Yes I always try to, as I feel it is a privilege that many other countries are denied. If you want to make a difference, you need to vote.
Funnily enough, today is voting day here in Australia and it is compulsory to vote in this country. I think it’s a great idea to ensure everyone has their say. You also receive a fine for not voting, so yes, I will be voting today!
This is a big one, we are voting in the federal election to elect members of the 48th Parliament. I’m really hoping it doesn’t go in the Trump direction but nothing surprises me these days. Fingers crossed for a good outcome.
It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.
If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord
Today’s word is MADNESS
Today’s word is a term that flips between chaos and charm. It can mean mental unrest, wild excitement, or pure and plain fun. For anyone raised on ska-pop and famous British anthems, “Madness” is more than a feeling—it’s a band.
Madness, the iconic British group that brought ska to the forefront in the late ’70s and early ’80s. Their 1980 hit “Baggy Trousers” is a perfect snapshot of schoolboy rebellion, laced with nostalgia and mischief. It’s a musical love letter to youthful chaos and a celebration of the kind of madness that makes life worth living.
Tonight we are being entertained by a Madness tribute band known as Baggy Trousers. Has anyone here heard of Madness or know any of their songs?
Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another week of doors. This week I’m doing something a little bit different but I am still showcasing four fabulous doors. I was in Paddington a couple of weeks ago and many of you will know that this is one of my favourite suburbs in Sydney. I used to visit here all the time for its beauty and quaintness, fortunately it also boasts a copious amount of fantastic doors.
As I was walking through I spotted two fantastic doors on a main street. They looked vaguely familiar but I couldn’t remember if I had ever photographed them before. It’s unusual and extremely fortunate if you are able to photograph them without parked cars in front, so I was delighted to catch a quick snap.
It was once I returned home and searched through my archives that I discovered that I had indeed witnessed these doors before and had also photographed them…without any cars in front again!!! I thought today it would be fun to play a little game of spot the difference. The first photo was taken in 2018 and then now again seven years later. I can spot at least eight differences in that timeframe. Let me know if you can spot them and / or any more in the comments section.
Feb 2018April 2025
What an absolutely amazing building, so much character and fantastic doors and windows!!!
Good morning all. I have just learned a new hack that I’m pretty sure everyone will have known about except for me but I love it. I used to subscribe to people’s blogs that I found interesting but would never receive notifications or emails. I would then later realise when I was on a blog that I had previously subscribed to that I was no longer subscribed. I would then have to resubscribe but would always have the same result. So I gave up. I didn’t want to keep subscribing to the same blog over and over again. If I preferred certain blogs, I would simply save a post from them and use that as a way to find my way back.
However, yesterday by chance, I discovered a new way to subscribe. I will show you using my blog as an example. This is on the mobile app.
I went to my blog as an example (you can visit any blog) and clicked on the alarm bell. It then brought me this page where I can click on notifications for new posts FROM THE APP. I couldn’t believe my luck. Even though I had been subscribed by email, I was receiving no emails or notifications (even checked my junk email). I am delighted to say that now I can receive notifications if a new post from my favourite blogs has been posted. You have no idea how easy this will make it for me to keep up with new posts. I feel like I often become lost in a rabbit hole with where new posts are or when they were published.
Anyway, I just thought I would share, as a little update but also for others who may be experiencing the same issue. Let me know if you have ever had this problem or do you use this method to receive notifications.
Have a lovely day everyone. I am hoping mine is less chaotic today than yesterday’s whirlwind.
It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.
If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord
Today’s word is WHIRLWIND
Literal Meaning:
A whirlwind is a spinning column of air, like a small tornado. It moves quickly and unpredictably.
Figurative Meaning:
Used to describe something that happens very fast, often confusing or overwhelming – this is me today, crazy, busy day at work, train home, quick change and out again to meet a friend for dinner. Anyone else have these whirlwind days, where you don’t have time to even think straight?! I am currently sitting on the train back into the city and thought this would be my word for today.
It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.
If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord
Today’s word is AGAINST
I love this quote from Henry Ford, spotted at Adelaide airport yesterday.
This is a great inspirational quote, reminding us that life rarely moves in a straight line. Progress is often made, not by going with the flow but by moving against it.
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford
The moments of greatest resistance are often the moments right before we lift off into something greater.
Today, I’m reminded that being against the wind isn’t a setback — it’s part of the journey upward.
We recently treated ourselves to a stay at Crown Sydney (my partner’s birthday), an indulgence I wouldn’t make a habit of but certainly one I’m glad I experienced at least once. We have always wanted to stay here for a night but could never justify the price. Yes, it’s expensive but if you’re after a splash of luxury, it definitely delivers… mostly.
The room was sleek and spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the harbour beautifully. The views were spectacular even with a grey sky. I was never so delighted to see blue skies later in the day, it just sets the view off beautifully. Everything felt plush—from the bed linen to the marble bathroom. I experienced my first electronic toilet with remote control, absolutely loved it and the shower was really powerful with both an overhead and hand held (both which worked simultaneously, a feature I have never experienced before).
Room view
The gym was one of the best I’ve seen in a hotel: modern, well-equipped, open 24/7 and offered stunning views again. For me, the number one feature was the outdoor pool — serene, with panoramic views, plenty of loungers to sink into and a large jacuzzi that was very welcoming considering it was a cool morning when we tried it out.
Breakfast the next morning at Epicurean was absolutely stunning. The buffet had everything from fresh pastries and eggs made to order to more indulgent options like dumplings and smoked salmon. I always like to start with something healthy like fruit, yogurt and muesli, moving onto a cooked breakfast of eggs, sausages, tomatoes, toast etc (nothing beats a Northern Irish cooked breakfast, if you know, you know).
That said, just because a hotel is expensive doesn’t mean it’s perfect. Check-in took far longer than it should have, and while the staff were friendly, they felt rushed and not particularly helpful (in their defence, they were two members down), a small letdown that stood out in contrast to the rest of the experience.
On a brighter note, dinner at Noodle—the in-house Asian restaurant—was a highlight. Fantastic flavours, quick service, and a menu that nailed the balance between comfort and elegance.
The location’s a win too: right on the water at Barangaroo, with some of Sydney’s best dining and bars just a short walk away.
Would I stay there again? Of course but only if someone bought it for me! It was definitely a great experience but not something I could afford regularly. You might also be interested to check out the casino in the Crown, it’s something that we didn’t indulge in but is a very popular place.
Thank you for reading my Crown Sydney review and I hope you enjoyed seeing it a little.
Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another week of wonderful doors. I am currently on a city break to Adelaide, South Australia so I will not be blogging too much but fear not, I am still on the lookout for great doors. I will share a fantastic door that I spotted today. Let me know your thoughts but I think it is very majestic / regal, reminding me of London. I can’t wait to share my trip of Adelaide with you all soon. All the best!
It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.
If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord
Today’s word is EARTH
Today is Earth Day, set up in 1970 with the overall goal to remind people of the importance of a healthy environment and to inspire changes—both big and small—that contribute to a more sustainable future. I can’t believe we have known about the dangers of not looking after our planet for so long and yet we still continue to abuse it. Earth day should be every day 🌎
It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.
