Old Cottage at Trunkie Creek, NSW Australia

Cottage at Trunkie Creek, NSW Australia
Watercolour, Size 38 x 28 cms
I had withdrawal symptoms at not having a brush in my hand for quite a while, so thought I paint something which I love ... it went all wrong and took an extraordinary long time to complete ....am not happy at all with this one....... and the trip to Europe is nearly on my "doorstep" .....brushes will lie still for a long time.

Painted from my own photo

Berrima, NSW, Australia

Watercolour Size 38 x 28 cms
Berrima is a historic village in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, in Wingecarribee Shire.
There are many historic buildings in the town - the courthouse The Gaol was built from 1835 to 1839 by convict labour, churches.... under heritage trust.
It is a touristy spot, with upmarket craftshops, restaurants and cafes.

Joadja Southern Highlands, NSW Australia

Watercolour, Size 38 x 28 cms
Joadja is a ghost town in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, in Wingecarribee Shire.
Historic valley of Joadja, was a thriving mining town between 1870–1911 with population of approx. 1,100 people, many of which were skilled migrants from Scotland. Today, you can tour the settlement and see the ruins of a long lost village with its shale retorts, miners cottages, School of Arts, refinery area and cemetery. The mining technology that remains in the valley is of national heritage significance, being the only model of its type left in the world. Joadja Creek, which cuts through the valley, is a beautiful spring-fed waterway that never runs dry.
Joadja boasts of at least two ghosts roaming the ruins.
The property has recently been resold, with the new owners setting up a boutique whiskey distillery as well as continuing conservation work of the township. The ruins of the retorts, refinery and houses are being stabilised to ensure future generations the opportunity to view the site and appreciate its part in Australia's national heritage.
A 5 km (return) hike through the bush to the start of the spring is well worth it.

The Old Bakery Cottage in Berrima, NSW Australia

Watercolour, Size 38 x 28 cms
it looks wonky....I took a bad photo of my painting, it is not in reality.
Berrima is a historic village (1831 )in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, in Wingecarribee Shire.
The name Berrima is believed to derive from an Aboriginal word meaning either ‘southward’ or ‘black swan’. The area around Berrima was once occupied by the Dharawal Aborigines. They had been driven off or killed by the 1870s.
There are many historic buildings in the town - the courthouse (built 1833 to 1838), The Gaol was built from 1835 to 1839 by convict labour. The Surveyor General Inn was built in 1834... Other notable buildings include the Holy Trinity Anglican Church 1849; and the St Francis Xavier Catholic Church built 1849-51.
The Berrima Village Trust was established in 1963 to preserve historic buildings.
Berrima Gaol was built over five years with much work done by convicts in irons. Conditions at the gaol were harsh, prisoners spent most of their days in cells and the only light was through a small grate set in the door. In 1866 the gaol was renovated to the standards described by the prison reform movement for a "model prison".
During World War I the army used Berrima Gaol as a German-prisoner internment camp.
The correctional centre was used most recently as an all-female low-to-medium security prison. In the 2011 the centre was closed.
Berrima is a delightful, attractive little town, with an upmarket coffee places, restaurants, boutiques and craft shops.

Oyster Beds at Tea Gardens

Oyster Beds Tea Gardens (NSW, Australia)
Watercolour, size 28 x 38 cms
I combined two photos both taken from a ferry from Tea Gardens to Nelson Bay/Port Stevens.
The Sunset reflected on the water was just magical.

Oyster cultivation began in New South Wales (NSW), Australia around 1870 when oyster farmers began to set out sticks, stones, and shells to catch and grow oysters in the intertidal zone until they could be harvested. The main spawning and spat settling season for the Sydney rock oyster in Port Stephens, NSW ranges from February (last month of summer) until May (last month of autumn) when water temperatures are generally above 20°C.

The Sydney rock oyster grows and survives best in intertidal estuarine habitats such as rocks, mangroves, and man-made structures, but it also occurs subtidally on natural dredge beds.

It takes the Sydney rock oyster an average of 3½ years to reach plate size (50 g whole weight.
Live Sydney rock oysters are best stored at 8-10 ºC; at this temperature they can be kept alive in an excellent condition for 2 weeks. Opened oysters, however, should be refrigerated at 4 ºC and have a typical shell life of 7-10 days. The Sydney rock oyster is a gourmet oyster and is best eaten fresh on the half-shell.

 

Wild Nature in Thredbo, Saw Pitt Creek,Snowy Mountains, Australia

Angel in Spring_Münster (Emsland) Germany

Watercolour Size 38 x 28 cms
I loved this photo from Maria Balcells. It recalled lovely memories when we lived in Germany not far from Münster