Wineglass Bay

Wineglass Bay is one of Tasmania’s most photographed places, and for good reason. The white sand forms a perfect curve, the water is incredibly clear, and the views from the lookout are hard to beat.

The walk up to the lookout is short but steep, so you definitely feel it in your legs, especially on the way back down. However, once you reach the top, it is totally worth the effort. On a clear day you can see the full sweep of the bay and just how untouched it still feels.

If you have the time (and the energy), heading down to the beach itself is even better. It’s quieter, less crowded, and a great spot to sit, swim, or just take it all in before the walk back out.

The name Wineglass Bay is believed to come from the bay’s shape, which looks like the base of a wine glass when viewed from above. Another story links the name to the whaling days of the 1800s, when whale oil and blood from processing whales in the bay supposedly tinted the water red, giving it the appearance of a glass filled with wine. Thankfully those days are long gone, and today the bay is protected as part of Freycinet National Park.

We were very fortunate to have friends take us here and act as our tour guides. Such an unbelievably stunning location and one that was on our bucket list for visiting Tasmania. Also if you have a chance, it’s worth taking a walk up to the lighthouse, where you can see Wineglass Bay from another view point.

January 18, 2026 12

Ticking off an Entire Continent

There’s something deeply satisfying about finally achieving a goal you’ve quietly carried for years. Somewhere between coastal drives, city stays, dusty inland roads and spontaneous getaways, I can now say that I have visited every state and territory in Australia. It was always something I was keen to do, and while I can now proudly say I’ve ticked them all off, I know I’ve only scratched the surface.

Each state and territory holds far more than a single visit could ever reveal, endless landscapes, hidden pockets, local stories and moments still waiting to be discovered. Completing the list feels less like an ending and more like an invitation to keep exploring.

If you’re not familiar with how Australia is set up, the country is made up of six states and two main territories. States operate with their own governments, while territories are governed a little differently under federal oversight.

From a travel point of view though, those technical differences fade away and what stands out is how wildly different each place feels, from climate and scenery to food, lifestyle and pace of life. I don’t think I ever appreciated how big Australia actually is until I started living and travelling here.

Below I have showcased a few favourite photos of mine from each state and territory to give you a glimpse of how they appear in a snapshot. However, you cannot possibly see every point of view from a single photo or even a single trip, as even within a state or territory, there can be vast differences. How you been to any of these states or territories? If so, did you have a favourite?

NEW SOUTH WALES

VICTORIA

QUEENSLAND

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

TASMANIA

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY (ACT)

NORTHERN TERRITORY

January 14, 2026 20

12 months and 12 photos (2025)

What positive events have taken place in your life over the past year?

Today’s prompt ties in nicely with a post that I normally create every year since 2019 thanks to Tanya from Theredphoneboxtravels, where you post one photo that highlights something significant for that month. It’s been a big year for me with travelling and trying to see as much of Australia as possible. With not travelling home to Northern Ireland this year, we had more time (and money) to travel more locally. A few positive events have also happened with me gaining another beautiful little nephew and being made permanent full time in my job as a teacher of nursing. I would also like to acknowledge my blog as it has grown significantly this year and I am really proud of its journey and the amazing bloggers I have met along the way, so thank you to each and everyone of you who interact and make this a really fun space for exploring and learning more about the world and each other.

**JANUARY** – our first trip of the year was to a quaint little town called Berry. It’s one of our favourite places to visit in New South Wales.

**FEBRUARY** – Our next trip was to Melbourne to see our best friends who live there. We are really looking forward to their wedding at the end of this year!!!

**MARCH** – My amazing husband is always wanting to give back to the community. He had this idea of painting stones / pebbles with messages of kindness, for people to take and hopefully put a smile on their face. We had seen something like this in Northern Ireland and thought it was a wonderful idea. We painted them together and placed them in our local park. We came back a few days later later and they were mostly all gone 🙂🙂

**APRIL** – an amazing trip to Adelaide and we checked out one of our favourite vineyards.

**MAY** – my first ever official fitness challenge and I survived. My fitness journey has really ramped up this year and I’m loving it.

**JUNE** – we attended a very special wedding in the Philippines and absolutely fell in love with this country and its beautiful people.

**JULY** – HYROX…absolutely DELIGHTED to have taken part in this and again, I survived. I completed this competition with a partner but maybe next time I will try on my own.

**AUGUST** – Lunch with the boys. Every couple of months we try to meet up for food and tea and it’s a real highlight. It’s a great way to see each other outside of work and enjoy each other’s company.

**SEPTEMBER**– We finally made it to Western Australia! This has been a dream of ours for so long and it didn’t disappoint. Perth, Scarborough, Fremantle, Rottnest Island, Busselton and Margaret River, we ticked them all off, whilst having the best time and catching up with beautiful friends and family.

**OCTOBER** – Seeing our favourite musical in the Sydney Opera House, priceless!!

**NOVEMBER** – The hospital ball, I always look forward to this, a chance to let your hair down, meet other health professionals and have a boogie.

**DECEMBER** – Our work Christmas dinner with the best colleagues. I’m so fortunate to have two jobs that I really thoroughly enjoy! There’s a lot more to come this month and I just LOVE this festive time! With a special wedding happening at the end of the month too, it’s going to be a delightful end to 2025!

December 7, 2025 32

November Shadows # 19

Centennial Park, one of my favourite parks! Found in Sydney, Australia – posted as part of Becky’s November shadows challenge.

November 19, 2025 9

December: A Tale of Two Seasons

What’s your favorite month of the year? Why?

My favourite month has always been December. Christmas season arrives, and with it comes office parties, mulled wine, decorations, and everyone generally being in good spirits.

Growing up in the Northern Hemisphere, December meant cold weather, dark evenings, and a cosy atmosphere that made Christmas feel extra special. That’s the version of the holiday that’s still in my head.

Living in Australia now, December looks completely different. It’s the middle of summer, and instead of coats and gloves, it’s all about heat, swims, and barbecues. I actually love the warm weather and getting outside as much as possible.

However, Christmas just doesn’t feel the same when you’re wearing shorts and a T-shirt and hearing festive music in the sun. It’s nice in its own way, but it’s not what I am used to.

Even with the changes, December is still my favourite month, just for very different reasons depending on which side of the world I’m on.

November 18, 2025 22

My favourite view in Sydney

What is your favorite place to go in your city?

In Sydney, it has to be the Opera Bar! Drinks by the water, seeing the most famous landmarks, the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Being here is just magical, day or night! It reminds me that I live in Australia, my journey to get here and why I live here, for this amazing beauty and lifestyle. It’s not just for the amazing landmarks, it means so much more. I have umpteen photos of being at this exact spot and have selected a few to show you.

My favourite time was taking my parents here and seeing how much they loved it too.

November 17, 2025 17

Doors of WordPress V140

Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another wonderful week of doors. This week I am showcasing some very special doors that are attached to some very special motor vehicles. You may remember I mentioned that we attended an event in Perth known as the Celebration of Motorsport at Langley Park just last month.

It is a free event that brings together car lovers and racing fans for a fun day out. It showcases everything from classic cars and hot rods to modern race vehicles, with live displays and plenty to see and do along the Swan River. It is a great day for families, enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys the excitement of motorsport or like us if you simply appreciate looking at old cars.

We absolutely loved this event and couldn’t believe our luck to stumble across it. I want to show you all the majority of cars that we managed to see. Let me know of you have a favourite and maybe why because as much as I love the aesthetic of classic cars, I am in no way knowledgeable about them, other than if I like its appearance or not. These cars reminded me of the kind of toy cars I would have played with as a kid.

There are so, so many to choose from and these were just my favourites on the day! I absolutely love numbers 3, 13, 19, 22 and 23. How cool would it be to drive one of these???

October 23, 2025 38

Margaret River, WA

Our final destination on our Western Australia adventure, nestled in the southwest corner of WA, you have Margaret River, a small but world-renowned region famous for its premium wines, pristine beaches and laid-back charm. Once a quiet surf town, it has grown into one of Australia’s leading wine regions, producing exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blends.

The highlight of our trip to Margret River was a wine tour with Wine for Dudes (not that I’m saying I’m a dude!), a relaxed and entertaining day that showcased some of the region’s best vineyards, cellar doors and local producers. Basically you have a driver who takes you around the vineyards, providing information and history of the region. We had wanted to attend a wine tour here and this company ensured we had the best experience possible and it always helps when the other attendees are good fun.

Our first stop was Walsh and Sons, a boutique family-run winery where creativity and character shine through in every bottle. The wines are vibrant and expressive, perfectly reflecting the region’s coastal influence. This wasn’t a favourite of ours but not bad for our first pit stop.

