the butterfly girl with the red canary
Canberra is wonderful. There, I said it.
It has a serious lack of streetlights, weirdly flamboyant birds, and only two martini bars…but it has the glorious Holly Ringland, and I couldn’t ask for more.
I flew up to spend the Easter weekend with this magnificent woman, after she’d flown down twice to stay with me in Melbourne. There aren’t many people I’d leave out a key to my flat for, without ever having met, but when I strode up my street and saw balloons spilling out my window along with Holly’s laughter, I knew the fun had begun.
This time, Canberra was ours, and we explored it with high spirits and tender livers.
Holly’s one of the most talented and dedicated writers on RB, an opinion shared by many (hush Holly, hush), so being able to see her cosy writing room where she casts her spells was wonderful. Her home tells her tales beautifully, from the abundance of butterflies to the rich fragrance of peppermint oil, and it was an honour to share it with her….after she had to break in after locking her keys inside, that is.
So….......there were freaky birds to wake us and vanilla coffee to perk us up; walking through the rich copper and russet autumnal leaves reading to each other from our purchases from the secondhand bookstore (Colette for me, Plath for her); dancing to Big Mama Thornton as we tied on our stilettos and slicked on the red lip gloss; amazing Thai food washed down by vodka poured with coconut juice, the slick chunks of coconut flesh picked out with our fingers. There was a ‘sex and the city’ marathon on her bed with almonds and apples and ridiculously intrusive birds, til we were on our sides with laughter that almost cracked ribs.
There were ruby red cocktails in a Russian bar where I met her fabulous boys, and the talk was vibrant, the laughter dirty, and the night flew by as rain pounded the roof.
And coming home early on Easter Sunday, there was black cherry vanilla vodka and some dress ups.
There was a wonderful Sunday market with butterfly necklaces, Art Nouveau prints and divine Turkish delight fudge eaten between sticky fingers, where I got to gaze at this as we traded stories:
I mean, really, the woman is so amazingly photogenic that I’m astounded my camera could take it….even buying batteries she managed to look as glamorous as a fifties starlet.
There was culture too; although watching her dance with Matty to 90’s classics in a crowded bar while I kicked back with a tequila coffee martini could be construed as cultural…right? We drove past Parliament House and did a roadside tour of Lake Burley Griffin, and were silenced by the majesty of the War Monument, where Holly made the perfect tour guide.
And now I’m back home in Melbourne as we already plot her next trip here, and we talk about hitting Berlin together next year. Who would have thought that an internet community could bring such amazing, wondrous people into your life; friends that you just can’t imagine being without.
Friends that you’d even go to Canberra for. Now that’s love!
Some quotes in my little red book to finish off…..
Who’s going to ride the cockroaches now? me
Honey, I drove a troop carrier in the territory for two years Holly
That’s beautiful darling….but seriously, where are all the street lights? me
We don’t do fear Holly
I’m not trotting….but I may prowl me
Where did the dead people sex come into it? Matty
Let’s do it tomollow Holly
They’re fuckwits with anchovies on top Holly
I wear many hats me
That wasn’t my drunk fault! Holly
Paul Louis Vil...
It is an amazing online community! Thanks for sharing Bell, great pics too! :D
bellmusker replied
Anytime, Paul…..it was a wonderful time, and I’m just reliving it here :-)
PJ Ryan
GASP
could you two get anymore beautiful or soulful .. STUNNING pics … beautiful journal of what must’ve been a fabulous and special time.
love, love, love
xx
bellmusker replied
It’s impossible to take a bad photo of Holly…..and it was indeed a fabulous time! x x
PJ Ryan
and you too girl .. you look so relaxed and beautiful as always x
Leith O'Malley
Cool. A smiling happy Bell!
That Girl Holly is a good influence on you…
So good to see/hear you are both having a ball continuing a friendship in literature, laughter and red bubbly :)
bellmusker replied
Holly is pure light, Leith…...I can’t possibly be in shadow when she’s around. You should have seen me over the weekend; I rediscovered my playful side. There’s even photographic proof of me in those bunny ears! All because Miss Holly asked me to :-)
LittleHelen
Awww….sobs. You two are just utterly gorgeous ;)
Beautiful xx
bellmusker replied
It was a magical weekend sweetheart…..and just think, you and I are going to have a magical TWO WEEKS with Trace pretty damn soon! x x
Holly Ringland
jelly bean, my girl of bells… i’m absolutely fucking speechless…
oops.
i blew it.
the foul-mouthed fairy struck anyway.
i was just gazing at my sticky little fingerprints on the window from my dress-clad break-in when your journal was posted. what bliss. what an easter. what a weekend. i will never for the rest of my life forget that you came to canberra to see me. ‘nuff said there my love, ‘nuff said there. although, i will stand right beside you when i say that the ol’ girl is wonderful and has been wonderful to me… and to share her finery with you (ahem, of the gems few and far between) was just bloody fabulous… my journal post is to come… you haven’t forgotten pink inc have you? hehehehe… xxx
bellmusker replied
My girl of the holly, how I wish you were back by my side, cackling and sipping black cherry vodka and telling me passionately “I have speech!”. Thank you darling…for everything. x x x
roybarry
Berlin????
Hey, that’s only a 90 minute flight for me-bring the trifle…..............
bellmusker replied
Aha, now that’s a plan!! I should be moving there by this time next year Roy….plenty of time to perfect a recipe :-)
ShadowDancer
how divine is the bubble for not only bringing together art but hearts as well… i’ve enjoyed being the voyeur on this budding friendship…
bellmusker replied
She’s the most magical girl…..and isn’t her writing divine? Thanks so much for the comment :-)
LittleHelen
Oh I know honey…counting down the gosh damn ‘high struttin’ days :D It’s still unbelievable…can’t wait to see Holly too ; )
Sticky Flower
gorgeous journal! I read Holly’s too,and i’m smiling from my heart at the beauty,mischief and riches of true friendship.
