LIFE doesn’t seem to be slowing down much in 2025, but I did manage a short summer break away with my husband last month to a place I know so well but never tire of.
From my own high country to that only a two-and-a-half-hour drive in country Victoria we stayed in the alpine township of Bright, a popular holiday and retirement choice in the north east of the state.
The town once overrun with those seeking their fortunes during the gold rush is on the Ovens River providing an ideal place to sit, fish or wander along the banks.
It is also surrounded by plantation-clad hills before they give way to our beautiful mountain views. Nearby is one of the lowest mountains in the area Mt Buffalo which was an easy drive from the NSW border where I lived for winter school trips and family snow play. During the warmer months it is a wonderful hiking destination. It is also a jumping off point for hang gliders soaring over the farmland in the valley below. It is also home to the historic Mt Buffalo Chalet which after being closed for several years and lack of action by state government is undergoing renovations and will reopen as an outdoor educational facility. My husband and I enjoyed a romantic weekend away there several years ago when the restaurant and cafe were operating as well as the accommodation.
Here are some images I captured on my last trip with the river ones taken in Bright.
Anyone with an interest in the history of the chalet may like to check this website out to learn more.
Last year was full of the usual highs and lows that most of us experience during certain times of our lives. When I started to scroll through my photos, I was reminded it was mostly positive, and we got through the more difficult parts.
We are approaching our eighth year of the permanent tree change this month and often wonder if our life in the city was real or just our imagination! I miss good Greek food but not the traffic.
We saw in 2024 at friends’ pool side New Year Eve’s party at their home and the following day I was kept busy covering the local races for the newspaper.
The Mansfield district is well known for being a hub of all types of events. The annual Tolmie Sports in February continues a much-loved tradition and the wood chop, and the dog jump always draws a crowd.
During the same month we end up at a fundraiser for a local palliative care facility with the theme “sock hop”. The church hall was converted into a 1950s diner, and everyone was encouraged to dress up.
There is always an art show, live music, openings, markets, lantern festivals, author talks, classic cars show and shine, plays, and much more to enjoy.
My love of campdrafting continues with three different events held in the district throughout the year. It is a great family equestrian sport and a legacy from our early stockmen.
At home there is always plenty to do and enjoy in our rare downtime. We have planted an abundance of native trees to screen out the neighbours as well as provide shade and habitat for our visiting birds. While the pair of us are not great gardeners we have had some success growing fresh vegetables.
We hosted dinner parties to celebrate our birthdays and to catch up with friends. While not so many as the previous years we had the odd house guest.
Fine wine and food are a wonderful way to connect with others.
Sunsets never fail to please with the colours so delightful to enjoy at the end of the day.
Our neighbours run their black angus cattle in one of our paddocks when feed is plentiful.
We celebrated our 25th silver wedding anniversary in style earlier in the year at the beautiful historic house and winery cellar door with a catered lunch. The caramel mud cake was made by a local lady and was just as good to eat as to look at.
Easter was interrupted with an emergency dash to hospital for my husband who was suffering extreme stomach pains. From our local hospital I ended up driving him to a larger regional hospital over an hour away. Emergency at both sites was overflowing due to the holiday period and the start of the footy season.
He was finally transferred to a major hospital in Melbourne to have a blockage operated on. But scans had discovered a black mass on his kidney which meant that he had to return to the same hospital in June for an operation to remove his kidney. Six weeks recovery from operation and several months later we continue to see the specialists for checkups, but it appears they got all the cancer thank goodness. But it never pays to take things for granted. He is doing well although without the same stamina.
We have sadly farewelled some really special people in 2024, and the world is a better place from them being here but also the poorer for their loss.
I managed to catch COVID for the first time ever and it knocked me for six – forcing me to be away from work for more than two weeks.
Talking about hospitals, there was a community outcry when the news broke about plans by the state government to amalgamate our hospital with another two hours’ drive away. Thanks to a concerted effort by doctors and medical staff with the community right behind them we won the battle for now.
We still have my beautiful old cat Rambo who hangs in there, no doubt helped by the three pills he has each day. This makes it difficult for us to get away. Giving cats pills is not the forte of many house sitters! He is now 18 but still enjoys life although at a slower pace.
In March we acquired Clover a beautiful 12.2 hands pony with loads of attitude and a sense of fun. My husband who is not the horsey one in the family has bonded with him and the two together are such a wonderful combination.
In April I reverted back to casual hours at the local newspaper. I have enjoyed the privilege of sharing people’s stories and making sure they are heard.
The local show in November once again consumed all my spare time and energy. But the locals love their ag show.
Christmas lunch was at our place with other friends who were on their own. Everyone brought something making it a lovely day together.
Between Christmas and New Year, we got to celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary with some very special people who hosted a wonderful dinner party at their beautiful farm home.
