For many years I have been viewing Lion Island from a distance.

I painted this watercolour ‘plein air’ a while ago …sitting on bench at West Head Lookout.

My husband Cameron, managed to keep both our young children occupied (while I sat and painted) by following around a rather large water dragon

I remember the sense of peace I felt looking out across the water, studying the landscape before me, intrigued by Lion Island and the way it seemed to be proudly protecting the bay. Watching graceful sailboats parading past, wondering what it would be like to get a closer look.

In the years following, the island became an important landmark for our family holiday adventures on the Hawkesbury River, marking the mouth of the river and acting as the last buffer of land before the expanse of blue ocean beyond.

Little did I know back then, that one day I would actually be living in that landscape and watching the way the sun touched the Hawkesbury sandstone outcrops of Lion Island, this time from the other side.

Looking back at this painting, it occurs to me…perhaps this was actually a SIGNPOST pointing to what was ahead…a serendipitous moment….

I wonder if you’ve experienced signpost moments like this in your life?

It has been a real treat of late, to get a closer look at the island from the water.