Strasbourg: two points of view

August 3, 2023 / brisbanefrannie / 7 Comments

A lazy start. After our epic 3.5 hr film last night. (I still can’t believe we did that!) we loved our room. Quiet, great bed, no noisy neighbours.

Steve headed off for his solo exploration. He’d made a plan which included a few things I’d love to do and one I wouldn’t really care about. I’ll leave you to guess what that is as I describe his day as related to me over afternoon drinks.

He left around 9 and walked the winding streets to the cathedral and had no trouble getting in – no tourists around at this early hour.

One of the many little streets approaching the cathedral.

Making his way to the little sightseeing boat, he stopped off for breakfast. He could easily be French. Loves his pastries.

Not finding any boat or ticket office (which we have since found out the office for tickets is near the cathedral or online) he walked to the Petite France area. it’s a beautiful area established in the 16th Century for the fishermen , millers & tanners.

Then he took the tram to the place he was to get the bus. Only Steve could encounter a surly ticket inspector. He had failed to validate his ticket and nearly copped a fine! Luckily an older guard took pity and jumped off and validated the ticket, much to the displeasure of the young gun guard. A benefit of him having grey hair?

Then he boarded the bus to La Wantzenau. It’s about a 30 min ride. “What’s there?” I hear you ask

He arrived at the exciting La Wantzenau. Naturally he didn’t know where to get off, so at the end of the line the lovely lady driver took him to where he wanted to be. What a lady!

He was visiting one of the largest private museums devoted to WW2.

Rooms & rooms of vehicles, guns, uniforms.

He was there 3 hrs. Recommended for military buffs!.

Then the bus back. Another long story and a big walk back to our hotel where I was laying in wait for an afternoon glass of wine.

And what, I hear you ask, did I do?

I had a very leisurely start. Then brunch in a lovely cafe. A slice of quiche and a coffee. Feeling rested I decided to walk for awhile. I zigzagged through streets towards the Cathedral. Oh, how I love this charming city.

Loads of food shops.

I made it to the Cathedral. It brought back many happy memories. Today was a little windy and cool so I sheltered in a little cafe enjoying mint tea and writing yesterday’s blog.

I walked back and choose a restaurant for tonight. Everything seems to get booked.

I’ve chosen Mamama. It looks cosy and the menu reads well.

Back to the hotel for a rest, a read and with the windows open I could listen to the sounds of the street below. Happy voices, children playing , wheelie bags being pulled over cobbles (did you know some villages in Italy have banned wheelie bags as they are destroying their ancient cobbles?)

Steve arrived back and we went to the bar down stairs in our cool hotel! And so we sat over a glass of wine and compared days. He loved his day and I’m happy with mine. He walked 13,000+ steps. I walked 3,100.

Tonight dinner and perhaps the light show on the cathedral if the rain holds off.

From Singapore to Frankfurt: a Day of Travel

August 3, 2023August 3, 2023 / brisbanefrannie / 6 Comments

After a huge first day in Singapore ( who said I’d take it slowly) we had a 12 hr flight to Frankfurt.

I love watching people in airports. The wanderers: those who are jet lagged and just walk in a trance and get in the way ( of wheelchairs like I was travelling in )

The device addicted : walk and look exclusively at their phone and similar to above – get in the way !

The shoppers: stop at every counter squirting perfume.

The eaters: crowd out the cafes to get the comfortable seats – or perhaps to avoid airline food.

The children : they’re not sure why they are here but go with the flow and have mum chasing them constantly.

Oh yes I had time to observe.

Arrival in Frankfurt was great. Wheelchair at the plane door with a very officious German man ordering me around. Wheeled me to a transit lounge to avoid going down stairs to the arrivals hall. Said he’d be back to go a short cut . Didn’t come back. Steve & I sat patiently. Steve would have wheeled me but he’d taken the chair. We asked the security lady who said he’d be back. Meanwhile where’s our luggage we wondered !

50 mins later they had to phone and get someone else to get us. Andreas was lovely. Found our luggage discarded by the carousel. Wheeled me through a myriad of corridors and voila we arrived at the train station.

We still had an hour before our train to Strasburg, so I was parked in a coffee shop nearest to our platform. A Starbucks. Not my favourite.

But humour remained as I people watched again & Steve wandered off to explore the station.

The train arrived. We made it into our seats. Steve thought there would be a restaurant bar on board. Perhaps if it were the Orient Express. 1st class just got us a numbered seat. Unfortunately for me we had to change trains. Then change platforms. Up and down – what a rush.

