydney Sunday and I did it just simply to go with Rosemary & Garlic stuffed pork, you can see that pork here),
...but just as easily it works on a regular old Wednesday night when you have lost all enthusiasm for rustling up yet another meal, or indeed on Saturday night, when your friends are on their way over for dinner and you my friend, are in your new vintage inspired clawfoot bathtub (that's me in a few weeks time, k?) without any clothes on, a tipple and no idea what to cook for dinner...
I have a complicated and ever-changing relationship with goat's cheese...it never fails me in its performance and it never fails to impress me (you can find out a bit more on what I like in food here if you like) and I kinda collect it...because it's very easy to collect and has a fairly long fridge-life, I love trying out different ones and there's not many things I love more than goat's cheese on sourdough...but I think the best thing about it is not thinking about it exclusively in the toast/salad department...I've stuffed it in chicken and all sorts of things as a last minute and it's been fab.
But let's get down to the nitty gritty of this super salad that makes you look like an angel who has been on her knees all day scrubbing the front step when really you are in the digital world and spent most of ...
G'day Beach Cottage ladies, howdy, howdy howdy today for a Beach Cottage Too Easy recipe.
If you like cake, cream, sugar and chocolate, make this.
This is, rather than a recipe, a putting it together...as you know I am no dessert maker, but, I do make quite a few sweet things, because, somehow I have ended up with kiddos, who in their roles as offspring, believe that part of the deal, is that not only do I feed them a home-cooked meal with a few homegrown ingredients in there, yes, they also believe that dessert and not the kind that comes out of a packet is included too in this All-Inclusive Deal they call Parenthood.
So, this, for sure, is no culinary masterpiece, but if you are looking for something that is so very easy, dump-able, uses everyday ingredients and at the same time makes you look like you spent hours pulling things together plus tastes good....well, then this is for you.
Best though, you don't make this for yourself, if you have spent the most part of your week sitting on your derriere reading blogs...this my friend ain't low in the calories department...if, however, you are treating yourself to a delight in a mason jar, this is so for you.
I first had a version of this when at dinner back in Old Blighty with a girl, I once, in another life, caught the train up from our village to London with...she was a funny thing really...I am not quite sure how we got on...she was kinda prissy and a bit bothered by too much...I would run to the train flustered, having got up late, and she would have a spreadsheet on the train times, if you know what I mean.
Anyway, a few years later when we both had bambinos, I bumped into her again and we met up for playdates and dinner sometimes....this particular night, after a lovely meal she served up little bowls of creamy, cakey fruity stuff topped off with chocolate flake...it was delicious!
She didn't serve hers in little jars like this, hers were in a champagne glass and not quite so layered as these ones, plus she used tinned fruit not fresh or frozen.
Years later when said offspring kept requesting dessert, one day I wangled together somehow these from what was around in the fridge and they've been with us ever since.
Most likely, if you ever come here for dinner, and shock horror, you dont' bring the dessert with you, this, if you are lucky, will be what you will get.
Throw it all together, sprinkle a lil bit of chocolate on the top and the blog reading past-time you so rudely left in order to make this, is my friend, your oyster.
Beach Cottage Too Easy Layered Raspberry, Cream & Sponge Dessert
1 small maderia or butter cake or a pack of cupcakes (or of course make your own)
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
8 tbsp fruit
1 x chocolate Flake or chocolate bar for grating
1. beat the cream cheese until it is soft
2. whip the cream until soft peaks form
3. combine & add the sugar through
4. cut your cake into portions
& layer into the bottom of your jar
5. add a tablespoon of fruit
6. layer on top the cream combo
7. repeat
8. grate chocolate or Flake on top
*Beach Cottage Recipe Notes : this is just a guide really, you can use any cream that you have on hand...I have made this with clotted cream (don't even go there unless you want to seriously get these babies on your thighs), with double cream and I have even, in desperate times squirted in that, ...
G'day Beach Cottage ladies, well I thought it was time for some blogging tips here today, alongside a few nice flowers and shells ;-)
I was recently part of a blogger discussion group over at Kidspot and a couple of hours later had a few questions from girls who couldn't make it to the live chat, one was on my Facebook page and one via email, the Facebook one I will deal with in another Real Girl Blogging Tips post...the email one asked me what essentials do I think every blog needs?