Next, we visited Peacetree, a charming and welcoming spot surrounded by rolling vineyards. The wines here were beautifully balanced and elegant, a real taste of Margaret River craftsmanship.

After that came Gabriel Chocolate, where we discovered that wine and chocolate truly are the perfect match. The rich, handcrafted chocolate is made directly from cacao beans, and it was hard to leave without a little bag (or two) to take home.

Lunch was at Swings and Roundabouts, a rustic winery known for its relaxed atmosphere and incredible woodfired pizzas. We also got to try our hand at wine blending, which was both fun and surprisingly competitive, creating our own blend to have with lunch.

The next stop was Windance Estate, a family-owned, organic vineyard with a strong focus on sustainability. The wines were fresh and full of character, and the hospitality was warm and genuine.

We finished the day at Cheeky Monkey Brewing Co., swapping wine glasses for craft beers with a view over the lake. It was the perfect way to wind down after a full day of tasting and touring.

In town, The River Hotel and Bar was a favourite spot for good food, great drinks and a lively atmosphere. For dinner, The Grande Escape offered an excellent locals’ night menu, relaxed, friendly and full of flavour. The $5 glasses of house wine were the ticket and we were literally a five minute walk to our air b’n’b, winner winner, chicken dinner!

Loved this pub for a couple drinks and a bite to eat

Another highlight of our trip was Cape Mentelle, one of the pioneering wineries of the region. The setting is stunning, surrounded by vineyards and native bushland, and the wines, especially their signature Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2022 Zinfandel were outstanding. It is very easy to see why Margaret River has become such a celebrated destination for wine lovers, we absolutely loved it!

On a side note, Margaret River town was very charming with its stunning cafes, restaurants and boutique stores. We also found a very cheap launderette which was great for washing our clothes (I’m easily pleased) as we were coming to the end of our trip.

That rounds up the end of our WA trip. We drove back to Perth for a final night with our friends and were able to share our experiences from our unforgettable trip. Perth you have a piece of our heart, the most amazing place, we can’t wait to return.

October 17, 2025 20

Doors of WordPress V139

Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another week of wonderful doors. The sun is shining and I’m working from home today. It’s really lovely but I’m just dying to get out in the sun for a walk. I’m settling instead for a quick coffee break and thought I would post some of my remaining Perth doors. Please let me know if you have a favourite this week. Sometimes it isn’t the door that catches my eye but the entire building! I absolutely love door number one this week but the Salvation Army building is just fantastic.

October 16, 2025 45

Fremantle, WA

Just a short drive from Perth, Fremantle (or “Freo” as the locals call it) is a vibrant port city where old-world charm meets modern creativity. Its streets are lined with heritage buildings, colourful murals, buzzing markets, charming coffee shops and the smell of the ocean. Fremantle has a relaxed, artsy energy that is perfect for wandering, exploring, and soaking up the laid-back coastal vibe. Below are some of the highlights for us and places that we had planned to visit. We absolutely loved this place for its character and charm and spent three days here but could probably have stayed longer. Great spot!

Fremantle Prison

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fremantle Prison is one of Western Australia’s most fascinating historic landmarks. Once a high-security jail built by convicts in the 1850s, it now offers guided tours that take you deep into its eerie cells and underground tunnels, a haunting glimpse into WA’s colonial past. There are many different tours to take and we took part in the Convict Prison Tour, more so as it spoke about the Irish convicts and how they were used to build the prison.

Fremantle Markets

Since 1897, the Fremantle Markets have been a weekend institution. The heritage hall is filled with local produce, handmade crafts, street food, and live music. It’s a feast for the senses and the perfect spot to experience Freo’s lively community spirit.

Architecture

Fremantle’s streets are a showcase of beautifully preserved 19th-century architecture. From grand Victorian facades to quirky terrace buildings, the mix of colonial and maritime design gives the town its unique, nostalgic charm. I won’t show too much of this as I want to keep a few shots for my future doors posts!

Vintage Shops

Freo is a treasure trove for vintage lovers. Wander down High Street or the Cappuccino Strip and you’ll find retro clothing stores, antique shops, and hidden boutiques full of one-of-a-kind finds.

Art and Murals

The city’s creativity spills onto its walls, literally. Fremantle is covered in colourful street art and murals that celebrate its maritime roots and bohemian soul. Every corner seems to tell a story.

The Green and Red Lighthouses

Standing proudly at the entrance to Fremantle Harbour, the red and green lighthouses are local icons. They mark the port’s north and south moles and make for a stunning photo spot, especially at sunset. We took a walk out to the green lighthouse only as it’s quite a distance but I am a huge lighthouse fan so had to see at least one up close.

Ferry to Rottnest Island

From Fremantle, you can hop on a ferry to Rottnest Island, home of the famous quokka! The trip takes about 25 minutes and offers beautiful ocean views as you head toward one of WA’s most loved holiday spots. I will create a standalone post for this island as it is a real highlight when visiting WA.

Breweries – Running with Thieves & Little Creatures

Fremantle’s craft beer scene is thriving. Running with Thieves offers bold brews and a sleek coastal vibe right by the beach, while Little Creatures Brewery is a Fremantle institution, a relaxed spot for great beer, ocean views, and tasty food. We had tried these beers before so we’re super excited to sample more of their beers at their breweries. We had paddle boards to sample a few, great experience.

Our view for beer tasting at Little Creatures

October 11, 2025 36

Perth – Australia’s Remote Gem

Perth sits on the far west coast of Australia, however, surprisingly, it is closer to Jakarta, Indonesia than it is to Sydney or Melbourne. It is one of the most isolated major cities in the world, and you feel that remoteness the moment you fly across the country. From Sydney, the views below change dramatically as you make your way closer to Perth, from coastal greenery, to the barren red deserts of the outback, and finally to the sparkling blue Indian Ocean as you descend into Perth.

We stayed in West Perth, which is a great base, much quieter than the CBD but still close to everything. From here, you can easily explore some of the city’s highlights and I have made a list of the ones we were able to see below.

Kings Park & Botanical Garden – One of the world’s largest inner-city parks, Kings Park offers stunning views over the Swan River and Perth skyline. Its beautiful gardens, walking trails, and wildflower displays make it a must-see for nature lovers.

Stirling Gardens – Perth’s oldest public garden, Stirling Gardens is a peaceful green escape filled with native plants, sculptures, and shady trees right in the heart of the city.

Elizabeth Quay – A lively waterfront precinct perfect for a stroll, Elizabeth Quay combines modern architecture, public art, and dining spots along the Swan River.

The Bell Tower – This striking landmark houses historic bells from London’s St Martin-in-the-Fields and offers panoramic views from its observation deck.

The Perth Mint – Step back in time at The Perth Mint, where you can watch gold being poured and learn about Western Australia’s glittering gold rush history. We didn’t actually go inside but we really wanted to see the building.

Langley Park – Known for hosting Perth’s motorsport and air events, Langley Park is a wide riverside expanse ideal for festivals, sports, or a scenic walk. We were extremely lucky to stumble across the Celebration of Motorsport event showcasing hundreds of classic cars – I will show more of these in a future Thursday Doors post!

Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub – A lively Irish pub with plenty of charm, Durty Nelly’s is the perfect place to enjoy a pint, hearty fare, and friendly atmosphere. This place offered fantastic Guinness and a lovely bangers and mash!

London Court – A tucked-away laneway in Perth filled with chic cafés and boutique shops, London Court captures the city’s cool, creative vibe, inspired by London’s Tudor times and creates a link between Hay Street Mall and St George’s Terrace in Perth’s city centre. This is definitely worth a visit.

Street Art – Perth’s laneways and walls are alive with colour thanks to a thriving street art scene, showcasing bold murals and local talent at every turn.

Remote, diverse, and full of surprises, Perth is a city worth the long journey and we totally fell in love with it!

October 8, 2025 44

Tasmanian Devil

What was the last thing you searched for online? Why were you looking for it?

This is a funny question that I’m glad was asked. We were watching a documentary last night about the Tasmanian devil, an animal that only lives in Tasmania, Australia. You may know of it from the famous Warner Bros Looney Tunes series.

This animal used to live across mainland Australia thousands of years ago, but disappeared there around 3,000 years ago. Scientists believe this was due to competition with dingoes (which never made it to Tasmania), along with climate changes and human activity.

So now, the Tasmanian devil is endemic to Tasmania, meaning it is native there and nowhere else in the wild.

I was searching online to see what these creatures eat. I was thinking / hoping maybe they lived on berries etc but I know they have sharp teeth and claws. Here is what I discovered –

Tasmanian devils are carnivorous scavengers and hunters.

Their diet mainly consists of:

Carrion (dead animals): They’ll eat roadkill, livestock carcasses, or any remains they come across. Native animals: Wallabies, wombats, possums, birds, reptiles, and insects. Farm animals (if available): Chickens, sheep, or cattle carrion.