Second train got us into Strasburg at 12 and we walked slowly to our hotel.

The Boma Hotel is on Rue November an east 10 mins walk which for able bodies is a breeze. For me. Not so much.

Our room over looks the street. Has an opening window and is very good. Newly renovated it’s cool! Modern furnishings. A bar downstairs. And a helpful manager who booked me a massage.

I arrived by taxi to meet Isabelle, a charming , slim ( aren’t all French women ) and helpful. She tried hard but said in a sad voice. There’s something wrong inside. Ligament or cartilage damage. Luckily for Isabelle I’d had a quick shower after 16 hr travel from Singapore.

Back to the hotel for a rest, a little washing and a short walk out for dinner at Leo’s wine bar. ( its name made me miss our grandchildren) .

We had a beautiful lobster roll and a tomato burrata salad and ham with Parmesan. We shared.

Walking back to the hotel around 8.30, we couldn’t walk further, had eaten enough and as we walked past an art bourse cinema Steve suddenly suggested we see Oppenheimer. Amazing he never suggests a movie but he’d read about it & as it was early thought Why Not!

Staying awake for 3.5 hrs was a struggle after a very long day but we did it and fell into a super comfy bed.

Tomorrow. A Rest day for me and sightseeing for Steve. So luckily I’ve been here before. After a swim trek back in 2015 I had 5 days here by myself. I loved it then so happy to watch the world go by as Steve explores.

Read my blog from back then https://franstraveltales.com/2015/08/23/paris-to-strasbourg/

Singapore in a Day ( with a bad knee)

August 1, 2023August 1, 2023 / brisbanefrannie / 9 Comments

A flight to Singapore from Brisbane is pretty painless. We left at 10.30 had a nice lunch on board watched a movie had a nap & arrived in at around 4.30.

We decided to stay at Changi a village near the airport.

Not far from the airport, it is good for a walk by the water and an easy dinner at the Hawker Markets. I love these markets. Open air. Only locals. Pretty lights and so cheap and tasty. 10 satay sticks, a plate of tom yum fried rice and beef rice, some lime sugar sodas and it was about $20. Not bad for Singapore prices.

One man show. He took the order cooked on a single wok, took the money. 5 min. And no we didn’t get good poisoning.

Heading into downtown today we thought we’d explore all types of public transport. We caught a local bus to the station and the train into Marina Sands.

I love the public transport here. It’s efficient, clean, on time and has the best signs to amuse you.

See the top sign. No eating – fine $500 No smoking – fine $1000. No flammable good – fine $5000 and No durians !
Poor fruit. Just too smelly and Stand up Stacey there to remind you to give up your seat.

My favourite was watching the little movie showing what to do in case of a terrorist attack , a bag caught in the door, leaning on the door. All these little scenarios. So much fun.

Arriving at Marina Sands is a complete contrast to the Hawkers markets. It’s a hotel, shopping centre, sightseeing centre and a haven for the rich, and the poorer travellers trying to think rich.

Starting with coffee near the indoor river where we thought about a ride on a gondola. Deciding that was a was a bit much, we took a ride to level 57. I’d booked ahead for Lavo the lovely restaurant with a view.

The hostess insisted on a photo in
front of the sign.

Sitting at a shaded table looking out at the view we felt a million miles away. We ordered a refreshing Spritz. An Aprerol for me a Negroni for Steve. We shared an octopus salad – delicious ….then I had a veal cutlet and Steve the carbonara. Opted out of Asian food today.

Following a leisurely lunch we took bus 106 to Orchard road. Avoiding too much walking to protect my knee we did a little browsing before moving along to Raffles.

I love Raffles. It’s super expensive but it’s unique.

An iconic hotel opened in 1887, its so very beautiful, famous and oldy worldy. I could see Somerset Maugham there in a crushed linen suit slinging back a few Singapore Slings before tossing his peanut shells all over the floor in the the Long Bar. . Unfortunately, we tried to book the Bar & Billards room for lunch but it’s closed on Tuesday so thought a drink in the Long Bar after lunch would be a treat. The queue to get in was LONG so we thought NO. After checking out the lobby bar which only does fancy afternoon teas ( we’d just had lunch!) we opted for a Gin Sling for Steve and a frozen lime daiquiri for me, sitting under the striped umbrellas in the courtyard.

A hop skip and a limp later we were seated on the top story of a super clean No 2 bus to Changi Village. A long ( 1 hr) but air conditioned sightseeing trip back to our hotel. All for a flat rate lower than the hop in hop off bus.

