Do you love land hermit crabs? Me too! I love them so much that I wrote a children’s book about them. AUSTRALIAN readers can now purchase the paperback version on Amazon Australia directly [BUY HERE] If you prefer a hardcover version (recommended) you can buy it through Amazon UK  [BUY HERE]. Readers in the USA and other…

November 14th, I left Brisbane QLD Australia on a cruise to Papua New Guinea on Carnival Encounter cruise boat. I had sailed to Fiji and Vanuatu before but this was my first trip to PNG. Alotau Island, PNGKiriwina Island, PNGConflict Island, PNG

I was 17 when I visited Expo 88 in Brisbane, Queensland, from Wollongong (near Sydney), New South Wales in Australia. The expo was a highlight of my life. I had a little pretend passport to get it stamped at the exhibitions for different countries. I tried green tea for the first time and loved the…

Mine was showing my nana Downie my ‘caterpillars’ (my operation stitches) from when the orthopaedic surgeon performed a tendon operation called tenotomy at two years old. “ A tenotomy is a surgical procedure that lengthens the Achilles tendon in children with clubfoot. It’s a key step in the Ponseti method of treating clubfoot.” I’ve had…

Barbara Hazelgrove was the face of the Bega Cheese advertisement. She received $400, some cheese and lunch and was very ‘chuffed’. The advertisement shows people and referencing that their town isn’t famous for what it’s called, but Bega is famous (for Bega Cheese) “Broome isn’t famous for brooms. Punchbowl isn’t famous for punch bowls. Collector…

Good Food and Wine Show 2022 was amazing! SO many new products to try, food to sample, people to interview and I had an amazing time! Looking forward to going back again next year!

I recently purchased a King Bamboo Weighted Blanket from Calming Blanket, a weighted blanket for people who sleep hot or live in hot climates with cooling glass beads and bamboo wicking. It feels cool to the touch and can be used in summer, which is amazing. I am usually up several times in the night…

Munch & Crunch Generation Urban garden is located at 23 Christina Street Wellington Point Brisbane Queensland Australia. They are running adult and homeschooling sustainability gardening workshops. I take part in their horticultural therapy program for anyone in need including NDIS clients. Bookings by their Facebook page are essential. Recently we harvested some sage, made some lemongrass…

Science Insider posted an episode of Debunked. November 6, 2021 · Watch these sleep experts debunk 15 sleep myths.

Watch these sleep experts debunk 15 sleep myths.

Article by Adobe BEGINNER · 5 MIN Open images and work with cloud documents in Photoshop on your iPad Use cloud documents in Adobe Photoshop on your iPad. BEGINNER · 5 MIN   Open images and work with cloud documents in Photoshop on your iPad Use cloud documents in Adobe Photoshop on your iPad. What…

Did you know that I have crabs? Yup! Land Hermit Crabs! It all started in 1995 when I rented an apartment in Primbee, Wollongong, New South Wales Australia. I could only have a small pet and decided to visit the pet store to see what my options were. I saw a tank of hermit Crabs…

On November 17th 2009 I was one of the 8 fortunate facebook fans from New South Wales Australia to win a Facebook fan lunch and book launch competition located at The Bellevue Hotel restaurant in Sydney New South Wales. When I meet Bryce Courtenay, it felt like I had met a long-time friend. He was…

Can you hear the lorikeet Calling down to you? Can you see the lorikeet Red and green and blue I can hear the lorikeet sing a happy song Can you hear the lorikeet Can you sing along Watch the rainbow lorikeet Do a happy dance Can you see the lorikeet Dancing on fence Can you…

I was on the monorail with my Grandmother Barbara Hazelgrove who took this photo. We had an amazing time at Expo 88 over three days and I would have loved for it to be longer. I had my Expo 88 Passport and had lots of stamps as we visited all the exhibits we could fit…

I commissioned a composite art piece featuring three items – a portrait of myself, frangipani and a rainbow lorikeet. Robert Sloan would draw using Prismacolor pencils based on my photography and we made a trade -the drawing for some Prismacolor pencils sent to Robert Sloan’s location in the USA Portrait Lorikeet Frangipani by robertsloan2 Traditional…