They are famous for eating almost the entire animal, i.e. flesh, fur, bones, and organs, thanks to their incredibly strong jaws and teeth. This makes them very efficient at cleaning up the environment. That’s a plus!

They are mostly scavengers, but they can hunt live prey if it’s small or weak. There you go. Have you ever heard of these animals? I have only seen them at the zoo here in Australia and on tv. They may appear cute but they can be aggressive, so beware the mighty Tasmanian Devil!

August 27, 2025 34

Symbio Wildlife Park

Nestled in 16 acres of lush gardens on the edge of the Illawarra escarpment, Symbio Wildlife Park in Helensburgh offers a uniquely immersive wildlife experience for families, nature lovers, and curious explorers alike. Just a 30 minute drive from our home in the Shire, this is a fantastic place to take visitors who want to see some of the famous Australian wildlife.

Reasons to visit Symbio:

– Get up close and personal with wildlife. Here you can meet and great with iconic Australian animals like kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and koalas.

– Interactive Experiences . You can hand-feed kangaroos, wallabies, alpacas and goats, engage in lively keeper talks, and dive into immersive behind-the-scenes encounters. This is such a novelty that not many other zoos can offer.

– Exotics Meet the Natives. Say hello to cheetahs, red pandas, meerkats, lemurs, small monkeys, crocodiles, alligators, and more. However, as much as I love to see different animals, I can’t help but feel sad that they are here in a foreign country against their will presumably.

– Great facilities including a fantastic playground for kids, a pretty decent outdoor cafeteria, ample toilets and a gift shop.

Some of the animals on show. I love the fact that this zoo is also an animal sanctuary, caring for animals that have been injured and cannot return to the wild. Can you name all of these animals??

July 20, 2025 9

Voting Day!

Do you vote in political elections?

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.

May 3, 2025 22

Cockatoos!

Do you ever see wild animals?

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???

They will come and perch on our balcony.

December 6, 2024 7

Doors of WordPress V101

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.

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!

Wayne

November 28, 2024 12

Seven years a blogger

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.

Many, many thanks,

Wayne

July 9, 2024 21

Doors of WordPress V85

Hi everyone and welcome to another week of fantastic doors. It’s Friday morning here but I figure I’m still in time to post some doors. It’s 0630 and I’m currently on my hourly train ride to work, so what better time than now to look through my gallery.

I have an array of doors still waiting to be showcased, however, this week I want to show you some of my favourite lighthouses. I absolutely love lighthouses and will make it my mission to go out of my way to find them. I love their architecture / design, their spectacular viewpoints and the fact that they emit light to help people at sea. What’s not to love! Plus they will almost certainly have a door. As always, please let me know if you have a favourite. These are all located within New South Wales, Australia.

I find it very difficult to choose from these but I have always loved the Bradley’s Head Lighthouse for its delicateness and location. However, the Barrenjoey Lighthouse is very different from the others and its location is out of this world. I also love its colour and brickwork with the red roof to the side.

This is the walk up to visit Barrenjoey Lighthouse from Palm Beach.

Thanks everyone and have a great end to your week.

Wayne

May 30, 2024 16

Bloganuary Day 13 (2024)

Think back on your most memorable road trip.

The first road trip that springs to mind was when we took a road trip to The Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia. Our good friends took us there on an unforgettable day trip around Christmas time 2018z

For me, this was the trip I had always associated with Melbourne, Victoria and had always wanted to witness firsthand. I had seen many pictures over the years and to be honest, it didn’t disappoint in real life. The Great Ocean Road was formed to commemorate the sailors and soldiers of the 1st world war.

The drive along this road is spectacular with beautiful ocean views and many places where you can stop and take photos. We happened to drive on a cloudy day and the views were still spectacular. The main aim of the drive for us was to see the 12 apostles at the Port Campbell National Park.

When you reach the apostles you will be mesmerised. However, I must say there were so so many tourists and even more flies!!!! You had to be super careful not to breathe them in.

There are a few different locations to view the apostles so make sure you check them all out. There is a map printed at the visitors centre to help you. Words can’t even describe how amazing this landscape was to see, so be sure to visit soon, as the apostles are subject to some severe weather erosion. There are actually only eight remaining but there are some other rock formations visible. As they are made of limestone, they will be subject to constant changes.

I think this trip stood out for me as it had been on my bucket list for some time and we were able to experience this with good friends during the Christmas season.

Have you ever been here? What was your most memorable road trip?

Wayne

January 12, 2024 15

Back Down Under

Hello everyone! I want to share with you a massive change in my life of late.

We have decided to return to Australia after having been home in Northern Ireland for the past 16 months. By no means was it an easy decision but our time at home just isn’t meant to be right now.

Who knows what the future will bring but for now we are excited to be back in Australia and look forward to the next chapter in our lives.

Life is short and you have to live it to the fullest, no regrets. I look forward to sharing more of my life / travels in Australia with a few doors thrown in along the way.

We are dog sitting at present until we find our own property and will be spending Christmas low key with the dog and the sunshine. There will be no snow here for Christmas!!

Meet Milo, our little 4 legged friend who will be spending Christmas with us.

I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and I hope you enjoy spending time with loved ones and making beautiful memories.

All the best,

Wayne ✌🏽

December 17, 2023 29

Doors of WordPress V66 – Nellie Vickery Chapel

Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to another week of doors. This week I am showcasing only one door but it is from a building that I have wanted to share with you for a few years now.

The Nellie Vickery Chapel is the smallest church I have ever seen, located in Waverley, Sydney and just around the corner from where I used to live in Bondi Junction. It is situated on the grounds of the War Memorial Hospital, which was once a mansion built and owned by Ebenezer Vickery. His family donated the exquisite home to the church after the First World War and opened as a hospital in 1921.

Many nurses were trained here over the years and I had the privilege of working here for most of my time living in Sydney. Such a wonderful place to work, boasting a fantastic architectural structure with beautiful gardens surrounding it.

I just happened to stumble across this little church one day (as it is tucked away in the garden) and I was so amazed at its quaint and historic character. I also thought the door was pretty special and the stained glass window is really stunning. Sadly I cannot find much information on the church itself but I believe it was added to the site at a later stage. If anyone else can enlighten me, please feel free to do so 😊. If I return to this site, I will make it my mission to find out it’s history.

War Memorial Hospital – the church is situated to the left, outside this frame and tucked away in the trees. What a fantastic building and is now listed. These statues were pretty scary when looking out at night!

Wayne ✌🏽

October 12, 2023 19

What is the most memorable gift you have received?

Bloganuary day 9 – this one is easy for me. My most memorable gift was from my other half when we visited Uluru almost one year ago. He surprised me with an airplane trip to see the sights from the sky, an absolutely stunning experience and a really lovely surprise. You can read more about it on my previous blog post https://wrookieschu.com/2022/02/12/uluru-by-air/

Wayne ✌🏽

January 9, 2023 16

12 months and 12 photos (2022)

I love choosing 12 photos to highlight what I have experienced throughout the year and it’s a great little recap. This has been a big year with lots of changes, some good and some bad, however, I am grateful to have had a good year overall and ending 2022 on a positive note. Please feel free to have a look at my 2022 highlights below and feel free to share your highlights from the past 12 months.

**JANUARY** – starting the year off with a little trip to Mudgee, NSW. We had always wanted to visit here and this was the perfect place for us to celebrate 15 years together.

**FEBRUARY** – This was one of our most epic destinations and a huge bucket list ticked off. Our trip to Uluru was one that we will cherish for years to come.

**MARCH** – Rain, rain, rain. Two years of rain in Sydney thanks to La Niña. We had many days out in the rain, we wouldn’t let it deter us, it was certainly better than having bush fires.

**APRIL** – a lovely little trip seeing the bestie in Melbourne. So good to catch-up after so long apart and seeing these Brighton boxes was another item ticked off the bucket list.

**MAY** – Seeing Dermot Kennedy in concert was pretty special, especially with my Irish friends.

**JUNE** – BBQ with the boys. Some of my favourite people, fantastic Lebanese food and this was the beginning of my many leaving parties as I leave Sydney for the time being.

**JULY** – the beginning of our travels. Queenstown in New Zealand was an absolute highlight. We loved it here.

**AUGUST** – Next on our travels was Bali, Indonesia. Stunning place to visit and we welcomed the sunshine after being in NZ at winter time.

