Woodford – Arts, Music and all Things Green

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On the first day Woodford Festival I was dazed: bands, bars, brazilian meat and bush pantomimes. It’s only on my second day that I start to pause longer in tents and absorb what is happening.

Zenning out at the start to the Labyrinth at Woodford

The Festival is a place for all people, including myself. It’s like a adult version of Willy Womka’s Chocolate Factory – a total sensory smorgasbord. It’s delicious, daring and fun!

Pretty much everything you would like to try in the arts is here and more.

Flowers and colour — Beautiful art pieces every where @WoodfordFF

You would need a full day just to take in the art works. I even recognise a few pieces from the popular Swell Sculpture Festival on the Gold Coast.

Billys Bar — Ben Carroll Relics From Atlantis

The impromptu sculptures scattered throughout were breath-taking and fun.

This face mask lit up at night and was really cool.

As side from the physical arts, there were performing arts.

Pop-up tents teaching people how to chant, and sing, jewelry making, how to dance, all sorts of yoga, lantern making, workshops on making didgeridoos and more.

The full arts and craft programme is impressive and most people book one or two of their arts/craft sessions when buying their tickets.

Woodford didgeridoos — Guys making didgeridoos! so cool

From the outside it is a grown up creche but for the academics in social behaviour it is a perfect way to foster connection, teach new skills and let people connect left and right hemispheres of their brains. I have written a separate blog on the positive hormone changes it creates on my naturopath page.

The cross breeding and propagation of free thinking is beautiful to experience.

Over the days, I am privy to hear Prof Ian Lowe on environmental issues, talk to people about coal seam gas and be inspired by one of the land’s best orators, Noel Pearson.

On New Year’s Day people make the morning pilgrimage to watch the sun rise. Thousands of bodies lie together watching the new year unfold. This photo was the second after a massive bubble had popped.

Each morning kicks off early – around 8am. On New Year’s Day I find myself singing with The Voice sensation Darren Percival . His voice is incredible and his sessions so much fun. His presence is very angelic and worth seeing if you find him on the “menu” in 2016.

Many people go for the music and it is second to none. I felt a little like being back in New Orleans where there is music on every corner. Woodfordia is a little like that.

Music is played into the early hours of the morning. No curfews and lock out and no rowdy crowds, just folks having a fantastic time.

There are so many funky bands that it’s hard to remember them all.

My favs are Tijuna Cartel (photo above), CC The Cat, Benny Walker, Andrea Kirwan, Lauren Kate, The Hot Potato Band, Briggs and more!

Comedy shows are hysterical and leaving me howling in laughter and smiling from ear to ear. I love this place!

Interestingly my body is craving yin foods and detoxing.

It is easy here. Detoxing, nurturing your body and eating vegetarian and vegan is easy. The food stalls are awesome and most of the food is reasonable and it is certainly plentiful, even at midnight!

Juicing is easy !

This van was my favourite, and the green smoothie (made on Almond milk is the best).

Juicing at Woodford is easy #woodfordWW — Juicing at Woodford is easy
#woodfordWW

I am not surprised when I hear a few people saying this is their annual detox.

It would be a perfect way to detox and cleanse… camp and simplify life, have massages and cold showers, sleep whenever you feel the urge, see bands, do art, listen to inspiring speakers and do yoga. Juice, eat vego and cleanse your mind… voila there you have a very cheap health retreat for 5 days!

A big part of Woodfordia is respecting and protecting nature. You can buy trees to plant which is done in June each year at the Planting Festival.

After a few days at Woodfordia I am feeling incredible love. Like many, I will be waiting eagerly for the next one in 360 days .

Sensory immersion, ecclectic diversity and beautiful people being not doing. If you are into music, arts so or simply expanding your being, put Woodford Folk Festival on your bucket list.

What is the Woodford Folk Festival?

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Woodfordia – I feel like I am entering the set for The Hobbit. Actually now I get the Hobbit! It’s everyone’s fantasy.