And more fun signs.

Move in Martin reminds yo make room for others. His friend

‘Stand up Stacey’ is on the train.

Organising a late check out we’ll have time to freshen up, shower, change, stretch out for awhile and head to the airport for a long late flight to Frankfurt.

Flying Singapore Airlines tonight & we’ll be comparing it to Qantas business yesterday.

I thinking I’ll try for life as a reviewer after this trip.

For Ollie , Leo & Alby. I think you’d like riding around on the buses in Singapore. We wanted to have a boat ride on the river in a bum boat! That’s what they call the little river taxis here. That’s a bit rude!

Easter Sunday – a Brassy Day

April 10, 2023 / brisbanefrannie / 5 Comments

A beautiful sunny day. Happy Easter to all.

We were going to go to the church service at the Cathedral but I want to stay outdoors. So we head to our happy place. The beach.

We drive this time as we want to explore.

These baths are famous and I remember going there as child visiting an aunt in Newcastle. They are wonderful. If I lived here I’d be at these free baths everyday. With the grandchildren. There are two big baths. One very shallow sandy bottom with a sand beach. Perfect for little children.

The other big pool is long – 100m by 50 metre wide with 10 lanes across for lap swimmers. It’s washed by waves and today the waves are pumping. Big waves crashing over into the pool create a wave pool. There are round the year swimmers here daily.

There are flower capped ladies walking and talking and more importantly laughing together. There are lap swimmers of all shapes and sizes some in budgie smugglers some in short wet suits.

I spoke to one lady as she was preparing to enter and she told me she swam twice a day since her husband died. She said it helped. And I couldn’t agree more. Swimming is good therapy. So good for the mind. As well as the body.

Steve swam so laps and I walked and chatted.

We walked along the beach front and watched the surfers. The surf is up and they are all out there loving it. Hundreds of walkers stood and watched the display.

Newcastle must be a very fit town. Lots of Lycra for its hundreds of runners, walkers and cyclists. and lots of wonderful foreshore to do it. And hills to climb.

Back in the car we drive to Bar Beach left the car and walked north to eventually join the Memorial Walk. A new walkway suspended above the cliffs and rocks. It’s a tribute to those who have served. It was very windy walking along and we saw several hats being swept over the railings.

From there was drive a little further through King Edward Park with Easter picnickers and found the steps down to the Bogey Hole. Down we went until we caught sight of it. Spectacular. No swimming there today. It was so rough. The giant waves were crashing into the pool and half way to the steel steps leading onto the water.

After all the walking it was time for brunch. The seaside cafes were awash with eaters. The 30% holiday loading wasn’t putting people off. So we headed back to Darby street a few streets back. A different cafe and a delicious brunch.

How many ways to do smashed avocado? lots and lots is the answer. Did we in Australia invent this popular way of serving avo for breakfast? Do you have it overseas as well? I’d love to know.

Back to our lovely hotel where we changed and Steve headed off to start an Easter afternoon of brass bands. I did a little reading then ‘ booked’ our room refresh. This hotel the Crystalbrook Kingsley has an app for your phone or an iPad in the room where you can do everything including selecting a time to service ( refresh) your room. So convenient.

I also love their bamboo room key ( or link your phone to open your door). It has a green footprint so everything is environmentally friendly. The room lights are great. Including the little low level light that comes on as you walk to the bathroom at night. I loved it. No stumbling around.

I got into the swing of it and joined Steve at the Civic Theatre to hear the Brisbane Brass A. ( not Steve’s new band. He’s going in Brass B) They were very good. Good enough? That shall be revealed.

We took a break for dinner and went along the street to an Asian Fusion restaurant Light Years. what a find. We had a few shared plates prawns, pork Bao Buns , Spring rolls. A glass of bubbles and wine before we made it back to the City Hall to hear the last few bands in Brass B section. Yes we heard Brisbanes B band and also one from the country town of Gunnedah. They were a big surprise. A small town with a big sound.

A little video of Brisbane B

Many in the band are still at school. ‘At least half ‘ said one of the proud mums sitting near us. The conductor was the most enthusiastic bouncy conductor there. It’s obviously a big community effort to get them here. Shades of the movie ‘Brassed Off’s ‘ Grimthorpe Band. They were followed by a local band of mostly retired musicians. I’m getting invested in this competition.

Brisbane B played and were very good. The last band performed at 8.30. There was quite a wait for the results. We looked up the results of the Brass A bands and Brisbane A came a very good 6th.

