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Vanessa Pike-Russell
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Vanessa Pike-Russell
  • Articles
  • Gallery
  • Portfolio
  • Services
  • Travel
  • Contact Us

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About Vanessa Pike-Russell

Vanessa Pike-Russell is an author, teacher and website designer. Born in Wollongong, NSW Australia and currently residing in Brisbane, QLD Australia.

Graduating with a Bachelor of Education in 1999, Vanessa specialised in Information Technology and Communication.

Vanessa has been writing blogs for over 20 years and has written books on land hermit crabs as pets and currently writing an autobiography.

Popular Posts

Song: The Rainbow Lorikeet
June 1, 2022
Expo 88
June 1, 2022
Poetry – Sleepus Interruptus
April 18, 2022
16 Personalities Test – Campaigner
April 18, 2022

Featured Posts

Jun12022
Articles

Song: The Rainbow Lorikeet

Can you hear the lorikeet Calling down to you? Can you see…

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Jun12022
Articles

Expo 88

I was on the monorail with my Grandmother Barbara Hazelgrove who took…

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May202022
Art

Art: Portrait Lorikeet Frangipani

I commissioned a composite art piece featuring three items – a portrait…

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Apr182022
Articles

Poetry – Sleepus Interruptus

As I lay me down to sleep I pray your hands away…

Read more
Apr182022
Articles

16 Personalities Test – Campaigner

I’m the Campaigner personality in the 16 personalities test – ENFP-A /…

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Wynnum Foreshore, Brisbane QLD Australia

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Song: The Rainbow Lorikeet

ArticlesJune 1, 2022

Can you hear the lorikeet Calling down to you? Can you see the lorikeet Red and green and…

Expo 88

ArticlesJune 1, 2022

I was on the monorail with my Grandmother Barbara Hazelgrove who took this photo. We had an amazing…

Art: Portrait Lorikeet Frangipani

ArtMay 20, 2022

I commissioned a composite art piece featuring three items – a portrait of myself, frangipani and a rainbow…

Poetry – Sleepus Interruptus

ArticlesApril 18, 2022

As I lay me down to sleep I pray your hands away you keep As I doze I…

16 Personalities Test – Campaigner

ArticlesApril 18, 2022

I’m the Campaigner personality in the 16 personalities test – ENFP-A / ENFP-T “A Campaigner (ENFP) is someone…

Wynnum Foreshore, Brisbane QLD Australia

UncategorisedApril 18, 2022
Jun12022
Articles

Song: The Rainbow Lorikeet

ArticlesBy VanessapikerussellJune 1, 2022Leave a comment

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…

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Jun12022
Articles

Expo 88

ArticlesBy VanessapikerussellJune 1, 2022Leave a comment

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…

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May202022
Art

Art: Portrait Lorikeet Frangipani

ArtBy VanessapikerussellMay 20, 2022Leave a comment

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…

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Apr182022
Articles

Poetry – Sleepus Interruptus

ArticlesBy VanessapikerussellApril 18, 2022Leave a comment

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…

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Apr182022
Articles

16 Personalities Test – Campaigner

ArticlesBy VanessapikerussellApril 18, 2022Leave a comment

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…

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Wynnum Foreshore, Brisbane QLD Australia

UncategorisedBy VanessapikerussellApril 18, 2022Leave a comment
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Apr92022
Uncategorised

My First Encounter with a Hermit Crab

UncategorisedBy VanessapikerussellApril 9, 2022Leave a comment

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!”…

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Apr12021
Travel Kako Okamato

Kako Okamato – Michelin star restaurant in Gion, Kyoto Japan

TravelBy VanessapikerussellApril 1, 2021Leave a comment

  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…

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Jan142021
ArticlesTravel Chung Tian Temple

Chung Tian Buddhist Temple, Priestdale QLD Australia

Articles, TravelBy VanessapikerussellJanuary 14, 2021Leave a comment

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…

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Dec222020
Articles

Gardening- Cucumbers

ArticlesBy VanessapikerussellDecember 22, 2020Leave a comment

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 🧂

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Dec122020
Articles

Best Christmas present ever

ArticlesBy VanessapikerussellDecember 12, 2020Leave a comment

  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…

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Dec92020
Articles

Back to School

ArticlesBy VanessapikerussellDecember 9, 2020Leave a comment

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…

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Nov192020
ArticlesBook Reviews

Book Review – The Family Frying Pan by Bryce Courtenay

Articles, Book ReviewsBy VanessapikerussellNovember 19, 2020Leave a comment

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…

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Sep192020
Articles

Raised Bed Garden Bench Seat

ArticlesBy VanessapikerussellSeptember 19, 2020Leave a comment

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…

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Oct292019
Photography

CHUNG TIAN BUDDHIST TEMPLE

PhotographyBy VanessapikerussellOctober 29, 2019Leave a comment

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.…

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Aug62017
ArticlesTravel Timhotel Paris and Eiffel Tower

Paris Trip, 2017

Articles, TravelBy VanessapikerussellAugust 6, 2017Leave a comment

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…

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Aug52017
ArticlesTravel

Doctor Who Experience

Articles, TravelBy VanessapikerussellAugust 5, 2017Leave a comment

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…

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Aug42017
ArticlesTravel Stonehenge