If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord
Today’s word is GLEE
“Monday Monday, so good to me
But the rest of the week off,
Brings me so much glee”
I have finished working over Easter and now it is my turn to have a few days off. We’re heading to Adelaide for a few days, somewhere I have always wanted to visit, namely for the architecture, old churches and the wine tastings. I will keep you all posted.
Ps. I love the word glee and also the TV show if anyone has ever seen it!
I hope you’re all having a lovely day, whether you’re attending church, visiting family, having a lovely meal, going for a walk, eating lots of chocolate, relaxing at home or doing ALL these things, may it be filled with love, hope and happiness.
We took a drive to Kurnell (a seaside suburb in the Sutherland Shire) and packed a picnic to sit and take it the beauty of nature. We love to sit by the water and appreciate the surroundings, simple pleasures in life that we can often take for granted.
Returning home, we will cook a Sunday dinner that’s quite traditional of home, roast chicken, mashed potatoes, honey carrots and gravy, yummers!
It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.
If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord
Today’s word is HOPE.
I’ve been thinking of Good Friday a lot today, more so because I was working and talking to my patients about their plans for the day. One of the many things I love about Sydney is that it is so multicultural and I really enjoy learning about different religions and traditions, with today being a very important day for many.
I heard the word ‘Hope’ on TV when I returned home from work and it got me thinking about the connection to Good Friday. I feel that hope and Good Friday are deeply connected—not because the day is happy, but because it dares us to believe that something better is just ahead, even when we can’t see it yet and I believe that to be the case with this special day.
I hope you all have a lovely Good Friday, if you celebrate observe it.
It’s not too often you see an orange door. You can’t help but feel happy when you see it.
Happy Thursday everyone! This week I am simply showing you one amazing door and it is from Woollahra, Sydney when I was there last weekend. This door is very much in season. Firstly it is orange and really fits into the autumn season that we have just entered here in the southern hemisphere. Secondly, it has a really beautiful Easter wreath on the door that I absolutely love and it makes the door appear so festive for Easter this weekend.
On that note, I would like to wish you all a very happy Easter if you celebrate it and remember, it’s ok to indulge in a little chocolate at this time 😜.
It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.
If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord
Today’s word is FUTTER
(Northern Irish slang, pronounced “footer”).
This is one of my all time favourite words, a very local, colloquial word that is a verb (a doing word, e.g. to futter) and it’s got that great, flexible Northern Irish charm to it.
It typically means to fidget with something, mess around or waste time doing something in an unproductive or clumsy way. It’s a bit like procrastinating but doing silly things that really don’t need to be done at this current moment of time.
Examples in use:
– “He’s been futtering about with that car all morning and still hasn’t fixed it.”
– “Quit futtering and get a move on!”
It is usually lighthearted or teasing — it’s not harsh. Someone who is “futtering” might be tinkering, daydreaming or just not getting on with it.
Let me know if you have ever heard of this word or maybe you have another word to describe futtering.
It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.
If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord
Today’s word is CRAIC.
I thought it might be fun to introduce you to a very common Irish word today, which you might have already heard before. Craic is basically a word for fun / good times, not to be confused with crack (as in the drug), although it sounds the same as crack but can only be spelled as craic. I hope that makes sense. Here are a couple of ways we can use this fantastic word :
“Having the craic” basically means having fun, enjoying good conversation or being in good company. It can involve laughter, music, storytelling, maybe a pint or two—just generally having good vibes.
“What’s the craic?” is like asking, “What’s going on?” or “What’s the news?” It’s a casual greeting, sort of like saying “What’s up?” or “How are things?”
Here are a couple of examples:
“We were out at the pub last night, great craic altogether!” or “it was great craic”.
“What’s the craic, Wayne? Haven’t seen you in ages!”
It’s a key part of Irish culture, mixing humor, storytelling, and a laid-back spirit. Please do not say “Having a craic” which I have heard some Aussies say haha.
Let me know if you have heard this word being used. I love to hear it being used and it always reminds me of home.
It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.
If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord
Today’s word is SHIFT.
This has a double meaning for me today. I am having a shift with my blogging, not a huge shift but by starting this blogging series, I am hoping to be kept engaged with my blog and create a desire to blog more frequently. For instance, I very rarely would blog on a Monday.
Also when I think of shift, it makes me think of my shift at work today. As a nurse, we talk about shifts worked, as I’m sure many other professions do too. Today I have an extra shift this week, bringing my shift total to six this week. I don’t mind as I will be taking some time off over the Easter holidays, so I will just keep my head down and work away until Sunday again. I don’t want to wish my life away but roll on the weekend haha. I hope you have all had a marvellous Monday! I feel like once Monday is over, you can conquer the rest of the week.
What do you think of when you hear the word ‘shift’? You can even simply share your thoughts in the comment section if you wish or create your own blog post.
Hey there! It’s Sunday night here in Sydney and I’m trying not to think about work tomorrow haha. I received a notification this week to say I had posted 500 times on my blog, quite the milestone, for me at least.
I just want to say a big THANK YOU for all your support and quietly encouraging me to keep blogging. Admittedly, I am not the best blogger in the world and I have many time constraints but I do love blogging when I can and absolutely love engaging with the blogging community. I hope I am able to make a small impact and even make you smile while reading one of my posts.
Riding on the high of my 500 posts, I thought this would be a good time to announce my new blogging series entitled “Wayne’s Word”. I have been thinking about this for a while now and feel that this is the perfect time to start my own blogging series.
Wayne’s Word
It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.
I’ll do my best to share a word each day—but life has its own rhythm, and some days might be quieter than others. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. And whenever the words come, I will be here to share them.
If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord
I also have my own logo that you are welcome to add to your post but no pressure 😝
Stay tuned for my first word coming tomorrow and again, many, many thanks!
Happy Friday everyone! I for one am glad to see the weekend again and I’m just going to forget for now that I’m working tomorrow.
I haven’t done a flower of the day for quite some time but I have just seen recently that our dear Cee has passed away. If you have been blogging for some time, then I am sure you will have come across this wonderful person. I love that she had her FOTD posts and encouraged others to join in. She not only displayed great flowers but her photography skills were fantastic. She was always very supportive and welcoming to me when I started blogging so I was sad to hear that she had passed.
My flower today is the Cape marguerite and I am posting this in honour of the wonderful Cee. Gone but certainly not forgotten. Thank you for your warm energy in the blogging world.
Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another week of wonderful doors. I was glad for the break last week but equally happy to show off some doors again this week that I discovered at the weekend when I was in Sydney visiting a friend. I often like to go into the city a little earlier and have a wonder around and see what I can discover.
Last weekend I was in Woollahra to meet a friend for lunch. I have lived near this suburb before and often walked through on my walk home from work. It was very nostalgic to walk through Woollahra again and appreciate the wonderful buildings, homes and of course, the doors. I could have easily spent all day here walking about but alas, that wasn’t on the agenda.
Please let me know if you have a favourite this week.
123 & 4 5
I love the first building a lot but I can’t help but smile when I see a yellow door. It’s not that common and it’s just so bright and cheery. However, my favourite door this week is number five. Firstly, I love the door for its rustic charm but also because of the door number. Our family home growing up was 112 and it is a number that I see quite frequently and it always makes me smile. I had a big grin when I spotted this door. I’m sure you already know that I am easily pleased haha.
Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another week of wonderful doors. This week I am showcasing some doors that I spotted last weekend when I travelled to the city to meet friends for lunch. These doors are all from a quirky neighbourhood known as Surry Hills. I’m pretty sure I have shown doors from here before but these are from a side of Surry Hills that I don’t frequent often. I was delighted to see so many beautiful homes, many of which had the most amazing and colourful doors.
I’m not sure if it’s just me but the world seems pretty gloomy at the moment and I can’t help but follow what is happening with Trump in America and think about how his decisions are affecting the world as a whole. I’m splashing some colour to you all this week and hopefully put a smile on your face. These doors certainly made me smile!
Let me know of you have a favourite this week.
12345
My favourite this week is number four. This is such an unusual colour for a door, at least for me. I have never seen one quite like this and I feel that it blends really well with the cactus growing beside it. I love the leaves on the floor too, very autumnal feeling, yet I feel like it could be a home in the desert haha.
Happy Thursday and welcome to another week of doors. This week I am showcasing my remaining doors from Redfern, Sydney, when I visited there two weeks ago. I feel like there are a lot more doors to discover here so I will definitely have to return one day soon.
As always, please let me know if you have a favourite door this week.
Number three is a security door but I love its design and the cat being on guard just adds to the image. I love the aesthetic of number four, the whole design of the house is exquisite. There’s a lot happening from the tiled flooring, the colours and the bench outside that would be perfect for people watching on. I really love it but my favourite door this week is number five. The colour looks very regal, simple yet effective. I love even the leaves at the porch, reminding us that autumn has arrived in the southern hemisphere.
Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another week of wonderful doors. This week I am showcasing some great doors from last Sunday when I visited the suburb of Redfern in the city. It’s situated just beside central station and has a reputation for being quite a hip / grungy suburb with a lot of character.
A quick history brief about this suburb – Redfern has long been a hub for Sydney’s Aboriginal community, playing a key role in Indigenous activism and culture. It was home to landmark initiatives like the Aboriginal Housing Company and the National Black Theatre. While urban regeneration has changed the area, Redfern’s Aboriginal identity remains strong through cultural initiatives, murals, and community efforts. It continues to stand as a symbol of resilience, history, and pride. This was very apparent to me when walking around the streets of Redfern and I have to say, it was really refreshing.
I thoroughly enjoyed having a stroll here before meeting a friend for lunch. I loved the art and really appreciated the fantastic house and doors on show here. I had no idea they would be this stunning as I have never really explored this place before. The houses were beautiful and I will show some more of the doors next week again.
Let me know if you have a favourite this week.
1234 – Fantastic charity for Aboriginal communty5 – Love this artwork with the door in the middle.
I have two favourites this week, numbers two and four. Number two for the whole setting (the tiles really set it off) and four for the colour but I also really like the security door in front of it, it just works somehow.
Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another wonderful week of doors. This week I am highlighting some doors that I spotted when we visited the local Sydney Tramway Museum in the Sutherland Shire. To be honest I didn’t even know this existed but one of my colleagues mentioned it to me as I was looking for something different to see / do on my day off. First a little bit of information on this attraction.
The Sydney Tramway Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into Australia’s rich transport history. Located in Loftus, a village within the Shire, the museum houses an impressive collection of beautifully restored trams from Sydney, Melbourne, and beyond — including some international vehicles. Visitors have the opportunity to step aboard these historic trams and experience a ride along the museum’s dedicated tramway, providing a sense of what public transport was like in decades past. It even takes you along an old train line into the Royal National Park (sadly not used anymore).
Operated by a dedicated and extremely friendly team of volunteers, the museum combines historical preservation with hands-on experiences, making it a unique destination for history enthusiasts, families, and anyone interested in Sydney’s urban development. With indoor displays, outdoor exhibits (including old advertising posters that I LOVE), a gift shop and picnic areas, the Sydney Tramway Museum offers an engaging and educational day out, celebrating the important role trams have played in shaping the city. An absolutely fantastic day out and I was just simply in awe with the beauty of the old trams, including their doors! I often wish we still had these trams working today in Sydney, as can be seen in Melbourne.
One of the brilliant volunteers. I wish this tram still existed!Funny they have a smoking carriage!Love these old advertisements All aboard!Do not spit in the car. Penalty £2. The currency must have been in GBP back in the day. Now it’s the Australian dollar. I love how the seating plans are different in different trams.
Thanks for taking a look at my trams and doors. I would highly recommend visiting here and I can’t wait to show people here if they’re visiting in the future. All in all, a great place to see.
Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another week of wonderful doors. Last weekend we had the absolute privilege to be invited for lunch at a beautiful home on the water. We were invited by friends to celebrate a special birthday and enjoy some food, drinks and good company in this lovely home, inhabited by a lovely couple who have been living by the water here for years. We had the best morning / afternoon with the most fascinating conversation and lots of laughter. Good times were had all round and upon leaving I managed to spot a fantastic door that leads out into their garden. I love the hallway and the look of suspense the door effortlessly emanates. I also have a picture of the home from the water as we had once passed the house when on our river cruise.
We were very fortunate to be able to sit with the patio doors open and later have some wine sitting on the terrace when the sun wasn’t as strong. Absolutely magical.
I hope you’re all keeping well and having a great week.
After living in the Sutherland Shire now for just over a year, I thought this would be the perfect time to share why it’s such a great place to live and highlight some of my favourite things about the area.
First of all, what is the Sutherland Shire?
The Sutherland Shire, often called The Shire, is a local government area in southern Sydney, New South Wales, known for its beaches, national parks, and strong sense of community. Geographically separated from the rest of Sydney by the Georges River, it can only be accessed by road via two main bridges. However, public transport offers alternative routes, with trains and ferries providing convenient connections to and from the area.
Moving to the Shire
Before moving here, we had lived in Sydney’s eastern suburbs until we relocated to Ireland for 17 months. When we returned to Sydney, we found the eastern suburbs had become overwhelmingly crowded, with skyrocketing rental prices making it nearly impossible to secure a decent place to live. We had always wanted to escape the Sydney rat race and experience a more suburban lifestyle, and this move gave us the perfect opportunity to do just that.
1 – Proximity to Sydney
The Sutherland Shire is only 30 minutes to central station by public transport, meaning you can still come to the city to meet up with friends etc. and you don’t have to trek too far to get home. There are train stations in many of the Shire suburbs and the trains work pretty frequently (when they’re working). Bus services are also an option as well as driving if you have a car.
2 – The variety of suburbs where each one will attract you for their own unique reasons. The most frequent ones that I seem to visit are Miranda, Gymea, Kirrawee, Caringbah, Sutherland and Cronulla (although there are heaps more).
3 – Shopping at Miranda Fair (Westfields) – this shopping mall is HUGE and has everything you could possibly want / need. We live in Miranda and I find myself in this mall at least once a day, even just for groceries. You could spend all day here and it’s great for your steps if it’s a rainy day or a hot day as it has the best air con. Try to avoid visiting at weekends or public holidays as it gets extremely busy. Thank goodness we can walk here as parking appears to be problematic.
4 – Irish pub at Gymea – who doesn’t love an Irish pub?! This pub, known as The Snug is one of the best Irish bars I have seen in Australia. It is fantastic. As the name suggests, it’s a snug. Very cosy and inviting with lovely staff and a friendly crowd. They have a great area at the front where you can semi sit outdoors under cover and watch the world go by. They often have live music, make great toasties…with Tayto crisps (if you know, you know) and the absolute BEST Guinness I have had in Sydney! I cannot recommend this place highly enough. WE LOVE IT HERE.
