Week 36 - 2025 One Daily Positive and Project 365 - Tasmania and the poo machine

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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Week 35 2025 - One Daily Positive and Project 365

We've been doing a lot of walking on our holiday. We always do a lot of walking when we go away and during the average week I walk around 15-20 miles just around work and home. We often walk to the shops rather than taking the car.

Since we've been in Australia (arrived last Wednesday) we've walked 25 miles along the coast, to my sons and around Sydney.

This photo is from last week, I'm wearing my t-shirt and promoting my fundraising page while we're out here. I've passed 50% of my fundraising target for Bowel Research in memory of Stephanie.

I'm grateful to everyone who has donated so far.

Sunday

Day 236 Awake at 5am after 7 hours solid sleep, can't ask for more than that really, it's about my average. Watched TV in bed, drank tea and had breakfast. I was at the coffee shop at 7am. Son picked us up around 9am and we went to Centennial park to walk the cat, followed by a coffee stop then out for a Sunday lunch. Back to sons for a couple of hours then a lift back to the apartment.

Monday 

Day 237 Awake at 4am again. We read in bed then walked to Coogee along the coast, stopping to eat a gluten free croissant and drink coffee made in the apartment. Peter had breakfast in a cafe and I drank tea while reading our books. We continued reading books in the park and watched a nesting magpie swoop down and attack people by pecking them on the head, we did shout out warnings. Bus to son's and then we went on the SCG and Allianz stadium tour. Off to Eastgate Mall for some dinner then back to the apartment to sit and read and try to keep ourselves awake till 9pm.

Tuesday

Day 238 It was a year ago today that I last spent time with Stephanie and took her out for the day. I had a really bad migraine and almost didn't go. The next time I saw her was 5 weeks later, holding her hand as she died. I felt very sad all day. Awake at 4am again and by 6.30am I was showered and out drinking coffee while Peter got ready for the day. Caught the bus to Bondi Junction for a Starbucks then onto Bondi Beach and after a walk around we headed back to our apartment along the coast on foot, stopping for lunch in Bronte Bay. Had an afternoon nap, then son joined us for dinner in a local pub.

Wednesday 

Day 239 Up early to listen to the BCFC game, we lost. Visit to the laundrette then into Sydney for the day. We walked around 9 miles, stopping for coffees, lunch and having dinner out, before catching the bus back at 8pm. The Sydney marathon takes place on Sunday, they were getting ready for it with barriers and road closures.

Thursday 

Day 240 Hubby awake early to watch the Man Utd game, his team lost also. A bit of a lie in then the bus to Maroubra Beach for breakfast then a walk back along the coast to Clovelley. We stopped in Coogee for a late lunch. We caught the bus over to Paddington to our son's house ready to go out for the Rugby at the Olympic Stadium.

Friday 

Day 241 A lie in and lazy morning, then 3 buses to Spit for a coastal walk to Manly. I was ill prepared, no drink, no lunch and my shoes were rubbing. I just assumed 90 mins along the coast. it was a 4 hour walk up and down, with no toilets or stops on route. My fault, I should've checked the route for myself. It was a lovely 8 mile walk though. We had dinner in Manly and got the ferry and 2 buses back.

Saturday

Day 242

Alarm for 4.30am and son picked us up to watch the football with him at his place. Followed by a lazy day with wandering around the markets, a coffee, watching the Thursday Murder Club on Netflix. Back to our apartment at 4pm and a walk to the beach for sunset and video calls with the grandchildren. Evening spent watching TV.

Things to make you smile:

My friend's friend had his 60th not so long ago and I took a face mask they'd had made on my travels to Australia, he's now trying to work out how he got here.

There are signs warning you of nesting magpies in parks around the city. We saw one that was swooping on people who walked past. It was quite aggressive, we did yell out warnings.

Things that made me happy:

Time with our son and his girlfriend. Reading, coastal walks, coffees. Reaching 50% of my fundraising target. 

On the blog this week:

Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week.

