Brian from Bushboy’s World hosts a challenge called Last on the Card. Post the last photo you took for that month.
I walked to my Bridge Club on Friday and this caught my eye!
The Final Photo of April
Category: Life in General
Posts about my interests in life besides travel
Lens-Artist Challenge #196 – Humour
This week’s Lens-Artists Challenge is from John @ John’s Space and the theme is humour. Looking back through my archives I see I have plenty of funny ones. I love taking photos of signs that seem to make no sense apart from the person who wrote them! I’ve also included a gallery of my naughty dogs.
First a joke!
Sadly did not see Tommy Shelby 
Expensive rice and porridge to the right 
Please wear the long 
My family is used to me by now getting them to do all sorts for a photo, although my son wasn’t too impressed when I asked him to pose for the one of the right.
The various poses of Zac trying his hardest to get comfortable
A couple of puns to finish off and I have to say I am still laughing! Please tell me you think they are as funny as I did
What’s on Your Bookshelf – April
A challenge hosted by Deb, Sue, Donna and Jo, a wonderful way to share your love of reading and recommend favourite books. I think I read more book synopsises than actual books!
The following books are ones that I have read through February to April, not too many because as usual I’ve been watching too many gripping tv series.
I enjoyed this story of the Civil War between the Parliamentarians and the Stuarts. I knew a little about the history but this books goes into more depth about why Charles l was executed. This book focuses on Jayne Swift, the daughter of landed gentry who’s family are staunch Royalists. It is set in 1642 when Oliver Cromwell ruled England. Jayne is a qualified doctor and has made a promise to herself to treat everyone equally whether they be Royalist or Parliamentarians. Sometimes the story gets a little confusing as many people are continually swapping sides and are spies. The other main character is William Harrier, who is at first presented as a footman but throughout the story appears in many different guises. Anybody who enjoys historical fiction with an element of truth behind it will definitely love this book. 4/5.
This was another confusing but very enjoyable book. Set in Chengdu, China, it is about a half English half Chinese Detective called Philip Yu. He works for the Chengdu Public Security Bureau and suffers his own anguish from a life blighted by tragedy and the unsettling appearance of ghosts that often intrude in on his investigations. There are so many different departments working together and against each other. In the search for a missing boy he also encounters references to the “mysterious Willow Woman”. There is a reference page for the many characters that appear in the book, which proved very helpful. It was such a good fun read and the author, Laurence Westwood did a fantastic job of portraying life in China and the intricacies of the politics. 4/5
Without doubt this is one of the best books I have read in a long time.
It is a French book translated into English. “Violette Toussaint is the caretaker at a cemetery in a small town in Bourgogne. Random visitors, regulars, and, most notably, her colleagues—three gravediggers, three groundskeepers, and a priest—visit her as often as possible to warm themselves in her lodge, where laughter, companionship, and occasional tears mix with the coffee that she offers them.” Goodreads.
The story follows the life of Violette from when she first meets Philippe Toussaint and the life they have together from lifting and lowering the level crossing gate to when she ends up as a caretaker at a cemetery.
There are so many different stories flowing through this book along with a couple of mysteries waiting to be solved. Read it and love it, you won’t be sorry. 5/5
An A to Z of my favourite authors
Sara Donati – “Into the Wilderness” series. Following the life of Elizabeth Middleton and set in 1792 in a remote New York mountain village where she meets a man like no other, Nathanial Bonner. It tells the tale of how the Mohawk Nation and the English settlers co-habited once upon a time. I loved this series and for anyone who likes historical fiction with true facts interwoven into it would enjoy this series also.
Also by Sara Donati are two fabulous books featuring some of the characters from the Wilderness series.
The Gilded Hour and Where the Light Enters. These two books are set approximately 100 years later in New York City at a time of crushing poverty and devastating sickness. Some of the characters that appear in these books are real people. I enjoyed this series as much as the other one.
Whats on my Screen
Going slightly off topic here, some of the brilliant shows I’ve been watching this month keeping me away from reading.
The Split – Starring Nicola Walker. Series 3 was the last series and here we found out if Nathan and Hannah would eventually divorce or not. I loved this down to earth series about relationships within families.
Peaky Blinders – Series 5 – Staring the brilliant Cillian Murphy and the beautiful Helen McCrory who sadly passed away last year. Such a gripping but violent series and sadly the last one, although they are going to make a film.
The Last Kingdom – Starring Alexander Dreymon, also the last series and I am utterly bereft. This one kept me awake late into the night! Based on the books of Bernard Cornwall and starting at the time of King Alfred the Great. Also quite violent with so many action packed scenes.
And now it’s about time I wrapped up this post before it gets way too long!