**SEPTEMBER** – a big reason for me coming home was to see my sisters become married. A beautiful day and I love this photos with my sisters. I’m a lucky guy to have not one but three amazing sisters 🤍

**OCTOBER** – the main reason for me to come home, my family. Precious time with my niece and nephew, priceless!

**NOVEMBER** – my baby sister has her wedding. A lovely day and feeling very proud here 🤍

**DECEMBER** – Home with my number one person. Grateful to be here together and look forward to 2023, side by side ❤️

December 19, 2022 23

Sunday Sunset – Bondi

The sunset I am sharing today is from 12 weeks ago in Bondi, Sydney. You don’t actually see the sunset but the colours that were on show were absolutely stunning. I haven’t seen anything quite like the colour changes here of the sky anywhere else, from yellow to orange and then pink to lilac. I was just standing in the middle of the road, outside our friend’s apartment, in complete awe, as were many other locals.

I hope you enjoy the colours and have had a lovely relaxing weekend.

Wayne ✌🏽

October 23, 2022 12

WordPress Monthly Word Prompt – TRANSITION

Two things spring to mind when I see this prompt. Firstly, the image says Week of August 8 which makes me think the monthly word prompt is now weekly!? I asked WordPress about this and they stated that they are trialling more frequent word prompts. Fair enough and I think it’s a good idea, especially if you are maybe struggling to think of a blog topic.

Secondly the word prompt featured is transition which jumps out at me as I feel this is personally very appropriate at this time. I am making a huge life transition in the coming days. As many of you know already, I have been travelling a lot over the past few weeks and next week I will be heading to Northern Ireland after three years of not being able to visit home. I have packed up all my belongings and moving across the world to finally reunite with my family and friends. Whether I stay there or return to Australia remains to be seen but for now I will be concentrating on catching up with loved ones and reacquainting myself with life in Northern Ireland.

I will be keeping you all updated and sharing plenty more on my blog as the next chapter of my life commences, hopefully showcasing the best places see in Northern Ireland, Ireland and even Europe. I would like to say thank you all for your continued support and for creating such an amazing blogging environment here on WordPress.

Take care and enjoy your weekend.

Wayne ✌🏽

August 13, 2022 14

Northern Ireland VS Australia

Having looked at the pros and cons for Australia in my previous post, let me take you through my pros and cons for living in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Pros :

– Family & friends. My absolute number one reason for moving home is seeing my family and friends and making more memories. Covid has given me a new appreciation for spending time with loved ones, especially as we haven’t seen them in person for over three years.

– The Scenery. Northern Ireland is very green and scenic. It has lots to offer in terms of sightseeing, for example, the north coast. Also I plan to visit more of Ireland as a whole and explore what is on my own doorstep.

– Europe. Northern Ireland may have left Europe (unwillingly) but we are still situated in the European continent. This means we can travel pretty much anywhere in Europe quickly and relatively cheaply, as opposed to when living in Australia. It really is amazing to have Europe in your back yard and I plan to take advantage and make the most of travelling to places in Europe in the future.

– No natural disasters. Yes the weather in Northern Ireland can be horrendous, being wet and cold almost all of the year but at least we don’t suffer the extremities such as fires, floods, earthquakes and volcanoes etc.

– The NHS. Yes the National Health Service has its fair share of problems but it is still a free health service (I know we pay through our taxes) and a pretty good one, most of the time, especially in Northern Ireland. To receive free health care for everyone is fantastic and I actually really loved working for the NHS.

– The Craic. In our country, this term means fun and good times. It can also mean sense of humour. People in Northern Ireland are great fun and have the best craic. They are also very friendly and hospitable people.

– The bright nights. In Northern Ireland it can stay bright until 11pm at night in the summer months. I took this for granted until I moved to Australia, where it never stays light past 6 or 7pm.

Northern Ireland Cons :

– The Weather. Unfortunately this has to be top of my list. The weather is pretty horrendous in Northern Ireland for a really long part of the year. From end of September until about April, it will be really cold with good chances of rain, sleet, snow and hail. They even had snow in June this year! We do have the odd good day now and again. Unfortunately we do have the most beautiful scenery but it is all weather dependent.

– Spides & Millbags. Yes most of the people in Northern Ireland are extremely friendly but we do have a minority of people known as spides and millbags. These are people who can be described as being small minded, brash, loud, still argue about religion, never leave Northern Ireland and have the worst dress sense. I, for one, do not miss these people. I’m sure every country has their fair share of people like this but in Northern Ireland, they’re a breed of their own. Most of the time you can avoid them but now and again they will leave their homes and make an appearance into your safe little world.

– Religion. Northern Ireland, sadly is still stuck in the past with regards to religion. You have Protestants and Catholics (both a Christian religion 🤷🏼‍♂️) still arguing about Northern Ireland and whether it should belong to Ireland or belong to the United Kingdom. I actually think it’s not even about religion anymore but more about territory. Thankfully, these people are in the minority and I don’t personally know many people who still think like this but they do still exist in Northern Ireland. Thanks to immigration these people are being diluted and the country is moving forward, albeit at a snails pace.

– The dark mornings and nights. Just like the cold and wet weather, Northern Ireland is also pretty dark for a lot of the year. You will go to work in the dark and return home in the dark. This is pretty grim to be honest. Due to this, many things do not open early, for example, it’s nearly impossible to obtain a coffee before 9am. I think I will struggle with this since living in Bondi where you can grab a coffee as early as 5.30 am.

– The Government. I don’t like talking about politics so I will just say that our government is pretty basic. They argue with each other and when one party can’t agree with another party, they just stop working altogether. They actually still get paid even though the government stops working. They take whatever rules they want from the UK and if they don’t like them, they will change them to suit their own religious agenda and beliefs.

Even writing about religion and the government in Northern Ireland makes me cranky. On the whole, Northern Ireland is a great country with lots of character and interesting people. I love being from Northern Ireland as I can have dual nationality, meaning we can carry an Irish and British passport. Northern Ireland is a unique country with lots of potential. We are really upping our game in terms of attractions, bars, restaurants, hotels and even media (think Game of Thrones). I honestly hope you all have the opportunity to visit Northern Ireland one day.

Thanks for reading my part two blog post on the pros and cons of both Australia and Northern Ireland. Do you agree or disagree with any of my points? Have you ever been to these countries or want to visit in the future?

Take care,

Wayne ✌🏽

July 18, 2022 19

Australia VS Northern Ireland

As I plan to move back home to Northern Ireland (at least for a few months) I thought it would be a good idea to reflect on both countries and delve into the pros and cons of living in each country. I had been thinking of these a lot over the past few months when trying to make a decision about where to live. As an expat, these are things we think about, pretty much on a daily basis, as sad as that sounds. In this post I will look at the pros and cons of Australia and in my next blog post I will look at Northern Ireland.

Australia Pros :

– The weather. It’s pretty much warm for most of the year. Winter here can be cold enough but only lasts for about three months give or take.

– The lifestyle. It’s very chilled out here in Australia, especially in Sydney where I live by the water. The sunshine makes people happy, the coastal walks, dining outdoors, exercising etc. I think just being outdoors is so good for our mental health and well-being.

– The opportunities. Australia is the land of opportunity. There is plenty of work available here and you can process quickly. Even the fact I have been teaching here has been a huge opportunity that I wouldn’t have been given back home.

– The money. The fact is, I earn a lot more as a nurse here than I ever will back home. That can be said for many jobs here. Yes the expense of living is much higher here but you can still manage to save money here and live a really fulfilling life.

– The health system. It is amazing here, with a mixture of public and private, it works really well. I feel so fortunate to be in a country with such a fantastic health system, unlike America where it costs a fortune and many people can’t afford or the NHS that is really struggling and has been for many years now.

– The activities. There is always something to do, especially in Sydney. There are an abundance of bars and restaurants, plenty of bush, beach and ocean walks, lots of experiences, seeing the sights and famous landmarks etc etc, I could go on forever here.

– The sheer size of Australia. There is also so much to see and do all over Australia, therefore, you don’t really ever need to leave Australia if you want to see somewhere new. I don’t think I realised how big Australia actually is until I lived here for some time. It is unbelievably huge with each state completely different from the next and offering so much that really is a feast for anyone living here.

Australia Cons :

– The weather. As much as I love the weather here, it can also be a negative for Australia, especially the past three years. The bush fires are becoming more aggressive, wiping out so much land and killing millions of animal species. 2019 was horrific, so I dread to think how the next bush fires will be. Then we have the other extreme, flooding. The last two years we have had the La Niña weather event, bringing catastrophic amounts of rainfall. This is also predicted to last well into next year. The only silver lining with the rain is that it prevents the bush fires. I feel also with global warming, that the weather here, sadly, will be seeing more and more extremes of weather disasters.

– The distance. Personally, this is my biggest issue. It never used to bother me before covid. I always felt that if I needed to be home, I could always hop on a flight and be home within 24 hours. However, since being in lockdown, we haven’t been home in over three years. We suddenly feel very far from home. We are literally at the other side of the word. With lockdowns, it appeared to the outside world that Australia was very much cut off from everywhere else in the world. Family and friends are very important to me and if I can’t see them, that’s a big problem.

