Sunday, January 22, 2012

Life Unplugged

Wow, I never did mean to stay away from the blog for that long.  I've been living a bit unplugged lately spending more time with the family, reconnecting after the pre-Christmas madness.

On Boxing Day we drove up north to the Woodford Folk Festival which was to be our home for the next week.


For the first three days I taught workshops and it was such a fun environment to do them.  I met so many fabulous people who I would then run into for the rest of the festival.  At lunch time, I'd hop out of my marquee and join the family for a performance before heading back to work.  


The hardest part about the festival was choosing who to see and what to do.  There were 19 stages with performers from all around the world plus workshops plus the children's festival all happening at the same time, not to mention the food, the markets.... 

Some of my favourite shows were Gotye, Elixr, a Taiko performance, Steady Eddy, Xavier Rudd, Ernie Dingo, Tripod, Nick and Liesl and some beautiful harp music on New Year's morning.  The man did an African drumming workshop while I went to a Burlesque life drawing class.  But at Woodford it's not just about the performances, it everything you see as you wander around and the amazing performances that you just stumble upon.  It's hard to get a feel for it in single images, this is a great video if you'd like to see more.



The little one loved the children's festival and became a groupie of a drumming monkeys show.  She also decided she wants to become a juggler.  She was in her element at the festival with so many people to meet, new things to see and explore.  At the end of the week we realised she'd had no tv and almost no toys (and only the wooden kind at that) and there was never a single moment she needed either.


The food at the festival was great and we were so surprised to find such a great gluten free variety.  

A week later, driving away this was the sign meeting us at the exit.  So, so true.


The little one and I have had a few weeks together as The Man has just started working again after being the stay-at-home dad for the last couple of years.  She'll be starting "school" tomorrow so we tried to fit in lots of fun before the huge change for the family.

There was fun in the sun with great friends...


Exploring and discovering new things....


A trip to the GoMA....


Indoor picnics on rainy days....


Two full days of playing with the rainbow rice we made...


And walks in the rain with her new umbrella and gum boots.


Tomorrow brings a new rhythm with me back to work, this time with a quiet, peaceful house.  I'm looking forward to fitting in most of my work while I have the place to myself and then having more time for family, friends and myself.



6 comments:

Megan said...

It all sounds wonderful, like you have entered into a new flow of life and there is a lot of peace surrounding you. May it last and grow stronger. Happy New Year!

Jenny said...

The festival sounds like our Womadelaide but on a much larger scale.What a wonderful time you have had and good luck enjoying the peace-love the photo of your daughter-they sure grow up quick!

SomedaysSarah said...

Gorgeous photos bursting with colour and feeling. Enjoy the next step For your family!

mizu designs said...

Friends of mine went to Woodford this year too. I must get there one year. I also made it GOMA over xmas and saw that spotty room as part of the Kusama exhibition. Loved it!!!!!

Grace said...

Hey Mel, I was thinking of you the other day. I was driving past a shop near Noosaville and there was a hand written sign out front saying "vintage kimonos in stock now" !! Thought of you straight away!

Red Hen (dette) said...

Sounds like you had a lot of 'unplugged' fun. Isn't your little one growing up! She looks like she is having a great time. So sweet!

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