Word of the week - Flying

August 2025 - Days out in the camper van

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Week 34 2025 - One Daily Positive and Project 365

At some point on Tuesday we picked up a nine hour time difference on our flight to Sydney. I've had to write the days down this week so I know where I am.

It's been the wettest winter for 27 years, glad we packed our waterproofs.

I've been catching up with sleeping and blog comments in the afternoons whilst we've been drying out.

Thank you to everyone who has sponsored and shared my post. I've hit 50% of my target.

Anca - in Australia people take their cats on the road when they go camping. My son and his girlfriend take their cat out for walks. Pushkins had to go back in her box very quickly as she sat under Peter's feet while he was driving.

The last time we saw child 3 was at his sister's funeral in October 2024. This of course has been a trigger for me. Him and I went food shopping on Wednesday and as we were leaving the store he took the trolley to push it back to the car and I automatically grabbed the front end and started steering the trolley. It was something I did with Stephanie. She would use the trolley almost like a walker, but without guidance she'd either walk into an object or most often just go in any direction the wheels took her.

Sunday

Day 229 A day of cleaning. I started upstairs and enlisted hubby with some vacuuming after he'd mown the lawn while I cleaned the bathrooms. We took a break and went out for coffee and to print some more photos off. I then sat in the garden and scheduled blog posts up till the end of September, commented on posts for all the links I join in with. While Peter watched the football I finished the cleaning downstairs, he vacuumed and it was time for tea, a bath and an early night.

Stephanie forever 36. Boys now 36, 33, 30 & 26

Monday
Day 230 Kitchen cleaned, washing on and hung up, popped to the post office, picked up some photos, had lunch and off to the airport for a 10pm flight to Australia. I tried some flavoured sprite last the airport and suffered for almost an hour with my gall bladder not long after we took off. I swallowed pain killers and walked around the plane belching loudly.

Tuesday 

Day 231 Still on the aeroplane after a quick change in Dubai, legs stretched and coffee drunk. Slight panic when Peter wasn't able to check in as his visa hadn't been uploaded to the system (not our fault) 13 hour flight to Sydney. It was quite a comfortable journey in economy and the gluten free food menu wasn't too bad. Watched quite a bit of TV and I bought a sewing project with me to keep me entertained.

Wednesday

Day 232 Arrived 6.30am in Sydney but 9.30pm on Tuesday night in the UK. Child 3 collected us and we spent most of the day snoozing on his sofa. A walk out for coffee, then he dropped us at our apartment. After unpacking we walked to the beach and spent the evening watching TV trying to stay awake till a decent time so we don't wake too early.

Thursday

Day 233 Awake around 4am local time (7pm UK time) a very lazy morning. Peter was feeling under the weather and opted to spend the day lounging around the apartment. I caught the bus to Bondi Junction for a coffee and a walk round the mall as it has been raining non stop since we arrived. I walked the 25 min route to my sons and his girlfriends and had a nap on their sofa and dried out for the afternoon. The brought me back after a food shop. Peter and I had soup and bread for dinner and were fast asleep by 10pm.

Friday 

Day 234 Still raining and wake at 4am again. Breakfast by 6am and endless tea in bed. Showered, dressed and out for a walk to Coogee Beach for our second breakfast. We went back to the apartment and made lunch and read our books. Son picked us up and I spent the afternoon asleep on his sofa. He ran us back.

Saturday 

Day 235 Woken at 3am by a disturbance outside and didn’t get back to sleep. Bus to sons and a walk round a local market then into Sydney for the day. Back to sons for dinner and a lift home. Evening spent reading and watching football. A dry day today, it seems the endless rain has come to a stop.

Things to make you smile:

It has rained non stop since we arrived, thankfully we packed our waterproofs, but in an effort to save space I only had light weight shoes or trainers and my feet haven't been dry or warm yet.

