..."the thorn, the veil, the face of grace, the brazen image, the thief of sleep..."

I realized that this blog had not crossed my mind, since the last time I had a visitor. So another month has passed and now I have a friend arriving tomorrow- MONA has extended the dates of Dark MOFO, their winter festival, and we have extended our time to include most of winter here.  Well, a good solid month of winter.  I have bee enjoying the shorter days, with the sun setting at 4:40, the construction hours have lessened and I can miss most if not all of the noise.  Of course, the construction is the lure that is keeping us here into winter.
Everyone is sleeping more, as if our bodies are making up for our 26 months without winter.  
I have a strange bit of superstitious thinking, that perhaps illustrates that I take random events a bit personally.  I had written up a post here, and then the server crashed, and the post was actual lost, even though there should be the auto save.  I was going to take this as a sign to not bother to re-write.  However, my whole intention was just to put up a stop-gap to remind myself that my life does continue even when I don't feel there is anything worthy of a diary entry.  Mostly this is because of our new phone plans that allow us to call long distance for no additional charges which means I have been if not actually speaking to friends, at least leaving them messages.  Originally I started this blog because at the time there was no easy way to keep up with friends unless I did a mass email, which could cost a bit of money if we were traveling, or even on some of the plans that we have had.  
But I do not think anyone keeps up with these posts, but I have become a bit dependent of using them as a visual calendar.  
I have been trying to use winter and the quiet to work on myself.  I was a bit dependent on self-help books when I was young.  For years I haven't felt a need for them, but as 50s are here- I feel a need to check in with myself.
There is so much in my life I am grateful for- but I also do not want to become complacent to the point of ...well I guess to a point of ingratitude. 
Tomorrow my friend and I are staying over down in Port Arthur, going to see a quartet play 'Quartet for the end of time' or as my favourite snob would say 'Quatour pour la fin du temps' as the composer is french Olivier Messiaen, the piece that he composed while a prisoner of war during WWII.  Hence, perhaps the on the nose location of Port Arthur a former convict prison. 
We have aspirations that involve low tide, a sea cave, and a sunrise.
With success I will post photographic evidence.

 

Tasman Peninsula; Cape Pillar - A 'short' walk (Will I ever learn?)

Our Jeep is still in a 'undetermined' condition, so this invitation out was especially appealing.  Leaving before the sun rises has never been my strong point.  I associate this with either heart break (quick, hit the road and get far, far away) or of course, Mickey.  

Of course I mistakenly thought about the median age of our group, and not the fact that we were all arriving so early, and that a Tasmanian's idea of a "short" walk is one that does not involve sleeping over-night in a bush hut.

Sure, sure, I have learned to pack a lunch...but when I saw people's packs I realized that I had forgotten 'tea', and 'second tea' (or as I think of it elevenses).

We walked around Cape Pillar facing Tasman Island and later Cape Raoul.

As I scrambled over trees, boulders, up sand dunes, and almost off cliff faces (did I mention I was second-youngest and still outstripped by most?) I have to admit that I am almost accustomed to what locals think a 'trail' is- A trail is any terrain you can get through without a machete or rappelling gear.

Apparently the coast was having really high tides, and surf was unusual.

The 'remarkable' cave was indeed that.

A perfect last week event to make sure I do not forget the splendor of my adoptive home.  Also for the record- although I LOVE being here, being apart is so not working for us anymore...we had too many years where we just stayed together, or at least in the same hemisphere- so next stop, Svenska hemma.