Finally the results were in for Brass Bands B …..a Victorian band won followed by ……… Gunnedah! Small town made good. I was thrilled for them. Disappointed for Brisbane B. But their 6th out of 14 bands was still very good. They all played 4 pieces. A hymn, their own choice , a March and the test piece selected by the judge ( poor them heard it 14 times).

So it’s all over until 2023 when they will be held in Adelaide. So we could be in Adelaide even longer in March with the Writers Week, The Fringe and now the Brass Band Competition . if Steve is playing with them!

Now the long trip home. 10hours and at the moment Steve is playing his favourites from his CD collection. Yes Brass Bands. I might put my AirPods in and listen to an audio book.

Easter Saturday in Newcastle

April 8, 2023 / brisbanefrannie / 4 Comments

After the dramatic lightening last night today it was a bright, sunny but very windy day. We decided to walk along the Harbourside to Newcastle beach.

There are some lovely buildings in this very old town. It was settled very soon after the first settlement in Sydney.

Steve was keen to swim in the Ocean Baths. A famous old sandy bottom pool. Unfortunately it is closed. After a lot of controversy it has been decided to renovate the pool and concrete the bottom!

We continued on to the beach. Newcastle has many beautiful beaches and is known for its good surf. I love the steps leading onto the beach. It gives a natural seating area to sit and watch the beach , the surfers 🏄‍♀️ and to catch a little warming sun.

The beach cafe was doing a brisk business in the very chilly breeze. Steve got our coffees and we sat away from others on the steps in the sun. So good.

We walked back up the hill behind the beach. Newcastle has a few good steep hills with wonderful views over the beach and to wards the harbour.

There are some lovely very old buildings including the old hospital.

The hill rose sharply towards a cathedral which we thought was Catholic but turned out to be Anglican. It was cool outside so we went into explore and found a team of volunteers cleaning, getting ready for the Easter celebrations.

I sat and quietly observed and enjoyed the peace while Steve went off to explore. I then heard a voice calling ‘Fran, is that you!’

I looked over to see a lady armed with a broom. It was Janey Smith , the National Chair of ADFAS. I’d just returned from our Sydney Conference ( where I picked up covid) Janey knew to keep her distance and we laughed about the coincidence of meeting in the church. We had planned on meeting for coffee but when I got covid I canceled. Yet here I was ! Almost covid free but definitely keeping away.

I love the tapestry kneeling pads. There must be 300 in the church.

Back to our lovely room at the Crystalbrook for a rest and refresh. This is a very good hotel with a lovely room and a well planned bathroom. What is your favourite hotel ? For amenities and layout?

By now it was lunch time which we were having at an airy outdoor cafe on Darby St There are lots of places to choose from but our friends Brian and Deb Campbell had chosen one for us that had big tables and was away from any other people.

We had a huge catch up. Like Elizabeth and Peter from Crescent Head we met the Campbell’s through their son Richie and our son Rob’s waterpolo career. We sat and cheered their many games together in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane , Beijing & London. Our boys are friends and so are we!

After lunch Steve headed off to more band competition and I headed to the room to rest and read.

Steve enjoyed Canberra City band where he played about 55 years ago!

Steve had a chat to some of the members of the Canberra City band including the conductor. A good reminisce for him. They’ll be inviting him to the bands 150year anniversary in 2025!

A quiet night in our hotel tonight.

Road trip to Newcastle

April 8, 2023 / brisbanefrannie / 5 Comments

‘You’ll love it’ said Steve.

The National Band Championships are to be held in Newcastle. an hour north of Sydney. About 10 hours south of Brisbane.

We always go to our beach place at Caloundra for Easter but Steve has joined Brisbane Brass and will start with them playing his trombone after these championships.

Three days after being hit with covid we set off. Steve decided he could risk sitting with me in the car for the 10 hours it takes to drive. If I wear a mask.

We were to stay with our friends Peter & Elizabeth in their beautiful home on the hill overlooking Crescent Head beach. But I wouldn’t put them at risk.

Instead, we met them by the river in Gladstone. It’s a pretty spot. The weather was warm and Elizabeth had the Rose,beer and nibbles all ready at a socially acceptable distance. After sitting for 5.5 hrs with a mask I was ready for a splash of Rose!

After two hours of non stop chat we drove into Kempsey to stay the night at the Blue Moon Motel. At $140 it was a find. They had room service from their motel’s Chinese restaurant and a full moon. Just right for a night.

My covid symptoms are very mild almost non existent, thank goodness. So I’m coping well with the travel.

