Thank you Di for this week’s questions.

1. What is your favourite season?

I used to love summer in Ireland as it was a real novelty to have some sort of sunshine. If we had 2 weeks of summer a year, we were doing really well. Now in Sydney, summer is way too hot and humid so I will say spring is my favourite season. You’re happy for the cold to leave and warmer weather to have arrived. However, I do appreciate all seasons for various reasons and I feel lucky to experience all of them, whether it be in Ireland or here in Australia.

2. Would you like to live by the seaside or in the country?

I would love to live by the sea for the beautiful beach walks. I really enjoy hearing the waves, it’s just so therapeutic. I have experienced both, living by the sea and in the country and have really enjoyed both.

3. When was the last time you used the bus?

I never really take a bus unless the trains aren’t working and they have replacement buses. Sadly this was pretty frequent when living in the Shire as the trains were always having track work. I think they said there has been 11 weekends so far this year where there was track work. It becomes very frustrating and I guess that was one reason we moved closer to the city. So I will say maybe a couple of months ago I was on a bus.

4. If you took a walk, would it be in the woods, to the shops, walk the dog, to a park, or somewhere else?

Into the woods sounds good, as long as it’s during the day!!!

Gratitude: I am grateful to be off work today 🙂

Thank you Di for this week’s questions.

1. If you could have an ideal job, what would it be?

A job travelling the world, maybe as a tea sampler.

2. Has a job position you held ever been a disappointment to you?

Yes I remember finding a job in a call centre where you had to make outbound calls to customers and try to sell some kind of insurance. I think I lasted 2 days after the week’s training, it was horrendous. Trying to sell a product you don’t believe in is extremely hard.

3. Do you believe promotions in the workplace are given to those who work hard, those who are qualified for the job, or those who happen to be friends with management?

I would love to see those working hard given promotions but that is very rarely seen. Sadly, most work places tend to have politics and the job goes to those who “fit the mould”.

4. If you could build your own company, what would it be?

Maybe a mug / cup company where I could have Wayne’s Words displayed on them or some famous Irish sayings.

Gratitude: Very grateful to have had a long weekend to celebrate Labour Day in Australia, a day to appreciate the 8 hour working day, better working conditions and workers’ rights.

Thank you Di for this week’s questions.

1. It’s not yet the end of September, but already shops are displaying Christmas merchandise here in the UK. Do you think this is too early?

YESSSSS! It’s the same here in Australia. I have seen Christmas merchandise even from last week. It is way too early but it’s the same every year. At least get Halloween over first.

2. What is your favourite traditional holiday in your country?

I used to absolutely love St Patrick’s Day. Everyone wearing green and celebrating being Irish. Now I long for the Christmas season, more so the period leading up to it. The winter attire, Christmas markets, staff parties, the festive music and the whole buzz that leads up to Christmas Day. For me, it just doesn’t hit the same in Australia.

3. Do you think such celebrations are over commercialised?

Absolutely! It’s all a money making machine. We need to get back to the root of the celebrations instead of buying lavish gifts that we can’t afford.

4. Would you like to introduce a new annual National Holiday?

Oh yes please! In an ideal world, wouldn’t it be great to celebrate planet earth. A worldwide public holiday where everyone takes a day off to appreciate and protect our planet. Communities could plant trees, clean beaches, explore nature and celebrate wildlife. Imagine a day when people worldwide made a collective effort to look after Earth, needed now more than ever.

Thank you Di for this week’s questions.

1. What’s your favourite pizza topping?

As a student I would always order chicken, peppers and cheese when we could add the toppings and I still love these today.

2. What is/was your favourite soda (fizzy drink)?

Soda water and fresh lime.

3. When out for a meal, have you ever sent yours back to the kitchen?

I actually don’t think I ever have. There have been times I’ve been disappointed but not to the point where I couldn’t eat it. To my detriment, I really hate to complain or have a confrontation, so I choose to say nothing.

4. Has anything surprised you on a restaurant menu (apart from the price!)

Gratitude: As always, to have survived Monday and Tuesday at work.

Thank you Di for this week’s questions.

1. As a child, how did you make extra pocket money?

My first job at 16 was working in the supermarket in the nearest big town called Dunne’s Stores. I absolutely loved it and met the most amazing people, such an eye opener for me at that time in my life.

2. What did you spend your pocket money on?

I have absolutely no recollection although I was a great saver from an early age so I think I saved a good bit of it. Maybe comics, sweets, excursions 🤔

3. Was your first pay packet in cash, cheque (check) or directly into your bank?

The money went straight into my back account and the hourly rate was £3.30.

4. Have you ever received a discount for paying for something in cash?

Not that I can recall.

Gratitude: Grateful to have survived a very busy Monday and my first gym class at my new gym 😅

Thank you Di for this week’s questions.

1. What breed of dog or cat do you prefer?

I love a scruffy dog, especially a scruffy sausage dog / dachshund

2. Do you think some pets can look like their owners?

Oh absolutely! I was just telling my students this today when they were showing me their cats today! The resemblances were uncanny.

3. What was your first pet (if any)?

My first pet was a cat called Ginger Nut. It’s funny, I think from then after I was terrified of cats. Our first family dog was a Labrador who I absolutely adored for ten years.

4. Do you think giving a child the responsibility of pet ownership is a good idea?

It can be but not always. I think it depends on the child and on the pet.

Gratitude: Surviving moving to a new apartment over the weekend and grateful for my new home for the foreseeable.

Thank you Di for this week’s questions.