Well I have been around here for a while now doing the blogging thing, so I should know this, yeah and I mused this on my walk by the sea this morning I thought well what do you only need?
...I think it is really very easy when blogging, whether or not you are blogging up there in the lofty heights of the Super Bloggers or you are just dipping your toe in the water, to get side-tracked by 101 million different things that are 'essential' to your blog and if you are someone like me who actually gets a thrill from reading blogging tips then you are in an even worse place because you will find yourself literally buzzing with these essential things to add/do/implement on your blog.
However, walking along, gulping down that brisk sea air today (no sunshine & clouds) I thought you actually don't need any of that professional blogging stuff to be successful...but there are a few things that are pretty much crucial ...and once I started to think about it I got it down to about 5 - these are the only things that you need to concentrate on...once you have read through take a look at some of the big girl's blogs...you'll see that actually they don't have bundles of stuff on their blogs...but they do have all of these...
So here are my top things that your blog must have
1. About Page
There are all sorts of About Pages out there, and if you search on it there are many different tips and ideas for what to have on yours
Whatever blogging platform you use, adding an About Me Page is easy, quick and simple and will do everything to grow your blog.
I like a long-ish About Page, I am inherently nosy and I like to know a bit more about the person but at the least you should have on it your name and where you are located. I also think a photo is good too...over the last year or so I think this has become more important in blogging - if you are hesitant about that as I was, you can try using sunglasses or a behind shot until you get comfortable.
There is nothing worse than stumbling upon a new blog and going to find out more to only be faced with a piddly little one liner About Me Page...well there is something worse, not having one at all!
2. Contact Page
The chances are someone, somewhere will want to contact you and you will be surprised what lands in your inbox once you put yourself out there on the world wide web with a blog.
Many bloggers also use this page to include details for PR's/brands that may want to contact them and some bloggers put their stats on there too.
A short, to the point and simple Contact Page works really well...whenever I have wanted to contact another blogger I am often very busy and have limited time so I don't want to hang around sifting through information looking for an email address, so concise and clear ...
G'day lovely Beach Cottage lovelies.
So, yeah, so on a roll people, so on a roll.
I feel kinda home accessory wired right now.
I am always telling people, if anyone ever listens, that blogging is all about passion, not that sort of passion, but about passion that makes one tick.
Things like this make me tick tick boom.
I love finding things that suit my budget and let me treat my home but look amazing too.
So without further adieu I introduce you, ladies of the beach, to the blue vintage glasses that I have been stroking for about a week or two now...
These glasses are from a little boutique I sometimes happen upon, this boutique sells also pet accessories, carpet cleaner, bras and compost...it's quite unique though.
And, thanks to my friend Marnie (she blogs over here, go take a look at her praying position, interesting), who just so happens to be one day having me over for a lil' Greek dinner, has let me in on the fact that we call Kmart....The KMart...with an accent ....as in 'I love The KMart'...just like her MIL does. Oh yeah. Love that.
So I have had my eye on reproduction vintage glass blue wine glasses and being trying to find real true vintage blue glasses for like ever.
Oh yes I have spied them in Frenchy boutiques, I have lusted after them in stores that I shouldn't even enter and I have put them back pretty quickly in those shops with the hand-written price tags. C'mon, you know the ones.
And, though all of the above have tempted me, muchly, really, even with my wardrobe stashing skills I just thought that, actually, I'd rather be saving that casherooni for our next trip overseas..
Hello The KMart.
Tick Tick Boom
Vintage style blue wine glasses.
Do not come to my old place and think you might pick up one of these and smile with pleasure at their handblown quality, their weight, and be secretly jealous that my wine glasses cost more than your car...friend, that would not happen...these do not feel like that...indeed these in a funny way reminded me of my baby girl, she was a tiny little thing, with stick legs, the tinsssssssiest ankles and wrists you ever did see, she slept sideways in her cot wedged in between rolled up blankets and would only settle attached to Mr Beach Cottage or I or a (dirty) pj top of mine scrunched up under her nose...the first few times I picked her up to cuddle, being used to Honeymoon Baby who weighed in at 9lbs at birth and has never really stopped growing, I nearly threw her little bird-cum-rat down covered body over my shoulder.
