If we were having coffee I would tell you about being lucky enough to get the second last stateroom on the Disney Wonder’s last cruise out of Australia. It was a 3 day cruise to nowhere that was all about Disney and fun. I loved it. I did think that it was interesting that we ended up sailing in circles between Sydney and Newcastle (my home town). Given how much fun we had I am sad that at this stage Disney has no plans to bring the Wonder or any other ship back to Australia for future cruise seasons. Over the next few weeks I will share more details of my amazing and very different cruise on the Disney Wonder.
If we were having coffee I would tell you that I started an Etsy shop in early January. It was something that I had wanted to for many years. To find out more about how it developed I have linked my post Coffee Catch-Up #50. Over the last two weeks I have been very busy designing and today I am very excited to announce that I have uploaded my 100th design, (shown above.) My “Be Yourself” design is all about self love and inclusion. What I didn’t realise is that this weekend is the 48th Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. The other even more pleasing connection is that tonight is the start of Newcastle’s first dedicated LGBTQIA+ festival, which runs over the weekend. What an excellent way to celebrate inclusion and being yourself. If you are interested in stopping by and having a look, here is the address. https://www.etsy.com/shop/maxxinspired/?etsrc=sdt
If we were having coffee I would tell you how excited I was when my grandson called me ‘Grandma’ for the first time on my recent visit. I don’t think I realised how special it would feel. He has just turned 3 and his brother is 10 months old. I can’t believe how quickly time has flown since they were born.
If we were having coffee I would ask you what is happening in your world?
If we were having coffee I would tell you that I retired last August when my long service leave ended. I had been planning it for 3 years so I was ready. Now nearly one year since I worked my last shift (26th Feb), my days fill so quickly. I can’t believe I had time to work. And I’m only just returning to blogging. I have so many stories to share with you all. When I was talking to my daughter yesterday about returning, I could feel my energy rising even at the thought of creating again. A good sign I think.
This photo of my swimming hole was taken two weeks later when I was trying to photograph the Southern Aurora. It looks so innocent, doesn’t it.
If we were having coffee I would tell you that the morning after my farewell dinner I was so excited. I had to decided to go for my first swim of the season in this pool like section of our local beach. It is always fun just floating around in the waves here. I felt pumped and full of life as I walked into the ocean. I was part way in when a wave came with such force it pushed my left leg hard and fast to a 90 degree angle. Definitely not something 60+ year old legs are meant to do. I couldn’t believe it.
I was alone, although there were many other women and children in the swimming area. I crawled out. A lady came to help but I was sure I’d be alright when I made it to the shore. But I was very wrong. On the beach I couldn’t stand up due to major pain and dizziness. I screamed so loudly every time I attempted to get up. Another lady got the lifeguards and I eventually made it off the beach and into an ambulance. The problem was I couldn’t weight bare and had to sit to control the pain. When the ambo’s arrived they gave me “the green whistle” to manage the pain. Then I could walk supported. As I spent so much time sitting in the sand and it was high tide, every time I moved all day, sand dropped all over the floor. I’m sure people were wondering why is there sand in the ED.
I ended up with a hamstring tear 22cm x 3cm (7 in X 1in). Let me tell you not being able to walk is scary. I am recovering well and realise it could have been a lot worse. I am very grateful for all the help I received on that day. I’m not sure when my family will let me swim in the ocean again.
If we were having coffee I would tell you that once I could sit comfortable in my chair I used my recovery time wisely. One of my 25 goals for 2025 was to start designing for an Etsy shop I wanted to create. So I did. I watched many You-tube videos, upskilled myself in Canva and found Kitttl. (a new design software that uses templates). Chat GPT also became my new best friend. I began creating designs in November. I found it so exciting. When I was ready to open my shop in January, I had over 80 to choose from. The whole process has been so interesting.
After a slow and steady start to help the ETSY algorithm do it’s thing, I uploaded my 50th design this morning. Now I can chose my upload rate, I have decided on 3 a day. This keeps me moving but doesn’t overwhelm me. Initially, I had no plan what my shop would look like. It developed itself organically. It is not trendy. It is based on all the areas and eras of my life. My shop’s tag line is “inspired by a life well lived.” Like my blog, it reflects t shirt designs that mean something to me. Some examples of my sections are feel good life, everyday life, bookish life, nursing life, gymnastics life, adulting moments and outdoor/adventure. It has been fun creating a design and then working out where it will sit in my shop.