In conclusion, you can see I have many more pros than cons. I absolutely love Australia and its people. It is a magnificent country with lots to do and great opportunities but I don’t have my family here. I feel extremely far away and for that reason, I will be going home for a few months to see how it goes.

Keep an eye on my next blog post where I will write about the pros and cons of Northern Ireland. Thanks for reading everyone and have a pleasant day.

Wayne ✌🏽

July 17, 2022 17

Five years of blogging!

Wow! Another milestone hit this week for me. I have been blogging for five years now and I really feel like I have come full circle.

I started blogging when I arrived in Australia five years ago. I wanted to document my travels and the plan was initially to share my travels with those from home in Ireland. However, I soon found that when I was blogging about places in Sydney, local Sydney people were taking an interest and learning from my travel experiences. This was fantastic and really gave me a boost to keep sharing the places I had been visiting.

Now after five years, I will be heading back home to Ireland. My blog has come full circle and I now really look forward to taking my blog back home and sharing travel experiences from Ireland and Europe. We have a lot to offer in Ireland and Northern Ireland, where I will be living. I hope you continue to follow my journey and see what the other side of the world has to offer.

It hasn’t been an easy decision to move back home after five years but again I have covid to thank for that. Suddenly we feel so far away from home here in Australia. Previously I always thought I could be home within a couple of days, however, it has now been over three years since I have been home. I miss my family and friends and feel I have to take this opportunity to return home and see what the future has in store for me there. That’s not to say I will never be back to Australia. It’s not a good bye but rather a “See you later”.

I will be doing a little travelling soon before I reach home with my partner so stay tuned and hopefully I will have some really interesting places to show you on my blog.

Thank you everyone again for following my journey and I hope to keep you further entertained in the next chapter of my life.

Wayne ✌🏽

July 10, 2022 34

FOTD – Golden Dewdrops

Happy Friday everyone. Boy, am I glad to reach the weekend this week, it’s been a long, cold one here in Sydney. We’re all looking forward to a long weekend here in Australia for the Queen’s birthday, which isn’t actually her real birthday, so I’m not sure why that is, nevertheless, I’m not complaining for an extra day off.

I am not, in fact, showcasing a flower today but rather, I am showing you the berries of this shrub. The Golden Dewdrop (what a fantastic name by the way!) and I happened to pass this last week when I was looking at some doors in Darlinghurst. The flowers are a blue colour but I didn’t happen to see these, just the berries. I was really pleasantly surprised to discover these, even though in Australia the Golden Dewdrop shrub is known for being a weed. To me, it looks beautiful. It reminds me of the Leonardo da Vinci quote – “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”. Let me know what you think?

Golden Dewdrops – I love the vibrant orange colour against the green of the leaves.

Have a great weekend everyone and take care.

Wayne ✌🏽

June 10, 2022 14

Sunday Sunrise 🌅 – Bronte

Happy Sunday everyone. I have shown a lot of sunset pictures over the past few Sundays so I thought it was finally time to show you a sunrise snap. The eastern suburbs have the best sunrises, I guess because the sun rises in the east, therefore, we have a great view point. I hope you like the shot. This particular morning was a special one. I went for a sunrise swim with my cousin and we fortunate enough to see dolphins swimming in the distance. Truly spectacular 😊.

Enjoy your day guys.

Wayne ✌🏽

June 5, 2022 4

Sunday Sunset – Bexley

Although we cannot see the sun actually setting, I love how we can see the sky change colour at this time of day. This was taken five minutes ago, waiting for my train home from Bexley. I had a lovely time catching up with friends and old work colleagues today and even managed to drink soda water for the whole duration (no alcohol 😜). As an Irishman this has to be told with pride as it doesn’t happen too often. I think people were actually in disbelief 🫢.

I hope you are all enjoying your Sunday, if possible.

Take care,

Wayne ✌🏽

May 29, 2022 6

FOTD – Crimson Bottlebrush

What an amazing looking flower. My partner and I thought this looked like one of those bottle brushes you see mothers having to clean their babies’ bottles with. When we found out their name, we thought it was very amusing. The crimson bottlebrush is native to Australia and is very popular with birds for its nectar, specifically lorikeets, which we see here in Sydney all the time.

Thanks for taking a look at my flower of the day and I hope you all have a very happy Friday!

Wayne ✌🏽

May 20, 2022 6

Sunday Sunset – Sydney airport

An epic sunset at Sydney airport at the beginning of the year. We just arrived back from our trip to Uluru. I have a feeling I will be seeing this airport a lot in the coming months as my travel plans ramp up! 😉

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend. Enjoy your Sunday everyone.

Wayne ✌🏽

May 8, 2022 3

Doors of WordPress V8

As it’s Thursday Doors today, courtesy of No Facilities, here are my latest offerings of doors from my neighbourhood and beyond. Please let me know which ones are your favourites. Check out my doors below 👇🏼

I find it hard to choose a favourite as I like them all for different reasons. I am watching the tv series Cheers from start to finish at the moment, so for that reason, I will say the door from Northern Ireland as it has the Cheers logo 😉.

Thanks again for checking out my doors this Thursday.

Wayne ✌🏽

May 5, 2022 15

Doors of WordPress V4

My fourth instalment is here, featuring doors found in and around Sydney. These posts are creating a door monster within me! Now every time I see a door that I like, I have to photograph it. I just hope the person behind the door doesn’t mind. If ever questioned, I will explain my love for doors and inform them that they are part of my blog post. That is quite the achievement to be featured 🤣 (jokes). I hope you enjoy my selection of doors this week 👇🏼

Thanks for taking a look!

Enjoy your Thursday everyone,

Wayne ✌🏽

April 6, 2022 6

Sir Joseph Banks Park

If you’re looking to check out somewhere different near Sydney, then this could be your next stop. Situated near Botany, this park has it all, including a walking trail, a sports oval, themed gardens and ornamental animals, a maze, shaded walkways and picnic benches dotted around the park.

If you’re intrigued to know who Sir Joseph Banks was click here.

The life size elephant plant sculptures are pretty impressive.

The animals, although not real, make you believe you’re walking through some kind of zoo from the past. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I’m sure kids would be even more impressed.

The tiger pen…you wouldn’t get this close if they were real 😝

This park is a lovely way to spend a couple of hours on a sunny morning/afternoon. It’s always a blessing to find a new spot to discover and explore.

Thanks for taking a look with me,

Wayne ✌🏽

February 22, 2022 8

FLOWER(S) OF THE DAY CHALLENGE (FOTD)

Cee from Cee’s Photo Challenges has a Flower of the Day challenge. You can check it out here. I thought this would be a fun post to show some of my flowers as I have quite a lot on my camera roll. They just aren’t popular on my Instagram feed for some reason, therefore, they are rarely seen. I’m delighted to show them off here on my blog. A big thank you to Cee for creating this challenge 🙏🏼.

Tulips from the Walled Garden at Glenarm Castle, Northern Ireland

Orange Coneflower, Swords Village, Ireland

Daffodils from Queen’s University Belfast

Thanks for having a look. All photos taken by me. I have so many more if this post becomes popular enough 🤣.

Wayne ✌🏽

February 21, 2022 11

Doors of WordPress V1

I have wanted to create this post for some time as I have a real love for doors, as strange as that may sound. I really like anything quaint, so if I see a door remotely quaint, I cannot help but admire it. I thought I would do a blog series showcasing doors in and around Sydney, just a few at a time. Whenever I see a door worth showcasing, I will add it to my list of Doors of WordPress. I may even display doors from other parts of the country or even other countries too. Please let me know what you think ☺️. I have numbered them and added their general location.

Ps. I have realised that it may not even be the door that I love but it could also be the entrance or even the building.

Thanks for checking out my doors and please let me know which was your favourite?!

Wayne ✌🏽

Pps. I have just been informed by other amazing bloggers that there are others writing posts about doors and buildings. I am so excited to see these and join the doors community ☺️. Join me in checking out the below sites.

https://nofacilities.com/2022/02/17/buckingham-square-district/

https://ceenphotography.com/2022/02/15/cffc-buildings/

February 17, 2022 28

Uluru – Sunrise tour

This tour was part of our Field of Light tour. After the lights, we headed upwards to the vantage point. There we were offered some tea/coffee and biscuits to watch the sunrise (this was needed due to being so early 😉). Needless to say, the sunrise was unreal. Even though we had witnessed a sunset, seen Uluru up close and from afar, this sunrise still managed to massively impress us. Take a look for yourself below.

Sunrise with Uluru to the right. The way the sun hits is just stunning.

