Posted in Fiction

Back with you all…

Posted on by TravellinPenguin
We went out very early one morning on our Tarkine trip.

LIFE

Has been a busy couple of weeks. Went on the photographic workshop in the northwest of Tasmania for 6 days. There were only four of us , so a nice number. The Tarkine region is full of beautiful rainforest and we hunted fungi and photographed waterfalls also. We got drenched a few times with rain coming in from the west. We just covered up and kept clicking those cameras. I’ll share these photos a few at a time over the coming weeks.

BOOK

Have not read much but did finish Orbital.

Orbital is a 2023 novel by British author Samantha Harvey that won the 2024 Booker Prize. Set aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the novel unfolds over a single 24-hour period, chronicling the experiences of six astronauts from different nations as they orbit Earth 16 times.

Overview

The narrative centers on the astronauts’ daily routines—conducting experiments, maintaining the station, and observing Earth. However, the novel delves deeper, exploring their introspections on humanity, existence, and the planet’s fragility. Each chapter corresponds to one 90-minute orbit, providing a rhythmic structure that mirrors the station’s journey around Earth.

Themes and Style

Harvey’s prose is noted for its lyrical and meditative quality, blending scientific precision with philosophical inquiry. The novel contemplates themes such as the interconnectedness of life, the impact of human activity on Earth, and the search for meaning in the vastness of space. It draws inspiration from Carl Sagan’s “Cosmic Calendar,” situating human history within a broader cosmic context. (Wikipedia)

Thoughts on Orbital

I appreciated all of the technical aspects, cleverness and creativity but I must say I was bored by it. Another Booker prize winner that has a lot of interesting structures and techniques but I never felt anything for the characters. It jumps around over the 16 chapters. Sleep, eat, do experiments, no interesting conversations very often, inner thoughts, past experiences. What I did enjoy was the mentioning of the countries below as the ISS passed over them. They observed a hurricane near the Phillipines and discussed the colours of the continents as they passed over them so often in 24 hrs. But I’m glad it was short. Will be interesting to see what others think at our next book club.

Then again I have been busy with photography, walks, gym, etc. Our weather has not been bad lately, unlike the horrible floods on the mainland in northern New South Wales.

BOUGHT SOMETHING FUN

We have had only one car for quite awhile as we are both retired. But Mr P goes out to the gym almost five times a week and I’m either on the bus or stuck at home. His arthritis is very bad so he needs to keep moving as much as possible. I wanted to get out much more with the dogs and camera so we agreed to get a second car. I got a little 2022 hybrid, candy red Toyota Corolla and I just love it. It gets over 800 kms per tank of petrol, has all the safety stuff and driving assistance and talks to me regularly. Mostly about upcoming speed cameras, school zones and even warned me of a high accident intersection. In the last week I took it to a big dog park and a beach with Ollie and Peanny. I did a photography afternoon locally at a reserve and into town a few times. I will get to travel a bit more as winter photography is good. It will be nice to get out more with the dogs in other places too.

EXTRA ACTIVITIES

Irish writer Marion Keyes- publishers photo
Introducing Marion Keyes at the Theatre Royal recital hall. Photo by Fullers bookshop.

I went to a play one night. A good political comedy with friends. Then Irish author Marion Keyes was also here in conversation with local author Danielle Wood at the Theatre Royal hosted by Fullers book store. That was an hour of hilarious conversation. Her book of the Irish family she writes about is going to be filmed and streamed on STAN next year. The Walsh family. It was a very Irish night and the event sold out in a couple of days. We love getting well known International authors here.

That about sums it up. I have another photography workshop next month on Bruny Island for three days. Then we have some photo events coming up in the near future.

So- I’ll leave you with some autumn fungi photos and I hope you enjoy them.

PSParks Tarkine

I hope you all get out this week and do something that is fun and be kind.

The world is truly beautiful. Stay away from the news.
Unknown's avatar

Author:

I live a retired life in Tasmania, Australia. I love books, travel, animals, photography, motor biking and good friends. I indulge in all these activities with the little Travellin' Penguin who has now shared five continents with me. We love book shops, photography walks and time with friends as all our family is in USA and Canada. I enjoy visitors to my blog so hope you'll stop by.

16 thoughts on “Back with you all…”

  3. Love the fungi photos, the colours are sublime.

    We tried having just one car once too when his died. It just didn’t work out. He would ask if I needed it because he could take the train if so, but it was much, much quicker for him to drive because his destination wasn’t on a trainline and so involved a tram as well. And if I wasn’t doing anything, of course I said yes. And the minute he backed out of the driveway someone would ring and ask if I wanted to join them for coffee. Or I’d remember that I needed to do some shopping. So it wasn’t an experiment that lasted long.

    Orbital? I hear you. I read some of it and then thought, why am I reading something so boring when there I have a hoard of wonderful books on the TBR.

    I have not read anything this week. Not a thing. I have been laid low by a virus which I now think must be the new flu, the one that wasn’t covered by the most recent FluVax. It is as much as I can do to get up for about half an hour, read a few blogs like yours, and then flop on the sofa and watch rubbish on TV. Watching Alone Australia on SBS makes me count my blessings, at least I am warm and dry and somebody is cooking meals for me.

    Stay well:)

    Lisa

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I hope you get better soon. Your car problem was exactly like us but I coped longer. Haha I’m like a new person being able to get out anytime I want. I’m glad to see I’m not alone re Orbitol. Book group will be interesting next month for discussion of this book.

      Like

  5. We have two Toyota hybrids – a RAV4 snd and a little town car Yaris. We love them too for all the features except I do hate all the talking and our new one doesn’t do as much. It still warns of school zones though which is excellent. We love that we can drive to Melbourne and part way back. The Toyota hybrids are beautiful to drive I agree.

    Nothing you say puts me off Orbital as many of those issues tend not to bother me, but it’s still next to my bed!

    Love your Tarkine pics. Fungus is so photogenic!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks re fungi pics. What bothered me the most with Orbitol was the list making. Everytime she gives an example she lists about 10 or 12 examples to get the point across. Every other page seemed to have a list of something. You’ll see what I mean when you read it. I look forward to your review.

      Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.