Two Drifters

We’ve basically been away all month. First in Rye for Easter then on an incredible cruise from Singapore to Mumbai. First, Easter. We had almost a week in Rye and all the kids (plus Baby granddaughter of course) came to stay which was lovely. The weather held out and we were able to host the extended family for lunch on Easter Sunday. Just after Easter, we flew to Singapore to board Crystal Serenity, our first ocean cruise in Asia and our first cruise with Crystal. I am writing a story about the cruise for MiNDFOOD magazine and Andrew is recording a couple of long-form YouTube episodes. When we’re invited on a cruise, we’re still trying to work out the balance between working and holidaying but it’s a good conundrum to have!! We loved the cruise. In no particular order, the ship, our Suite, the rockstar dining, the free-flowing drinks, the destinations/Ports. All of it! We didn’t realise until we boarded that this cruise was the last segment of a World Cruise which had started in Los A...

^ Clothes and scenery to mtch the blue in Blue Lagoon Cruises!!  I wrote February’s entry rather nervous as I wasn’t sure how that Flinders Island trip was going to go. I have given an account of it in my Mamamia story – see link at the end of this blog entry. In short, I really enjoyed it! The solo aspect was much more fun than I expected, the physical aspect was harder than I expected (but being pushed is not a bad thing), the scenery was breathtaking, the food was fabulous and I loved the Eco Comfort Camp. Without documenting the trip too much (my Mamamia story does this I think), I’ll talk a bit about the solo aspect.  I have never lived alone. I have never travelled alone for work. I have been married for almost 34 years. I have four kids, two of whom still live at home. I have been surrounded by people all my life. I love that but, sometimes, I also crave quiet and the freedom to talk when I want and do what I want. Without explanation. Without permission. Travelling sol...

  What a great month – we spent most of it in our motorhome, Vandie, travelling from Devonport to Cradle Mountain, Launceston, Coles Bay, St Helen’s, Maria Island, Hobart (including Bruny Island and Richmond), Strahan and back to Devonport. 3 and a half weeks with only a couple of “down days” (ie no activities planned on those days) and we still didn’t have enough time to see the coastal areas! Another trip beckons… We took Vandie over on the Spirit of Tasmania and were blessed with two smooth sailings (I was still a bit seasick both times). For years, we have seen the Spirit from our deck at Rye so it was cool to finally be sailing on it! We loved travelling in Vandie – it is super comfortable and it is so easy not having to pack and unpack and having food with you and even a toilet when you need one on a long drive! Have to be real though and the Tasmanian roads were almost always single carriageway and often windy. It was hard driving at times and slow driving always. Didn’t mat...

Question: Where did January go?  Answer: In a lovely blur of family, lazy days at Rye and a week in Palm Cove, Far North Queensland. We had all the kids and partners and some of their friends at Rye until they all went back to work earlier in the month. I have forgotten how much food six (to a dozen or so) adults eat! Added to the holiday congestion that descends on the Mornington Peninsula every Christmas/New Year, I did feel a bit like I was relaxing in between supermarket visits!!! Also, a big group deciding what to watch after dinner is a minefield. Especially when there are a couple of voices very keen to watch the Big Bash which seemed to go on endlessly! I like cricket but Test cricket during the day followed by T20 at night is too much for me. Not whining….even though this reads like whining!! It was lovely to all be together. Our son, M, turned 30 so we had some celebrations for that too. Yes, I have a 30 year old child. How did that happen??!! Said 30 year old child and h...

We started the month by meeting our newest granddog, Kevin. Adorable! (and a bit scared of our two Golden Retrievers who are giant by comparison). Kevin is a groodle and his nickname is “Big Kev” so he’ll catch up fast! Go doggie zoo at family get-togethers! I headed into town one day for the Australian Society of Travel Writers’ Victorian Christmas lunch. It was held at the brand new Hotel Indigo on Bourke Street (adjacent to the brand new Holiday Inn) and neighbours with the brand new flagship MECCA and Rodd & Gunn stores. With the equally brand new Metro Tunnel, I am hoping that Melbourne is on the way back after the awful Covid lockdowns that snuffed Melbourne’s light. The ASTW lunch was actually only the second Victorian event I have been able to go to, the first being in early June last year. I didn’t know a soul last year and found it very hard but I now know a few people and met a few more that day and really enjoyed it. Writing is a solitary profession and I am beginning t...

    WHAT. A. MONTH!!!!   Our baby granddaughter was born a couple of days early on 3 November. Little baby V has our hearts forever. She, Mummy and Daddy (and their dog, little H!) are doing very well.   We just came back from Perth so we didn’t see V for a week but, otherwise, we have barely gone two days without gazing at this little bundle of delight. She is perfect and we adore her but I think mostly what we adore is the lifetime she has ahead of her and all we want to do with her, teach her and experience with her. For now, she is a precious little creature with super soft skin and a newborn smell but, soon, she will smile and goo and play and we can’t wait!   The ASTW Convention in Bendigo was a good couple of days – I made a few more buddies and a few more contacts and I learnt a thing or two. Spending so much time with Andrew these days, it is good for me sometimes to do something solo.   Baby V was born just after the Convention and we basked in he...