The water temperature in the ocean has been spectacular, so combined a night swim with some photos of the full moon rising. On evenings like this I can’t believe that Summer officially ends in 6 days.

As parents, it’s always interesting to move through different stages. With two teenagers in the house, we have now become providers of those things deemed necessary for survival …. food, wi-fi and lifts. It’s good to be needed.

With 7 teenagers wandering through the house at various times today, it was easy picking for a blip.

Now that’s my kind of day. Attended a portraiture workshop through the SMH Clique Association. 8 SMH photographers presented a selection of their work and spoke about the stories behind each photo. Such strong and iconic images, it was great to get an insight from behind the scenes. Then an afternoon of workshops with individual photographers, all very generous with their ideas and knowledge.

Our neighbour trying out his new goggles today.

Sitting on the rocks at Shelley Beach at Manly this morning watching the surfers. One guy paddled out wearing a helmet. Wise choice.

A big southerly swell has produced some massive waves, so I spent some time at Dee Why beach this afternoon photographing the surfers. These swimmers were making the most of the waves that swept through the pool. I don’t think I would be putting that much faith in a thin metal railing to keep me safe from those waves.

Walked around Sydney’s new harbour foreshore park, Barangaroo, today. It was so quiet and new, it felt like I was in an architect’s sketch of what it was going to look like. I kept on looking around me in case I had wandered into an out of bounds area and was going to be hauled out by security guards. Maybe I will let it settle and grow, then come back for another look.

Research suggests that driving in the car with your kids is a great time to have open, unhurried discussions. This was obviously before every mother received a colouring book and pack of pencils last Christmas.

The act of colouring-in is meant to put you in a quiet, meditative state, but every time I open my book, my kids will sit down beside me and talk for hours about all sorts of things going on in their lives. Not very zen, but incredibly informative and entertaining.

Had an absolute riot yesterday doing a swimsuit photo shoot down the beach and around the pool. My enthusiastic model was my 85 year old neighbour Vera who has appeared in a few earlier blips. I wish every photographer could share a day with Vera, for the pure joy of working with a gorgeous, confident and energetic model.

Half the fun was driving around in our 1975 Kombi listening to music fromThe Big Chill soundtrack. I thought we might have to do all the shoot in the car, as she was quite keen on staying.

Good to see the next generation of Mother’s Groups out enjoying the sunshine and blue skies. Sydney definitely knows how to host a Summer.

My Mother’s Group kept me sane during the early years with two very young children. They were also responsible for making me laugh, drink too much wine and gave me a firm sense of belonging. It was heartbreaking for us all when one of the mums passed away from cancer.

Her family had a seat installed on the headland with a plaque to remember her. This is her view. It’s good to come here and put life into perspective.

My son has chosen to do some photography for a school assignment, so we spent some time tonight playing with torches and sparklers and matches in the backyard. All good, homework done AND nothing caught fire.