Ironically, even before I knew this was going to happen I chose to name my shop, maxxinspired ,a turn about of my blog name Inspiring Max. Here is the link if you are interested in stopping by, https://www.etsy.com/shop/maxxinspired/ I’d love to know your thoughts.
If we were having coffee I would ask you what is happening in your world?
We found this beautiful old cash register while exploring Streaky Bay. It was made in 1907 and was used until Australia changed to decimal currency in 1966. I had never seen anything like it.
It had nine cash drawers and a storage cupboard at the front. Each drawer has a different bell tone when it opens. It has keys which list how many customers have been served, the money received, paid out or charged.
I love that it continues to be on display for future generations to admire.
If we were having coffee I would tell you we are currently on baby watch waiting for the arrival of our second grandchild. It is weird having no control over my life. All plans I currently make, need to come with a caveat – “if I’m not needed for grammie duty.” So exciting!
If we were having coffee I would tell you that Ruby (our slide on camper) has finally come home from the repairman. Sadly she is no longer all red due to her having some modifications. Her changes have made her longer and unfortunately this meant new sides which have needed to be white. She still has her red front and back however. We are so happy to have her back and be traveling again.
If we were having coffee I would tell you that I am on five months long service leave. At present I am one month in and wonder how I had time to go to work. My current plan is to go back in August but not necessarily for long. Time will tell.
If we were having coffee I would tell you that I am doing the A-Z Challenge again. This year my theme will involve all of my recent travels not as I usually do my Australian travels. I am pleased to have my blogging mojo back.
If we were having coffee I would tell you that on New Years Day this year instead of resolutions I began creating a list of 25 things to do in 2025. Until I began writing this post I had 17 items on my list however now I have finished it. On my 3 month review I was excited to see that I had made a good start. People say the Year of the Snake is a Year of Change, so I hope to not recognise myself by this time next year as I achieve all my plans. Just to keep it on track I plan on tracking my progress.
If we were having coffee I would tell you that my hip continues to improve. I no longer have restless night’s sleep and rarely do I have any more pain. It will be interesting if this changes in August when I return to work. If it suddenly gets worse then, I will know that the universe is telling me to RETIRE. Oh dear, how sad.
If we were having coffee I would tell you I can’t believe how quickly this year is going. Since we last had coffee back in May I have been busy planning our Canadian/Alaskan holiday which we have just returned from. It was amazing. We worked out our own itinerary using the internet and were not disappointed.
On a previous Canadian trip 10 years ago, my husband and I visited the east coast. This trip we visited the west coast. So between both we have visited all 10 Canadian provinces and a small corner of the Yukon. We have also explored a large part of Alaska which was breathtaking. Not bad for a pair of Aussies eh.
If we were having coffee I would tell you that unfortunately the initial diagnosis for my hip was incorrect and I have needed regular physio to build up the muscles supporting it. I also have had a great benefit from orthotics to support my feet. Fortunately the effort I put in before we went away paid off and I had little trouble walking the 360 kilometers we covered in 6 weeks. On returning home however it is letting me know that it isn’t very happy at times.
If we were having coffee I would tell you that Ruby, our slide on camper has finally gone back to her maker to get repaired from the major water damage she has suffered. We are looking forward to getting her back and being able to take sneaky weekend getaways again.
If we were having coffee I would tell you I have enjoyed doing a number of puzzles this year. There was one however that I found quite challenging. It was in the shape of Mickey Mouse and made up of individual pictures of Mickey. No two pieces were the same. It took me a few months to sort him him out but in the end I was pleased with the end result.
The Great Australian Bight is the southern most area of land in mainland Australia. It runs from west of the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia to Western Australia. The area is made up of limestone cliffs, 60-120 metres high just off the Nullarbor Plain. The cliffs are about 820 kilometres in length and are said to be the longest cliffs in the world.