Good times at The Snug
5 – Wine bar at Caringbah – I was walking through this suburb a few months ago thinking wouldn’t it be nice if the Shire had a wine bar…and lo and behold…this wine bar appeared. I kid you not! The Black Swan is a quirky little wine bar with a great wine list, lovely snacks, live music (fitting for a wine bar) and friendly staff again. Friendly is a common theme here with Shire people!
6 – The beaches at Cronulla – this seaside suburb has it all. The beaches that are really stunning, beach walks, rock pools, cafes, beautiful restaurants and bars and a real seaside feel to it. You genuinely feel like you’re on holiday when you come here to visit and the great thing for us is, it’s only 10 minutes away by train.
7 – Cafe culture – I must say, after a year being here in the Shire, we are STILL finding new cafes to try. We feel very fortunate to have such an array of cafes that serve great breakfast, lunches and coffees here. I’m pretty sure every suburb in the Shire has at least one great cafe. We particularly love Gymea for their coffee culture that has a real European feel as you walk through the suburb and we just found an amazing cafe in Miranda last week called Oli’s that was a huge hit with us. We sat outside in their well designed garden, tucked away on a side street that I had walked past nearly every day and hadn’t even noticed. We cannot wait to come back for their smashed avocados.
Smashed Avo – bursting with colour and flavour. Oli’s, we will be back soon! The Nun’s Pool at Cronulla. Absolutely stunning food.
8 – Bundeena – To think we used to come to this suburb for a holiday. You can drive here via the Royal National Park or you can take the ferry from Cronulla (which I highly recommend). I have a previous post all about Bundeena if you wish to check it out here but just know, this place is great for beach / bush walks, relaxing, enjoying some lovely food and drinks and is a good base for visiting the Royal National Park.
Ferry from Cronulla to BundeenaSunset at BundeenaThe Salty Pearl – a great spot for a cocktailBeach walks
9 – The Royal National Park – this is the world’s second-oldest national park (established in 1879). Covering over 15,000 hectares, it features stunning coastal cliffs, secluded beaches, lush rainforests, and popular hiking trails like the Coast Track. The park is perfect for bushwalking, swimming, cycling, and picnicking, with highlights including Wattamolla Beach and Wedding Cake rock.
Natural poolsWattamolla BeachOn the walk to Wedding Cake rock
10 – Como bridge walk – This is a scenic pedestrian path running alongside the old Como Rail Bridge, connecting Oatley (not in the Shire) and Como (in the Shire) over the Georges River. It’s a popular spot for walking, cycling, and enjoying water views, with a peaceful atmosphere and links to nearby bush tracks and parks. We like to have a drink in the brilliant Como hotel, then walk over the bridge which takes about 30 minutes and then reward ourselves with lunch in the Oatley Hotel, another fantastic pub.
Como Hotel – love the architecture as well as the food and drinks
11 – Port Hacking River – We’re lucky to have friends with a boat who love taking us out on the river. Cruising along, we get to soak in the stunning scenery the Shire has to offer, it’s amazing to see it all from a different perspective. We usually make our way towards Audley, where we stop for breakfast. Every trip is an unforgettable experience.
12 – Breweries – The Shire is also home to some fantastic breweries, including Hairy Man and Sunday Road. Both are well worth a visit and often host great food trucks. If you get the chance, try the Pop Ale at Hairy Man, I’ve never had anything quite like it. Delicious!
There you have it! I absolutely love living in the Shire for all the reasons mentioned above and I could go on and on and on, but I’ll spare you the details! It’s a place with so much to offer, and there’s a real warmth to the community (people still say good morning). The people are friendly, always willing to help one another, and I hope that never changes.
Happy Friday everyone and very happy Valentine’s Day to you all! I hope you’re showing or receiving some love today, or even better, showing AND receiving some love. It can be from your partner, friends, family or even pets! Heck, it can even be self love. Why shouldn’t we love ourselves and treat ourselves now and again!?
I used to think the day was a lot of nonsense, especially when it becomes so overhyped by the media and society. Restaurants put their prices up, retailers try to flog all their over the top and corny merchandise and people feel under pressure to show their love with grand gestures and extravagant gifts. Shouldn’t we be celebrating love every day? Do we need an abundance of gifts to show our affection?
I think showing little moments of affection every now and again is great, even simply saying ‘I love you’ 🫶🏽. I do, however, appreciate Valentine’s Day and think it is a great opportunity to stop and think about what’s important and celebrating that love you have with your partner, friends, family etc, especially if the chaos of life has taken over.
In addition, I think the world could do with a little more love right now! Enjoy your day everyone, please let me know if you have any exciting plans. I will look forward to a relaxing evening tonight with my partner and maybe some chocolate with a cup of tea. Very rock n roll!!!
Hi everyone, good morning, good evening and good night and welcome to another week of wonderful doors. This week I am showcasing some of my final doors from my trip to Carlingford in Ireland this time two years ago (where is the time going?).
My iCloud storage has almost reached it’s capacity and I don’t want to pay any more than I already do, so I’m wondering for all the door enthusiasts, do you keep all your doors on your computer or do you delete them once you have posted them on your blog? I was thinking of deleting mine but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it haha. I would be intrigued to hear your thoughts. Also if you have a favourite this week, please feel free to share.
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My fave this week is number 5. Great colour and character and I love that it sits perfectly in the building’s fantastic brick work. It also has a cute little transom window with the arch above it. How I would love to see behind that door and have a good nosey!!
Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another week of doors. This week I am digging deep into the vault and showing some of my favourite blue doors, in honour of summer resuming in Sydney after lots of rain last week. As always, please let me know if you have a favourite.
I think for the first week ever, I cannot choose an obvious favourite. I love all of them for different reasons. I think if I was able to buy one of these doors for my house, I would pick number 3 from Kells but number 5 looks so regal (definitely wouldn’t be my house door). What do you think??
Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another week of doors. It’s a wet and wild day in Sydney today with huge thunderstorms yesterday evening and all through the night. I’m staying dry indoors and looking at my doors taken from our trip to Berry recently. I have featured a couple in my Berry blog but they’re too good (in my opinion) not to share again here. As always, let me know if you have a favourite this week.
1 – I love this old wooden door seen on our way to Berry in a place called Thirroul.2 – Berry. I’m not sure about this building but when we were having Thai food one evening, this building was our backdrop.3 – Church door in Berry4 – Gerringong. I love this unusual design and a great door to boot. 5 – Kiama6 – Another church in Kiama
I really love number 5 this week. I’m not sure what the building was for, now used for a few businesses but the door really stood out for me. It is so unique and the design and colours are extraordinary. Love love love.
Hope you’re having good weather where you are in the world. All the best wishes,
Nestled between rolling green pastures and stunning beaches, Berry, New South Wales, is a picturesque town that captures the charm of the South Coast. Just two hours south of Sydney, this quaint destination is perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway. We had been here before for a couple of day trips but I really wanted to return and spend a couple of days here to really take it all in. From our place in the Shire, it was only a 1.5 hour drive.
