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Catherine Duc



Last Updated: 12/25/2009

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Status: Single
City: Melbourne
State: Victoria
Country: AU
Signup Date: 8/30/2005
Sunday, September 27, 2009 

Current mood:  refreshed
Category: Travel and Places
Hi,

Here are a few photos of my trip to a lovely seaside town called Blairgowrie, about an hour from the city down the peninsula.  I went with a couple of my friends and it was great to chat, explore around the town and buy seafood, take walks on the beach and recharge the batteries.  We also did quite a bit of cooking and made pancakes, french toast, cupcakes, spanakopita (Greek cheese & spinach filo pastry) and seafood & chicken paella.  For the paella, I can only claim cooking the chicken - one of my friends who we all think should go on the TV show 'Master Chef' did the rest :)




On one of the mornings we were there, I took a walk down to the beach myself.  It was the end of Winter, but not quite as cold as you would imagine.  It was so invigorating to watch the waves crashing on the shore, the seagulls making pinwheels across the sky and the boats coming in.  I really recommend going off by yourself and observing nature to think about life and rebalance your mind and soul.




If you're a musician who creates music in the ambient, new age, easy listening or world genres, you might like to check out this organisation called Healing With Harmony (www.healingwithharmony.com) and consider donating a few of your CDs to this worthy cause.  Wendy and her team do a fantastic job putting together audio packages and taking them to hospitals to help comfort and ease the pain of the patients there.  There have been a couple of studies that certain types of music can help with pain management.  Here's the lovely card that Wendy and her team sent me:



What I'm listening to: 'Le Grand Bleu' ('The Big Blue) soundtrack by Eric Serra.  I haven't actually seen the film (it's from the 80's) but I came across the anniversary edition and since it had a picture of the sea and a whale and I love anything to do with the ocean, I had a listen to it.  It's really beautiful and timeless and the title theme blends world flutes and whale calls with synthesizers and guitars.  I notice that a lot of music from the 80s has quite a lot more reverb than music produced now.  It really adds to the spaciousness though.  The movie is about two free divers (diving without breathing gear) from their childhood to adults competing in ocean diving competitions.

I liked the soundtrack right from the first listen.  For some albums, it takes a couple of listens for the songs to grow on me.  I think the best songs capture your attention right from the start.  This would be the perfect music for a trip to the Caribbean or the Seychelles islands (2 more places to add to my 'to visit list') :)

Have a great week,
Catherine

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Visions and Dreams album available now at Amazon, iTunes, CDBaby and other stores.

For a full list of stores, visit: www.catherineduc.com
Kori Linae Carothers

 
Hi Catherine....
....I absolutely love the beach.  The wildness of the waves always energizes me and does for sure add healing.  Thanks for the info!  ....
....One day.. I have GOT to get to Australia!  ....
....Peace,....
....Kor..
 
Posted by Kori Linae Carothers on Sunday, September 27, 2009 - 4:56 AM
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Michael J Downey

 
..Catharine - So glad to see that you're travelling and putting your beautiful music out there. I just wish you'd come down MY COAST (California) someday....
I returned yesterday from Japan.......click here....Keep up the good music......
 
Posted by Michael J Downey on Sunday, September 27, 2009 - 5:00 AM
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jan r. la rue

 
Nothing like good food and the sea air to make you feel refreshed. How nice. I am going to check out the site link. I always have believed in the healing powers of music. There is magic in something so simple.
 
Posted by jan r. la rue on Sunday, September 27, 2009 - 5:07 AM
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Ruthann's universal page

 
Love this__Umm Great food and beautiful Coastline--Glad you had a great trip!!  Inspiring!!  Hugss
 
Posted by Ruthann's universal page on Monday, September 28, 2009 - 5:29 AM
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Sera Finn
Sera Finn

 
..What a lovely, ecclectic blog. So like you! First, I want to thank you for my sudden craving for spanikopita! It is 2:26 am in Richmond, VA and I am pretty sure I can find illegal drugs but not spanikopita! Mmmm...Greek food. Spanikopita is not as easy to make as it looks; so Bravo to you and your team! The Paella picture is now sinking in. LoL! My sudden attack of the munchies is well worth it, as this story of your experiences far outweighs me craving 'exotic' food. The ocean! I am eye to eye with you on that and the whole going into nature alone often deal! I Love to go to beaches in the late Fall. No tourists, killer hotels for cheap and lots of alone time walking the shores. I will never forget the time I was VERY upset. I talk outloud, alot, but especially when I am alone in nature. I was crying and I stopped and said, 'Do you Understand?' to the Sea. The Sky answered. A very bright shooting star traveresed what seemed to be the whole sky and I just knew. Yes, someone is listening and my tears turned to giggles. As for the project, Healing with Harmony! I will head over there in a few. Thank you for posting the link. Western medicine is starting to remember that drugs and surgeries and treatments can only go so far. Often it is the intangible influences that help one person survive when another just like them does not. The power of prayer deal is being studied in the realms of physics and psychology. They see the proof, the Power of positive interactions and of course want to know why. They do get some good scientific data, but when it comes down to it, they are only quantifying the brain. Our brain is fathomless and when it is encouraged, for example by music, there is no end to the miracles that can arise. I think I should not even get started on whales. But I will jump in half way! The vastness of the Ocean and her beloved creatures will never cease to amaze me. I did whale behavior research in Canada for a whole summer. And the experience still impacts my everyday Life. The sound of whales at sunset, it made me feel like a portal was opening and if I could have found it? I would not be here typing! Many Blessings, Light and Love Catherine! Mmm...spanikopita! heh! xoxo!..
 
Posted by Sera Finn on Monday, September 28, 2009 - 5:29 AM
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Healing with Harmony
Wendy Bartlett

 
Dear Catherine,

Writing about your quiet times with nature is such a beautful reminder for all of us, in that we feel a sense of nature's power when we spend time dwelling there.  We are touched in ways that does re-energize us and brings us back to a balance within.  You're a gifted writer.  I shared your journey through your words. 

Thank you also for sharing your experience and thoughts about our musical journey together.  What could be better than to be united with souls that long for global harmony?  It warms my Spirit, enriches my Soul and it makes my heart sing...

Love & Blessings,
Wendy
 
Posted by Healing with Harmony on Monday, September 28, 2009 - 5:29 AM
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Monika ღ

 
Food for the soul - quiet time at the beach and good food, and a time to relax!  Wonderful!
Glad you enjoyed yourself Catherine, sounds like you had a chance to engerize!
 
Posted by Monika ღ on Monday, October 05, 2009 - 4:44 AM
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