As I lay me down to sleep I pray your hands away you keep As I doze I ignore Your loud, persistent snore Take heed my words or you will find the bed we share will soon be mine So please get it in your head Keep your hands away or lose your bed Your…

I’m the Campaigner personality in the 16 personalities test – ENFP-A / ENFP-T “A Campaigner (ENFP) is someone with the Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Prospecting personality traits. These people tend to embrace big ideas and actions that reflect their sense of hope and goodwill toward others. Their vibrant energy can flow in many directions. The…

My Great Grandpapa Harry St. Vincent Beechey  wrote a poem about our visit to the beach where I met my first Hermit crab 🐚 —————- The Young’n I babysit in the soft warm sand. She runs about on sturdy legs. Perhaps she is sitting me—I do not run much anymore. She calls to me. “Great-grand-papa!”…

  Four years ago on my second visit to Gion, Japan it was raining and I decided to ring up the closest restaurant to our accommodation in Gion, Kyoto for lunch – Kako Okamato. In broken english the waitress told me that they were only open for dinner. I booked a table for Philip and…

Chung Tian Temple, which means “Middle Heaven”, was constructed in 1992 using traditional Chinese Buddhist architecture – it is situated between Brisbane and Logan, Queensland. Surrounded by nature, the Temple provides a peaceful and culturally beautiful venue for the community to celebrate its multicultural diversity and multi-faith harmony through Humanistic Buddhism. TEMPLE PAGODA SCULPTURE GARDEN…

It rained today and I decided to harvest some lemon balm for tea ☕️ As I was looking in the third garden bed I saw something underneath all the leaves – a giant cucumber 🥒!!! I’m so excited 😆 and it tasted delicious with a little salt 🧂

  The most amazing present I ever received was my first computer when I was 16. I begged for one all year. One day in December I went into my mum’s room to borrow one of my mum’s jackets up in the top of the wardrobe and saw a present 🎁 I carefully lowered it…

I’m officially enrolled in a Masters of Education in 2021!!! I was approved to study at the University of Wollongong in 2021 with a specialisation in Information and Communication Technology. It’s so exciting and yet I’m nervous at the same time. It’s been 17 years since I have studied. I had specialised in Information Technology…

In 2009 I won a Bryce Courtenay Fan Page Facebook competition, one of eight (8) fans from NSW to be invited to the book launch of the ‘The Story of Danny Dunn’. At the luncheon, Bryce talked emotively about the Family Frying Pan and the story behind the book. The tears in Bryce’s eyes as…

On Thursday Paul from Aqualess installed a raised garden bed bench seat with WaterUps wicking technology in my backyard. It is very big and sturdy and I am very excited! You can see the video I made documenting the installation process and information about the WaterUps wicking technology which includes reservoirs that mean I don’t…

Mandy took me to Chung Tian Buddhist Temple in Priestdale, Queensland. Such a lovely temple and sculpture garden plus tasty food in the cafe. A lovely day 🌷🦋 Chung Tian Temple is a Chan Buddhist temple located at 1034 Underwood Road, Priestdale, Queensland. The temple is part of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist monastic order.…

Blind Audition: Tim Karkowski sings Coming Home | The Voice Australia 2018 My second cousin Tim performs ‘Coming Home’

In August 2017 my friends, my husband and I visited Paris for a two night, three day visit. Our friends drove us from Folkestone (near Dover) England to Calais, France in the Eurotunnel or Channel Tunnel. It was very close quarters and I found it difficult to relax, knowing that some parts of the journey…

In August, 2017 we visited Cardiff for the Doctor Who Experience. It was an amazing, live-changing experience. There were props from all the seasons and at one point I was able to pull down one of the instruments of the tardis! I couldn’t believe it! I took so many photos and we took part in…

Stonehenge August 5th, 2017 Today I visited Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England. It was an amazing experience and a highlight of our trip around England, Scotland, Wales and Paris. It was a surreal feeling being so close to the magnificent stone structure. It was an overcast day and very cold day so I was rugged up.…

