Category: Fiction

If you’re looking for news on books then you might turn this off this week. I was on a three person photographic fungi exploration/instruction this week in the southwest wilderness of Tasmania.

Luke O’Brien, https://www.lukeobrien.com.au , a professional photographer, conducted this trip. One other person signed up as well as me as we were the overflow from the same trip a couple of weeks ago. We went to the Styx and Florentine valleys of Tasmania. So beautiful it takes your breath away.

A few years ago the government wanted to log it and protestors chained themselves to the trees. A very big protest with one young woman who set up in one of the tallest trees and stayed there around 300 days from memory. Thank goodness they did this as those trees of old growth forest are still there. I have attended a couple of 1000 person rallies on parliament lawns to stop the destruction of these forests.

However protests continue around the state as Tasmania’s government continues to log old growth trees of hundreds of years old for woodchips to send to China. Hopefully the protests do their job though many get arrested and spend time in jail in the name of the forests. I want to share the phone photos I took as my camera photos, though much better are not ready yet. They need editing.

Look at the base of this tree, almost my height.

This is the fungi chart we had with us of just the fungi in Tasmania.

The reverse side of the Fungi Flip chart.

Now the week begins and I need to start reading again. Books other than books about fungi though I do fine them incredibly fascinating. If we didn’t have fungi and the work they do, especially underground, our forest floors would be inpenetrable. They are truly amazing.

Until next week…enjoy going out and doing something this week.

My week list…..pilates class, trainer, barre’ class, meeting in town, vet appointment for dog’s vaccinations, a Fullers book launch, a seniors lunch in historic town of Richmond with friends in the pub, some walking and getting started in my book group’s book. Keep moving people…..

Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.”- Emily Bronte.

Autumn in Tasmania is really beautiful. I never mind the chilly days because of the sun though we have had a bit of drizzle to give us needed variety.

Hobart Life

It was a busy week. I missed out on the Fullers dragon and damselfly book launch event on Thursday as I was stuck in the office of my first ever audiologist getting new hearing aids. Another part of my body that is in decline. What next?!

I have to say I like them though. I had a conversation with an elderly woman (she was more elderly than me) on the bus and I could understand her even with a pile of school kids around us. 😄

I did get to the Trojan Wars event at the Theatre Royal and it was absolutely hilarious. Presented by a French troupe with lots of audience involvement as cast members gave cue cards to random audience members to portray minor characters. So much fun and loved the way they told the story of Helen and the wars. The Trojan Horse, made of cardboard boxes was hilarious as was the guy who dressed in a white dinner jacket, black leather pants and sky high stilettos. I could never have walked in those. He was amazing. The music was great too with wonderful voices. We loved it and so good to have so many genuine laughs.

Book group

The Monk was a fun book to discuss and as our group had to be combined with another group due to space problems it was lovely to be in a book group with both women and men. I am transferring to that group as it is slightly larger and more varied viewpoints. So moving from first Wed evening to second Wed evening.

Our next book is by Flann O’Brien called At-Swim-Two-Birds.

From Wikipedia-

I’ve not read anything by him and I am really looking forward to this book. I have no idea what it is about.

But it will need to wait because…..

Photography

On Tuesday I am being picked up to go on a 3 day photo excursion/workshop at Mt Field National park in the southwest of Tasmania. it is one of my favourite places. I think the fagus is pretty much finished but the fungi will be out and hopefully, cloudy skies which photographers love. The weather might be chilly but with merino underclothes and a possum fur beanie I will be warm enough. Hoping the rain stays away but it does make for good photos.

After the trip …a new idea-

I want to introduce a new post into my blog periodically about sharing shelf books. Or books on my shelf. I have some lovely books that aren’t novels or things you dive into from beginning to end. I have a few series too. Some are coffee table like. Some are beautiful classic editions. Some are from my childhood. If people think they would enjoy just flipping through another’s book shelf let me know. Maybe fortnightly? Still thinking about it.

Best News of the Week from our local newspaper

So happy for them because they really deserve it. Tim is the owner and Cat has worked there for years as the Manager. Two lovely people and extremely well read.

My lecture for the week…not quite proselytising…

As I continue to travel with this dodgy body it is important to always have new plans and fun times so we don’t get pulled down by getting older. I’m stopping the weight classes for a bit but still going to the gym 3 x a week. Transferring to more pilates, personal training and the barre class. I can still get my big toe up to my mouth (not in it) and climb hills and I’m sure most of that is mind over matter. Go to things that make you laugh and if no one is around go alone. Have coffees, talk to strangers, get out in the world. Then come home at the end of the day, eat chocolate, read books, watch Netflix and do it again. Hug family members. But you might want at least one or two rest days to recuperate. Lol. Just get out!!!

Friday is usually my rest day. Sleep in, have 2 coffees and catch up on the chores around the house.

Let me know one of your plans for the coming week.

Today I went to the gym and as I rode the bus into town I had a lot of time to do some street photography. I’ll share the photos here towards the end of this post.

I have a busy week coming up. Tomorrow is my seniors dinner with a lovely group of people who love to chat and eat. That happens after my flu injection as we are very quickly moving into winter.

Wednesday our book group meets to discuss The Monk by Matthew Lewis written in 1797. I’m really looking forward to that. Such an unusual book but I really enjoyed it. I’ve never read anything like it

Thursday I’m going to a book launch of photography at Fullers book shop. It is all about dragonflies and damselflies. Did you know if you see a dragon fly on a piece of flora you can adjust your camera on it and even if it flies away it will return to that exact location several times?

Friday I’m going to the Theatre Royal with a friend to see The Trojan War. For a serious topic this will be anything but. Should be fun.

On the weekend I will be packing my camera gear and the winter woolies for a 3 day/2 night photography workshop at Mt Field National Park. We will be photographing waterfalls, fagus, fungi and who knows what else. Snow maybe as parts of it are at a higher elevation. I do hope it doesn’t rain. So walking around the bush in many layers with a tripod and my heavy gear on my back. Should be fun. Stay tuned for photos.

Thursday I am also getting my hearing assessed. It’s bad enough I’m down to one eye now but hopefully I won’t lose my ears yet. i get a bit of a laugh when I tell friends the inside of my body may be shot but the outside is still going really well.

I’ll end this missive with today’s photos. It was a lovely sunny day but is now 9 degrees C (about 48F).