Last night we had dinner with Dinah, a school friend from Steve’s Canberra days. It was at a airy table almost on the verandah – to be away from others. It was at her sons restaurant Tinta. It’s on Lake Belmont and was just lovely. delicious barramundi.

Our hotel in Newcastle is well located next to City Hall where the championships are held.

This morning we heard the Brisbane Brass band 2 – the one Steve has joined and will start playing with when we return. They were very good and Steve is feeling nervous that he isn’t ready for it. But boy …..he’ll give it a go.

Dinah & Steve we’re at school together more than 55 years ago

The views over the lake were beautiful including the lightening behind the clouds.

Music in the Hills

March 13, 2023 / brisbanefrannie / 1 Comment

We’ve always gone to Ukaria in the Adelaide Hill for an Adelaide Festival concert. I always enjoy it.

Ukaria was built to house beautiful performances.

The performance this year was called Dawn.

It was a stunning performance. The quartet was wonderful but the second piece a Beethoven for Violin and piano was simply amazing. The playing was so wonderful it is hard to describe. The room was spellbound and at the end stood and applauded.

We followed this with a visit to a park in Mt Barker to see the Disco Dogs. It would be better at night when the dogs are lit up but still fun in the day. Music is coming from the dogs and you can walk around and through them and dance along.

The park had a great Sunday afternoon vibe. Food vans picnicking families and beautiful weather.

A quick visit to niece Vashti and her family in nearby Balhannah rounded off the afternoon.

Adelaide Fringe Fever Festival

March 12, 2023 / brisbanefrannie / 7 Comments

Two Fringe events in one night. Wow!

Two very different shows.

The first one at one of the many squares ( should they be called piazzas!) in Adelaide.

Called 80’s Ladies it probably would not be my first choice but my niece Vashti a professional Sax player was in the band for the show. and it was great.

It was a riot of fluro. See niece Vashti with her saxophone 🎷 in the background of the above photo. It was loud , fun, and our group were definitely the oldest in the crowd!

Somehow it was great fun. I sang along to 80’s songs like Working 9 to 5 and It’s Raining Men…… and we came out smiling.

The show finished ….. we sat outside having a Gin & Tonic looking at the trapeze artists then walked a few blocks to another Square – all lit up and in party mode.

We scrambled into the Speigeltent, found seats and settled in for Elephant Man the Musical. You probably remember the sad story of the Elephant Man. A movie starring John Hurt. Now thanks to a wonderful director – a local team – including musician husband & wife – it’s now a musical.

Complete with a ringmaster, beautiful nurse, evil Doctor, assorted musicians, actors and the sad elephant man we clapped and sang and shed a tear through the musical journey of the elephant man.

After thunderous applause we left the tent to meet the actors outside. My niece knew the music writers from her days of studying jazz at the uni.

Vashti meets her old uni friend – composer of the music.

This original Australian production is co-directed by the Olivier-award winning, Edinburgh and Adelaide Fringe veteran Guy Masterson alongside Christopher Mitchell. This gothic fairy tale retelling is as hysterical and heartwarming as it is heartbreaking. It’s going to Melbourne soon if you happen to live there.

We followed the next afternoon with a visit to the old Capri theatre complete with art deco foyer, velvet chairs and old style organ. It’s gorgeous and if I lived here I’d be on the volunteers list and work here. We saw the new Fisherman’s Friends movie. A great fun viewing.

We could go to shows morning, noon and night. It’s a feast here during Festival time. You should try and come one year.

Observations of a Writer’s Festival – Adelaide

March 10, 2023March 10, 2023 / brisbanefrannie / 4 Comments

My postings have been a little thin this week.

I’ll blame the weather! It’s been cool and a little rainy so I’ve jumped in and out of the Writers Week.

The program is for me a little hit and miss. Wednesday I jumped between Sloane Crosley and Holly Ringland and her editor.

I really enjoyed Holly Ringland the day before. She wrote The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart. And is now promoting The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding. Holly is an engaging author and describes herself as a sensory writer. She uses all her senses and places her writing in a natural setting.

Also on Tuesday I heard Sally Hepworth. She writes fiction with a twist. A little murder….. family settings. It’s very popular here and in America where some of her books are set and all around the world.

I went to a session with Inala Cooper a Yawuru woman with German and Irish heritage. In her book Marrul: Aboriginal Identity and the Fight for Rights, she shares a deeply personal and moving account of the impact of colonisation on her family.

