Balmy

I've just got back from a trip to Cairns and Townsville with a bunch of journos. It was so nice to be back 'up north' in the heat and the tropical rain. Everything just feels really balmy and good this time of year.

Forts walk on Magnetic Island

Palm Cove ... Reef House Resort

Palm Cove - Fancy pants dinner

Had to put this one in ...

Barbie topless cars on Magnetic Island in Townsville

Rain and swelter, it's a market girl's life

On Saturday I was at the Ipswich Handmade Expo. I got up at 5.30am, made my lunch, packed the car and took off down the highway for 'the switch'. When I arrived it was grey but not raining. As I finished my set-up it was drizzle and by 12.30 the steady, grey rain had the market closed early. It was a bit of a bummer but I've been told it was the first wet weather day the Ipswich Handmade Expo has had in over two years of trading! The organisers were so great - the expo girls were running about with their umbrella's letting everyone know they could pack up and get out of town early. If you have been thinking of getting along for visit, please do it's a great market,

When it drizzles ... from here

The market before that was a steamer - it was 36 degrees on 19 February out Ipswich, I nearly expired from the heat.

When it sizzles ... here

I'll be back though, I love markets and the people that run them and participate are a great bunch who love handmade and originality. My next market rendezvous will be the Bris Style Twilight Indie market at King George Square in Brisbane. Come and say hi and support local, handmade.

Market stuff made by me ...