G’Day Mates
G’day mates!
Wow I have been in Australia for two weeks, no idea where the time has gone.
The first few days I spent in Sydney, with a fabulous friend of mine, we walked in the rain, chatted about everything, saw the Botanical gardens, the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, had a lovely lunch, and some yummy cake.
Every picture of the Opera House I have seen, has always looked plain and white, I had no idea how beautifully textured it is.
This statue is in the Botanical gardens “I wish”.
So, I made a wish, for clarity.
I have mentioned that Mum has been very ill, and I have been so torn, should I go home or should I stay? So many people have said, there is nothing you can do, enjoy your holiday.
And I have enjoyed it, but now it is time to go home and be with mum, that is very clear to me.
But the purpose of my adventure has also become very clear to me.
There is always a reason for every experience we have.
I came away to spend time alone, to re-charge my energy levels, to get away from the constant needs of others, and to focus on my own needs.
I stopped just past Coffs Harbour at Emerald Beach, arrived in the middle of a thunder storm, and went to sleep to the sound of thundering surf crashing on to the beach.
I woke up to blue skies and a family of kangaroos, and sat and watched them for hours.
While I was staying in Byron Bay, I spent a day at the Crystal Castle… WOW.
What an amazing place, so peaceful, so many beautiful crystals.
The World Peace Stupa, my lovely friends were involved with the building of it and worked with the monks for weeks.
Each prayer wheel is packed with the energy of thousands of prayers, you set your intent before you start and then walking slowly around in a clockwise direction, spinning each of the wheels as you come to them, this is repeated three times, sending hundreds of thousands of prayers.
I spent time just sitting and allowing thoughts to come or not, a sort of free meditation, with no trying to control anything, I felt so at peace and rejuvenated, it was a blissful experience.
This pair of geodes are Smokey Quartz, Amethyst and Calcites. They are HUGE, apparently the tallest in the world!
And these are also gorgeous, and the painted scene around them definitely, takes you to other dimensions.
And how about this for a water feature, that Rose Quartz sphere is enormous but the power of the water spins it slowly round, so peaceful to watch.
And this is the most enormous, and gorgeous geode which weighs over 20 tonnes!!
I have spent quite a bit of time walking on beaches, and I found quartz, red jasper and yellow jasper.
I also brought myself some new crystals… haha as if I don’t have enough already, but these called to me!
While I was in Byron Bay I walked past a shop, and HAD to go back… I had a very clear image of a flat round piece of Angelite, and made the poor man in the shop look everywhere, he kept saying no, “I don’t have anything like that”, “yes you do” I said, and just as I was about to give up, tucked in the corner of his counter was my “Angel” palm stone.
When your angels lead you to something… listen… there is always a reason!
And once I had this stone I could feel them closer to me.
Then I found something I have always wanted, Australian Bolder Opal…. Wow this piece is just perfect, it reminds me of the ocean. The colours are beautiful and I am going to try to use them as a pallet for a future crochet project.
I have loved seeing so many different birds, here are a couple you may recognise.
Talking of crochet, I have started version two of my new design Rosslyn, I am using a lovely soft 4-ply cotton, with a 2.5mm hook. Much smaller hook that I normally use and I am finding it slow going, but am enjoying every stitch. This design will still be some time in the creative stage.
So the whole purpose of this amazing adventure was to know that I am doing exactly what I am meant to be doing, and I am going to enjoy every moment of it. Looking after Mum, designing crochet patterns, and being free to do what I want when I want.
After years of major responsibility and the dictates of work and running businesses, this is now a time of freedom and creativity.
And so I leave Australia to all its rain and little flying things that eat you!!
To return to the UK, to look after Mum, and get started on some new patterns.
Sorry to those of you who would have liked to meet up, in the end, time did not allow.
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Hi Helen
I’m so happy your trip to Australia gave you the peace you were looking for. I am from Coffs Harbour and know that it is a lovely part of the world. I went through what you are going through with sick parents in 2011 and 2012. It was very difficult and I would have liked to have somewhere to escape to but it was straight back to work, I’m afraid. I am only just starting to find peace and your mandala has help me to do that. I find crocheting very calming.
I hope you enjoyed Australia enough to come back
Cheers
Pauline
Hi Pauline I’ve lived in Coffs Harbour too. In fact my car is presently in store in Toormina whilst I travel around the NT. Perhaps we can meet up when I get back 🙂
This is my first time on your post thank you for sharing your story. Praying for you and your mom I went through that in 2010 dad and then 2014 mom 2016 even though I would give everything to have them back I am at peace now
Dear Helen,
I’ve tried to finally get current with your posts and think this must be the most recent one. Just wanted to touch base and say I trust you had a safe trip back to your home and I’m so glad your journey was a good one, especially spiritually. I started my Mandala Madness, “Elle”, on February 2, in the car traveling to our home in North Alabama in the US, to our daughter’s home in New Orleans. I’m on Round 66 and am very gratified with the results, so far. It’s been the toughest, but most enjoyable, rewarding project I’ve ever tackled. Just had to say thank you again, and to tell you how amazed I am at how your brain works. You are definitely “connected” to a source many people don’t even know exists.
Love,
Karen
Lovely post. Safe journey home Helen xxx
Dearest Helen, good to read you found the peace you looked for. I hope you will still get some good time with your mom and that it will be good in the end. I’ve been there myself, returned home from Italy 8 years ago to take care of my parents. They are both gone now (2011 and 2017), but I’m happy it all I could do for them in the end. Lots of love.