What I read in November

Here's my wrap up of books read in November... One for the money - Janet Evanovich This is the mega best-selling first novel in Janet Evanovich's widely acclaimed Stephanie Plum crime series, which is now up to book #21 or something... I've been intrigued to read it for a while, and was thrilled when one … Continue reading What I read in November

Journal ~ Lying on the couch doing nothing (and why it’s important)

I am lying on the couch doing nothing. At least, I was before the urge to tell everyone about my state of nothingness rose to the fore and I grabbed my computer out of the bag that’s never too far from my side. Nothing. Mulling. Daydreaming. Writing in my head. This is one of the … Continue reading Journal ~ Lying on the couch doing nothing (and why it’s important)

Travelling in the 90s: In which we hit Paris

We're on the homeward stretch in my Travelling in the 90s series, which features extracts from my original travel journal in 1993-1994. This was my first ever trip overseas, taken after I finished my undergraduate university studies. I'm young, green and oh so enthusiastic! So far we've spent a couple of weeks in Greece and … Continue reading Travelling in the 90s: In which we hit Paris

Doing Defies Depression – help make a difference

The chances are we all know someone who is affected by depression at times in their life -- and that means we are all indirectly affected by it. Moreover, we don’t always quite know how to help. Usually all we can do is be a good friend. Thus today we are going on a slightly … Continue reading Doing Defies Depression – help make a difference

Diary of a devilcat: Eat. Sleep. Scratch. Growl.

It's been ages since I got to write a blog post. By the cat gods, Ellen can be so mean. You've all missed me, right? But I suppose life has been same old same old... Eat. Sleep. Scratch. Growl. Actually, I've been doing a lot of growling. Ellen's developed this incredibly annoying habit of inviting … Continue reading Diary of a devilcat: Eat. Sleep. Scratch. Growl.

Contemplating Wild China

I'm starting to think about my next adventure. And it's exciting. Where in the world (literally) shall I go next? I was originally intending to trek around Mont Blanc in central Europe. It's a 180km Alpine route through France, Switzerland and Italy, taking about 11 days. I've been wanting to do it for a while … Continue reading Contemplating Wild China

D&D Chronicles: The Silver Whistle

ZILLAH Three days it's been. Three days mired in these underground corridors and chambers that seem to go on and on and on. My cousin Schill remains a corpse and I fear the others have given him up... I suppose after three days the chances of bringing him back are diminishing. But I refuse to … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: The Silver Whistle

Harry’s WWII Memoir: Escape from Stalag 383

In commemoration of Remembrance Day, in honour of all the men and women who have fought and died in war, I'm sharing the third installment of my grandfather's memoir of his experiences during World War II. I started this series on ANZAC Day earlier this year, and have been sharing the 7,000 word memoir in … Continue reading Harry’s WWII Memoir: Escape from Stalag 383

October reading: lots and lots

I've been reading a lot lately. I think it's been in reaction to an increase in workload, which has left me clambering for the best kind of immersive entertainment I know. Novels. Lots and lots of novels. And now, not for the first time in my life, I'm addicted. (Possibly obsessed.) In October I read … Continue reading October reading: lots and lots

Descent – ways with water

I'm taking an engineering viewpoint on this week's photo challenge theme of Descent. Because I've long been fascinated and thrilled by the way our forefathers used the controlled descent of water under gravity as very clean power source (and indeed modern hydropower stations do too). Above is the flour mill at Cotehele in Cornwall. Water … Continue reading Descent – ways with water