Funky hats at Woodford — The Hats of Woodfordia

Imagine bringing your “ back of the wardrobe” fantasies to life… great tunes, talking animals, trees that smile, organic food and skipping fairies… then you imagine Woodfordia.

A valley, a place, a time, where people meet and greet each other without prejudice, without judgement but with love.

This is a festival like no other – it is the Woodford Folk Festival, held north of Brisbane in a lush valley near the Glass House Mountains.

A place where your taste buds are tingled, your eyes teased and your body is tickled!

It’s the most ecclectic fun I have had in a while.

I am not even sure where to start.

Execpt I know that upon reflection day one is the most extraordinary mind blowing experience and then day 2 you get the jist of it all and by day 3 you are really finding your groove.

Music everywhere — Woodford Folk Festival – music everywhere

I think and in no particular order that the first day ran a little something like this…

Arrive at Woodfordia camping grounds and find myself pulling into the Priaries in a lush paddock full of newly woken Woodfordians rubbing sleep out of their eyes. I pitch my tent (all by myself) and find my way along Lois Lane to the festival. My tent is pitched in “Goneamy Way” street, which is beside “ Bombsaway” and “ Let’s go this Way”

Up dales, down dales, past fairies and unicorns, the whole place is incredible.

After a chilled wine, which we are trusted to sip while walking around various venues (so mature), I find myself listening to a talk with Noel Pearson (what an incredible soul and orator) on environmentalism and helping minority groups such as indigenous, become self reliant through eco systems, permaculture etc.

Woodford Festival — WoodfordFF happy campers

Woodfordia self regulates. There is a definite non-code of consensus in some areas – dress, beliefs, singing, being etc but a definite code of “we don’t tolerate closed minds, non tolerant, critical people. Leave your rules, and laws at the front gate. Or don’t bring them up at all. Namaste, thank-you, bless”.

Woodford Folk Festival is Stimulating..

The art is stimulating and is a like a living art gallery.. stills, scultpure and acting arts (singing, pantamine and more).

Centre piece Bamboo to the skies at Woodford

The music is awesome. Blues, Jazz, funk, hip hop, folk, regae rock. It is endless.

We are all talking a similar language and defintely similar vibration. No angst, no stress and the only time commitment is working out how quickly you can walk the distance between two tents to see the next gig, comedy or talk.

People are muttering the same things too…

” How long have you been coming? Isn’t it wonderful!”

” I wish this was how we lived all the time”

The community is strong and self regulated. No BS, no over the top rules and great freedom.

People are gathered up in a wave of love and collective conscience of beauty and gratitude. This is a festival worthy of an annual visit!

CC The Cat rocking it at the Pineapple Lounge - this is their photo :-) — CC The Cat rocking it at the Pineapple Lounge – this is their photo 🙂

This visit I am priveledged to catch up and see my friend’s band, CC The Cat playing. A funky five piece that play mellow, groovy reggae tunes perfect for an open air gig or a jammed hyped crowd. I dig their tunes and love the band.

I will write more about the labyrinth, the fire festival on subsequent blogs….

For now it is 330am, and I realise that it’s time to let my body drift to another Woodforia… cloud land. A glorious walk over the hills into Woodfordia and I am here in my beautiful nest to sleep with all the other “ villagers” in a very happy prairie vale.

It’s exactly what I expected without having any expectations and I love it.

Back to the bay

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Byron Bay twice in the same week seems a pure indulgence.

My favorite beach in Australia, Wategos.

Pig belly, views, Byron’s blue water and space.

Loads of space… air… you know the stuff that seems limited in cities and in massive abundance in the country. I even breathe deeper here.

I’ve slipped away for another interlude with Byron, a love affair that started many moons ago when I first used to drive here from Melbourne and Sydney. It was the Mecca of the Northern NSW coast back then and still is.

I will write many blogs on Byron no doubt. Like Bali, each time is a different journey, visit and lesson.

