Roe V Wade

A monumental week in America when Roe v Wade was simply cast out by the Supreme Court and the fate of American women's healthcare took a nose dive. No longer are they free to make their own choices about their bodies and to plan their own lives. People around the world have been rightly appalled by this backward move and many have come out to share their own stories of sexual healthcare and legitimate abortions.

I am forever grateful to have been guided in my own path by two older sisters and my bible at the time, "Our Bodies Ourselves". I have given a copy of this book to my sons. I am thankful that I have the freedom to control what I want for my body and access to the healthcare I need. I hope American women find a way to fight this injustice and take back control of what has been so cruelly taken from them. The red of my photos today signifies the blood and pain of those who will endure the repercussions of this judgement. 

Winter Solstice Walk 21st June 2022

Longest night and shortest day in the Antipodes today and the light beckons me. The air is fresh and the sun so very bright. Warmer out than in, greens popping, snakes snoozing, nature subdued but always able to surprise, shades and sunlight slice the day and that blue sky, that blue sky is just my heaven on this earth I walk with careful care. 

Enjoy the day everyone - whether you are north or south on this planet.

Sharing is caring

I share literature, puzzles and games with my little girl and many craft stuff. She knows I love nature so she shares what she notices around her. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this balance in our relationship. Yesterday it was Jewel bugs having fun on a tree and some months ago it was the eggs of a bush stone curlew that she shared with me. I was so excited to see them.

Her ability to notice things around her will get her very far in life I am sure. I don't know if I will be around long enough to see her do this. I hope so. Pyjama Angels encourage us to try and maintain long term relationships with the children wherever possible. Sometimes they move away or go to different foster homes and it is sad to lose them but you always hope that they go on to a more settled and happy life. 

Blue Skies - but turning Maroon

Someone with an axe to grind ?

The oldest convict-built structure surviving in Queensland, dating from 1828 the windmill tower has accommodated a range of uses. Constructed in 1828 to process the wheat and corn crops of the Moreton Bay penal settlement, it had a treadmill attached for times when there was no wind but also as a tool for punishing convicts. 

Nothing better than watching State of Origin Rugby especially when QLD wins the first Game!

Breakfast at any cost - even upside down. 

Back to my Aussie life

A new week begins and my Aussie life has taken up where it left off a while back. I marvel at the avos that have grown to a super size in our absence and how green everything is looking. I take a different route home today from Reading Radio and pass an electricity box with a beautiful message. 

This house with a single hibiscus was a picture. Everywhere I went the scent of Murraya, Orange Jasmine. Those who drive miss it. Going through Roma St Parklands a small indication of autumn -winter in the foliage. The wind swirls, the temperature has dropped, time for a cup of tea and perhaps a marmalade sandwich with Lizzie and Paddington Bear. 

Jet Lag

Why is it called that ? I do know the answer, but surely it should be known as Bed Lag as that is where it manifests. After the last episodes of Ozark which were exciting, we head to bed around midnight. Both at the same time. I thought it would reduce the chance of one waking the other. Well, forget that theory. 

The radio goes on and we listen to a biopic of the Queen and her diplomatic skills. The radio can be soporific. Not this time. It was followed by a long programme of why Liverpool fans did not gain fair entry into the game with Real Madrid. My diplomatic skills desert me entirely and I demanded it is turned off. That is foolish too. A silence ensues which was deafening between us. We lie there, eyes closed, minds whirring, sheets shuffling, barely breathing, following every gulp, clearing of throat, sigh, deep ones at that. Our stomachs gurgle, one of us breaks wind, we dare not swallow again. My mind writes reams of passages which I will promptly forget, I go over the week twice, menus once, remember all the things I had forgotten during the day. Meditation? - forgetaboutit. 

I adopt the form and skills of an Egyptian mummy, complete with crossed arms and lie motionless. The pitter patter of purposeful possums reminds us that in our misery we are not alone. Several scenarios play out - a frenetic chase over the tin roof, a desire for a sexual encounter as a male sits literally outside our window uttering deep gutteral "come hither" to a female who I suspect is looking for a wire to escape onto. And another noisily eating something very crunchy, the crunch amplified massively in our sorry state. In desperation I think the radio might be the answer again. A sports programme is on and I hear all about Flo -Jo. Did you know she died young ? At that point the bush stone curlews emit ear piercing cries and I am ready to fling myself off the roof with the possums. The night interminable, but then, then, we are woken by an early call and I realise I must have slept for at least an hour as I missed the kookaburras dawn chorus. It doesn't matter because I am rewarded with a visit from Dennis and Doreen. Bleary eyed I am so happy to see them.  I chat to them and tell me that I know tonight will be better. 

The ABC of our trip

 A is for Avocet Birds and Arsenal 

B is for Banksy and finding out about his incredible life and works

C is Country lanes - the intense green of the English Countryside.

D is for Ducks 

E is for Eckstetd resto and Elizabeth Line the new tube line

F is for flowers in the Cyprus and London

G is for my George and seeing him again after 2 and a half years.

H is for Hampstead, our haven in the UK 

I is for Island - the problematic but irresistible Cyprus  

J is for Jolly Jane and all that she stands for 

K is for Kale - ubiquitous in food offerings

L is for the vibrancy of London town, Ant's new home. 

M is for the Marching bands practising for the Queen's Platinum Celebrations

N is for Norfolk and Norwich 

O is for Oysters 

P is for Partygate and the fallout for Boris - and of course Pomos 

Q is for Queen, frail but strong in spirit 

R is for River - the Thames cleaned up and Ubered.

S is for shells on beaches 

T is for Tea as only the English can do 

U is for Urban life and Unflagging friendships

V is for Victoria - her wonderfully full reign and family life

W is for Wordle  

X is for the extravagance of London life 

Y is Yearning - each to their own

Z is for Zones -manoeuvring the insides of a megalopolis 

Its been a great trip  and it is wonderful to be back in the lucky country. Our garrulous taxi driver from the airport could not understand how Sco - Mo had lost - he thought he had done a really good job!! We had such a lively and lovely Aussie political argie bargie. I urged him to have faith in the new government. The sun shone for our first day back and friends and neighbours came to celebrate an intimate Birthday for C. My calendar is full of concerts, exhibitions and events which I am looking forward to. Lying awake in the early hours of the morning is a small price to pay as it means the days are more productive. The laughs of the kookaburras lead my thoughts as the dawn chorus starts another day. Will I see Dennis and Doreen alighting on the deck ?