• Digital Gypsy Tales
  • Digital Gypsy Tales

Digital Gypsy Tales

Et åpent eventyr av Digital Gypsy Tales Les mer
  • Reisens start
    9. juni 2022

    Naremburn

    9. juni 2022, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    I had to move to Naremburn (clears throat - cause of Covid) after 9 years in a cute little apartment in Cremorne. I still have my art studio in Brand X - Creative Precinct in St Leonards so I wanted to stay close by for a while. Naremburn was a good little base and while there, grew herbs, succulents, potatoes, and even made cheese for the first time.

    Well after about 18 months nothing really was figured out....Hmmm....I tried.

    Doing property/pet sitting full time was not my life plan. I did pet sitting occasionally for friends and one paying couple. It was a win-win and I loved having some pet time here and there. When the idea of doing it full-time crossed my mind it was a bit far reached at first as I didn't think I could handle more uncertainty. So, I tested the waters by doing a month-long pet sit close-by while keeping the place in Naremburn. Well I survived so only then made a conscious effort to try it for up to a year. I had nothing to lose and a huge amount to gain.

    I'm still keeping the art studio for now.
    Les mer

  • Eungai Rail NSW

    9. juni 2022, Australia ⋅ 🌙 11 °C

    Not my photos but what a cute little Airbnb find to break up my travel to Nimbin.

    Off the highway and almost out of fuel I arrived after the sun had gone down. At one point I thought I was going to sleep in the car because I couldn't find it and the phone service was awful so I couldn't call the host. I finally did thank goodness.Les mer

  • Sawtell

    10. juni 2022, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Awwee Sawtell. My Northern happy place - I stop when I can.

    The owners at Spit Cafe still recognize me even after soooo many years. I lived in the area full-time for a year, freelancing for Coastal Living Magazine and also traveling back there during production season after moving back to Sydney. I also managed Shellies On The Beach holiday homes for 6 years so altogether has led to me being a familiar face. It feels really nice.

    The local fuel stop still has personal service but I'm equally appreciative and horrified by the signs :)
    Les mer

  • Nimbin

    10. juni 2022, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    A venomous snake, feline seizures, and a very special dinner guest.

    Who would have thought - Nimbin. I had 2 weeks here in a beautiful permaculture property and spacious surrounds. It was a good start and an opportunity to settle with my thoughts and commit to the journey. Had a quick lightning round trip to Murwillumbah to visit an old friend who actually solidified my blog name (thanks Cloudy) 1000's of potholes and washed-away roads were quite confronting but it’s a little piece of paradise.

    Challenge No1: Venomous Snake
    Tropidechis carinatus to be exact. Whhaaat! I have seen a python up close before in Coffs Harbour lazying in the sun on the driveway. Was beautiful actually, but Mr Rough belly, no thank you.

    Lucky for me it was not moving fast but a really great way to test my resilience. After a friendly visit by a neighbour to access the situation, the suggestion was to call Wires, all was sorted within a half hour and Mr Snake was in the bag taken for assessment. Yay.

    Challenge No2: Feline seizures.
    Feline what! Ok, I was told it was a possibility but not likely to happen on my watch. Ummm, well, it happened twice. Poor Charlie, and poor me. How distressing. More him than me of course but the first time it happened he was up the cat climbing tree and literally jumped into my arms as I slowly guided him to the ground sandwiched in some cushions. Mon Dieu.

    That special dinner guest.
    It had been 4 months since we saw each other face to face and our story was not even 6 months old...yes, yes, lots of calls, video, and texts but it would have been very possible and normal to meet again and it would just be polite and friendly. But... do you know the rain scene from Notebook? It was like that - well, sort of, except there was no rain, and although he is strong, not that strong to carry this curvy woman haha. The feeling was amazing and those 4 months just disappeared. What a lovely surprise.
    Les mer

  • Coonabarabran

    30. juli 2022, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Jul 30 - Aug 7. Approx 5 of 16 weeks.

    Learning curve ahead.

    • Build a sustainable roaring fire - tick
    • Maneuver oneself on Quad bike - tick (room for improvement)
    • Remember chicken's dawn and dusk schedule, harvest eggs - tick
    • Bond with special personality pooch - tick (tho sometimes I feel like I'm constantly being watched and she is secretly plotting something....jajaja)
    • Siphon water out of the pool after heavy rain without having to suck through a hose - tick (thanks YouTube)

    The property is spacious.....140 acres spacious so it's a bit different from where I've lived. I'm grateful the owners trusted me as it can be a bit overwhelming and there seems to be a lot to do and remember. But once my mind settled a bit I'm beginning to reap many rewards. I'm comfortable with solitude but some moments can feel particularly isolating.

    Interesting how the mind works, as I've been binging on the series 'Alone' and 'Naked and Afraid'. Wow!
    Les mer

  • Coonabarabran Aug 7 - Aug 28

    7. august 2022, Australia ⋅ 🌙 5 °C

    Approx 8 of 16 weeks.
    Fields of yellow. Unexpected finds in a 2nd hand store, and interesting mailboxes.

    I couldn't help but squeal when I stumbled upon the fields of yellow on a grocery trip to Gunnedah. Lucky for me I didn't have to wrestle anyone as the roads were relatively empty so it was easy to pull over. Om.