These glasses are like that...be careful or you might lose your wine down the front of your shirt.
But oh baby, we are not talking picking up here, we are not talking quality, we are not talking house accessory snobbery.
Beach Cottage ladies, we are talking aesthetics.
And this is what I need in my cottage.
Blue vintage style glass, paired with coastal / nautical / beach stuff on my deck.
It's The KMart.
Tune in tomorrow, tomorrow, I have more budget foofing for your home, or maybe it will be the dress that wraps me up in supermarket-chic and makes me feel like me again.
Good Day to you my friends, wanna come hang out on my deck, talk house accessories, The KMart and drink some wine from blue glasses?
Sarah
Rainy and drippy walks in the forest, how marvelous!
ps…thanks for the linky party
Gorgeous photos, Sarah. The light on the water is just stunning. And many thanks for hosting the party every week! Lots of love from my hillside cottage to your beach cottage
Love your photos Sarah.
Thanks for hosting.
x Marnie
hi Sarah – looks like you had a lovely long weekend. I’ve just written and linked up a (kind of) similar post (linkedup) about the beautiful beaches and bush around my home town of Eden.
I’m coveting your wellies with all this rain.
cheers Fiona
That first photo is so beautiful.
Oh Sarah, those pictures of your bush walk brought memories of our hikes out in the Blue Mountains. Hubby and I used to do it almost every weekend from late autumn right through to mid winter. Yes it was a 2hr drive each way at the time but so worth it… We often walk the boardwalk near our place. It follows the river and leads us towards the national park but don’t venture too far because of the little ones. We do reminisce on these walks and have promised to return hiking again once the kids handle the walks. Lol I have started “training” my eldest little one and already she complains like a teenager only after 5 minutes! Thank you for bringing back happy memories, I need that after all this gloomy weather, not a ray of sunshine out our way…
Wow, great pictures Sarah! Looks like a nice, relaxing day. Have a peek at my sunburst mirror I put on your Good Life Wednesday. ~Catie
Thank you so much for hosting! Your photos always astound me…they are just gorgeous…
Oh, I really need to get out and do some nature photography!
Lovely pictures Sarah. A walk is always good to clear the mind and sort through things. You have a beautiful area to hike through. Love the waterfall! Thanks for hosting
Raindrops and sparkles….PERFECT!!
xx
Love your photos, and your views on Life.
Kelly
Gumboots are way too expensive in Australia…think I still need to get some though
Lovely pics xo
I love those lil pink flowers…. That image is beautiful!!!
Anything in the mail yet?
I love your pictures of raindrops Sarah. Gorgeous. And what a wonderful walk that must have been. That waterfall is incredible.
Can I just say…Wow. Your pictures are always such a joy to look at. You make us feel as though we are wandering around with you in this beautiful place you call home. Thanks for taking me along!
Hi Sarah! I am new to your blog, but must admit that i spent a couple of hours yesterday pouring through your posts (mostly with an almost 5-month-old sitting curiously on my knee). I’m in love! And i was wondering, how can i become part of the Saturday Club? Please sign me up!
Thanks so much for hosting this link party. You always have the best photos!! What a place to live!
What a great spot to think and talk. I’m going to grab the husband this weekend and just hang-out for a bit. Thanks for the kick-in-the-pants.
spectacular! spectacular!
Thanks again for sharing your wonderful photos! I am SO envious of the access you have to such beautiful beaches, views and scenery. I think I’d be out wandering EVERY day if I was surrounded by such awesomeness! Great photos, as usual.
Rain ,Hail or Shine. Yep, one thing I have discovered while travelling this wonderful country of Aus, is that no place is ever exactly the same on any given day. The simple things in life are always the best. Your Photos are lovely. Oh & Thanks also for hosting the linky party.