A Historic Haven
Berry is steeped in history, evident in its beautifully preserved heritage buildings and small-town atmosphere. Established in the 19th century, the town is a window into Australia’s colonial past, with sites like the Berry Courthouse and the Berry Museum offering a glimpse into days gone by. There is a beautiful Thai restaurant that is worth checking out that is situated in the old Berry post office. We were lucky to be able to sit outside on the garden and appreciate the beautiful nature and architecture surrounding us.
I love the architecture and quaintness of this village. Beautiful views of the mountains on the background and everyone is welcome! The Berry Museum is worth checking out and was perfect for us when there was a short bout of rain.
A Foodie’s Paradise
Known as a hub for food lovers, Berry boasts a vibrant café culture and a variety of gourmet experiences. Whether you’re indulging in artisan baked goods at The Famous Berry Donut Van, enjoying a farm-to-table meal at one of the local restaurants, or exploring the Berry Farmers’ Market, you’ll find fresh, locally sourced delights at every turn. We discovered a lovely little Italian restaurant with a homely atmosphere and we also frequented the Berry Hotel on a couple of occasions (in Australia hotels are mostly pubs) which was fantastic and gave us the opportunity to meet locals and tourists alike. They had live music one evening and we needed up chatting to the musicians at the end of the evening. I think our Guinness drinking caught their attention and they were not surprised that we were two Irish men!
This Donut van is seriously famous! Love these storesBeers in the Berry Hotel
Shop, Stroll, and Explore
The town is a treasure trove of boutique shops, offering everything from homewares to handcrafted goods. Strolling along the main street, visitors will find unique gifts and souvenirs, along with plenty of opportunities to relax and soak in the village vibe. The Berry Barn is worth checking out and has some fantastic Aussie clothing, leather bags and traditional hats. I had always wanted an Australian leather bush hat and I found the perfect one here, much to my absolute delight.
Nature’s Playground
For outdoor enthusiasts, Berry is the gateway to stunning landscapes. Nearby Seven Mile Beach offers serene coastal views and plenty of space for picnics and long walks. We took a drive to the nearby suburbs of Gerringong and Kiama on the way home to take in more breathtaking ocean views, check out the architecture and treat ourselves to some fish and chips.
Ocean views at Gerringong and fantastic buildings at Kiama. The council chambers building is the building I mentioned in my previous doors post. What an exquisite building, including the door!
To conclude, whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat, a culinary adventure, or a touch of history, Berry, NSW, has something for everyone. With its blend of natural beauty, rich heritage, and warm hospitality, this charming town promises an unforgettable experience.
Pack your bags and discover the magic of Berry today, we highly recommend it! It was also recently voted the number one place to visit outside of Sydney for a day trip by Timeout Sydney.
I should be drifting off to sleep now but I just had a thought about yesterday and how I would like to share with you all.
I had my six monthly check up and clean yesterday with my very lovely dentist. We were just finishing up when she asked if I had any questions. Funnily enough, I was thinking of a couple of things while trying to escape the dental clean (mentally not literally) which can be pretty invasive. I like to keep my mind busy with other thoughts and distract myself. I was looking at the ceiling and wondering why there was just a plain white ceiling. It would be amazing to have some art work there or at least something to look at. That was question number one –
Why do you not have anything on the ceiling? (as your patients must stare at it for quite some time).
Then I was wondering do people ever look into their dentists’ eyes when having treatment. I always try to avoid looking at their eyes, looking all over the ceiling to find something of interest. Or I may even close my eyes if the clean becomes too intense. That was my second question –
Does anyone ever stare at your eyes during treatment?
My dentist wholeheartedly agreed that artwork on the ceiling would be a great idea or even a television. She also said some strange people do look into her eyes and it’s kind of creepy. I was fascinated to hear what other patients think or get up to whilst in the dentist chair.
Do you have any thoughts or questions you would ask your dentist? Do you look at your dentists’ eyes or would you look away?
Happy Thursday everyone and a happy new year to you all. I cannot believe it’s the ninth of January 2025 already! I’ll be honest, I was excited to start the year with the Bloganuary challenge, where you receive a daily prompt to blog for every day in January. Sadly, without any notification, there was no challenge this year from WordPress. I was really looking forward to starting the year on a blogging high but I think the opposite has happened. This will change I’m sure and I’m happy to have Thursday Doors to keep my motivation alive.
I thought this week I would show the last three festive doors that I have in my collection, spotted over the holiday season. Let me know if you have a favourite and I look forward to seeing other doors posts this week.
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The last door is my absolute favourite and I look forward to showing the whole building in my next blog post.
Another year comes to end, hard to believe right?! I love looking back through the months and picking a highlight, sometimes there’s more than one and sometimes it’s just the little things in life that stood out that month.
This was a quieter year for us with no holidays as such as we had just moved back to Australia from Ireland. We had to start from scratch, finding a place to live, buying furniture again and purchasing a car. This year was about fitting back into Aussie life and trying to save some money, whilst working hard and enjoying life at the same time. Luckily, we were fortunate to be able to fly home to Ireland for a month which was really lovely as I always miss the kids in our family.
That being said, I was happy to look back through the months of this year and see that we actually have done more than I first thought and it makes me appreciate that 2024 was a pretty good year.
JANUARY – Back in Sydney at the height of summer. I have seen this view hundreds of times but it never gets old. It was good to be back in Oz, we just had to find somewhere to live, which wasn’t the easiest thing to do as there is a severe housing shortage in Sydney.FEBRUARY – we decided to move out of Sydney and look for a place in the Sutherland Shire, about 45 minutes south of Sydney. Luckily we found a place near the Royal National Park and a beautiful coastline. Cronulla beach is a 10 minute drive from us and perfect for beach walks and ocean swims. MARCH – We visited our good friends in the Southern Highlands, an area that I have mentioned many times. We love this place for weekend getaways, lots of wineries, bush walks and cosy pubs. APRIL – We tried our first ever puppy yoga! I wanted to do something different for Brian’s birthday and he loves dogs so this was the perfect fit. You practise yoga for 30 minutes and then the instructors release the puppies to run amongst you all. Needless to say, not much yoga happens thereafter. It’s also a great initiative for you to adopt a puppy as these are all rescue dogs looking a new home. MAY – Good friends of ours from the Shire here just happen to own a barge and love to take trips along the Port Hacking River. We were delighted to be asked to come along, not once but twice on this idyllic river cruise. We dock at a local cafe for breakfast and then sail along the river, meandering through the different suburbs of the Shire. Very tranquil and great for wildlife watching. JUNE – One of my favourite ever sunsets in Bundeena, a quick ferry ride over from Cronulla. I was excited to show friends this area and we were treated to this absolute spectacle. We used to come here for weekend breaks, now we live close by and can call over any time. JULY – Home! It was great to be able to come home again for a few weeks. Belfast, when it gets the sun, is one of my favourite places to be. AUGUST – This is the Grand Opera House Belfast. I worked here for a few years as a student and it was like my second home. I met Brian here also, so it holds many positive memories for me. For my birthday, I really wanted to see a show here and luckily for me, there was a Simon & Garfunkel story being told with all their music being performed. Right up my street! The Opera House had a major refurbishment lately so it was really enjoyable to see for myself, 20 years after I first started working there. I was always really impressed by the amazing architecture of this building, designed by Frank Matcham. SEPTEMBER – Back in the Sutherland Shire and exploring the area even further. There are so many great suburbs here. This one is Oatley and the home to Oatley Castle. Not as grand as the castles we have in the UK and Ireland but still worth a visit. OCTOBER – Our friends finished building their new home in the Southern Highlands. We were thrilled to be invited down to stay for the weekend. Just look at the view they have from their balcony with unbelievable sunsets. NOVEMBER – We were fortunate to be invited to the hospital ball where I work. I had never been to a Christmas ball before so this was a big deal. All expenses paid and really fun to get dressed up for once. Best of all, the venue was 10 minutes from my home. Usually for us living in the Shire, everything is miles away, especially as many things tend to happen in the city. DECEMBER – Attending the Christmas markets in Sydney at central station. This was a lovely day with friends where we had lunch, wine at a little wine bar on the side of the street, followed by the Christmas markets. They had stalls, food, drinks, Christmas music and snow!!!! This truly felt Christmassy and magical. I don’t often feel like it’s Christmas here in Australia as it’s so warm, so this was lovely to feel the joy of Christmas, at least for a few hours.
