At Home

It's beginning to look a light like Christmas when the twinkling lights come on. Who doesn't love a good light show, a few cut-out reindeer and a Santa or two (boardshorts make it soooo Australian)? For those looking to put in the effort, there are prizes to be won as part of Blayney Shire's Bright Lights competition. They are looking for originality, colour, layout, design and any extra sparkle you want to add. Want to take part? Enter at the Blayney Shire council office or online. Entries close on December 13 with judging held after 8pm on December 14.

Berry picking

Nearby

Tis the season for yummy berries. And what better way to enjoy the wonderful bounty of early summer than to pick your own. Huntley Berry Farm is back in operation after a COVID-19 shutdown and serving up a bumper harvest. Pick up a bucket and have a wander around some of their 11 berry varieties, including strawberries and raspberries. You pick what you want and then pay by weight. Huntley Berry Farm, 1024 Huntley Rd, Huntley, open Sunday to Thursday from 10am to 3pm. Entry is by gold coin donation.

200 years on

Road trip

How much have we as a nation changed in the past 200 years? That's a good question. Ronnie Grammatica explores this in his latest portraiture works, inspired by the 1818 Macquarie River expedition of British explorer John Oxley. Ronnie's journey, from outsider to being part of the community, was a lens through which he looked at cultural identity and individual stories. He was born in Italy and migrated to Australia seven years ago. While you're there, swing by Concrete: art design architecture, which looks at the ways concrete is being used by artists, designers and architects. Western Plains Cultural Centre, 76 Wingewarra St, Dubbo.

Twilight shopping

At home

Struggling to find time to fit in the Christmas shopping? Want to help out local businesses? Here's your chance. Stop by Blayney's twilight shopping night on December 10, and Millthorpe and Carcoar's on December 11 to stock up on, well, stocking fillers (or, perhaps, something a little bigger). There will be gift vouchers to be won, stay for dinner - maybe a pub meal or a picnic in the park - and make a night of it.

Park run

Plan ahead

Get your running shoes on, tie up the laces and maybe get in a few practice runs if you've become a bit of a COVID couch potato. The Bathurst parkrun will be back on December 19. What better Christmas present could die-hard runners ask for? It's a free, weekly, timed five kilometre run staged on Saturday mornings. Time you tried it? Get to Bicentennial Park, William St and Stanley St, Bathurst for an 8am start. The event runs on Saturdays.