So we have now come to the end of my Uluru blog mini series. I hope you all enjoyed the pictures and are maybe now inspired to visit Uluru for yourselves. As I mentioned previously, we travelled here for a weekend break and didn’t quite get to see everything on our list, although I am overjoyed with what we did manage to see. If you plan to visit for yourself, there are a couple of other excursions you could try. Dining under the Stars is supposed to be amazing and was on my list big time. I’m sure it’s beautiful to eat in the middle of the desert with a clear sky above. Can you imagine how bright the stars must be? Also a camel tour around Uluru would be pretty epic, riding through the desert. Although part of me is slightly wary of this, could this be considered cruel to camels?

Anyway, hopefully you can do all the things you would like when and if you travel there. Not every excursion suits everyone. I for one am extremely happy with what we have seen and done and we have absolutely made memories to last a lifetime.

Thanks for reading,

Wayne ✌🏽

February 15, 2022 10

Uluru – Field of Light

This light show, created by Bruce Munro is a feast for the eyes!!! I had heard about this from my barber who had said how amazing this is. I looked it up online and knew that I had to see it for myself. It is a light show, made up of 50,000 glass lights, that lights up a massive area the size of more than seven football fields. With Uluru in the distance and as the sun rises, the lights create a real spectacle that is something truly out of this world. It has to be seen in the dark for obvious reasons but it is absolutely worth the 4.30 am wake up call. We booked this as a tour that also included a sun rise tour that will be featured in my next blog post. Please enjoy my photos below taken from this truly magnificent experience.

Photo taken before we entered the Field of Light

Please let me know what you think?

Wayne ✌🏽

February 14, 2022 14

Uluru – Sacred Sites & Sunset Tour

We had already booked a sunset tour but we really wanted to get up close and personal to Uluru. We had initially booked to have a BBQ after the sunset with some interesting bush tucker but sadly for us the weather had been pretty wet the week before (great for the National Park as rain doesn’t happen too often). Therefore, the BBQ had to be cancelled as they could not have it due to the area being saturated. This actually worked out well as we could then swap our BBQ for a day tour of the scared sites at Uluru. This enabled us to see Uluru up close and learn about its history. It’s one thing to see Uluru from afar but when you have the chance to touch the sacred rock formation, it was a welcome addition.

We booked our tour with AAT Kings and it offered a walking tour guide of Uluru and a sunset experience with drinks and nibbles. I have to say the tour was really good but for us, having the chance to simply see and touch Uluru from up close was the main event. You really do feel how majestic Uluru is and you can’t help but become engrossed in your surroundings.

We were delighted to able to touch Uluru

Mutitjulu Waterhole – this is a really special location and is one of the few permanent water sources around Uluru. This is a beautiful spot to sit and appreciate the peace and tranquillity.

We stopped here to see where tourists used to start the climb of Uluru. It’s hard to believe this was only stopped three years ago. Now we know how insensitive it was to climb this sacred site.

After seeing Uluru up close, it was time to head out and see the views from afar. This way you can really see how the light changes when it hits Uluru as the sun sets.

Every second spent here changes when the sun starts to set. The colour changes are impeccable. This was lovely to watch, whilst having some wine, cheese, dips and crackers.

As the sun was setting, local Indigenous people sit nearby displaying their incredible art work, hoping to sell a piece. They were all outstanding creations of art and we had to buy one. Such an amazing location to buy local art and support the local community.

This was honestly such an unbelievable experience seeing Uluru up close and at sunset. It’s difficult to even put into words. I hope you all have this opportunity to visit Uluru but until then, I really hope you can enjoy the photos ☺️. Thanks for reading.

Wayne ✌🏽

February 14, 2022 12

Uluru – By air

This was the first excursion we did when arriving to Yulara. This was a surprise for me as it had not even been on my radar to see Uluru from an airplane. I was told five minutes prior to being collected by the pilot. My remarkable partner had it all secretly planned.

We travelled with Ayers Rock Scenic Flights and yes you read that correct, we were collected by the pilot. This was certainly a first for us. We were taken by minibus to the airport where we boarded a very small airplane, a four seater Piston-powered aircraft (that’s as much as I know) and we had a safety talk with our amazing pilot.

I have been in a few different aircraft that holds up to ten people but never one that has just four seats. This was very exciting. You have to wear a headset that enables you to talk and listen to the pilot, whilst also listening to her communicate with the local air traffic control team. Then up, up and away.

The views even taking off were out of this world. I have never seen the ground so red and dusty. It’s amazing to be in the desert with not much at all around you. There were some green plants however, as there had been much needed rain just days before. We could see the town of Yulara, the hotels, the workers’ accommodation and an even fancier hotel away from everywhere else, where William and Kate had stayed. Our pilot was a great tour guide, giving us a run down of the area and history.

Then when you see Uluru, it’s just magnifique. Such a feast for the eyes. From the air it doesn’t look as big as on land but it fairly stands out in the middle of the desert. You can also see Kata Tjuta, another rock formation about 25km away from Uluru, which is just as formidable but somehow understated.

Honestly this is such an experience to see from the air. Whether you choose a plane or a helicopter, it will be worth your while booking a trip in the air. You won’t regret it. it’s not as scary as you might think and the turbulence was very minimal. The pilot talks to you throughout and you’re busy taking in the scenery to be anxious or worried about the height you are at.

Some advice for you that I learned after. You can only take and post pictures of Uluru from one side. On the back of Uluru are some culturally sensitive sites that you cannot take pictures of or post on social media. I had learned this when doing the tour on foot, however, I had never considered that fact when I was snapping away from the air. Granted I had this experience before the tour on foot so I was ignorant to this information. I have so many photos and videos but unfortunately cannot show them here from this angle. I will show more in the next blog post when we carried out the tours on foot.

Let me know what you think about seeing sites from the sky?

Thanks for reading all,

Wayne ✌🏽

February 12, 2022 9

Uluru – An introduction 🧡

Hey guys! I cannot wait to share this blog post with you about our very recent trip to Uluru. I have so many amazing pictures to share so I think I will create a short blog series, featuring this introduction and a post for each excursion that we managed to fit into our weekend. This is my first time creating a blog series for a place I have visited, so I think that speaks for itself how amazing I found this place ☺️.

I’m sure most of you have heard of Uluru, previously known as Ayers Rock, located in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. If not, you can find some really interesting information here. For me personally, I know it as one of the wonders of the world and appears as a huge rock in the middle of Australia. Situated in the desert, it is known to me for its amazing colour, stage presence, it’s spirituality and is one of the first things that comes to mind when I think of Australia. It can also be referred to as the spiritual heart of Australia 🧡. For me, this is a bucket list trip that I am so grateful for now being able to tick off my list. Previously people could walk on top of Uluru until people were informed that this is actually very disrespectful to the Aboriginal people. This is an immensely culturally significant place for them and has to be treated as such. Therefore, walking on Uluru was ceased, albeit only from 2019 surprisingly.

For some people, they simply think of Uluru as a giant rock formation in the desert, which it is. However, there is so much more to this feature. When you see it for yourself, you just cannot help but be in awe. It is absolutely mesmerising. You can feel a sense of spirit and connection to the land and the history of Uluru. The way in which the light can alter the appearance of Uluru from sunrise to sunset is astonishing and photographs simply do not even do it justice. It is fascinating to learn about the geography of Uluru and it’s connection to the Aboriginal people dating back to about 30,000 years ago!

It had been advised to me that three days would be enough time to see Uluru. I agree that you can carry out many activities in three days, however, I believe I could have easily stayed for another couple of days if time permitted. Just a heads up if you’re ever planning to visit. There were some other activities that I simply didn’t have time for or they were booked out as this was a very spontaneous trip for us. I will write about the activities that we were able to carry out, whilst also mentioning the couple that we didn’t have the chance to do, in case you have the opportunity to see them for yourselves.

Ok so I will begin with how we travelled to Uluru, where we stayed and a little information regarding the area. As Uluru is in the National Park, the town neighbouring the park is actually known as Yulara. Travelling to Yulara from Sydney is a 3.5 hour flight approximately.

View on arriving into Yulara. Sitting on the left side of the plane gives you an amazing first glimpse of Uluru.

Thankfully Yulara is a small enough place and everything is very close by. When arriving at the airport it is less than a ten minute drive to the main inhabited area with the accommodation and town. All transfers to your accommodation are free and there is a free shuttle bus driving around Yulara every 20 minutes which is pretty awesome. We stayed in Sails in the Desert simply because I had seen it on Instagram and it looked really beautiful. This was a great hotel, lovely room, great food and extremely friendly staff. We couldn’t have asked for more. Although the pool was closed for renovations, we could use the neighbouring hotel pool which was perfect. All of the hotels are running at a reduced capacity due to covid and people not travelling. Personally, I loved this as we had more space to roam around, we didn’t not have to queue for anything and there was great social distancing.