The session was enlightening. Inala is a very good speaker and the moderator Amy Mc Quire was very good at letting us get to know Inala. Her father Mick Dobson and Uncle Pat have been involved in trying to forge a treaty. We heard about their trip to Geneva for the UN work on treaties with indigenous cultures from around the world.

I’ve also heard one of my favourites – author John Boyne. He was on a panel with other Irish writers Esther Freud and Louise Kennedy. And he had a session talking about his sequel to the Boy in Striped Pyjamas. I’m reading All the Broken Places at the moment and it’s wonderful.

You get a feeling for who is very popular with the audience. John Boyne is popular.

The audiences are mostly over a certain age. Others are probably at work! There are the usual seasoned writers week attendees. They know how to scurry into a good seat – reserving one for their fictional friend so they are not too crowded ( until approached by a game person who questions the empty seat with a bag on it)

I love a spot of eavesdropping at these gatherings. You have time before a session starts. Lots of little discussions usually involving books. There are some wonderfully well read people here. Books have definitely not gone out of fashion.

I had to leave for a while on the last day for an online ADFAS meeting. What is ADFAS? It’s a society for those interested in lectures by wonderful speakers on topics of a decorative & fine art nature. Check it out here : google ADFAS

Peter Fitzsimons without his trademark red bandana.

I arrived back to hear the booming slightly overpowering voice of Peter Fitzsimons. My goodness does that man like the sound of his own voice. He writes histories of people and events in Australia. His latest one The Battle of Long Tan is about the Vietnam War.

The moderator for the session didn’t have to ask many questions.

The last session of the week is probably the most relaxed and enjoyable Alexander McCall Smith. The sun was out. It was delightfully warm and what a treat. He is author of so many books – over 80 I believe & he kept us entertained with descriptions of his characters from books in his series. I’m listening to the audio The Bertie Project from his 44 Scotland St series. Set in an Edinburgh apartment block the characters are delightful. Especially 6 year old Bertie ! Have a read it’s easy and full of fun characters.

His series set in Botswana features Precious Ramotswe who is kind, wise and good. Precious solves crimes in a cosy readable way. Then there is the Isobel Dalhousie series. …… I could go on …..but check out his website if you don’t know his books.

https://www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/books/

And so the Writers Week in Adelaide concludes. It’s wonderful. It’s free ( I’m going to give a donation to keep it free!) and it’s usually great weather!

WHAT! RAIN !!!!

March 6, 2023 / brisbanefrannie / 3 Comments

I’ve been coming to the Adelaide Writers Week for a few years and never had rain. But yesterday afternoon it started and in the evening there was rumbling thunder and lots of rain.

But I didn’t go to hear writers yesterday. We went to The Jade, a small venue in the city with a small stage & a bar !

We were at the Knitting Cabaret.

Melanie Gall. The Knitting Singing Lady.

What is that I hear you asking. Performed by a young Canadian woman Melanie Gall, it is storytelling and song all at once. And knitting. We were encouraged to bring our knitting. Which our group did.

The performance told the story of the importance of knitting during the World Wars. There are hundreds of knitting songs. Who knew!

And along with old slides of photographs of the time we knitted and enjoyed the singing the storytelling and the glass of wine!

The show started with Melanie asking if anyone had anything to share. Normally people are a bit shy. Not these knitters. They were up in the small stage showcasing their wooly wraps and shrugs and socks.

Today, Monday is cloudy and trying not to rain. Steve and I got the bus to North Terrace and walked to the Pioneer Gardens. Behind Government house this year there are no gates. No covid restrictions means no checking in as you arrive.

Very free and easy.

The programme today is very full. Three stages going from 9.30 through to the last session at 6! Im not sure I’ll last that long.

First session has just finished and featured 4 writers who have written biographies of other writers.

Very interesting session and makes me want to embrace Biography a little more.

Have you read The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Holly Ringland. she turned out to be a very insightful speaker. She very sensitive and describes her own writing as sensory. She is very much influenced by nature.

She talked about her latest book character Aura and why she has her covered with many tattoos. She also has many tattoos and said ‘Choosing to alter her skin. She wanted something to come out not to put something on the skin. …..Not a marking a revealing.

Next up are the Irish writers. Headed by John Boyne – just about my favourite writer also Louise Kennedy & Esther Freud.

It was not the funny Irish session one might have expected! Rather serious about the extent of the cruelty of the nuns & priests. Finally John Boyne said ….. “we must remember that the Irish are wonderful people, I love being Irish and we are learning from the past. “ He provided a few humorous moments.

I bought both books.

There’s so much on today and tomorrow.

Follow along……..

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