I really enjoyed this book. Real, honest, relatable female lead. Beautifully and descriptively written. Pictures painted with finesse, informative and fun to read.
This is the debut novel by my cousin and I am so excited for her to be a ‘published author’. Go get yourself a copy of this book and enjoy!
Click on the green Direct Action link above to read the publisher’s blurb.
My 10StepSystem For Building An Online Business From Scratch”
Took a drive to Umina Beach and Woy Woy and back today. The motorways are fast and efficient when not crowded, but the trucks can be very intimidating! And the engineering involved in creating the motorways, is awe inspiring.
The M1 – Central Coast. The sheer rock faces you drive between are amazing, and beautiful.
Once I arrived in Umina Beach I went to visit my 93 year old Aunt, who is astounded that I bother to see her. As I assured her, a trip to Sydney must have a visit to her, or it would not be a trip to Sydney. I have a cousin of my mother’s who also turned 93 this year who lives in Sydney who will have a visit on Friday. So looking forward to seeing him too.
Near Fisherman’s Wharf Woy Woy, New South Wales
“Fishermates” in retro effect style. Brisbane Waters, Woy Woy. Reflections
The American black duck is prolific on the central coast areas. These ones are well fed by humans and as a result are very likely to wander over to look at you, looking at them. Beautiful plumage.
The Indian Myna Bird. Wonderful trill and a neatly, well ‘painted’ little fellow.
Mallard duck. One of the most dramatically coloured of the ducks.
Fisherman’s Wharf at Woy Woy, Central Coast, New South Wales
Freshwater
Today I have driven east to the coast and will meet up with my cousins for lunch. It is a beautiful day at the moment but by 1pm there are forecasts for thunderstorms- I hope they are wrong – make it 4pm – I’ll be safe at my digs by then.
I was early, as usual, so proceeded to the beach to see the surf at Freshwater Beach.
It really does look inviting. Lots of grommets out and about and older surfers. It is a moving tide of black rubber covered humans with long wet hair – in some cases -and a board under their arms. Not a bad way to spend your time.
Today we visited one of the first farming properties in Australia. In 1799 Joseph Foveaux was granted 980 acres which, in addition to other purchases, he sold to John Macarthur in 1801. John Macarthur enlarged this through additional purchases until it comprised around 2,000 acres. John and Elizabeth Macarthur farmed sheep on this property in addition to their properties at Camden and Parramatta. For much of the time that the Macarthur’s owned this farm John was overseas and it fell to Elizabeth to manage the various Macarthur properties and flocks.
The farm is being restored and maintained and it is used for a range of activities and community happenings.
Chatswood
We left our first home of three days and drove east towards the north shore.
Well now we are on the north shore of the city in a leafy suburb called Chatswood. It has huge numbers of retail outlets in the streets and in the malls. Westfield, Chatswood Chase and stores all around them. Eateries are everywhere. Very Asian influence around here with heavy emphasis on Korean. This morning we wandered down to #Crazy_Uncle_Frankie’s where we had a lovely breakfast between us with the addition of an orange juice, tea and coffee.
It was a birthday breakfast – did you see the candle?? We ate at Crazy Uncle Frankie’s 1/405-419 Victoria Ave, Chatswood. Terrific service and food. We were welcomed warmly and we ate at an outdoor table.
After breakfast we watched children chase bubbles on the expanse of green outside the Chatswood Library under the only tree in the vicinity, but a good one.
We then ventured off into retail land through the doors of the Westfield shopping complex.There are some great stores and some great décor.
After the walk through and a couple of useful purchases, we returned to our apartment and readied ourselves for a 20 min drive to see one of my cousins who is 93 and thoroughly warm and amazing man, who continues to live life to the full, working 3 days a week at the office of the firm, established by his father Edward (Ted) way back 1929 with his brother Hector (Bob). My cousin joined the Law firm with his brother in the 1950s.
Went to Tascott to see my Cousins A & I and then I went to visit my Aunt who is 91 and very recently lost her husband of 70 years. Very sad.
The drive to Tascott involved a long slow crawl along Pacific Highway before launching onto the M1 and blasting my way to Tascott, a small hamlet on Brisbane Waters about and hour and a half from Sydney. The next day I went to Woy Woy on my way to Umina Beach which is where my Aunt’s village is. A grey old day with a few showers, but a really lovely part of the world, rain or shine.
Direct Action by JD Svenson
Travellers, Not Tourists - my time and travels around the world and in my own backyard! 