I wish you could see it. I'm standing on my balcony facing the setting sun and I'm in awe. The whole sky is that blue color we associate with sunsets. That rich blue of blue colors, and it's the back drop to the most magnificent painting of creation ...... the sunset.

Like a 'V' splashed across the sky ...... diminishing to a point just above the horizon I see the most brilliant colors of neon orange and purple. It looks like an upside down landscape and you'd swear it was solid! Closer to me the clouds are wide and disappear off into the distance like little steps ..... one following the other.

Now it's turned a deeper richer color and the whole sunset has changed shape. The edge is streaked with splashes of golden sunlight and the sun peaks through a broken cloud just before it drops behind the horizon line. It looks like a huge ball of molten fire.

To make the picture perfect a flock of snow white cockatoos appear in the distance and fly towards me until they disappear over my head. Even from a great distance away I can clearly hear their noisy screeching and calling as they head off to roost for the night in our giant gum trees.

The only thing missing my friend ..... is you standing by my side and enjoying this with me. The first star that appears to me, in the now darkened sky, is the bright star of Venus.