It is a cross roads for all walks of life, all cultures, all travelers, all religions, all ideas. It is essentially Byron.

It’s pure colour alone is incredible.

byron Bay — Passing Perfection Byron Bay

This time around I am staying in a TENT on my own. It’s a first.

No boyfriend, no one else, just me, my rusty hammer and my new tent.

My new tent that blew over defiantly after I erected it last time. Fortunately we seem to have a better understanding this time around and it could be a lot to do with the hammer.

I recall why I am here. I have unfinished business this week!

byron Sights — Funny sights of Byron- the abandoned undies!

Unfinished business with myself actually. I have had a big week in business. Not so much trade but behind the scenes, making some big decisions, business planning for the new year and the like. It’s not stressful but very masculine in energy.

While I don’t mind being a “business man” from time to time, I have found I need to mix it up with green light activities (surfing, walking, swimming, art, journally etc) as these are the things that actually keep happy, relaxed and fulfilled long term.

I need time away to refeminize, regroup and generally digest it all. And Byron is the best wet nurse for me.

I find myself at the same place as Tuesday for lunch. The Byron Cafe.

It’s special feature is it’s views.

I booked the other day because the only way to go is to sit over looking the bay. I have been coming to this cafe for years…. 1994!… when it used to be a burger bar. I used to come her with my boyfriend after a surf and grab a burger and a smoothie. FUN days. Still are.

Now days, the Byron Cafe is more up-market with its food; Pork Belly, crab meat spaghetti, snapper etc… ALL delicious selections. I really like the food. It’s the second time this week I am eating here and no surprises, I go for the pork belly again. Maybe not the healthiest on the menu but the naughtiest and yummiest.

I order the pork belly. I can’t help it. The concept of eating another animals belly fat is abhorant but I LOVE IT.

The apple sauce, the gravy, the potato remind me of Prague and pig knuckles which are some of my fondest eating moments. MMMMM

I am looking forward to venture back again real soon and until then Byron, Mi Amor.

Swings, paddocks and organic food – The Farm

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My favourite sort of day.. blue skies, Hot House Flowers, adventures, kids and The Farm.

Having heard so much about The Farm at Byron Bay I was feeling remiss that I hadn’t been there. Today was the day.

It’s a Saturday, and most people are getting wrapped up in Christmas shopping and the like but I grab the kids and decide to head off to explore The Farm.

There is something very therapeutic about the drive to Byron, or even Brunswick Heads… I’m not sure exactly what it is or why it happens but the transformation takes place roughly on the bridge over the Tweed River

I am in a haze of calm.

As always Mr Warning gives me a wink.

I love the vibe immediately at the Farm. It reminds me of Daylesford in the Cottswalds and that’s a great thing!

The kids take off to the swings and I start to scuffle my shoes along the white dusted drive way lost in day dreams… I’m digging The Farm!

I feel like its a wanderlust trip back in time. Back to my childhood growing up in Tasmania where there were endless fences to follow, paddocks to play in and dodge bulls in and creeks to sit by.

The space at The Farm is relaxing and I am so happy they are sharing it with all.

Fence at the farm brings back wanderlust — Long white drive ways and fences

There is total calm at the farm (except maybe my city slicker kids who can’t get enough). A guy playing guitar, the beautiful back drop prattle of laughs and chit chat. Vineyard ambience, hipster dress code and I am really digging The Farm.

After a thirty minute wait, which should be mandatory, so you can check out the property and meander around, we are seated.

Yummy food, gluten free, dairy free, the menu is ticking a few of my boxes!

Organic, preservative free wines an even bigger tick!

I order fish of the day: Wahoo, with zucchini, almonds, quinoa, wild rice and macademia cream. Oh yes, quite delicious. Definitely worthy 9/10. Something different, healthy and stimulating! Well done guys.

The kids have a BBQ steak with roast veggies and a BBQ sausage on Sour Dough. YUM! Ticking more boxes.