~ The Changing Seasons – March 2022 ~
March 2022 was a very different change of seasons for us literally. We were in the UK for the first half of the month and then flew back to Australia on the 15th March. So from Spring to Autumn, it felt more like Winter to Summer though. It was wonderful to throw off jumpers and sweatshirts and put on t-shirts and shorts again. Also it was quite strange going from complete freedom to move about to once again wearing masks and checking in.
First Half of March
The first week of March we were still recovering our strength from contracting Covid and as the weather wasn’t that good I decided to go through some of my parents’ old photo albums.
The doll is pretty scary for a three year old and has certain characteristics with Chuckie! 15 year old self is starting to rebel and refuses to have haircut anymore, not sure this was a wise choice. 21 year old self is looking very defiant!
We were also lucky to be able to travel to London twice more. I went with some friends for a very lavish lunch, cocktails and a show. We saw Pretty Woman. A fantastic afternoon and evening well spent.
It was shown at The Savoy Theatre and I have to say the seats were the most uncomfortable I’ve ever sat on, absolutely torturous! I didn’t realise that most stage musicals do not play the original soundtrack from the film, although the music in this production was very enjoyable. After the show these party girls still wanted to stay out so we went off in search of cocktails.
We could not get a seat at The Savoy Hotel cocktail bar so settled for the next best thing – The Waldorf. Here I am drinking a “Bus No 9”.
The last weekend dear husband said let’s go to London for dinner, so once more we took the train up to Fenchurch Street. This time we stayed around the city and had dinner in St. Katherine’s Dock. Firstly though cocktails in Spitalfields Market.
Second Half of March
We flew back to Perth on 15th March, it took a few days to get over the jet lag and then we were fine. Or so we thought. Poor hubby last week tested positive again for Covid, and yet was cleared to come home. All along he thought his jet lag was taking so long to get over, finally I made him go to the doctors. So unlucky for him.
Some little peeps were happy to see us home though.
Changing Seasons is hosted by Ju-Lynn @ Touring My Backyard and Brian @ Bushboy. I am a bit late with this post, but better late than never!
📚 What’s on your bookshelf – January 📚
Time for another look at December/January books for this month. A challenge hosted by Deb, Sue, Donna and Jo for all of us readers to share our love of books and be inspired to read more through the recommendations. I have found many new books by reading as many posts as I can.
I managed four books this last month, a record for me actually. The first three are all a bit tragic, but were still so enjoyable if that’s possible and I highly recommend them.
A story of three sisters. A tale full of grief and secrets. “When Nell’s father makes a deathbed declaration that hints at a long-held secret, it reignites feelings of isolation that have plagued her for years. Her suspicions about the family’s past only deepen when her mother, Annie, who is losing her memories to dementia, starts making cryptic comments of her own. ” – Goodreads
I enjoyed this story and tried to work out several times what the secret might be. I didn’t guess correctly at all. I would have liked another few pages at the end to see how things went! 4/5
Another tragic one! Not as raw as the first book though. A very strange story indeed and there were some very unpleasant characters in this book. There is a song that is repeated over and over in this book and it drove me a little bit mad. There is a twist in this book as well, kind of easy to spot but still keeps you guessing. Many themes run through this book, grief, loneliness, sexual abuse, bee keeping to name but a few. 4/5
I think this book will be in my top ten favourites of 2022 already. I absolutely loved this book as tragic as it was! Set in a small town in Massachusetts in the late 1950’s through to the 1960’s it centres on Dahlia and Louie, foster parents and their long term foster children. The story is told from the points of view of Dahlia, Zaidie, Jimmy and Agnes. Although tragic there is such heartfelt warmth throughout this story. My favourite character would definitely be Agnes. Patry Francis writes with such depth you can imagine yourself right there alongside these characters. 5/5
Finally getting away from tragedies I ripped through this book in a few days. It is our Book Club book for February but I started early! Such a fun book but also very amoral I suppose. Obviously I can’t condone what Patience did, but who knows if I had the gumption and confidence she had whether I would have done the same. It’s not a long story but very rewarding. 4/5
✈️Flying Foreign Skies again✈️
We finally took the plunge and left Australia behind for a while. It’s been two years since we visited the UK, so on 29th December we departed Perth. What a rigamarole it was though, from booking the flights and having tests and completing forms. I knew of course we would have to have a pre-Covid test before but didn’t realise it had to be pre-booked and pre-paid. So that was the first hurdle.
Next was pre-booking and paying for Covid tests in the UK, writing down reference numbers and filling out the Passenger Locator Application for the UK. Before all this though we had our booster shots and had to download a Covid International Passport. Trying to scan all the QR codes was impossible and we had to wait until we got to the airport.
We flew Scoot to Singapore and then Singapore Airlines to London. Our flight was 9.15 pm and we arrived around 7pm. The flight was less than half full, but we still had to queue for 30 minutes and then stand at the counter for another 30 minutes while all our documents were scanned through. Fortunately our luggage was able to go directly to London. I was told on this flight that I couldn’t wear my cloth mask and had to wear a paper one.