Hotel restaurant where we had an amazing buffet breakfast and the best fried eggs I have ever eaten!

The town has an amazing art gallery displaying all the local aboriginal art (seriously out of this world!) known as GOCA – Gallery of Central Australia and there are also talks from local Aboriginal people, discussing their history and ways of life. Yulara has a cafe, a supermarket and a couple of shops selling some amazing Aboriginal artwork and gifts. There is a local pub known as the Outback Pioneer. This is for visitors and the locals and is most definitely worth checking out. Just hop on the coach and you will be there in 15 minutes or so. The town of Yulara, albeit small, has a lot of character and is extremely welcoming.

Hello, thank you, goodbye and welcome – Palya ☺️

Stay tuned for my next post where we look at the different activities we managed to undertake, the first one – seeing Uluru by air.

Thanks for reading,

Wayne ✌🏽

February 11, 2022 13

Mudgee – a photo blog

I am excited to show you all a snippet of this wonderful place in NSW, Australia known as Mudgee. First of all, what a great name. It is an Aboriginal name meaning ‘nest in the hills’ which is very apt as it is geographically located within the Cudgegong River Valley.

The reason I have always wanted to visit Mudgee as I have heard that it’s the place to visit for wine tasting. I know we have Hunter Valley nearby (I have so many posts on this) but I was excited to try somewhere new and visit a more rural location. Mudgee, being further inland of NSW and a 3.5 hour drive from Sydney is the perfect getaway. I had heard that Mudgee has a lot of character and is extremely rustic and quaint. These traits are right up my street and boy did Mudgee deliver.

We were only there for a weekend so we didn’t have the chance to explore everything on offer. However, that just means we will have to return one day! I will show you where we stayed and the places we managed to check out, including 3 wineries. Also the people here! The people are amazing here and so, so friendly.

This is where we stayed. This is Perry Street Hotel, part of the Peppertree Hill Group. Gorgeous place to stay and very central location.

The architecture in Mudgee was fantastic. I love seeing the old style buildings and churches. It adds a bit of character to the place and showcases the history of the area.

Even the solicitors office looks impressive

We booked a wine tour with Mudgee Wine Tours and we planned the half day tour. This offered three vineyards to visit and to be honest this was just the right amount. We have done a full day wine tour in the past and it’s a long day of drinking wine 🤪. Others on our tour were carrying out the full day and they were exhausted by the end. Our tour guide was with the most fabulous woman we could have met. Lindy was professional, personable, extremely friendly and honestly made the tour very memorable for all the right reasons. She would interact with the different vineyard staff also which was really lovely to see and to be honest this was a first for us. Most tour guides will simply wait outside and operate mostly as a driver for the day.

1 – Our first vineyard was Walter Wines. A lovely place to visit and we also had the most amazing pies here for lunch.

2 – Pieter Van Gent Winery – really delicious fortified wines with an exquisite interior featuring some awesome old church furnishings.

3 – Bunnamagoo Estate – beautiful area to sit outside

A couple of places where we had drinks and dinner. These are all popular spots in Mudgee and worth checking out.

Kelly’s Irish Pub (why do Irish people always have to find the Irish pubs?!)

Beers at Mudgee Brewing Co – the food was amazing here too

Breakfast at Alby and Esthers – amazing outdoor space, feels like you’re eating in a secret garden.

Paragon Hotel – Our favourite pub just beside our hotel. Perfect for a wee night cap 😉

We loved walking around the town and even managed to stumble upon a pretty park just by the river.

A lovely walk along the Cudgegong River.

We also took a ten minute drive outside Mudgee to visit Windamere Dam. It is really stunning and you can also visit on your way home from Mudgee as it’s on the route back to Sydney.

Thanks for checking out my Mudgee blog. I hope you liked the photos and maybe feel inspired to visit yourself one day. It is a truly wonderful place that I would happily visit again.

Wayne ✌🏽

February 7, 2022 31

Where do you see yourself five years from now? #FPQ

It’s funny but I used to really hate being asked this question in job interviews. How the heck would you know where you were going to be in five years?! Especially as a young person, as the idea of being in the same place five years later would literally terrify me.

Now this question has been posed by fellow blogger Fandango as his provocative question. You can see his post Here.

I feel like I have two realities that could be equally possible. Almost like a Sliding Doors scenario if anyone has seen that movie.

1 – I will still be living in Australia, working as a nurse and teacher but living further afield. I will move out of the big smoke to somewhere more rural, purchase an amazing property, have my own car and have a couple of dogs. I will be able to travel home to Northern Ireland once or twice a year as covid will no longer be an issue.

2 – I will be living at home in Northern Ireland. Covid is still an issue and we cannot travel to Australia as freely as before. I will have a similar life, working as a nurse, buying my own property, purchase my first car and have two dogs. I may be considering a career change as nursing travels deeper and deeper into the depths of despair with the NHS sinking (hopefully not). I will have lots of great times with family and friends, seeing them whenever I please. I will travel all around Ireland (albeit with my raincoat and umbrella) and will travel all over Europe (covid restrictions permitting if still exists).

To be honest, any one of these scenarios would be fine as long as I remain healthy and my loved ones stay safe and well 😊.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Thanks for reading,

Wayne ✌🏽

February 2, 2022 29

Wordless Wednesday

February 1, 2022 4

Australia Day thoughts?!

Australia celebrates its history today on 26 January yearly. I used to celebrate this day and loved it, mainly because it was a public holiday but also to celebrate this great country that is Australia.

2010 – celebrating Australia Day, not really knowing much about it’s past

However, the longer I am here in Australia, the more I learn about the history of this date and Australia’s tumultuous past.

The indigenous people of Australia know this date today as invasion day. The day that white people from England came and invaded Australia and so began the daily struggles for the indigenous people. It’s a really sad and disturbing past to be honest. So it kind of feels weird to be celebrating Australia on this day 😔.

Would it be better to change the date to one that everyone can celebrate Australia together? I know the past cannot be rewritten but maybe a date change would be less of a smack in the face for Australia’s first people. What’s your thoughts?

2020 – preferring to look at the history of Australia, this is one of the vintage bus rides from the 1940s, rather than celebrating

Wayne 🖤💛❤️

January 25, 2022 4

Bloganuary Day 20

I love this question. I love taking photographs with scenery, architecture or anything quaint. I love looking at photographs, I love taking photographs and I think I have a good eye for what subject would make a good photo, however, I’m not that clued into photography. I would love to be but it just flies over my head. I have a “proper” camera but quite often end up using my mobile phone as the IPhone 13 is pretty good at taking decent pictures.

This photograph is one of my favourites. I am a sucker for a good sunset and I like how this image showcases the sunset with a pelican just sitting in the foreground. I love the colour of the sky, the wispy clouds and the ocean at the bottom. This picture was taken in Ballina, NSW in 2020.

I can’t wait to see everyone’s favourite photo ever taken!

Cheers,

Wayne ✌🏽

January 20, 2022 21

Bloganuary Day 19

Where do I even start??? There are lots of things that are mysterious to me, that make me ponder. I would love to be able to write something fictional as this post screams fiction to me, however, in the real world there so many mysterious happenings that I do think about.

One that always baffles me and is extremely curious to me is the fact that I have never seen a cockroach in Ireland. Here in Australia we have millions upon millions. Even in the cleanest of homes, you will still be able to spot one. We have had more than our fair share over the years in our home, regularly having to place cockroach killer in spots around the house, mainly the kitchen. In a previous shared house we were inundated with cockroaches. In the middle of the night, the floor would move in the kitchen. You open the cutlery drawer and they can be seen scuttling everywhere. They even lived in the microwave timer screen so we could see them as the minutes on the clock descended. You dare not leave food on the table and turn your back, even for a second or they would be having a field day in your next meal.

Yet, I have never seen them at home in Northern Ireland. I would tell people here in Australia that we don’t have cockroaches as the weather is too cold. No one can believe it here. They are gobsmacked, “you must have cockroaches” they say. Well I don’t think we do, I have never seen them. Carrying out some quick internet googling, apparently we do have some but where are they? Maybe they never come out of the woodwork to see us humans. Other websites say you will never find them in Ireland or the UK 🤷🏼‍♂️.

So this folks is a real mystery to me. Have you ever seen a cockroach in Northern Ireland, Ireland or the UK?? What about even colder countries again like in Scandinavia or warmer countries in Europe? Are there any cockroaches where you live?

I would be intrigued to hear your answer.

Many thanks,

Wayne ✌🏽

January 19, 2022 16

Bloganuary Day 16

It’s funny that this is today’s topic as I was just thinking about the cause that I am passionate about this morning.