Suck up the air, let go of the city bustle CHILL out.

The Farm has met my expectations and more. It is the space, the food, the friendliness of the staff and of course the swings.

Worth a day trip from any where just to find calm at the Farm. I love it.

Coolangatta Gold

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There’s a special clarity in the air at Coolangatta that sends me into holiday mode every time I hang out down there. And it is a hang-out. Coolangatta (Coolie) lines side by side by some of Australia’s most gorgeous beaches; Snapper, Greenmount, Kirra Beach.

The water is always blue-green and pristine.

Coolangatta magic waves — Beautiful wave on the beach at Coolangatta
by Sam Beau Patrick

Clear waters, safe beaches and golden sunsets.

My friend is staying in an apartment on the beach and I am pretending I am in the south of France – why not?

Today was typical Coolie stylin’.

Small little waves rocking into the beach.

The long beach had just the right mix of children playing, random people sun baking and people lapping up the water. NOT Bondi-stylin’ nor Surfers styling”…. just Coolie-Style. Even a man with a metal detector wanders around!

Coolangatta gold — Coolangatta Gold
blue skies by Sam Beau Patrick

Did I mention the azure blue waters.. Hypnotic, delicious just like a blue parfait.

This is a picture of the water… Yes I ramble but the bubbles in the water jingles down here, like fine crystal.

Off to George’s Paragon for lunch. Long standing restaurants generally get things ok. This time started off rusty but came good. Not great but good.

Seafood restaurant and I order steak?! Hey I was craving meat. It was good. The garlic prawns on top just enough. 5/10..

The raw caramel slice on the way home was perfect and the Geisens topped off a perfect afternoon.

When ever I am here I feel away.

Long walks, dopey walks, golden sunsets.

Coolangatta is GOLD. Cheesey but I think it puts the ” Gold” in Gold Coast.

Ubud Organic Food

03/10/201529/12/2015

Until last year I had no interest in Bali what-so-ever.

My mates had told me stories of great surf, cheap clothes and Bali Belly but aside from the surfing I really had no urge to go and always felt it would be sweaty, smelly and noisy.

I used to think ” Bali is for Bogans with tank tops and tattoos”.

I am so glad my good friends talked me into going for a 4 day filming adventure last June.

WE were there to make a pilot for television station SBS with the goal of getting a thumbs up for a new travel/eating show.

We didn’t get the go-ahead by SBS for the show but it was great fun making it anyway.

Since then I have been to Bali an additional 5 times. And planning my next trip for a few weeks time.

In this crazy fun 4 day trip I stay in a beautiful resort in the Ubudian Hills along side a river in a puri called Puri Wulandar. The views and serenity from the villa are breath-taking.

There is a stillness in the air.

A gentle cool breeze over a warm crisp day.

I adore this resort. Private, integrated into nature, indulgent and green, I rate this resort highly. Stay if you want to reward yourself DO IT!

I have had some of the best food experiences world wide in Bali.

It is definitely a hub of organic and intricate foods. The island’s volcanic soil grow some of the best fruits, nutrition packed veggies and devine seafood. And the farming scene is still very close to organic and traditional although that is changing.

While I was there filming I was priveldged to meet many funky, visionaries and foodies. Real world class foodies.

Johhny Freesh is one such funky, rawatarians. He has a quirky nature and a great little rap song about Dorian Fruit. I enjoy our interview, I enjoy seeing his Dorian Rap. I’m not a hard core rawatarian but if you were, I am sure it would be like meeting one of the industry greats.

Rawatarians only eat raw and dehydrated foods only. Fruit and coconut oil are blended to make a mousse like mix that can be used for tarts and cakes, or ice cream and puddings. There are also rainbow coloured salads, vegetables, sauces, beans and nuts. There are loads of recipes and this new popular movement is suiting many.