Oh,and my favourite photograph of you too sparkling wenches,is the first one in Holly’s journal of you in the bunny ears Belle.I wanted to roll around laughing and hug you all at once.
Love the quotes :-)
bellmusker replied
Isn’t our Holly the best?! You’re right, there was a lot of mischief over the weekend and I loved every minute :-) As for the bunny ears…..I loathe pink with a passion and all that it stands for, so to let her put those damn things on me was a sign of true love! Only for Holly, hehe. And yes, my little red book of quotes comes everywhere with me. There were lots more but several were ahem less than suitable. Thanks for the comment, glad you enjoyed our journals!
BiographyofRed8
beautiful pictures.. actually makes holly look very french i thought. hmm turkish delight!
bellmusker replied
She even has a French name: Babette. Isn’t she just gorgeous?! And the Turkish delight was a succulent chunk inside a curl of rich melt-in-the-mouth chocolate fudge….oh lord, I miss Canberra!
Erin Lyall
Sounds like so much fun. I miss RB fun!
bellmusker replied
I know – you’re about due for a bubbly meeting! Will email you soon about it :-)
anya
Oh, ok that’s it. I’m moving to Melbourne. Sorry Holl, could never move to Canberra but maybe if we all move closer to Melbourne jaunts like this would be open for all??
bellmusker replied
Jaunts like this are well and truly available, Anya….so when are you moving? Do it, do it!!
mstrace
How photogenic can one human female be? I mean…SHEESH.
I detest the camera in so many ways its not even funny. But if I could just glance at a lens and produce images like that, I think the camera and me would be inseparate (rather than the opposite). Oh wells bells.
That little hot canberra wench and the mesmerizing bell with her doleful eyes and gorgeous scowl. What a weekend! The quotes are hysterical. The photos sublime. You two are a feast for sore eyes and tired hearts.
Now I have that writers girl itch, itch, itch to experience sunny southern california with two hot babes from Aussie-land. Oh wait, I AM gonna experience that.
heehee.
bellmusker replied
Ah babe, thank you so much for your kind and entirely untrue words! My sister once used me as a model for her photography assignment and was told to find someone a little less ‘demonic’, I kid you not. That scowl translates well, huh? But what can you expect when pink bunny ears are included?! And I will honestly be snapping pics of us when I hit your town, but will show them all to you first, ok? I’ve seen the few pics you’ve sent my way and sweetheart, you have no reason not to strut in front of that lense with your magnificent mane flying. Leave it to me! x x
hilde
Wonderful! Loved this so much. Introduce us when you’re in Berlin!!
bellmusker replied
Lief, you will absolutely adore Holly….she shares our passion for good music, slightly nervous travel and very high leopard print heels. There will definitely be a meeting next year! And the funny thing is, walking through Canberra and noticing that all the buildings are from the 60’s and 70’s, I told her she was in the Rotterdam of Australia and she absolutely beamed. Except in Rotterdam, you have a hell of a lot more to do at night! Enjoy New York sweet girl, and don’t forget Cafe Angelique! x x x
hilde
Also: you’re on a new friend high. I can smell it.
Lisa Jewell
You two are so stunning and brilliant. xxx
I am so happy you had such an awesome time in Canberra….:))))
bellmusker replied
Babe, it was brilliant; I couldn’t have asked for more. x x x
Jessica Tremp
aah, the bells and the hollies. xxx you two beautiful little sparrows
x
bellmusker replied
Liebchen, the birds rule Canberra…they overtook my stay there and made us laugh so much I hurt myself. A wonderful, joyous time x
natapee
I can’t wait for my melbourne RB fun. You two are just delightful. Thank you for sharing. x
bellmusker replied
I’m sooooooo looking forward to meeting you! You’re still coming in May, am I right? Just you wait…so many delights will be here to greet you. There are many Melbourne bubblers who admire your work and are looking forward to this but beware…you may want to move here afterwards. It seems to happen to everyone! x
natapee
Oh if I get converted to a Melbourne way of life that is no problem whatsoever..I’ve been speaking of it for years and years…bellmusker you are too incredibly kind…I am definitely there in May, my toes are tinkling wanting to get on the plane now!! xx
transmute
Kinda makes me wanna be a girl :)
bellmusker replied
You’d make a damn fine one too….I’ve seen you in a dress :-)
Jo O'Brien
I can hardly believe that you are the same Bellmusker that I met a year ago. For starters, there are photos of you on the internet now – I never saw that coming!
bellmusker replied
I know, I know…..I literally shielded my face for the first few bubble meetings, and I believe I may have shrieked ‘no photos!’ like the worst Z-grade celebrity. But then the odd one was taken, and to my surprise, the world didn’t end. Red Bubble has changed me in so many ways, Jo. I wonder what’s next: my real name?! :-)
Pilgrim
Great story, I grew up in Canberra (at least in part) and it does have its moments.
bellmusker replied
It does, I agree….especially the amazing autumnal trees, which took my breath away. But I was lured there for Holly, and if I return, it’ll be for her again. Ah Red Bubble…..what would I do without it?!
Laurie McClave
This is wonderful! i love to see bubblers enjoying eachother in person! oh I wish I wish! you both look absolutely stunning too by the way! Hugs! L
bellmusker replied
Thanks so much sweetheart – this was truly the best weekend I’d had in ages. I’m still smiling :-)