Gift ideas for the 2007 festive season

With us looking forward to the pleasures of the 2007 festive season, now is the opportune time to purchase quality greeting cards, and framed and mounted prints for those close to your heart.

Evening Glow

Purchasing a selection of greeting cards and professional photographs via RedBubble is easy from the comfort of your home or workplace computer. Items can be delivered to your door or your nominated address.

Peacock

Time spent in shopping centres can be lessened by purchasing online in a few easy steps. Spend your valuable time celebrating the festive season with family and friends by giving them a gift to decorate their home.

Dog Rocks

Framed and mounted prints are always an excellent gift choice and can enhance the walls of those who are close to you.

Humpback Whale

You're cordially invited to view this preview card selection, and click on any of the images for purchasing details. You may also click here to view my gallery of work at RedBubble.

Twelve Apostles

Wishing you, and yours, the best for the 2007 festive season.

Cheers.

Darren Stones.

Iceland Poppy

Peacock

Australia Rock

Beaumaris Bay

Dangar Falls

Along the Henry Lawson Way

by Darren Stones

Of course there's a story to hear and it's one which conveys the plight of the farmer. On a sunny afternoon in rural New South Wales, Australia, I see before me a sight.

750 head of cattle being driven along the Henry Lawson Way between Young and Grenfell is a mighty feat for a bloke and his three kelpies – especially given they’ve been on the road continuously for 14 months.

Some cattle had died and some had even joined the herd. The dedication to make a dollar is incentive for farmers to keep pressing on in such trying times. Drought is taking its toll on stock and on lives. Wives leave their men and families are ripped apart. Blokes are killing themselves because they see no hope. The statistics are shocking.

Spare a moment to think about a bloke who travels hundreds of miles guiding cattle along a road. Spare a moment to think of those farmers and their families who know nothing but struggle when their paddocks turn to dust. Spare a moment to think how lucky you are to be living comfortably in the city, while those out in the field are doing the hard yakka to grow the tasty tucker for your plate.

Many people in rural Australia are killing themselves because they've lost hope. It's rare to hear about the heart-wrenching stories here in the big smoke.

Author's note:

Thank you to Rebecca Ingram from Cobar, New South Wales, Australia for relating some shocking stories to me during my recent journey into rural and outback New South Wales.

The stunning Sapphire Coast

By Darren Stones - Freelance Photojournalist

Australia is blessed with pristine beaches and coastal scenery that is to die for.

Sapphire Coast - by Darren Stones

The Sapphire Coast, located south of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia remains virtually untouched from development.

Bermagui - Horseshoe Bay

If you enjoy investigating national parks, love to wet a line, want to improve your suntan, sip a coffee by the sea, or catch a wave, then the Sapphire Coast is for you.

Tathra Wharf

Tathra Wharf

Tathra Wharf

Witness the unloading of the catch-of-the-day, visit a winery, taste award-winning cheeses, grab a bargain at a market, attend a festival, indulge in delectable oysters, go whale watching and take in some of the local history.

Merimbula - Long Point

The towns of Bermagui, Tathra, Bega, Merimbula, Pambula and Eden all have that bit of sapphire magic.

Eden - Seaside Pool

If you are looking for that get-away-from-it-all experience then let yourself go.

Merimbula Wharf

For more information log on to; http://www.sapphirecoast.com.au/

My portfolio of Sapphire Coast photographs can be viewed and purchased at RedBubble.com.