Seeds of Life — Ben Richards and Sam Beau Patrick

Another Foodie God is Ben Richards who has his own cooking and yoga school on the other side of town. Ben has a really nice energy and has people coming all around not just for cooking classes, but also healing. There is a great vibe in his school and I learn a lot about a soulful person in our interview. From Byron Bay, always around food and using it for healing, Ben had moved to Bali 7 years before hand and was in no hurry to leave Bali. Definitely worth looking into if you are after a retreat.

Some of the favourite eat places I sampled this visit round are to become favorites for all future trips.

Alchemy is well known wide and far for it’s organic, raw foods, amazing salads and huge juices. It is well priced and your tastes buds zing. The philosophies of Alchemy are all principles of raw and organic and supporting the local farmer. BIG ticks. It’s become a favorite spot and now whenever I am in town, I will head there to get a raw chocolate dessert, massive bowl of salad or kambucha drink.

The Bridges Restaurant has some of the best views in town, nestled beside the main bridge in to town. If you get a table close to the edge you can hear the running river below and get covered in a light mist. It’s really beautiful and uplifting. And the food is pretty special too.

The main thumbs down for Bali applies for all warmer countries… gastro. Or in this case, Bali-Belly.

I get it most visits to Bali, but usually only an inconvenient bout. I was given a cure-all-gastro recipe once. IT WORKS a treat so if you ever get it , see if you can have this broth made up for you..

Fish HEAD soup

One fish head, one onion chopped, 3 cloves of garlic, a knob of chopped ginger, a handful of coriander and a smidge of parsley. Cover all of it with water and boil until it tastes great – about an hour. Strain and add sea salt and pepper to taste.

Wash your hands well and make sure you pay Ubud a 3-4 day visit.

Grass Roots UP in Brunswick Heads

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This place is so inspiring!

A day trip to Brunswick Heads is always light relief, reconnection and inspiration!

I have been traveling to, staying and pausing in Brunswick Heads for years. It seems to have been gracefully, healthily stuck in the 80s with its town feel and community.

It’s here that I love going to the local primary school marveling at their awesome garden. To me, it is the best way to infuse health and nature into children’s lives. They seem to have an inherent love for nature and exploring and well, mud and dirt really makes their funky clothes look even cuttier!

These pics are from this school garden

Grass Roots UP!

Why am I such a huge foodie and garden lover for children?

Edible gardens that involves little fingers, small shoes and open minds – make sense! Sense in every single way.

Sense in that we can teach children the value of our solar system and weather patterns. Why the moon, rain and sun are critical elements for life and why we need to understand and protect nature bio and science- rhythms.

Food can teach children its beauty and power – how do you feel when you eat corn from your own garden? Can you taste its sweetness, does it pop in your mouth, does it make you feel good?! YES they will all say, and then you don’t have to explain why mass produced, genetically modified food tastes radically different. It’s because it isn’t food.

And running around in a garden, pulling weeds, digging holes, chasing worms, surely has to be the best way to exercise.

I have some great pictures of my kids from a few years back when I took them on a day trip to Summit Organics at the back of Tyalgum. It was the best day and my favorite memories was the “soil tour.” I remember Rod saying the soil usually sits around 37 degrees. And is a living organism and you can cook eggs in it on a hot day! My little brain exploded with ideas that day!

Whether it’s in schools or homes, I love seeing children playing in gardens!

The Cote D’azure Eating Frenzie & Monaco Glamour

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Eating along the Cote D’Azure is as much about the views, the air and the magnificent charm and its one of those places where I pretend I am some one famous. Why Not?

I am fortunate to have been to Monaco a few times and it is everything people rave about and more.

It’s grandeur, friendliness and sheer beauty is spectacular. I am a huge fan and adore going there!

My average day in Monaco is relaxed at the start and glitzy at the end.

Helicopter ride into Monaco- the only way to travel from Nice to Monaco

Slow waking ups… a swim in the cote D’azure (Larvotto Beach)… a late breakfast and coffee then home to change. I seem find myself eating at La Rose des Vents sur la plage du Larvotto (beach) regularly.