In July and August 2017 I travelled with my husband and friends around England, Scotland, Wales, Paris and back to England. It was an amazing trip of over two weeks. By the end we were weary but boy was it worth it! Below is a journal entry of visits to Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace, Shakespeare’s…

On April 3rd, 2017 my husband and I were in Japan and I took part in a Geisha and Samurai makeover. I was very excited as I had been looking forward to it since my trip the year before that when I had to cancel my geisha makeover on my birthday. I decided that I…

If you know me well you have most probably heard me talk about my sometimes debilitating neck pain and migraines. What you may  not know is that I was in two accidents as a child that damaged my neck. The first was when I fell down stairs and woke up two days later with a…

From Philip Russell on our 20th wedding Anniversary:   Every Year Every year that I’m with you Has been better than before; It’s hard for me to even think How I could love you more. Every year you’ve graced my life Has been full of happiness; I love your caring face, your voice, Your tender,…

On October 16th, 2020 I visited the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine in Kyoto, Japan with my husband Philip. Also known as the ‘Fox shrine’.   Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社, Fushimi Inari Taisha) is an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings.…

I found out today that my Mum died in her sleep and was found on Thursday, the day after I left for Japan. I wasn’t told until now because my family didn’t want to spoil my trip but I had a bad feeling when I kept calling my Mother and she wasn’t answering. I called…

Lark Distillery: Tasmania’s First Single Malt Whisky since 1839. Lark Distillery was the first licensed distillery in Tasmania since 1839. It was established in 1992 to produce Australian malt whisky, rich in character with a big finish using the best Tasmanian ingredients. Lark Distillery is proudly a boutique Tasmanian owned distillery dedicated to maintaining its…

  PHOTO BY TRIPADVISOR   On December 14th, 2015 we stayed at Wrest Point Casino for our 19th anniversary. Such a beautiful morning! The view from our room in the Wrest a Point Casino, Hobart is amazing although there is a lot of cloud cover          

On December 14th, 2014 Philip and I enjoyed an anniversary meal at Teppanyaki Bar, Raby Bay Cleveland QLD. We chose a set meal FIRST COURSE Miso soup     Salad entree Fried rice and Sir fry vegetables Moreton Bay Bug Teriyaki Snapper Teriyaki Beef Green tea icecream to finish the teppanyaki at Teppanyaki Bar  

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On our Pacific Dawn cruise from Brisbane to Fiji we visited Port Vila, Vanuatu. It was a beautiful location and I want to go back. There were many market stalls and I had my passport stamped.   A couple on the Pacific Dawn that I photographed.   We visited Warwick Le Lagon Resort & Spa…

On October 22nd, 2012 we sailed into  Suva, FIji on the P&O Pacific Dawn. Suva is the capital of Fiji and highly populated.  It is also the economic and cultural capital of the South Pacific, hosting the majority of regional headquarters of major corporations, as well as international agencies and diplomatic missions in the region.…

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    Port Denaru Fijian warriors   A quick visit to the Hard Rock Cafe, Port Denaru Indigo Restaurant, Port Denarau, Fiji Philio and Vanessa with local beer and a Long Island Tea from Indigo Restaurant, Port Denarau, Fiji Mixed Seafood Curry from Indigo Restaurant, Port Denarau, Fiji Fish and chips from Indigo, Port Denarau,…

Mystery Island, also known as  Aneityum Island,  is a small island in Vanuatu. It is an uninhabited island surrounded with crystal blue waters, filled with turtles, fish and beautiful coral. The locals from the neighbouring island caome across and set up market stalls selling cold drinks, coconuts and local handicrafts. It was a hot day…

Lifou was our first shore tour and I was amazed at the colour of the water and how friendly everyone was. The amazing Mary-Ellen of Lifou, New Caledonia. I shared her blanket and we sat and enjoyed the Coconut Crab I purchased for $34 from the market. I asked her if she would like some…

On September 30th, 2008 I was a freelance photographer for Wollongong & Northern Leader and they sent me on assignment to the Nan Tien Buddhist Temple in Berkeley, Wollongong New South Wales, Australia.   Nan Tien Temple, literally means “paradise of the south” in English, is the largest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere. This…