Year: 2021

I have been living in Australia for close to 9 years, the longest of any of our overseas postings. I am tempted to stay for a whole lot longer! Part and parcel of living here is surviving fires, lockdowns, storms, venomous snakes, spider bites and of course shark attacks. Australian Geographic, to which I subscribe,…

It’s a long weekend in Queensland and the end of school holidays for most. The clouds have departed replaced by unending sheets of blue, 32 C  and it was time for me to explore a favourite neighbourhood. Dougall is on holiday with his family so I ventured out alone. The conversation in my head was…

Severe Weather systems in the air, covid outbreaks which may or may not land the state in lockdown once more, storm season is upon us and winds swirling round the place with hints of red and purple. The world is at once opening up and closing down on itself. Flashes of light across the sky…

I have just had the privilege to read “The Confessions of a Beachcomber” by E.J Banfield. Lent to me by a descendant. Published in 1908 it is the story of E.J Banfield who was born in Liverpool. He emigrated to Australia in 1854 aged 2. He followed his father into printing and journalism until he…

Last night we had the pleasure of attending a show at Brisbane Powerhouse called “Lets be friends furever”. This is a where I tip my hat and my Shmackos to creativity, alive and well, in the arts world and say thank you to the creators who came up with such a warm and wonderful show. …

A quieter week and some delights along the way – a ringtail and a magpie both making their appearance, one to nibble on some seeds left on the bird table, the other to find a perch from where to trill so very beautifully. I still cant upload the videos so for those who want to…

It’s been a busy week with Brisbane Festival putting on some fabulous shows, https://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/ and Book group up and running “live” once more. Both joyful and vibrant and the spring sunshine just adding to the mix. No better way to end a busy week than to take Dougall out for a long walk. It’s been a while…

Picture perfect houses and gardens. A deep blue sky. 28 C and flowers in so many colours and combinations we struggled to keep up trying to identify and name them all.  This was a particularly special one, round the corner from where we were staying. The owner popped out to tell us these were Echiums…

Last night I dragged the hubby out to the Art Boat on the Brisbane River. I had spent a frantic hour in the morning looking for the tickets I knew I had bought on my lap top over a month ago. To be fair he was reluctant to go, but did help by looking up…

I was in the garden emptying the compost bin when I heard the birds calling. I looked into the Lilly Pilly trees that flank our garden and this is what I saw. A ring tail possum settled on a branch. It is unusual that they are moving around in the daylight so I am a…