Thank you all for reading this post and all your support again through 2024. I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy the time with those nearest and dearest and I will see you in 2025 where I’m sure I will be partaking in Bloganuary once again.
Happy Thursday everyone and thanks to Dan for suggesting we choose our favourite doors from this year. I fear I have A LOT to choose from so I have opted for a single door that I discovered at the weekend and absolutely LOVED it.
It’s a very festive door, on a street in the centre of Surry Hills, Sydney that surprisingly had many more fantastic doors. We discovered this street whilst trying to find a wine bar to visit and it was absolutely stunning, just off the beaten track and the home to many great, hidden doors.
I love the deep colour of the wood, it looks so rich and warm. The wreath is extremely festive and I love the plants on either side of the door. This whole street was extremely leafy and a true joy to wonder through. Another typical house in this area. I love the amount of plants on display, very calming and inviting.This was the wine bar we were searching for and luckily found. It was lovely to sit on the street and enjoy some wine with friends.
Thanks for checking in and having a look at my doors through 2024. I look forward to seeing all of your favourite doors throughout this year also and catching up with even more doors in 2025.
Happy Friday everyone. I am a day late with my doors as I was really hoping to find some festive doors yesterday when I was out and about. Sadly I didn’t find any and decided to go to the beach instead.
My festive door is part of Dan’s holiday doors theme and it was taken from two years ago when we lived in Hillsborough, Northern Ireland. It’s a fantastic door and the little decorations certainly give it that Christmassy feel. I absolutely love the brick work of this building and the design of the panel windows and transom window, almost looks like a spider’s web.
I look forward to seeing all your holiday doors over the weekend.
Happy Friday to you all. Today’s prompt caught my eye as I feel like here in Australia we can see many wild animals. I guess a wild animal is anything that isn’t tame or considered as a pet. We have everything wild here, from cockroaches to kangaroos to spiders and snakes. Australia is even home to an abundance of deadly animals, many of which are native to this country.
The animal that springs to mind in my community is the cockatoo, a native Australian parrot. I had seen some of these in Sydney but here in the Shire we have thousands of these, maybe as we’re close to the Royal National Park. These birds live in the wild, however, many can be seen here on the suburban streets in search for an easy meal. They are extremely rowdy and their squawk (I remembered how much I love this word) would frighten the life out of you. I have jumped out of my skin on numerous occasions as they let off their loud SQUAAAAAWWK, sometimes when flying over your head or even towards you!!!
In their defence, they’re very cute and extremely smart and inquisitive. I guess humans are taking over their land which is quite a sad thought. Have you ever had the pleasure to see one of these???
Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another week of doors. This week I thought I would share some of my favourite “outdoor” doors. As I was thinking about this concept, I realised that many doors are “outdoor” doors, however, in my mind, I am thinking of those doors not attached to a house but rather they are outside, away from houses, sometimes acting as entrances to someone’s property or land. Please let me know if you have a favourite this week or do you have an “outside” door?
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These first three doors are from Bellevue Hills, in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. I guess these doors may also be considered as gates, especially number three but for today, it is considered a door haha.
4 – Woollahra 5 – Auckland6 – Downpatrick, N. Ireland
My favourite this week is number two. It’s a fine looking door and I love the arch above it. The image catches my eye also due to the blue sky and greenery in front. I used to love walking past this door at the weekends and I used to imagine what kind of beautiful home would be behind this door with its astounding ocean views.
Hi everyone and happy Thursday! It’s been three weeks since my last doors post and I must say I have enjoyed the break. I was debating whether I should rename my doors series since hitting 100 posts but alas, I have continued on from where I left off, with this week being volume 101.
This week I wanted to show you all a fantastic place that I visited a couple of weekends ago in a beautiful place called Menangle, a small village in NSW, about an hour from where we live in the Shire. We have been to this village before when I spotted this great general store and I was dying to take a look inside and around but never had the chance. On this occasion, I purposefully parked nearby to take some photos and have a nosey.
The Store Menangle
This store was built in 1904 and quickly became an integral part of the local community. Over the years it has served as a barn, a general store, accommodation, an event space, a bottle shop and post office. Today it operates as a quirky coffee shop with an outdoor seating area and a beautiful flower shop attached with some local products for sale also. I was hoping for it to be a general store too but even without, it was a really stunning space and I couldn’t help but admire the architecture, craftsmanship and of course its doors. I also appreciated the Christmas feels that were on display here, even if the weather was stifling hot and couldn’t have felt any less Christmassy. We didn’t have time for a coffee this time but we will definitely be back.
Thanks for taking a look and have a great weekend everyone. My work is quietening down now towards Christmas so I will hopefully be more active on the old blog!
Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another magnificent week of doors. Today is my 100th edition of doors of WordPress and I wanted to create something a little different to mark the milestone.
I couldn’t think of how to choose my most favourite doors and it was very hard to narrow down my collection, so I thought a video might be a quick way to show some of my favourites. I managed to narrow it down to my top 250 doors!!!
I am so grateful that I have found a community that love doors as much as I do and a big thank you to Dan for creating this great space on our blogging platform. I have met lots of blogging friends through the Thursday Doors club and I love how we support each other by checking in and interacting through our appreciation for a good door.
I created a video to a song that I love by the Cranberries and shared to my Instagram account. It’s called Dreams and I’m sure many of you will know it. Sadly I cannot download my video with the song, I’m guessing due to copyright reasons so I have posted the video below mine in case you want to listen to it.
My top 250 doors to celebrate my 100th doors post. I hope you all enjoy!
Thank you all for your interest and continued support of my doors and everyone else’s too. Long may the love of doors continue.
Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another fantastic week of stunning doors. This week I am showing a few doors from Northern Ireland. I seem to have a never ending supply from when I visited home two months ago. As always, please let me know if you have a favourite this week.
1 – Portrush2 – South Belfast3 – Belfast City Centre4 – Belfast Cathedral Quarter5 – Armagh
I love all these doors for various reasons. The first door was taken in a thrift shop with lots of antiques and bric-a-brac. I spotted this door at the back and was very interested to see what was behind it but I didn’t have the courage to look as I think it was meant for staff. I love door number three simply for the absolutely stunning building that it is part of. It used to be a department store but has now been transformed into a fine dining restaurant from the Ivy group (best known for its sister restaurant in London). However, I LOVE door number five in Armagh for its really unique design and fantastic colour. It looks like something you would see belonging to Scrooge McDuck, with lots of gold coins being kept behind this door. If you’re an eighties child, you will know what I mean.