Usually I don’t make too much of an effort back home but in Monaco I rise to the occasion. I really frock up and really enjoy it.

Nice clothes, make up, taking time to groom – it’s actually quite fun. (And essential in Monaco).

Lunches are always fun and there are many fantastic places to indulge. French food, Italian nibbles, all with a Monagese influence. Seriously I don’t think I have had one bad meal in Monaco- it’s always good!

monaco drawing 2 — Painting over looking Bay de Monaco

Monaco is a independent principality and it’s history has always fascinated me.

Stories about Grace Kelly and princes and casinos and glamour have held my fairy-tale intrigue for years and I love the fact that now I am a “grown-up” I can go and play out my own little fantasies. Even if they are to simply dine along the Cote D’Azure pretending to be royalty or someone special!

For two years I have been in Monaco for the boat show painting. It is the best eye opener in the world, full of insightful interesting people… and big toys!

These are some of my drawings that I have done while being there.

painting in larvotto — Water colour Larvotto

Viva Monaco! Until we meet again

Fishheads Byron Bay

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Why Wategos, Byron and Fishheads are my happy place

A favourite of mine is Byron Bay, especially Wategos Beach around under the light house. It’s one of my “happy places” where time stands still, where dolphins break the water and the sun always beams (even on rainy days).

Today was a perfect start with a stretch (like a blue sea dragon searching for pearls) and a push towards the sky (like a crane stretching it’s neck) doing Tai Chi on Burleigh Hills.

It just is an incredible way to start the day and to feel like alive. It’s so cool pretending to be a monkey or a crane… my imagination loves the play!

Tai Chi is better for me personally compared to yoga especially as it is outdoors.

My car seems to know it’s why to Byron which is handy and today I thought I would try Fishhead’s in town. I haven’t eaten there for ages but apparently everyone knows they don’t serve before noon because it goes from ghost town to busy town in minutes. At five minutes past noon the place is pumping.

I take my boyfriend’s mum there (she’s over from Wales) for the Seafood Platter. No batter, no gluten ridden bread crumbs just pure unadulterated seafood – they way I like it and the way good seafood should be served – virgin.

Seafood platter at Byron Bay — Seafood platter

The oysters are meaty and salty. So fresh and yummy! But of course not everyone’s desire. The BBQ prawns even more flavour some and the calamari melts like butter. My sides were starting to bulge but I find some space for an alfogatto with Khaluha. Perfect meal.

The ONLY way to cap off a day like this is a swim or surf at Wategos. I love the views, the waves, the vibe – it is my happy place. So off we went to lie with the myriad of other nationalities bathing in the winter’s sun, staring out to sea, talking of wild adventures and dreaming of fantasies.

Good Ole Fashion English Food and Road Side Blackberries

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Well I can’t say I have ever rated the Brits as foodies. In fact I had resigned them to “amateur cooks” in my head until I ventured to the Cotswolds. Wow what an eating experience.

The Cotswolds approximately 90 minutes west of London on the train is step back in time where old fashion values and food still exist. In fact they exist with such pride and gusto that it is inspirational. I was blown away with my time there.

The farmers have a caveat on take away franchises such as MacDonalds as they refuse to permit their global infiltration due to littering from the packaging.

The other things I loved about the Cotswolds was the “organic approach” , the honour the land approach and the “trust thy neighbour approach” with most places not locking their homes at night.

It was a step back in time to ole fashioned values done with taste and preserved with honour.

I loved early morning walks where you still see your breathe on the air, picking fresh berries by the side of the road and seeing little spiders in their dewey spider webs. It was so picturesque!

Some of my highlights were oggling all the farming produce at Daylesford (a MUST if you go). Stuffed pheasants, hand reared and culled piglets, birds of all varieties and delicious organic vegetables. I loved the colour, the vibe and the poise of Daylseford and can’t wait to return for one of their cooking week-ends (all themed too).

Painting and drinking cider in the English Sun