New Year’s Eve, we had friends over but opted for an earlier night. However, at 10.15pm the state emergency ap was busily beeping on our phones about a fire near Lake Eildon. Being our summer holidays there are a lot of campers in the bush surrounding our lake and rivers. A hot northerly wind is always a worry. Thankfully it was a still night but forced the evacuation of some campers and although several days later it was under control it is not yet out.
The first day of 2025 I was back at the Merton Picnic Races with camera and pen at the ready.
This morning after a very hot weekend, most welcome refreshing rain is falling.
Maybe that is my wish for the year ahead, that I am washed anew and ready for whatever 2025 wants to throw at me. May your year be full of more highs than lows too!
Every year I joke about finding a pony under the Christmas tree. Well, I did get a gorgeous white pony, but it was back in Easter this year. Discovering the addition of AI images on WordPress and having some down time during the Christmas break, I started to play with the idea of what else could I find under the Christmas tree. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that the New Year will be filled with lots of joy, love, fulfilment and good health! And that you found just what you wanted or needed under the tree this year!
THE tin soldier laid on the bare boards underneath the sweet smelling pine tree adorned with tinsel, angels and assorted shiny Christmas ornaments.
Made of lead his bright uniform faded and tarnished, this unloved ornament was ignored and swept under the voluminous mountains of wrapping paper.
The noisy children had departed with their newly acquired gifts to another part of the house.
Their parents had wandered off to enjoy a mince pie and a glass of mulled wine before the call up for the traditional festive lunch.
If one looked closely at the tin soldier laying so still, there was the slightest hint of a tear on his face.
The paper covering him had fallen to the side leaving him exposed and forlorn.
There was an eeriness in the room and a quietness which was suddenly interrupted by the muffled sobs of an older woman sitting on the couch.
She was distracted by a glint of something lying under the tree.
Curious she got up to inspect what it was.
The tin soldier was scooped up in her wrinkled hands and her glasses perched on her nose as she peered at her new discovery.
A tear fell onto the ornament as the realisation of what this find meant to her so many years later.
Suddenly it felt like the tin soldier was speaking to her.
“You know he never stopped loving you and thought of you every day”.
This was the last Christmas present her father had given her before setting off to fight in a far away war.
Bittersweet memories emerged as she remembered sitting on his knee as a little girl and him reading aloud “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” from a collection of Hans Anderson’s Fairy Tales.
It was a reminder that love endures even if we do not.
A second tear appeared on the tin soldier’s face as the woman placed him on the tree in prime position on the very top.
Writing prompt 12 Days of Christmas with Melissa Gijsbers Day 1. On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… a partridge in a pear tree!Write a story featuring an unusual Christmas tree decoration.
Of all the seasons, I have one that is dear Not one that brings lots of fear Due to storms and massive rain That do bring damage and pain.
A season that is mild and still Where mists can swirl until A warm sun breaks through the cloud While a farmer has his crops sowed.
The icy fingers of winter are yet to arrive But a touch of dew does give A sense of coolness yet to come That will make your body numb.
No other season can give such golden hues And call for blessings from the pews While nature chooses from the richest spectrum Of colours to woo us all so we all left dumb.
As our crazy summer weather forces festivities indoors, I am still grateful for the privilege of living in a peaceful country, food and shelter in abundance, family and friends near and far, and the chance to share my creativity with others.
My paid writing gig has seen me neglect my blog rather badly, so to my followers I do apologise but I’m sure many of you understand that life is full of ebbs and flows. I will be doing three months of fulltime work for our local newspaper from January so that will keep me busy.
May this holiday season however you celebrate it bring much joy and a chance to reflect on what is really important to you and those close to you.
May there will be a sense of willingness for our world leaders and those in power to be changemakers for good and end this senseless waste of lives especially of women and children. I count my blessings this Christmas Day but know we cannot stand by and do nothing.
If we can be nothing else, let us be kind. May we travel towards a more caring and compassionate world in 2024.
Many thanks for dropping by, and maybe I might find more time for my blog next year! Happy blogging everyone.
By Lynn Elder
Slow and sluggish during times of scarcity
Fast and furious when abundance reigns
And just a steady stream of activity in between.
Crescendos as water pours over rocky cascades,
Tranquil and still during times of less rain.
Sparkling as a jewel on a sunny day
Gloomy as the darkest winter's day.
The river travels far, not always aware of its destination.
But end the river must, if it is to become part of something bigger.
The river, a metaphor for my life.
Oh, what personality does spring display
When it thinks it is time to play.
Spring can be so fickle,
Also, so changeable.
Spring can be a myriad of colours
As bursting buds bring forth the flowers,
Then disappear in a breeze,
With the sudden arrival of a wintry freeze.
There is a promise of radiant sunshine,
For which we did all through winter pine,
For a return of some warmth to bask in,
And feel the sensation on our skin.
Spring does have a gentle side to its personality,
Amidst all the activity and vitality.
Blossom petals fall softly like light bird feathers,
And newborn lambs and calves snuggle against mothers,
To herald in the hope and joy of spring.