1. What was your favourite TV show as a kid?

I actually had many shows that I loved as a kid but I will say one that really stood out was “The Animals of Farthing Wood”. This was a very emotional and dramatic tv show, especially for children but I became so invested in it. It was a beloved British animated series from the 1990s, following a group of woodland animals forced to leave their home after humans destroy their habitat. They took the dangerous journey to a new home with many dying along the way, quite realistic actually but could be very sad.

2. Do you have a favourite ‘tipple’? (alcoholic drink, or something when you are out for a meal etc).

I do love a soda water and fresh lime. However, my favourite alcoholic drink would have to be a Guinness but it has to be in Ireland where it tastes so much better.

3. Is there a movie you can watch again and again and still enjoy?

I have so many haha. I love the movie Big Fish. I watched it in the movies three times. I think I’m actually way overdue to watch it again. I love any Marvel, Indiana Jones or Star Wars movies and I absolutely adore Brief Encounter with Trevor Howard.

4. Did you have a favourite toy as a child? Or perhaps one you wanted and never got?

My Sega Mega drive…and now I get to play it with my niece and nephew, how lucky am I?!

Gratitude: A new week, being healthy and spring is on the way.

Thank you Di for this week’s questions.

1. Have you ever won a major prize in a competition / raffle?

Never a major prize. I won nearly $300 once on a slot machine, does that count?

2. Do you play the National Lottery (if you have one in your country)

I actually do. I play set for life weekly, where you can win $20,000 a month for 20 years. I know the odds are next to nothing but I always have the mentality of, “if you’re not in, you can’t win”. I hear people say all the time, “if only I could win the lottery” but they don’t even play!!! I also appreciate it’s a form of gambling but it’s the only thing I do so I figure it’s ok.

3. If you were to suddenly benefit from a financial windfall of say £100,000 or $100,000, how would you use it?

Give some to my family and use the rest to buy a home. I don’t think that amount of money would go very far in today’s world but it would absolutely help!

4. Do you consider yourself to be in a better financial position than you were ten years ago?

Yes I believe so and I am grateful for that.

Gratitude: We were dog sitting at the weekend for our friends and I am grateful that everything went well. You always have that fear I think when it’s not your own dog. I have to say he was extremely well behaved and very, very cute!

Thank you Di for this week’s questions.

1. What have you recently forgotten to do until the last minute?

Believe it or not, I am still playing Pokemon Go on my phone daily after ten years since it began. I won’t bore you with the details but there is a challenge I have to do every day for seven days in a row. I completed three days and then completely forgot on day four, resetting my progress, grrr. I hate that, I may have to set a phone reminder. I guess I may have more pressing things on my mind.

2. How many blog posts do you publish on average a day?

Normally one post for me a day is a good thing. If I’m feeling very energetic or excited, I may complete two posts, but that’s very few and far between.

3. How long have you been blogging?

Just turned nine years, roll on the big ten year anniversary!

4. If you had to rename your blog, what would it be?

Ooh that’s a good question. I have no idea, however, I would keep it simple as many people ask me why did I choose Wrookieschu. Maybe something like Wayne’s Wanders as this started out as a travel blog.

Here is a link to where I tried to explain my current blogging name https://wrookieschu.com/2025/07/25/wrookieschu-who/.

Gratitude: I’m grateful for travelling by train this morning so I can catch up on my blogging.

Thank you Di for this week’s questions.

1. Can you remember your first date?

I actually don’t know if I ever had a first date. I remember taking a girl friend to my school formal. She was a lovely girl that I worked with and I thought she was very attractive, both inside and out and we got on really well, however, she talked the whole night about another boy that she liked. It was a bit disappointing, even though I had no idea at this stage in my life that girls weren’t for me.

2. Did you belong to a youth club or similar in your teens?

I did belong to a boys club called The Boys Brigade when I was in primary school, a Christian youth organisation for boys and young men, focusing on personal development and faith. I ended up leaving when I became a teenager as I was intimidated by the older boys who had a reputation for being mean.

3. Can you roller skate?

I’m not too sure to be honest. I don’t think I have ever tried although I did enjoy ice skating as a child.

4. What did you have for breakfast this morning?

A bowl of overnight oats, protein powder and milk. It’s my go to breakfast when I’m at work as it’s quick and easy.

Gratitude: I’m grateful for a lovely weekend with good friends and enjoying walks in the Shire with my other half. We had really beautiful weather this weekend and I was very grateful for getting all my laundry completed 😅

Thank you Di for this week’s questions.

1. After the cold weather of Winter, what is the first thing you like to do when the sun shines?

This is very hard to imagine right now as we have just left summer and headed into Autumn, which has been extremely hot and humid so far. I’m actually looking forward to some cooler weather. However, if it has been raining and the sun finally comes out, I love nothing more than heading outdoors for a walk.

2. Do you tan easily?

I don’t feel like I do, definitely not compared to when I was a child. However, I feel like the sun is different here in Australia, I never tan like I would in Europe. That being said, the sun is very harsh here as we have a big hole on the Ozone layer and I always wear factor 50 sunscreen for protection so I guess that prevents a lot of tanning but it hopefully prevents UV damage. Skin cancer here is extremely prevalent so we need to look after our skin.

3. Have you / would you use a nudist beach?

I have never. We have a few dotted around Sydney and I would love to experience it even once as I imagine it would be very liberating, however, I just don’t have the confidence.

4. Were you any good at building sand castles?

No, pretty bad actually. I would use buckets to fill with sand and then turn them upside down. That’s as far as I would get but had fun nonetheless. I guess we had great imaginations as kids.

Gratitude – I am grateful that the Easter holidays are approaching soon. Even though I am working through the holidays, it will be quieter in work and gives us a chance to breathe 🧘.