Things that made me happy:

Seeing my son after almost a year. We last saw hime when he flew over for Stephanie's funeral in October 2024. Seeing his girlfriend again after we briefly met her on our last trip in August 2023, they had only just got together.

On the blog this week:

Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week

Word of the Week - Orange Button

My garden in August

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Week 33 2025 - One Daily Positive and Project 365

More football this week. Carabao Cup against Sheffield United. I started supporting Birmingham City and going to their matches in 2006 when child 4 was training in their academy. My father was a professional footballer in the late 50's, a goal keeper for Barry Town and I grew up with his football stories and he took me to my first match at York City when I was around 7. From 2008-2010 I worked for The Football Association. In 2010 we left the UK and BCFC fell into the Championship and stayed there until more recently being demoted to League 1 and this season, they've bounced back up to the Championship.

I attended a few games when I was visiting the UK over the years when we lived abroad. We moved back at the start of covid and with grandchildren and me back in work, going to the games wasn't on my agenda.

I started back going to St Andrew's in February this year and it was getting harder and harder to get a ticket. This year, I'm determined to go to as many games as possible so I stand a chance of a season ticket next year.

Day 222 A lie in then off to Keynsham to visit MIL, drop off some tomato plants and cucumbers we've grown. Went shopping, then back for a cup of tea and off to visit the grandchildren on our way home. We sat in the garden, had a takeaway and lots of cuddles. Home around 8pm, watered the garden and watched TV.

Day 223 Another lie in, well I stayed in bed till midday then walked into town for a wander around the charity shops, a coffee, read my book and walked home. Finished my book in the garden, watched TV, had a bath, a bit of blogging and in bed by 10pm.

Day 224 A lazy morning, started some packing, tidying, paperwork and some reading in the garden. Out for a meal in Worcester with friends in the evening. Loving this hot weather, can’t believe it’s lasting this long. 

Day 225 Bit of drama this morning when the neighbours car shot off over the road and into our garden. She tried to stop the car and ended up with some nasty grazes on her legs. We were on our way out for coffee, Peter saw the whole thing, I just heard the car thump on the new border we've built, which thankfully stopped the car hitting the house, as the engine was on. Home to sort the garden, do some more packing and then off to Birmingham for the football. Peter collected me from Worcester at 11.30pm as there are no trains to Malvern.

Day 226 Into town to see a friend quickly, then coffee with Peter. Home and a bit more packing, re-levelled the front lawn. Lots of paperwork sorted out, laptop backed up onto memory sticks and general tidying of the house. Watched TV in the evening. I regretted my choice of a quick and easy tea. 

Day 227 Walked to get my nails done, Peter collected me and we spent the day with our grandchildren at home, the park and a walk to get ice creams. Home to pack, dinner, watch a movie and the football. Bath and bed. Sad news to hear our friend’s dog died. Jelly and our dog Bob were besties friends when we lived in Dubai.

Day 228 Off to my Mums for day, took her food shopping, sorted out her photo access on the iPad and full instructions handed over for the care of Pushkins while we are away for a month. Home to write some letters and ensure birthday cards are posted on time. Birmingham won away to Blackburn. Evening spent in the garden finishing a craft project, then everything tided away.

Things to make you smile:
I helped a guy at the train station by unhooking his rucksack from his bike pedal, he'd carried the bike off the train and it got hooked up, when he tried to put the bike down it pulled him over.

Things that made me happy:

Visits with the grandchildren, getting my 'to do' list ticked off, football, night out with friends, the hedgehog came back. Eating fresh fruit and veg from the garden.

On the blog this week:
Word of the Week - Bowels I'm almost half the way to my fund raising target - Please share the post if you can.

Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week

The good bits of July 2025

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Week 32 2025 - One daily Positive and Project 365

I had another flare up with my gall bladder, my own fault - wrong food. I received another reply from an author on twitter and I've been experiencing all the symptoms of a migraine without the actual pain.

I was very unhappy with the referring decisions on Friday night, so much so that I left the ground early to ensure I could catch the train home. I missed the penalty awarded to Ipswich thankfully. I've watched the highlights and the commentators weren't happy with his decisions either.

