Travellin' Penguin

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).

Going back to my childhood, May 1 always meant spring time and my grandmother’s birthday. Now living in the southern hemisphere I still can’t get used to 1 May being deep into autumn. At least we have been having sunny days if a bit chilly.

As I mentioned in my last post I thought I might make some molasses cookies. (Whoops…biscuits). I became inspired and turned out quite a few of these little gems. I thought I would make them small so I wouldn’t eat too many and good for my health plan. Ha, Instead of 2 big cookies I just filled a plate with more little ones. I need a new strategy.

I began another book which I am enjoying. Australian writer David Goodwin has released this book called Servo: Tales from the graveyard shift. Published by Hachette , it is described by Readings book store as

“Goodwin is a natural-born storyteller, effortlessly compelling whether he’s talking about the draconian policies of his bosses, the mad ramblings of his regulars or his own forays into chemical-induced debauchery . . . However, the true secret to Servo‘s brilliance is that beneath its irreverent, gonzo stylings it’s actually a heartfelt, coming-of-age memoir’ READINGS

He describes his life working in Servos (service stations) on the fringes of Melbourne . They are generally open 24/7 and he has the night shift starting around 1:00am. He describes the various people who pop in for petrol and snacks. As he says, Everyone needs petrol in their car so the whole continuum of the population arrives sooner than later.

I find these descriptions fascinating. I have always been interested in the activities of people which is probably why I like street photography so much. For a good street photo one needs, light, gesture and colour. I can picture the people who come into these premises in the middle of the night. Some are quiet, in and out. Others are drug induced and tip things over, yelling at the top of their lungs. His descriptions of learning all the various machines, coffee, drinks, meat pie and sausage warmers are at times hilarious. When things don’t work and a mob of footy players come in, being boisterous and wanting food gets quite suspenseful especially when they start to get aggro (aggravated for you northern hemisphere people😃). He works alone which makes it even scarier at times.

The week ahead doesn’t look too hectic. Three gym sessions are booked in. Weights, Barre’ and a personal training session. No doubt riding busses into town will also include some walks.

Bri Lee is launching a book at the city hall on Tuesday. It will be a full house, I’m sure. (See the flyer below). It should be interesting.

I hope to get my camera out and about. In the meantime I’ll leave you with a photo I took while out on the road during my sister’s visit. Enjoy your week and don’t watch the news.