Arriving in Singapore at 2.15 am we had to make our way to another terminal. As the Skytrain was not operating we had at least a 30 minute walk from the plane to the next gate. Good job for travellators! We had a 7 hour layover in Singapore but were able to use the lounge as we were flying business class to London. This was a lifesaver and we both were able to lay down on a settee and had a few hours sleep. One of the ground staff also brought us pillows and duvets.
The next leg of our journey was wonderful with such “first class” attention from the staff. Our section of the cabin was empty apart from us and I think the cabin crew were bored. We could have walked off the plane sideways from the amount of times we were offered drinks.
I passed the time by reading a great book I had just downloaded and of course sleeping.
Once we disembarked I thought we would have a very long wait at immigration, but from landing and going through the exit was just 30 minutes! Maybe because I had all the correct documents.
We only need to isolate for two days and today sent back our “do it yourself” Covid tests and once we get the results back we are free to roam the outdoors.
A couple of the dishes that were on the menu
I’m looking forward to seeing relatives and catching up with old friends over the next few weeks and posting new photos.
🎅 December in Review – 2021 🧑🎄
December started off with a bang, literally, as I went to see the latest 0️⃣0️⃣7️⃣ film with a friend at our local cinema. It was the last one for Daniel Craig and we both enjoyed it, although it’s a mighty long film. Full of twists and turns and action packed as usual. The gadgets getting more techno every film. Daniel Craig has done a good job throughout but for me James Bond = Sean Connery.
As I came out of the cinema I saw one of my first Christmas decorations.
~Time for the tree to go up ~
On 2nd December Lachie decided it was time for the tree to go up. All the decorations we could find went on the tree. He was very happy with the result.
Also this first week was the start of the parties, brunches, lunches and dinners. Anthony and I went for dinner one night to a local restaurant, Miss Chow’s and had the most delicious dinner.
The tree and decorations in the town of Claremont, WA
A few days later it was our Zumba Christmas Party, held at our lovely instructor’s house in her amazing beautiful garden. The food was delicious and of course there was dancing.
A week later there was another zumba party, this time it was brunch attended by 55 ladies! So much food. It was held at another lovely instructor’s house, Laura. We were all asked to bring a small gift to put under the tree for Secret Santa. I couldn’t stay too long as I had another Christmas lunch to go to at the Bridge Club. I struck lucky with my gift, herb scissors and a basil plant, very useful.
It was a very hectic month indeed with a couple more parties and dinners with friends, but such a wonderful lead up to Christmas Eve. This was when the summer really arrived with temperatures in the forties for Christmas and Boxing Day.
We always celebrate Christmas Eve with a seafood dinner. On Christmas Day for the past few years we have been going to our neighbours for Christmas lunch as daughter and son visit respective parents. It is always good fun as they host for around 16 people!
Just a small table this year as Laurence and Maddy were back in Melbourne, due to the closure of the borders, but still a delicious menu of Cucumber Soup, Smoked Salmon, Cold Prawns and Potato and Green Salad.
Santa also brought a big green slide that he spent nearly all night trying to assemble!
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
From Boxing Day until the 29th December we are gradually clearing the house up for our departure to England, we are off to see my parents. Thankfully Elena and Damian are moving in to take care of our two boys so they don’t have to go into kennels.
What a rigmarole to fly back, tests to be taken, forms to fill out, boosters to be had and more tests once we arrive. It will be worth it though to see my parents after such a long time.
My December gallery
Hoping everyone has a healthy and happy 2022
~ What’s on Your Bookshelf ~ December
I’ve just managed three books this month! I’ve been watching too much TV again, maybe I should post something like “What have you been watching this month”. Anyway the three I’ve read are all by some of my favourite authors.
“Reacher goes where he wants, when he wants. That morning he was heading west, walking under the merciless desert sun—until he comes upon a curious scene. A Jeep has crashed into the only tree for miles around. A woman is slumped over the wheel.
Dead? No, nothing is what it seems.
The woman is Michaela Fenton, an army veteran turned FBI agent trying to find her twin brother, who might be mixed up with some dangerous people. Most of them would rather die than betray their terrifying leader, who has burrowed his influence deep into the nearby border town, a backwater that has seen better days. The mysterious Dendoncker rules from the shadows, out of sight and under the radar, keeping his dealings in the dark.“
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56663329-better-off-dead
I’ve read all of Lee Child’s books and enjoyed most of them. Like all authors with a series of books there are some I’ve liked better than others. He seems to have made a good return with this book co-authored with his son, they have found their rhythm. I have to say though the acronyms he uses are very confusing. I’ll continue to read him as I love Jack Reacher.