It was such joy to be part of this fun project with so many talented bloggers sharing their creative gifts. Andrea’s illustrations were the starting point for the children’s poems and short stories that were contributed. I came up with a story about cats shopping on-line would you believe! Her blog post below will steer you in the direction of how to obtain your own copy. Happy reading!
About 4 months ago, I posted a silly idea of making a book together. I asked people to write a short story or poem based on any of the drawings on my website.
It quickly became clear that more than just a few were interested. More than 20 authors have submitted their story and I am so happy to announce that from today on, the collection is stories accompanied with colorful drawings are available on Amazon either as ebook, paperback or hardcover!
It look amazing and I can’t thank everyone enough for sharing their talent and support with me!
If you would like a copy, check on of the links below!
By Lynn Elder
Grey clouds form a leaden sky
Above the black cattle grazing below.
Tree trunks are blackened
By the dampness they absorb
From heavy downpours
Released from above.
Dimming daylight alternates
Between the various shades
Of white, grey and black.
Birds and pets alike match
The colour scheme of the day.
Thanks for flying with us. Keep up the good blogging.
This just popped up in my notifications and although I knew this blogging journey began in 2017 it still took me by surprise to see it has been five years. It coincided with my move from the city back to my country origins to begin a new life with my husband on 25 acres. Some things have worked out as expected and others have had their challenges, but looking back and given what has expired with the COVID-19 Pandemic, we made the right decision for us. My blog started out as more of a journal in words and pictures but now it is time to expand my horizons and stretch my creative self more than ever. There have been some sad goodbyes and happy moments to relish but through it all there has been a divine hand on my life. May my faith not waiver as we embrace another year of uncertainty but discover how precious life is and all that we have to be grateful for. Happy blogging one and all!
She moved a hairbrush through her little one’s tangled strands of long auburn hair. Strains of the Wiggles could be heard from the television in the adjoining room as they jumped about singing “Hot Potato.” It reminded Sarah of the holiday concert she took her twins Annabel and Chloe to last Christmas. There was a red, a blue, a purple and a yellow Wiggle. Times had changed, though, with the arrival of a female Wiggle who donned the yellow skivvy.
The Smith family had survived another Christmas yesterday with the extended family present. Every year there was trepidation as to what the day would bring. Peace and joy to the world were not the first words to spring to mind. Her in-laws were not essentially bad people, but Sarah struggled to find anything in common with Fred and Myrtle. They held extreme conservative political views that did not align with their environmentally minded daughter-in-law.
Buying Christmas presents was not an easy task either, and Sarah’s husband Brett was happy to offload the task to her. It was not something she relished, because in previous years, the response to her gift selections was lukewarm, to say the least.
Sarah braved the crowded shopping centre a week earlier as the dutiful wife she was, searching for appropriate gifts. One positive was the elegant gift wrapping that the shops provided, sparing her from another job in an otherwise busy time of year.
Christmas Day arrived with the in-laws on the front step. As was the custom, the grandchildren insisted that they open their presents before the big, cooked lunch. Sarah thought to herself, let us get this part of the day done with. Brett welcomed his parents with big hugs while the twins tugged at his jumper, urging him to hurry up. Soon they were all settled into the sofas facing the brightly decorated pine tree surrounded by presents. The girls squealed with delight on opening their gifts from Grandma and Grandpa. They were still young enough to enjoy playing dress-ups with their Barbie dolls. Then it was like a game of pass the parcel, as the various gifts were handed around.
Fred ripped the paper as he opened his present, which revealed a book about vintage trains. Sarah held her breath as she waited for his reaction. Thankfully, he was gracious enough to say he had almost bought a copy for himself recently. One down. One more to go. The sausage-shaped present was in the hands of Myrtle now. She was more delicate in undoing the pretty wrapping paper and the curly ribbon. A long skinny item fell onto her lap being a posh-looking umbrella. Myrtle exclaimed, “Oh, what a lovely but useful present. Living in Melbourne, you never know when it may rain.” She opened it to display the impressionist art of Renoir. Arty but practical, Sarah thought to herself. The reaction was better than hoped for. The gift-giving ritual was now completed. Lunch was still an hour away, so the adults stood up and stretched as the twins played with their new toys.
Fred surprised Sarah when he picked up the blue guitar leaning against the wall in the living room. Brett had bought it for her last Christmas. Unfortunately, looking after two lively twin daughters and running a business from home, learning to play the guitar was not a priority. Chloe and Annabel were distracted enough to urge Grandpa to play a tune. Sarah imagined him playing something akin to a call to arms for fellow comrades. She did not even know he could play a musical instrument. Imagine her astonishment when the girls’ favourite Wiggles’ tune, “Hot Potato”, was played. Before anyone could protest, all the adults were up and dancing with the twins. Sarah and Brett exchanged a hug and a kiss, while her husband, shouted over the music, “Best Christmas yet!”
12 Days of Christmas writing prompt: Using the following random words, write a Christmas, summer, or holiday themed story. Potato, Guitar, Book, Umbrella, Hair brush
Escape to the High Country... 