Have a great week everyone and I look forward to creating my next doors of WordPress post as it will be my 100th edition!!
1 – Collapse of the twin towers 2001. This was a big one and I was 17 at the time. I remember being in school and a student ran into our classroom to announce to every one that planes had crashed into the twin towers. I travelled home from school and remember watching it with my family on the news and being in total disbelief and feeling so sad about it.
2 – Death of Princess Diana 1997. I remember waking up and seeing my mum watching the news and being very upset. When she told my Princess Diana had died in a car crash, it was shocking as she was such a prominent person in the media at the time and I remember all the charity work she was doing. I felt so sad that she had died in such a tragic way and to die so young. I felt for the two boys who had lost their mother.
3 – The war in Afghanistan. I know people had to be held accountable for the many deaths caused from the twin towers falling and the other plane attacks. However, I felt uncomfortable that a war was waged and now when I see the atrocities happening in the Middle East, I just feel so sad for all the innocent people that die, all the mothers and children who have nothing to do with any wars. I feel like we don’t seem to learn from history sadly and we make the same mistakes again and again.
4 – The Good Friday Agreement 1998. This was an agreement to end the conflict in Northern Ireland that had lasted for over 30 years. I grew up at the tail end of the troubles thankfully but I still remember all the bomb scares, bombs that actually exploded, army check points every time you left your village, and the tit for tat fighting between Catholic Nationalists and Protestant Unionists. I remember Bill Clinton visiting Northern Ireland and that it was a big deal that he was backing the agreement.
5 – Brexit voting 2016. A more recent historical event but one that I remember clearly and I was devastated to be leaving the European Union. I feel that people were misinformed and didn’t actually know what they were voting for. I was completely floored when I heard we were leaving the EU, I thought it would be a no brainer to stay but alas I was proved wrong. We will be suffering from this for years to come I’m sure.
6 – Donald Trump becoming president in 2017. I actually could not believe this. I thought he would have no chance of becoming president as he was a TV personality and business man but I was wrong. I was again shocked when Boris Johnson became the UK prime minister two years later.
7 – The tsunami in Phi Phi island, Thailand. The earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean 2004 was huge and I had a friend living in Phi Phi island at the time, so I was able to hear what happened straight from the horses mouth. Luckily, she was one of the survivors but it was absolutely horrendous how many people died, over 227,000 in total in different countries within Asia. We visited Phi Phil island in 2009 and met with the locals and survivors to hear their stories and visit the memorial garden that they had created. Such a tragic environmental disaster.
8 – Marriage of William and Kate 2011. This was massive in the UK and I guess I feel a connection to William as we’re around the same age. I had just started working in a nursing home and I remember watching the ceremony with the residents and seeing how excited they were to see the royals getting married. It was a great day.
9 – Death of Queen Elizabeth 2022. This was big as I had only ever known the Queen to be the reigning monarch. When she passed away, it was like the whole country was in mourning. I feel like this was a huge milestone and that she has left such a legacy, whether you’re a royalist or not.
That’s my top nine that I can think of now from the top of my head but I’m sure there are heaps more. Do you have any other historical events that you remember? I found this prompt very interesting and jumped at the chance to answer. It’s funny that you always remember where you were when you heard the historical news for the first time and also strange that we are currently living through historical events.
Hi everyone and welcome to another week of wonderful doors. This week I am showing only one door from a fantastic building that I was able to see last weekend when visiting the Southern Highlands.
First a little bit of history –
The Burrawang General Store is a renowned café and store located in the small village of Burrawang, in the Southern Highlands. It was originally established in 1867 and has retained much of its old-world charm while offering modern appliances and a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. The General Store is known for its delicious, locally sourced meals and coffee, often enjoyed in a rustic setting that includes indoor seating, a veranda and garden views. It’s a popular spot for both locals and visitors exploring the scenic Highlands region.
However, we were saddened to discover that this store has actually just recently closed. The specific reason for its closure hasn’t been made public, however, it seems that management changes or evolving business conditions might have led to the closure. While the original café has closed, there are occasional events and pop-up dining experiences held at the site. Fortunately, this fantastic structure continues to be a beloved location in Burrawang village, attracting interest for its charm and heritage alike. I love the actual design of this store and although the door is not one that stands out, I feel like the door blends well very with the style of the building. I love the shutters on either side of the door and what a great sign above it. I doubt you would find a newspaper for one penny today!
Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another week of wonderful doors. This week I thought it was about time to show some local doors again from Sydney as it has been a while. Even though I live outside of Sydney, I still work in the city a couple of days a week so I am delighted to be able to keep discovering new doors there. I still have a good few from Ireland and England but will keep those in my collection for a rainy day.
As always, please let me know if you have a favourite this week.
1 – Coogee 2 – Sans Souci3 – Sans Souci4 – Darlinghurst5 – Darlinghurst
I love the first door from Coogee. It’s an old classic with a rather interesting bill board in the left hand corner of the photo! Fortunately, it’s an advert for a brand of wine here in Australia but actually made in France. According to Time magazine, it is a wine for the anti snob…and I happen to know it’s actually not a bad drop.
To be honest I love the first four doors, especially the homes in pictures two and three. The last door isn’t overly special or easy to spot but I loved the colour and character of the building, even the house number is pretty retro.
What are your thoughts? Have a great week everyone and keep your eyes peeled for some interesting doors.
Happy Friday everyone and welcome to another week of doors. It feels weird to even create a doors post on a Friday but I somehow completely missed Thursday. I was in work today when I realised it was Friday and that I had completely forgotten about yesterday being Thursday Doors day!
This week I have one door to show from Belfast. I walked past this door and immediately fell in love with the graffiti caption. I feel that it is a fantastic statement to live by and one that I think about quite regularly. If I’m having a bad day, a sad day or wishing I had more in life, I always like to think of this sentiment and remind myself that it “could be worse”.
Be grateful for what you have, especially in these trying times. If you have clean water, a roof over your head, a loving family, clean air to breathe, legs to walk, good health, not trapped in a war zone etc. you get my point. Just be grateful and appreciate that things could always be worse. There are people out there who have truly a lot to be sad about. There’s always worse off sadly.
On that note, have a lovely weekend and appreciate the little things in life.
After tossing and turning all night with the heat and things on my mind (nothing too serious) I checked my watch this morning with hopeful optimism that maybe I had a good enough sleep to get me through the day…but to my dismay it was only a measly 3 hours 45 minutes. I know this isn’t the worst, there are many new mothers and fathers who have much less sleep, however, for me, I normally need at least 6 hours to function. Let’s see how today goes.
Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another week of wonderful doors. I’ve realised that my weekly doors posts are the only things that are keeping me blogging at the moment, thank goodness for doors and to Dan for having the weekly door challenge.
With work being so busy, I just haven’t been able to travel much but hopefully that will change in the coming weeks. Don’t get me wrong, I am happy to be busy at work and grateful for the opportunities here in Australia.