3/5
The latest collaboration between Renee Ballard and Harry Bosch. This book is more about Renee Ballard with Harry as the sidekick. I’m still getting used to Renee as the main character. She seems to survive on practically no sleep, working the nightshift and into the day. Renee desperately tries to hang onto her cases but inevitably has to hand them over to the day shift. She gets a lot of stick from the men in her department, but she’s tough and gives as good as she gets. With Harry helping her in secret though, she makes good progress. 3/5.
One of my all time favourite writers. David Raker is back again trying to solve another unsolvable case of a missing person. A man goes upstairs to take his medication and is never seen again. No-one saw him leave, the windows were closed and he didn’t leave by the front door. His wife is at a loss, the police have been no help so she turns to David Raker.
This book is slightly different to the others in that there are four stories. The time line goes back and forth involving his different cases over the years and featuring characters from his past books. If you are new to the David Raker series, then it’s best to start at the beginning.
Every book Tim Weaver has written all have completely different plots. I don’t know where he comes up with the ideas. There are twists and turns in every direction, I don’t think I’ve ever guessed one. 4/5
My Favourite Authors – “C”
Looking back at the books I have read, I realised that C is very popular! I have so many.
Helen Callaghan – Dear Amy; Everything is Lies . These are both psychological thrillers and will grip you from the start.
Louise Candlish – I’ve read seven of this author’s books and enjoyed everyone. Family dramas with a twist.
Diana Chamberlain – This author has written so many books it’s hard to keep up with her. Each book has a different theme running through it. Abusive marriages, kidnappings, mistaken identities, hidden secrets to name but a few. She’s a brilliant writer from the US.
Tamar/Tammy Cohen – Another psychological thriller writer whose many books I have enjoyed.
Posted as part of What’s on Your Bookshelf
~November in Review ~
Taking a look back at my November. Another month gone past in a flash and Christmas is now just a few weeks away. Here are some of my memories of November.
We started off the month with a little trip to Dunsborough which I’ve already posted about.
“Pull up a Seat“
In the middle of November we had a day’s outing to a winery in the Chittering Valley to an event called “A Taste of Chittering” held at Nesci Winery with some good friends. The only thing that spoiled a lovely day was the masses of flies! We hardly dared open out mouths.
Don’t these two lovely ladies look cute as gumnuts. They are so talented walking around all afternoon like that.
🍷 We made some time for some tasting after lunch 🍷
The fourth Thursday of every month is when we hold our Bookclub meeting. The November bookclub is the last of the year and our Christmas get together. This year we gathered at a house overlooking the ocean. We had a fabulous lunch and Mango Daquiries with a great discussion of the book.
🌺 My November Garden 🌺
Now the Summer has finally arrived I love to sit out for my happy hour 🍹 and listen to the different birds that congregate in my neighbour’s tree. From Kookaburras to Rainbow Lorikeets, Willy Wagtails and Parrots, not all at once of course. My jasmine is out and also the gardenias are in full bloom and the garden smells divine.
I’m now looking forward to a few parties in the coming weeks and tomorrow the tree 🎄 goes up with some help from my little elf.
How was your November?
📚 What’s on your Bookshelf – #4 📚
It’s time to review the books we have been reading this month. I have not read near as many as Debbie at Deb’s World who is one of the co-hosts for this challenge.
I finished the last in The Highbury Series by Allie Cresswell – Dear Jane. I enjoyed all three books about the people and events leading up to Emma by Jane Austen. Dear Jane focuses mainly on Jane Fairfax and Frank Weston. Allie Cresswell writes just like Jane Austen. I would describe these books as a “cozy read”. Curling up on the sofa with one of these books is like chatting with an old friend.
The next book has been on my “to be read” list for a while, so I thought I had better tackle it.
The Vanishing of Audrey Wilde by Eve Chase
I did enjoy this book but preferred the story set in 1959 about the four sisters than the other part set fifty years later. It seemed like the book was written by two different authors! The book focuses on a house that both families lived in.
I also got round to reading a book by Susan Lewis – I Have Something To Tell You.
This book had a very good twist at the end which I thought I had guessed but didn’t! I like the fact that she doesn’t just make it about the victim but also the solicitor who has been engaged by him.
The Andee Lawrence series of books are also very good.
My A to Z of Favourite Authors – This Month is “B”
Fiona Barton – I have read all three of Fiona’s books and I’m hoping she will be writing another soon. They are all very different and usually have two storylines through them that tie up at the end. All three books feature a journalist called Kate Waters.
Suzanne Bugler – I’ve read two of her books, I would describe them as psychological thrillers.
The Child Inside and This Perfect World. Very easy to read but intriguing!
I’m loving this challenge as one of my favourite things is reading book reviews. I can now find many new and different types of authors to add to my growing lists of books!