Stonehenge 2017

Articles, TravelBy VanessapikerussellAugust 4, 2017Leave a comment

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.…

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Jul292017
ArticlesTravel Much Ado About Nothing play at the Globe Shakespeare's Theatre

Buckingham Palace Royal Mews, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and the Lion King, 2017

Articles, TravelBy VanessapikerussellJuly 29, 2017Leave a comment

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…

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Apr32017
ArticlesTravel

Memoirs of a Geisha Makeover

Articles, TravelBy VanessapikerussellApril 3, 2017Leave a comment

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…

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Mar122017
Articles

Occipital Neuralgia

ArticlesBy VanessapikerussellMarch 12, 2017Leave a comment

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…

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Dec142016
Articles

Every Year

ArticlesBy VanessapikerussellDecember 14, 2016Leave a comment

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,…

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Oct162016
ArticlesTravel

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Japan

Articles, TravelBy VanessapikerussellOctober 16, 2016Leave a comment

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.…

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Oct162016
Articles

My Mother’s Death

ArticlesBy VanessapikerussellOctober 16, 2016Leave a comment

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…

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Lark Distillery, Hobart Tasmania

UncategorisedBy VanessapikerussellDecember 17, 2015Leave a comment

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…

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Dec152015
ArticlesTravel

Wrest Point Casino, Hobart Tasmania

Articles, TravelBy VanessapikerussellDecember 15, 2015Leave a comment

  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          

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Dec132014
Articles

Teppanyaki Bar, Raby Bay QLD

ArticlesBy VanessapikerussellDecember 13, 2014Leave a comment

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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Apr252014
Design

Donec massa tellus tempor ut diam

DesignBy VanessapikerussellApril 25, 2014Leave a comment

Duis ornare, est at lobortis mollis, felis libero mollis orci vitae dictum lacus quis neque lectus vel neque. Aliquam ultrices erat lobortis.

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Mar282014
Lifestyle

From feugiat to tristique

LifestyleBy VanessapikerussellMarch 28, 2014Leave a comment

Duis ornare, est at lobortis mollis, felis libero mollis orci, vitae congue neque lectus vel neque. Aliquam ultrices erat.

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Feb252014
Lifestyle

Hitrices orci leo: et feugiat eros tristique

LifestyleBy VanessapikerussellFebruary 25, 2014Leave a comment

Donec venenatis, eros scelerisque volutpat fringilla, mi diam varius ligula, in eleifend lectus est sollicitudin ante ac hendrerit.

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Aug62013
Misc

Business etiquette

MiscBy VanessapikerussellAugust 6, 2013Leave a comment

Etiam ultrices orci leo, et feugiat eros tristique et. Proin lorem ipsum dolor glavrida ligula justo, iaculis quis ornare in, tempus id purus. Vestibulum et metus nulla.

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Aug52013
Photography

Donec tellus tempor

PhotographyBy VanessapikerussellAugust 5, 2013Leave a comment

Hitrices orci leo, et feugiat eros tristique et. Proin ligula iaculis quis ornare id purus. Vestib etus atiam gravida felis nec ullam corper sem.

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Apr302013
Design

Donec amen ipsum from tellus tempor

DesignBy VanessapikerussellApril 30, 2013Leave a comment

Vestibulum et metus nulla. Hitrices orci leo, et feugiat eros tristique et. Proin ligula justo, iaculis quis ornare in, orem ipsum dolor glavrida.

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Jan152013
Photography

Vestib etus atiam gravida felis nec

PhotographyBy VanessapikerussellJanuary 15, 2013Leave a comment

Donec eros scelerisque feugiat neque eu bibendum volutpat fringilla venenatis, eros scelerisque volutpat fringilla.

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Oct242012
ArticlesTravel

Port Vila, Vanuatu 2012

Articles, TravelBy VanessapikerussellOctober 24, 2012Leave a comment

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…

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Oct222012
ArticlesTravel

Suva, Fiji 2012

Articles, TravelBy VanessapikerussellOctober 22, 2012Leave a comment

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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Oct212012
LifestyleVideo & Music

Dolor gravida felis nec

Lifestyle, Video & MusicBy VanessapikerussellOctober 21, 2012Leave a comment

Nulla et metus nulla. Hitrices orci leo, et feugiat eros tristique et. Proin ligula justo, iaculis quis ornare in, tempus id purus.

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Oct212012
ArticlesTravel

Port Denaru, Fiji

Articles, TravelBy VanessapikerussellOctober 21, 2012Leave a comment

    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,…

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Oct202012
ArticlesTravel

Mystery Island, 2012

Articles, TravelBy VanessapikerussellOctober 20, 2012Leave a comment

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…

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Oct202012
ArticlesTravel

Lifou, New Caledonia

Articles, TravelBy VanessapikerussellOctober 20, 2012Leave a comment

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…

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Sep302008
ArticlesTravel

Nan Tien Buddhist Temple

Articles, TravelBy VanessapikerussellSeptember 30, 2008Leave a comment

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…

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vanessa.pike.russell@gmail.com