It was only a couple of weeks ago when I wrote about my first encounter with a bush fire… a truly hairy experience – but no sooner had I cleansed my lungs of smoke, when they filled back up… with DUST!!
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Just in case anyone has not managed to read my book, there is a particular diary entry called ‘Driving me Crazy’ – where I explain about (amongst other things) having to take the theory driving test… and that I failed, dismally!!
Then, a few months later I got a cheque in the post from Queensland transport – reimbursement for the test(s) that I took, as I never actually had to take the damn test in the first place – just simply change my UK license to an Aussie one within 3 months.
Having had time to breathe now that I am back from all my various trips; I really wanted to reassure my fellow Poms about the strangeness of homesickness and the cruel way the mind can play tricks on you.
I have been back to the UK since living in Oz a few times now and every time I go, I make sure I take an extra suitcase for the NEXT sales; salt and vinegar square crisps; galaxy chocolate and for other luxuries that I have missed since living in Oz.
Tags: english summer, homesick, long evenings., NEXT
Thanks for all your patience over the last couple of weeks. I had a rather urgent visit back to the UK and having arrived home in the early hours of Sunday morning, we are off again tomorrow to visit project 1770 (a little town in Queensland).
Just going to leave you with a mug-shot of me and some other Aussie Authors who were mingling at a local book signing a couple of weeks ago.
G’day everyone! (did I really just say that?)
I am posting my latest article on my blog this week, it has just been published in Australia & New Zealand magazine, over in good old Blighty…
At the end of the week, I’m going up north to visit the Town of 1770, the second landing point of jolly old Captain Cook and his crew of scurvy-less men.
So if I don’t get chance to blog-on again, I will tell all next week about my adventures…. good, bad and no doubt downright weird!
Have a great Monday x
A big thanks this week goes out to everyone who has been in contact with me about my latest article in the Sunshine Coast Daily (Sunday 19th July ’YOU’ feature)…. I am just awaiting the PDF from the (very busy) editor, so those of you who aren’t lucky enough to live in Queensland can read it too.
Great news this week, while I answer the influx of emails, I have a fantastic (and pretty damn hilarious) guest to write the weekly blog…
… Over to you - my good mate, Mike Harling!
Hi… again,
I forgot to mention about my new article that has just been published in the fabulous Australia & New Zealand magazine…
Click below to read ‘A home to roost’ on PDF…
Also, you can check out the magazines website www.getmedownunder.com
…and now have a good week!
Tags: a home to roost, article, Australia & New Zealand magazine
This week I have had to resort to using a post which I have written for Australia & New Zealand magazine…
I’m not simply slacking off, it’s just that I have two of my three children at home with various school-related ailments, so I could write a post on ‘how to apply anti-fungal ointment to the scaly epiderm of a female impetigo sufferer without the need for restraint?’
But I have decided it would be best all round to write the other post – as it is probably more relevant for a website about moving to Australia.
Off the Beaten Track…
The Sunshine Coast is renowned for its fantastic beaches and its simple laid-back way of life – but that’s not all it has to offer. So taking the time to find some other hidden jewels really is worth the one hour drive north of Brisbane.
Along the Bruce Highway, swing a left at the Glasshouse Mountains Tourist Drive (#24) – known also as the Steve Irwin Way – not only is the Crocodile Hunter’s Zoo along this road, but the most jaw-dropping collection of volcanic mountains you could possibly imagine.
But the best position to view these mountains at their full glory lies a little further ahead at the quaint township of Maleny.
At Landsborough turn left again at Tourist drive #23 and up the hill to Maleny on the Landsborough to Maleny Road. Turn left onto Mountain View Road at Cairncross Corner, just before Maleny.
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is just along on the right.
Plenty of parking is available and once you’ve got out and stretched your legs – go and behold the beauty of the Glasshouse Mountains… utterly spectacular.
This isn’t the only reason why I have hiked you up here – there is also a reserve set in 52 hectares of sub-tropical rainforest where you can meet the wildlife and explore a small remnance that once covered the southern end of the Blackhall Range.
Just make sure you are wearing covered in shoes (not sandalls or thongs) as both times I have visited I have had the pleasure of transporting a shiny black leech around between my toes. They don’t particularly hurt – its just that I could do without the pricking sensation that they like to administer – plus when you eventually prise them off, they suddenly extend to approximately six times their original size and lunge at your face. Very unnerving.
Still, once you have finished your walk and breathed in the oxygen-rich air – you can stop for a bite to eat at the adjoining cafe. They offer fabulous morning and afternoon teas and also light meals while you relax and enjoy the magnificent vantage point.
All in all, Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is an educational day out with a difference.
And if that wasn’t enough excitement for you, you could always all in on Terri, Bob and Bindi on the way back – but that’s another story….
For more information on Mary Cairncross Park visit:
……. and next week I’ll coach you on how to stay focused on writing blogs, while sickly children dangle from your mouse-wire and sneeze a gentle haze of swine flu particles on your computer screen.
Have a good week. x
Tags: Landsborough