The following photos of the Great Australian Bight were taken at Head of Bight. This is the most northerly point of the Great Australian Bight. There is an amazing whale watching centre there for both Southern Right Whales as well as Humpback Whales. The Southern Right Whales come into this bay to have their babies and then stay around to months as the babies grow and develop. Unfortunately for us, we missed the last mum and calf by a day. Whilst this was very disappointing I am sure you will agree that the views of the Great Australian Bight were definitely worth the trip.
For me I think one of the best surprises I have found whilst traveling was the Elvis Presley house, Whyalla. This hidden gem is not known about by many people. The owner, Peter Bleeze is a self confessed Elvis fanatic. His house filled with only Elvis souvenirs is a true monument to rock’n’roll. And he lives it. Yes, he also has neighbours like you and I.
Each room in his house has a theme and each item a story. My husband and I were fascinated. We spent hours there listening and asking questions. Peter had been collecting since he was young and has been to Gracelands on more than one occasion.
“There is no Elvis product that they don’t make.” Peter Bleeze
Peter was very specific as to the time we were to arrive. This was so we could hear his Elvis clocks ‘doing their thing’ on the hour. He states that he has the only Elvis themed shower curtain in the world.
I loved his two door 1961 gold Cadillac the same as Elvis’s which he drives around Whyalla. It felt amazing to sit in.
He has also brought blue suede shoes from the same company as Elvis.
Hearing his stories was extra special to me as Elvis died on my 15th birthday. The fact that he even had his own hound dog really made me smile.
On the eastern side of the Eyre Pennisula, South Australia lies the sleepy town of Cowell. With a regular population of approximately 1100 Cowell loves the tourists. They keep their economy running. As it is known for its fishing and seafood industries this is not a problem.
I personally love the town’s peoples creativity. The local artists instead of using an art gallery to display their art, they chose the towns public toilets. They call it Cowell’s Crap Art. Every wall that would normally be blank was filled with fun artwork including the artists name, contact number and price.
In Australia a crapper is slang for toilet and crap is slang for poor quality or to defecate. The art here was definitely a play on word as the quality of the artwork was great. I think it was very clever as people can chose to go into an art gallery but very few can avoid the town’s toilet.
Australians love to laugh at themselves and to build BIG tourist attractions. So when Nyngan in Central West NSW wanted to attract tourists, the answer was simple. Create a big attraction. The town chose a bogan.
Bogan is a common slang word in Australia that means ” an uncouth or unsophisticated person regarded as being of low social status. People from Nyngan have been called bogans for years as the town is on the Bogan River. However, as it happened the river was not named after the people of the area but by Australia’s Indigenous people and for them bogan means “birthplace of a king.”
I loved the BIG BOGAN. He is a blend of two cultures. He stands like a king at the river and is dressed like an aussie bogan. He is 5.96 metres tall and weighs 1500 kilograms. In true Aussie fashion, a few years after the sculpture was built he was given a dog called Rusty to help with his fishing.
The Australiana Pioneer Village has been put together by moving original buildings from the local area a central location. The properties that were moved into the village in 1970 were a mixture from the late 1800’s to early 1990’s. Since 2004 the site has been heritage listed so it will remain in tact for future generations.
It is an amazing display of the courage, creativity and spirit of the Australian pioneers. If they didn’t have something that they wanted they found a way compromise or make it. I loved the the stories that were attached to each of the buildings. I think my favourite example was Case cottage that once a month on a Saturday night took out the middle wall and put it on the front lawn. This allowed the cottage to turn into a dance hall for the locals. They even had a arranged a safe way for single young ladies to safely be transported to and from the dance. Australia’s first Ubers you might say.
The other building I was particularly surprised with was the villages police station. Built in 1888 it was in use at Riverstone until 1970 when it was moved on site. I was 8 at the time so it seems surreal to me that a police station this small was all the area needed.
The sample of hand made whipped butter made during a presentation was amazing. I would love to have the patience to make my own.
The Australiana Pioneer Village is an 100% volunteer organization. It’s slogan is Proud to Preserve the Past. They have done a great job of it and I am very grateful.
