I love Australia’s beaches in winter. The smell of the salt air, the crash of the waves and the feel of sand under my feet. It all adds up to total relaxation for me. These beaches—Nelson and Blenheim on the South Coast of New South Wales are joined by Jervis Bay National Park. As a result I had a memorable, mindful bush and beach walk—my favourite ways to connect with nature all in one afternoon
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/off-season/
We all have things we need to do to keep an even keel — blogging, exercising, reading, cooking. What’s yours?
My mental health is important to me, so when things become too much I take time out. Depending on the situation I may take 5 minutes or a whole day. Sometimes the situation will need me to take 5 minutes in the middle to recollect my thoughts and a day as soon as possible when it is over. During this time I do whatever I feel like to top up my tank and prepare for the next wave.
My time out options – for short and long time periods can be found in the following acrostic poem.
Treat myself
Isolate—block out the world
Meditate
Exit the situation
Outdoors—connect with nature
Useful—be creative in some way
Talk—online or in person
…for tomorrow we die. The world is ending tomorrow! Tell us about your last dinner — the food, your dining companions, the setting, the conversation.
If the world was ending tomorrow I would choose to go camping in the Australian bush with all my family. Not glamping—glamourous camping with all the modern conveniences. Camping à la natural. No electricity, no showers and dig your own toilets. I love getting out with nature, listening to the sounds of the bush and hopefully seeing a koala or possum in the trees. We have never had a problem with snakes as with over 20 people we make too much noise.
The food would be a bush BBQ that we begin preparing in the afternoon by collecting a massive amount of wood to keep us going all night—waiting for the world to end. Included on the menu is:
After dinner as we continued to chat and drink champagne and beer by the fire I would introduce S’mores to the family. I would get everyone to cook their marshmallows over the fire while I prepared their chocolate and biscuits. We don’t have graham crackers in Australia so I would use the best substitute I could find. Once the marshmallow is cooked I would join them all together and watch everyone’s enjoyment.
The spontaneity of sitting around a campfire is the best. Nothing is or can be planned yet the memories last forever.
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/eat-drink-and-be-merry/
Australia’s rainbow lorikeets are vivid, beautiful creatures who love a free feed. This girl found a small group of them and decided to attempt to feed them. No problem. They were happy to play with her for in exchange for apple. We stood and watched their interactions for a while as these wild birds became one with her. The joy on her face was priceless.
I spent the first nearly 30 years of my life living in Newcastle. But it wasn’t until I was 50 that I happened upon this old broken railway line going up to Nobby’s Lighthouse. On that same walk, I also discovered these rocks broken off the cliff face.
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/something-broken/
What’s the household task you most dislike doing? Why do you think that is — is it the task itself, or something more?
Housework has never been mine or anyone else in the family’s thing. We all did it because we had to until one day we had had enough. After probably 12 months in discussion we hired a cleaner. Best decision we ever made.
Now a small family business cleans our home once a fortnight and they love it. When they first came to quote they stated there was 11 hours of housework in our house—no wonder we could never get on top of it—working and commuting full-time.
To honour ours and cleaners everywhere I have written the following acrostic poem.
Care about our chores
Love the work they do and working as a team
Enjoy the challenges of cleaning
Aroma in the air is amazing to come home to
No noise, no fuss
Environmentally friendly cleaning products
Remember the requirements of the household
Smile and sing as they work
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/those-dishes-wont-do-themselves-unfortunately/
Many opportunities can be found to study the forces of nature in the Blue Mountains, Australia. More information on this beautiful area can be found here.
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/forces-of-nature/
XXXX Island—once known as Pumpkin Island—in 2012 was the 6th most expensive island in the world. This was the time XXXX beer took out a lease to use the island for beer promotion. Described as the blokiest place in Australia—XXXX Island is open to men and women. You cannot buy a holiday here however, the only way to spend time on the island is to win a place. The key is to enter a competition and write in 25 words or less why you want to spend 4 days there. XXXX Island on Keppel Bay is natural, rustic and not luxurious but definitely full of fun. There appears to be something for everyone as long as you are happy to cook your own food and drink XXXX Gold. The island accommodates 24 guests and 4 staff. As there are no power points on the island to recharge anything or to straighten or blow dry one’s hair you are guaranteed to slow down from the rat race. I’m good with either so bring it on—better start practising my writing skills and enter. You never know. Let me know what you think.
#A-Z Blogging Challenge
The classic Australian footwear is the UGG boot. These unisex boots are made of sheepskin and come in various styles and colours. The name comes from the title ugly boot which is how they were originally described. Ugly and comfortable. The exact history is unknown although they become popular when surfers began wearing them once they were out of the water.
Photo Credit; Google images
In 2014 UGG Australian Made Since 1974 in conjunction with Swarovski crystals produced the world’s most expensive pair of UGG boots with a $15,000 price tag. Personally, I think all that glamour despite being fashionable takes away the traditional practical comfort of the UGG. I would be too concerned the crystals would fall off and spoil my beautiful boots. Today was the first day this year in Australia it was cold enough for my UGGs. I put them on and immediately felt the love and the trigger for this celebration post was born.
To the UGG—we will always love you.
Photo Images: Google credit
#A – Z Challenge
Write the blurb for the book jacket of the book you’d write, if only you had the time and inclination.
This prompt is great for me. I am currently in the final editing stage of my book—Inspiring Hope: How Eating Disorder Recovery Is Possible, which I plan to self-publish by the end of this year. It has been an amazing journey and I have learnt a lot. As this is my first book jacket I am interested in people’s ideas about how it can be improved. I look forward to your insight.
Do you or someone you know have and eating disorder?
Are you confused by them or how to get help?
Have you lost hope that this monster—your eating disorder can be defeated?
You are not alone
Eating disorders are physical and psychological disorders that defy logic and their harrowing effects impact over one million Australians, their families and the economy.
Inspiring Hope is a concise, comprehensive punchy guide that men and women of all ages find engaging. Written by a specialist eating disorder nurse with many years experience, supporting and guiding those in the recovery maze. This book describes life living with an eating disorder and gives expert insights into eating disorder recovery. Full of practical strategies, Inspiring Hope helps individuals recover and assists loved ones with the best ways to offer support and how not to.
Empowering individuals to take responsibility for their life and to learn how their choices affect their eating disorder, Inspiring Hope demonstrates the steps—forwards and backwards—along their recovery journey. By revealing the mysteries involved in recovery, Inspiring Hope gives hope that recovery is possible.
Quotes from those living with an eating disorder throughout, bring this book to life and encourage readers to start or get back on track with their recovery journey because their spark of hope is ignited.