We ride along the track, mostly used by escaped sheep, a few meters in from the fence line. We canter and giggle and grab fistfuls of wattle blossom as we go and throw it at each other like confetti, until we reach the "Top Gate" – which leads from the bush down through a couple of paddocks to Dot’s House.
Our number one favourite summertime holiday spot was the very swish sounding Lake Eildon Country Club. It was only a couple of hours from home but it felt so far away. The nights were always hot and we were pretty much always sunburnt. But we didn’t care, it was summer and we were on holidays.
After almost 40 hours on a series of crappy buses from Dar es Salaam, we were very happy to finally arrive in Malawi. Except that we still had a wad of Tanzanian notes that nobody wanted.
We must have seemed like absolute cowboys. Everyone else seemed to have ‘the gear’. We on the other hand had mostly packed for the desert and the tropics, and had done zero training to climb Africa's highest mountain.
It’s a tall order to truly absorb or explain the wonder of Egypt, because its reputation precedes it. So I will simply tell you about a few things that I really loved...
Life had quickly ceased to feel intrepid and adventurous. And then an old red bicycle came into my life. Together we had some great times and some mishaps too...
I’ve just completed a writing series called ‘words and pictures’. Before I move onto the next series I thought it would be interesting to share my process. This is for anyone who wants to write.
A few weeks ago I did the Cooloola Great Walk (Queensland, Australia) and contemplated the sky in my teacup - amongst other golden moments.
If you’ve ever tried to meditate, you’ve almost certainly come across the phrase - Become aware of the present moment. But what does that actually mean?
I’d love to say I was a loving, protective, inclusive big sister, but that would definitely not be the whole truth. I could be a real bitch too.
“Oh, didn’t you know? Bob was killed. Every night when I get home from work I get out two beers. One for me and one for Bob. I drink mine and then I let Bob know I’ll drink his for him too.”
A little seed, full of potential, watered with love and persistence, has grown into a tree with deep roots and many branches.
“Yes, yes, no worries, it will be ready. We will meet you at the station.” Let me tell you a crazy little story, about a star ruby ring made quickly in Jaipur, India.
While it is plainly obvious that yes of course God is in my coffee cup, it’s worth some deeper diving beneath the surface of this most holy of creations.
I’ve been thinking about how music taste is an integral part of identity creating. I'm going to get very honest with you, very not cool, and take you back to the true beginning of my awakening love for music.
I first learnt to play guitar at uni, sitting on the floor of friends’ small college rooms. Smoking rollies, drinking instant coffee or cheap cask wine and slowly learning guitar chords.
A deciduous tree in autumn is at a distance, a true beauty. A kaleidoscope of perfectly harmonised colours. It’s as though the tree is throwing a party, and every leaf is invited. And it’s a really good party. You can tell. But look a bit closer and death is evident.
words and pictures #1 / I sat on the back stairs, feeling great after a vigorous walk. Took my shoes off, freed my toes, soaked up the sun and ate this banana. Life felt complete in that moment. I wonder why we make life so complicated. Why can’t it be as simple as sunshine and barefoot banana eating?
Hello reader words, seer of pictures, thinker of thoughts. Feel like doing some of that together? An idea for a new writing series has arisen, so I’m going for it. It's called Words and Pictures. Every day for the next who knows how many days, I’m going to draw a little picture of something mundane, and write some possibly tedious, possibly transcendental words to go along with it.
I don't make cards for my mum anymore, which as you will find out, might be for the best, but I do write her stuff, like this. I hope you enjoy a glimpse into the wild ride that has been our relationship over the years.
