Merry Christmas and last post for 2015

Well hello there you!  Can you believe we are so close to Christmas?  Only 3 sleeps away actually!  I honestly cannot believe how quickly this has all crept up on me this year.  One minute it is May and we’ve just got back from Tasmania and the next minute here we are with Christmas around the corner!

Last Friday we got back from 7 nights at beautiful Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast.  It was just what I needed to defuse all the overwhelm and stress that the silly season and end of year shenanigans generally bring with them.  I feel quite a bit more chilled out than I would have been otherwise, thankfully.  I even nearly completed one whole book which is awesome because I haven’t been able to read for a while which is not like me.  My mind has been too busy to focus and concentrate to read!

If you follow me on Instagram you would have seen quite a few phone snaps that I posted while we were away.  Lots of gorgeous beach shots, the to die for views from our apartment, and probably a few happy hour shots with a glass of wine or champagne in hand and beach view in the background!

One overcast and drizzly day we went for a drive to Murwillumbah to the Tweed River Art Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre and oh my gosh was I ever in my element.  I had the best day ever!  A lovely wander around the art gallery followed by a thoroughly intriguing and inspirational perusal of the Margaret Olley Art Centre.  I then made a couple of small purchases at the Gallery Shop, had a delicious lunch at the gallery cafe with outstanding views over the Tweed River, and purchased some tickets in a raffle where I AM going to win (haha power of positive thinking and all that) a beautiful framed print of one of Margaret Olley’s paintings valued at over $9000!  We then went on to visit a fantastic antique shop called New Releases where I do admit to making a few sneaky purchases. I will write more about this day in the new year.  There is so much to tell!

I took heaps of photographs with my proper camera (in addition to the phone snaps posted to Instagram) – the DSLR – and will work on getting those edited and in a blog post as soon as possible.  I took  heaps last year when we were at Burleigh so tried to take completely different shots this time.  Here is one of the view looking to the left from our apartment.  On this occasion, I was sitting on the balcony having a glass of champagne when the colour in the sky and reflecting on the water and sand caught my attention and demanded that I run and get my camera.

This will be my last post for 2015 as I now turn my attention to family and Christmas festivities and preparing for my daughter leaving for overseas (OMG how will I ever cope with her being so far away for 2 whole months). 

I wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas.  I know that Christmas can be really hard for some, for various reasons – a lost loved one who is missed so deeply at all times but even more so at this time of year, financial stress, illness of self or loved ones, loneliness, etc.  I want you all to know that I see you and I have you in my heart and thoughts.

Happy holidays and stay safe on the roads everyone.

May 2016 be a happy, healthy and prosperous year for us all! 

Ciao for now,

Linking up with Agent Mystery Case for #WorthCasingWednesday