    I wasn't looking but on dropping into the local Coona 2nd hand furniture store I was surprised to find 2 accordions. One looked like a relic and the other seemed almost new. Now, I'm not an accordion aficionado but my good friend Tony is, so I immediately contacted him knowing he might be interested in the purchase to eventually renew and onsell. Possibly and new item to add to my CV: Accordion Agent...ha

    PS. Found a very interesting antique ink blotter and negotiated a better deal. Looking on Etsy and eBay I may have found a gem here.....
    Les mer

  • Coonabarabran Aug 29 - Sep 11

    29. august 2022, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Approx 10 of 16 weeks

    I watch the sky a lot. But, I've never watched it closer than I have in Coona. I love to shoot clouds as there's always something different to see and this time I tried a timelapse. Soooo nice.

    Within these weeks I took a short trip back to Sydney and was able to drop off those accordions to Tony, in a dark hotel parking lot of all places...hmmm you'd think we were the mafia. Ha.

    A few different creative projects are also on the table. One is a logo for the Coona Community Garden. I can't wait to see it all come together.
    Les mer

  • Coonabarabran Sep 27 - Oct 11

    27. september 2022, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Approx 14 of 16 weeks.

    15 mins. Love tubs. Lemon experiments, and searching for rusty bits.

    I already had my 15 mins of fame a lifetime ago when living OS (ask me later) but it might happen twice. After calling the local Coona Newspaper to see if they had any creative projects I could assist with, instead, the editor was interested in my Digital Gypsy Tales story. So, this past week Emma, one of the writers dropped by for a bit of a chat. I've never been interviewed before so I can't wait to see the draft story. The plan is to be in the 2nd edition of the magazine • wattle • coming out Feb 23......well that will be a nice birthday gift.

    Since I found Warrumbungle Organics store, I've been visiting every week to pick up at least one meal for lunch or dinner. Michelle is lovely and whips up the most spectacular curries. I'm so glad she's interested in my Edible Garden Book project. This past week I visited her at her property for a little afternoon yummy tea and low a behold found a love tub of strawberry plants.

    Creative projects on the table these weeks include a couple of my pics framed for doggy Dotti's owners (hope they like them). A rusty sign project slowly coming together. Lemons, lemons, fermented....well over fermented but an interesting pic nonetheless, and lemon torta, doused with more lemons. Tang heaven.
    Les mer

  • Coonabarabran - that's a wrap

    25. oktober 2022, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Oh Coona, I will miss thee.

    I found so much unexpected solace in Coona. I didn't miss running around on trains, buses, Goget, or carshare. Quite the opposite as I found so much joy in looking up and out. Up to the clouds, the stars, the moon, and out to the hills and the mountains.

    I experimented with preserving lemons, made tahini lemon cookies, and continue to perfect my almond meal crackers. I practiced piano consistently and had a nice little morning and afternoon routine with little Dotti.

    Thank you Geoff and Kay Redman.

    Next, it's back to the city for a couple of weeks of mayhem. Can I handle it?
    Les mer

  • Sydney loop

    10. november 2022, Australia ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    ok Sydney.

    2 weeks flashed by, and most of it spent in the Apple store, on phone support, or trying to reach support. Went in to replace battery and they broke the logic board then mayhem ensued. Urggg! I’m never going to get that time back....It took so much away time supposed to be spent with family.

    That rant over I cherished the little golden nuggets left spent with my sister and mum, brief catch-ups with a few friends here and there, and snippets and silliness with dad....not enough though.

    .......aaaand recorded those 4 songs I’ve been practicing. Could only load a sample here. It's live, it's raw, and a bit clunky, pitchy, but I had fun and was able to utilize the rehearsal space available via the studios I still rent.

    .....aaaaand I finished the rusty thing! Not sure the recipient will ever receive it but it was a satisfying project to complete.

    Feeling disappointed by Apple but satisfied and grateful for the rest. Onwards.

    PS. Thanks for everything Ele :)
    Les mer

  • meanwhile in Toowoomba

    26. november 2022, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Sometimes, well, almost all the time, you just have to try and make the most of it, and keep going.

    I had work to complete so not much time to explore but in any case had a weee little help from when I was at 'Sandy Bottoms' (the last post). On my way up, had stopped for a break in Evans Head at a random coffee shop and had a bit of a chat to 2 most lovely owners....who, after asking where I'm from/where am I going, where ecstatic to tell me they met and fell in love in Toowoomba and then scribbled a handful of coffee shops to go to.

    The housesit was not at all what was shown to me in terms of cleanliness, and even the sweet doggo was twice the size, and strength I might add, to what the pics showed, anyway, I'm here now....I've got some coffee shops to find.

    As a bonus, I also found some interesting street art, a fabulous farmers market, and a nice pair of op shop binoculars. Boom.
    Les mer

  • Rockhampton

    18. desember 2022, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Week 2 of 5.

    Flying donuts Batman!

    When people said ‘why would you go to Rockhampton’, my answer was ‘why not’.

    I’m working from home in a very comfortable, air conditioned home, with a pool, and lovely vistas. Makes things very easy to like where I am.

    I’ve done a little exploring, had a lovely visitor, completed a short photo course (was good practice and a challenge), and I’m practicing my tennis serve (complete with my own ball retriever 😆).
    Les mer

  • Rockhampton

    16. januar 2023, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    I made another year!
    A few interesting finds in the Rockies. One great highlight is the letterpress printer. The piece I choose was a commission piece for someone else but I liked it so much for that reason.

    The rest was playful shenanigans with Pippa the pooch.
    Les mer