I was asked three years ago by a company here in Australia to help promote checking your skin for moles and showcasing the importance of monitoring for any changes in your moles.

This hit home for me as I have a few prominent moles on my back and had a couple removed a few years ago due to always becoming caught on things and causing discomfort.

I have my skin checked every couple of years just to be sure all is ok. I learned that it’s even the small moles that you have to worry about, the ones that you can barely even see. I learned to check my skin regularly, protect your skin with sun cream (I use factor 50 here in Australia) and try avoid the sun at peak times.

The company that I help to promote (in a small way) is called Game on Mole. They do amazing work for skin awareness and offer a lot of useful tips for monitoring your moles. They have many influential people to help promote their ideology and spread their message here in Australia, with many telling their own stories about personal battles with melanoma. You can check out Game on Mole here and also some information from the Cancer Council here that offers some really useful information.

I feel that this is such a worthy cause, not just here in Australia but worldwide. I have people I know that have had minor surgeries to remove cancerous skin cells, not just here but also from back home in the UK.

A family member just messaged me this morning to say they just had their skin checked due to seeing my post on social media. I love how we can spread awareness in even the smallest of ways.

Thanks for reading everyone and remember to wear sunscreen 😉

Wayne ✌🏽

January 16, 2022 8

Bloganuary Day 13

I feel very lucky that I have the opportunity to live my ideal day many times a week or month living here in Australia, mainly due to the weather and lifestyle. Even if I am working, I will take the opportunity to carry out activities that I enjoy before or after work.

I will break down an ideal day for me if I am on my day off, that is, not working.

• Wake up after a good sleep about 6am. Make myself a coffee and walk/run to the gym for a strength workout at 7am. An hour later I will come home to shower.

• I then love to have a good breakfast. Sometimes I will head out with my partner or I will meet friends for a catch-up over breakfast.

• After this, I love to go for a walk. Either along the coast, taking in the beaches of the eastern suburbs or around Centennial Park or even more so, a new place to walk. I love finding new spots to explore and taking many, many photographs. Maybe even go for a swim.

• Try to stop for lunch somewhere quaint or perhaps take a packed lunch. I am happy with either ☺️.

• Come home for a lovely home cooked meal and have a couple of glasses of wine or if I’m free in the evening, head out to meet friends for a few sociable drinks after having eaten.

• Finally, I would round the night off with a big cup of tea at home and have a reasonably early night, say 10 or 11pm. I am all about a good nights sleep.

This is my ideal day. Plain and simple.

Wayne ✌🏽

January 13, 2022 10

Bloganuary Day 10

I love today’s topic. It’s good to reflect and remember to be grateful for things happening in our lives. Too often we become caught up in our busy daily lives and forget to be thankful for the positive things around us that we often take for granted.

1 – As corny as it sounds, I am firstly grateful to waken up, alive and healthy. Not everyone has this luxury.

2 – Being away this weekend in Mudgee with my amazing partner as we celebrate 15 years together.

3 – I’m grateful that I had a great sleep last night, 8.5 hours to be exact. If I have 7 hours sleep at night, I am doing really well. So to wake up and check my Fitbit that read 8.5 hours sleep, I was delighted.

4 – Grateful to have no rain this morning. It is supposed to be stormy all week, so to waken with no rain and blue skies on the horizon, that makes me really happy.

5 – Thankful for a lovely breakfast this morning and having a walk around Mudgee. It’s a really quaint little town with lots of character. I will be creating a blog of this town very soon.

I cannot wait to hear what everyone else is grateful for today 🙏🏼.

Take care and stay safe,

Wayne ☺️

January 10, 2022 13

Merry Christmas everyone 🎅🏽

I hope all my blogger and WordPress friends are having a lovely festive holiday period. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, it’s a nice time to meet up with friends and family and have a well deserved break.

Enjoy your time off, wherever you are in the world. Hopefully everyone stays safe and can avoid covid. It’s a challenge these days to avoid coronavirus and escape having to get a covid swab, having to isolate and missing the festivities 🙈. I know a few people who have tested positive and unfortunately have to isolate over Christmas 🥲.

It’s still a little strange for us in Australia as it’s summer time here. As much as I really love the heat and being poolside, you can’t help but miss the cold back home, games with the family, cosy by a roaring fire and a pint of Guinness or cup of mulled wine.

Stay safe everyone and I hope you have a lovely time 🤗.

I can’t complain. The weather has been much better than anticipated. Staying at Peppers Estate in Kingscliff.

December 25, 2021 15

12 months and 12 photos (2021)

January

A new year and we started it with a trip to Hunter Valley! This place was amazing for their cheese & wine matching experience at Two Fat Blokes.

February

Weekending in the Southern Highlands with friends. We were introduced to this venue Mount Ashby Estate and it was love at first sight. The Southern Highlands has become a firm favourite of ours to visit.

March

Trip to the Gold Coast, returning after 11 years. We stayed at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort. Stunning hotel and it was awesome to be back and see how the Gold Coast has changed over time.

April

Another great holiday in Queensland. This time was in Noosa for a special birthday ( 1 year later due to Covid) and a long overdue catch up with friends. What a fantastic town with so much to see and do.

May

Celebrating with my good friends for finally finishing our course that would enable us to teach nursing. I’m so glad I completed this and it was a highlight of the year to help me land a teaching job in nursing.

June

The Art Gallery of NSW. We loved this place and little did we know that another (much longer) lockdown was just around the corner.

July

Who was to know that this lockdown would last 4 months! We were limited to a 5km radius from where we lived. Thankfully we could go for daily walks in Centennial Park.

August

My first lockdown birthday and hopefully the last. My one wish was to see the sunrise at Bronte. It was really special 🌅. I’ve seen it many times but it never gets old.

September

Continuing with my daily workouts at home, maintaining my fitness and keeping my sanity.

October

After 107 days lockdown is over (for now). It was so nice to be able to leave our 5km radius and see Sydney come back to life. You always remember you live in Sydney when sitting at the Opera Bar ☺️

November

Getting out and about again. We’re still appreciating what Sydney has to offer. Here we attended the musical Come From Away at the Capitol Theatre. We love being in the theatre so this was a real treat.

December

Cheers to surviving 2021. A great day trip to Hunter Valley and a great wine tasting at Vinden Wines. It’s funny, I started the year in the Hunter and now seems fitting to complete the year here. The wine and many lockdown cocktails have certainly helped 😉

Thanks everyone for having a read. When you look back at the year, it actually wasn’t too bad. We still have our health and the hope that 2022 will be better. Stay safe and sane everyone.

Wayne ☺️

December 17, 2021 16

Hunter Valley – in a day 🍷

Hunter Valley, NSW, an amazing place to taste some fine wines. Stunning scenery, boutique wineries, friendly people, what more could you wish for. I have been here quite a few times now and have always stayed at least two nights. I guess because it’s quite far away and it’s the ideal place to have a mini vacation. So when I was asked by my friends and work colleagues to join them for a day trip, I was excited to see what we could experience in a day. At least with the 2.5 hour drive each way, we could chat and catch up with each other 😊.

We had booked a day trip with Teds Tours. A company that specialises in wine tours and has a very friendly mentos. You can click https://www.tedstours.com.au/hunter-valley-tours/tour-packages for more information. Our driver Kris was amazing. He was a great laugh and very accommodating, picking us up from Wolli Creek and taking us there and back, whilst driving us also around three different vineyards and also to the pub for lunch. Nothing was a bother for him and he managed to keep us all within the time limits, no easy feat when everyone has had a few wines 🤪.

The gang ready to head off with Teds Tours

The three vineyards we had the pleasure of visiting were: Saltire 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿, Vinden Wines and Tatler. All three were good on there own merit, however, Saltire really stuck out for us. The scenery was unreal. Delicious wines, fantastic setting, a Scottish heritage and the service was extremely warm and inviting. All in all, this vineyard set the bar high and the staff had a really good knowledge and appreciation of their products 🍷.

Vinden is a family run vineyard that takes their traditional wines and adds a more modern twist. Delicious wines and a really quaint setting. You can also stay here!

Lunch at The Mighty – this was delicious and I really love this pub!

This was our last stop so I really can’t say too much about here 🙈🤣 except the wines were really tasty. The 2019 FRIZZANTE SEMILLON stood out for us, it’s spritzy, light and really good with a slice of lemon! (Pictured above)

All in all, this was a great day out. We loved the company, the vineyards and the wines. Would I travel 2.5 hours each way again for a day trip, probably not. However, I would definitely use Teds Tours again, especially if staying in the Hunter in the future. I hope it inspires you to visit Hunter Valley, for a day or a longer stay. You won’t be disappointed.

Thanks for reading guys, take care and stay safe.

Wayne ☺️

November 29, 2021 10