This week I am showcasing a few doors from Huntington in England where my sister lives. I have visited many times, with the most recent trip being last month when I visited home. I was looking back through my doors and couldn’t believe that I actually haven’t posted many doors from Huntington as yet. Surprisingly to me as the doors there are exquisite.
As always, please do let me know if you have a favourite or if one simply stands out more.
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I absolutely adore number five for the quaintness of the door, the glass panels, the wreath in situ and the exterior. I love everything about this cottage, including the thatched roof, the lantern on the wall and even the dog on top of the roof, apparently in remembrance of their previous pet pooch. What are your thoughts?
Hi everyone and a very happy Thursday to you all. This week’s doors are from Hillsborough, a little village in Northern Ireland. Some of you may remember that we lived here for nearly a year when we temporarily moved back to Northern Ireland last year. During our trip home last month we just had to return and spend a couple of days here as we had loved living there so much.
Please let me know if you have a favourite door this week.
12 – this little house was on the main street and we actually stayed here for 3 days. If I could buy this place, I absolutely would!!. It was so big inside which is quite misleading from the front. 3 – one of my favourite pubs in the village, The Plough. There are 3 pubs in this village, all very good actually. 45
Ok so number 5 technically has a few doors here but I’m thinking more of the black door behind the mini. To be honest this has to be my favourite, not only for the fantastic door, surrounding arch and transom window but I also love the brickwork of the building. It’s also one of my favourite images and really gives you a feel for the village of Hillsborough. The flowers, the bunting and even the mini parked outside all add to the visual.
Anyway, thanks for taking a look at my doors this week and have a fantastic weekend everyone.
Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another week of doors. I have returned after a two week hiatus and feeling good for the break. I have been exceptionally busy with work but also I have found a new obsession, commencing my family tree on ancestry.com. I will have to write a blog post about that but for now I will showcase some doors from my trip to England last month.
We visited an amazing place called Wimpole Estate in Cambridgeshire and not for the first time. We had previously visited in late 2023 when we took my niece and nephew to a light installation show. However, this time we visited to appreciate the grounds and scenery during the day and with some lovely warm weather.
Managed by the National Trust, Wimpole Estate includes a grand mansion, extensive gardens, a working farm and parkland. The estate dates back many centuries, with its development influenced by various owners who made significant changes to both the house and the landscape.
It’s a very popular destination for tourists, nature lovers, and history enthusiasts, offering walks, seasonal events, and educational activities. It is also used for filming and cultural events due to its scenic beauty and historical significance. However, for me, I just couldn’t help but appreciate the venue for all the fantastic doors it had to showcase. As always, let me know if you have a favourite one this week.
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I absolutely love the door on the church from picture number 9 but I really love the simplicity of door number 1. Those doors that are split in two halves are really cool and always remind me of old country and western movies. I think the tractor also adds to the shot.
Thank you all for having a look and I hope you’re all having a great September thus far.
Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another week of spectacular doors. This week I am showcasing just one door that I found within the grounds Antrim Castle, located in the Platinum Clockwork Garden. I have wanted to visit this garden since it opened in 2022 and it did not disappoint. The door itself is quite simple, a beautiful green door set within a stunning tower made of bricks.
The Platinum Jubilee Clockwork Garden at Antrim Castle is a unique and enchanting installation that captures the spirit of both history and creativity. It was designed to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, however, it is not just a tribute to her 70 years of service but also a testament to the power of innovation in art and horticulture.
Interestingly, there isn’t an actual clock in the Platinum Jubilee Clockwork Garden. The “clockwork” theme refers more to the garden’s artistic design rather than to the presence of a functioning clock. The installation uses mechanical elements and sculptures that create the idea of clockwork, symbolizing the passage of time and celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign.
The Platinum Jubilee Clockwork Garden
If you ever find yourself in Northern Ireland, a visit to the Platinum Jubilee Clockwork Garden at Antrim Castle would be recommended. It’s a place where history, nature, and art come together to create a truly magical experience.
Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another week of wonderful doors. As you may be aware, I’m currently visiting home in Northern Ireland and have just over a week left of my trip. Fortunately, I have seen an abundance of fantastic doors, something that has been lacking for me in Australia of late.
We visited a place called Armagh last week, the county where I am from. We simply took a stroll around the city and breathed in all the amazing history and architecture which I will have to show you all later at some point. In addition, I also stumbled upon some amazing and very colourful doors. I thought, seeing as it’s Pride month here in Northern Ireland, where people come together to stand for LGBTQA+ rights, it would be a fitting time to show case these colourful doors. Apparently the pride flag colours represent the diversity of the LGBTQA+ community and the spectrum of human sexuality and gender. Personally, I just love the colours and they make me feel happy when I see them.
As always please let me know if you have a favourite this week and I hope you’re all keeping well in the blogosphere.
Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another week of wonderful doors. I was rummaging through my collection and realised I still have a few doors from my trip to Dijon, France from almost a year ago now. I love how each door conveys a certain rustic and historic charm…if only doors could talk, I’m sure they could tell a tale or two.
As always, please let me know if you have a favourite.
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Personally, I love numbers four and five but my winner this week is the last door at number five, a door leading to under the stairs. Could there be a French Harry Potter living in there?
Thank you for the reminder WordPress that I have been blogging for the past seven years. I actually always remember this myself anyway, as I started this blog when I emigrated to Australia seven years ago.
I find it insane that I have actually lasted this long as I never imagined it to be a long term project. My aim was to show case places that I was visiting in Australia and maybe inspire others to visit them. This has continued but I would say that my journey has changed throughout the past few years, meandering my way throughout the blogging world, always on the hunt for tips and advice, learning new things and meeting new people along the way. It’s a journey that I thoroughly enjoy, however, my only wish would be to have more time to invest in blogging. Also more time to travel would be lovely but alas, one still has to work and bills to pay 😜.
When Covid hit, I thought I had nothing left to blog about as we could no longer travel. However, I soon learned that you don’t have to stick to what you normally blog about. The blogging community taught me that it’s my blog and I can write about whatever suits ME and whenever suits me. I participated in many writing challenges throughout the covid lockdowns and beyond, with some of them now firmly in my psyche, for example, being a member of the Thursday Doors club hosted by the amazing Dan!
I have found the blogging community to be strong, supportive and for the most part, inclusive. Thank you all for having me in your blogging space and I really hope to still be around for the next seven years. I will continue my doors posts and hopefully share some new travel experiences now that I have moved back to Australia. Next week I am heading home to Northern Ireland to visit my family which I am extremely excited for. It’s only been seven months since I have last seen them but I really do miss my family, especially as I have a new niece to meet!! I will keep you all posted on what we get up to.
Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another week of doors. I was on my lunch break during the week and took a walk around a little park that I like to frequent. It’s like a small rainforest in the middle of the town, a tranquil oasis that most people don’t even know exists.
Fred Hollows Reserve in Randwick, Sydney
I was walking along the boardwalk provided when I stumbled across the most AMAZING door…in a tree!!! Who do you think lives through that door? The quaintest door I ever did see and it really allows your imagination to run wild.
Could it be a mouse or a squirrel…or possibly a couple of robin Redbreasts?
I’m guessing someone placed this door here but what a great idea. It certainly brought a smile to my face ☺️. Enjoy your Thursday everyone and keep dreaming.
WrookieSchU 