Sarah. Can you do another fashion post? I love how you do casual chic even when you are out walking!
Gorgeous photos, Sarah. I would love to do a walk with you. Sounds delightful with a camera. I often find myself holding up others in order to stop and appreciate little sights along the way. Thank you for sharing these your lovely walks. Reminds us all how inspiring, healing, relaxing and bonding they can be.
Just beautiful Sarah…and thanks for hosting another great party!
Like the cheeky pinch on the bottom picture!
Loving the perspective through your lense.
Hi Sarah
I live across the road from a waterfall that thunders down when it rains and a huge gum tree that roars when a westerly blows. I just love it.
I think you definitely should get the wellies in blue too.
Alison
wellies…walking…
sunnies…beach pools…
the beauty of sydney in winter…well – the glorious northern beaches in winter!
i love that you approach sydney in winter, like the english here approach walking and getting out in all winters!
i think you are blessed in this attitude- as i have many friends emailing me that they are sick of the rain blah blah blah…they perhaps need an english sensibility to enjoy sydney in all weathers…
we are going to bring home this attitude with us!
love the pickies- melissa x
PS- hunters in blue- a no brainer!
tell the hubster i’ll order them for you!
m x
These photos are gorgeous! I LOVE the green rainboots!
Thanks for hosting!
Love the watery photos today: the water ring, the water bubbles, the rain drops on branches, the water splashes on the last photo. Oh, and let’s not forget the lovely embrace photo. Have a great day!
Just a beautiful poatto read on a miserable wednesday morning in West Sussex – Only 5 mina from the beach myself – must find the time to see it more often!!
P.S Hunters have introduced a new ballet shoe – check it out – great idea for when the wellies are too much in your heat!!
off to check right now izzie…cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Sarah, you and mr bc always manage to take the cutest pictures together. is your camera on a timer, or does one of your bc kiddos pitch in to help? at any rate…they are always gorgeous, glistening pics! thanks for hosting sarah, marcia in cali
Love,love,love your pics Sarah!
I know it’s the ingrained Brit in me but I’ll always love wet weather, beautiful photos Sarah!
beautiful Sarah, beautiful blog!!
thanks for hosting again! and, beautiful pictures! gorgeous!
The only time I don’t go walking is when it is REALLY cold, AND really windy and rainy. When I say really cold I mean just above freezing or below. Walking and hiking is one of my favorite things to do, and when my health was barely hanging on by a thread, I truly think it saved me. It kept my body from giving up, and I think the fresh air just continued to clean my lungs and my system. It kept me alive and moving.
A lot of times I walk alone, it’s a great time to gather my thoughts. But more recently my family has been joining me and I love it. One of my favorite memories now, is of us taking a night walk with both of the pups, in the snow through the woods here. I would swear we were in Narnia.
I do try to walk and/or hike every day now. The outside is good for my inside.
God bless you Sarah! Have a lovely day!
WOW and WOW!!!
What beautiful photos!! I really, really want to see Australia some day!!
this was so calming I think I will stay on this page for awhile…thanks
fantastic photos! Looking out on a very dreary ‘summers’ evening back here in the UK, so not jealous
(watching ITV at the moment and it is showing a program called ‘poms in paradise!’ …… may be we should make the move!) Will attempt to link in this week after I have written todays post
What is the name of the fuschia & white flower?
Love the Wellies! I think I may need to invest in some soon, Seattle hasn’t had much of a summer yet.
WOW! How marvelous !Love your pics Sarah!
Beautiful photos, Sarah!!! Thanks so much for the party… hope you have a lovely weekend down under :-} ~ osc
I love the pictures in this post! They are beautiful! and make me want to travel to your part of the world
Absolutely stunning pictures! Just stumbled on your blog and love your story of moving from England to Australia. We also have three kids and moved from somewhere colder and “inland” to somewhere warmer and on the beach (although we stayed within the same country), so I’m really enjoying reading about your journey.
Wow, I just came across this post and your photos are beautiful, Sarah! Consider me a blog fan for life.
I just happened upon this blog of yours and am in awww. Such beautiful pictures! What a wonderful blessing to be able to live around such beauty!