It's been an emotional week as we hurtle towards the anniversary of Stephanie's death. It was also my father's birthday on Saturday and 8 years since he died. Plus so many anniversaries from people I know with the death of their child linking in to family birthdays and key dates in our lives. We're also on the countdown to leaving Australia and possibly another 2 years till we see child 3 again. He left the UK in 2017. I was able to visit in 2019 and the last 3 visits in 2022, 2023 & 2025 Peter has joined me. Child 3 came to the UK in 2024 for his sister's funeral.
Sunday
Day 243 A day in the Blue Mountains and a chance for Peter to see the actual scenery, as last time we were here it was really foggy. We walked around 10 miles and climbed the equivalent of 64 flights of stairs. The weather was perfect and the walk was full of parrots and cockatoos. We stopped for dinner in a pub on the way home. After son dropped us off we watched TV in the apartment.
Monday
Day 244 We caught a bus to near Circular Quay to catch the ferry to Manly, Shelly Beach and a cliff top walk, stopping for lunch and fighting the Beach Turkeys away from our food and drink. We caught the ferry back and saw the cruise ship leaving the harbour. We had a bit of a walk to catch our bus back. Peter went out with our son for dinner and I had a rest, washed my hair and returned a driving licence Peter found yesterday to a young lad who was staying near by.
Tuesday
Day 245 A slow start to the day followed by two buses to Circular Quay and a walk over the Harbour Bridge to Wendy Whitleey's Secret Garden and a ferry back to the Quay. Into the city for a late lunch and bus to our son's. We all went out for a meal near our apartment.
Wednesday
Day 246 We did some laundry then caught the bus to Bondi Junction for a coffee, some lunch and to buy a few things for our visit to Tasmania. Caught the bus to Bronte Beach then walked back to our apartment. Evening spent packing and watching TV.
Thursday
Day 247 An early start, 3am, and off to the airport for our flight to Tasmania. We collected the car hire at 9.30am and by 11am we were climbing Mount Wellington in the snow. Checked into our apartment around 4pm, popped out for some supplies, take away for dinner and in bed by 10pm absolutely shattered.
Friday
Day 248 A bit of a lie in then off to MONA museum, it's a 'must do' in Tasmania, but after 10 mins I was out and back at the car waiting for the others to walk around. I've never been anywhere so pretentious in my life. We then drove 30 mins to a restaurant I'd found online in a lovely little bay, had a delicious meal and a walk along the beach. Stopped at the mall on our way back, cup of tea and a chocolate bar, followed by a walk around the local area. I had a snack for dinner and was in bed by 8pm.
We visited Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) home to Cloaca Professional — also known as the poo machine, which was used to promote Bowel Cancer screening in Australia.
Like the UK, Australia offers a free National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) but they start testing at the age of 45, unlike the UK where the age is 60.
I was invited by the NHS to take part in the screening. I am 54. My test was negative.
I'm fundraising for Bowel Research UK in memory of Stephanie who died from Bowel ischaemia in October 2024. It kills 3,000 people a year and is difficult to diagnose.
Bowel Research UK also funds research into Hirchsprung's disease which our 3 year grandson was born with.
Saturday
Day 249 We caught a ferry to Bruny Island and drove the length to the lighthouse, stopping at places on the way. Ferry back to the mainland at 4.30pm and into Tasmania Wharf for a fish supper. Video calls with the grandchildren in the evening and watching TV.
Things to make you smile:
Our son's girlfriend experiencing snow for the first time.
Things that made me happy:
Spending time with my son and his girlfriend, exploring new places, meals out, walks and coffee stops.
On the blog this week:
Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week. Snowing in Tasmania
Word of the Week - Walks (Australia) Part One
The best bits of August 2025
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