Day 215 the day started with a coffee and a new book which I finished in between setting up the awning and laying the ground sheet out to dry and washing the van blankets. They’d not been washed since before Stephanie died as I didn’t want to remove her presence. The blankets were filthy after 10 months with mud from grandchildren’s shoes, dirty hands and nappy changes.

We binged watched Built in Birmingham. Brady and the Blues.

Day 216 I slept till 9.30am. We went into town at 11am for coffee and a browse through the shops. Picked up some wood. Home to more washing and drying, took the tent down, empty the van to start cleaning it. Moved shrubs to temporary homes while we start work on front garden.

Day 217 I was rudely awoken by the cat around 9am. By 10 I was sifting and moving soil in the garden. By 11am I was lugging bags of stones into the car from B&Q. By 1pm I’d removed a small tree that had been in a pot for over 23 years and by 2pm I’d finished cleaning the van (still have to reload it with the camping gear) and sat on the door step supervising the new border ready to plant a hedge tomorrow. By 6pm I was in the bath absolutely shattered, but it’s been a productive day.

218 Photos printed, nails done, coffee drunk and lots of blogging. I signed up to a charity walk to raise funds for Bowel Research in Stephanie’s memory. Rest of the day spent in the garden, moving soil, replanting trees, pruning and harvesting veg. Evening spent watching TV, making up new photo frames and drinking tea.

219 Awake early and outside to read. Met up with an ex student and her mum for a coffee, then home to dig and sift more soil, dig up the old tree stump in the front lawn, blanche and freeze the parsnips. Watched some TV and had a nap, then re packed the van before putting the camping gear back in the attic. 

220 International cat day Out for coffee and get some more photos printed for family and to go on the wall. More work in the garden, shower and train to Birmingham to watch the first home game of the season in the Championship. We drew 1:1. Train home to Worcester and Peter picked me up at 11.30pm.

221 Had a lie in then finished levelling off the front garden, it will settle and we'll need to add some more soil, but we've plenty left from removing a flower bed to lay a new path. Had a shower, some lunch then out for a coffee, a bit of shopping and home to potter around, watch the TV and just relax.

Things to make you smile:
The cat just doesn't leave us alone these days, she's 16 now and is slowing down, but she also follows us from room to room, from the front to the back garden and when we go out she sleeps on the door mat, shouting at us when we get back.

Things that made me happy:
Finding some raspberries, growing melons, Pushkins on International Cat Day and getting the work finished in the garden (for now)

On the blog this week:

Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week

Word of the Week - Football

Days out in the camper van July 2025

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Week 31 2025 - One Daily Positive and Project 365

I've only added 6 days this week as I keep forgetting to post on the Sunday till late. I'll bring the post forward a day and continue with posting on Saturday till the end of the year.

We drove up to Scotland on Sunday night and camped about an hours drive from the ferry at Cairnryan. We brought the awning with us to give us more space for the week and camped near Lough Neagh about 15 minutes from child 4 and his family.

209

Collected grandson on arrival and off to the campsite to set up. He did a good job helping us set the awning up. Took him home after tea and had baby brother cuddles and I did bed time and had 8 books to read.

210

A lazy morning in the campsite. Met son, DIL and baby to go shopping, collected oldest grandson from nursery and home to play in the garden, bake cakes and bedtime stories. Back to the campsite site to get ready for the night, reading and supper.

211

A lazy morning and a walk to the Lough followed by collecting this one and with his dad off to the park for the afternoon. DIL and baby joined us then after ice creams it was home for dinner, bath and bed time stories and loads of baby cuddles.

212

Day out to Castle Coole, National Trust. Picnic in the campervan, new books bought and read on the way home. Dinner with the outlaws and back to the campsite around 8pm.

213 

Tent all packed up to be dried when we get home. Off to say bye to the grandchildren and a trip to the park. Ferry delayed over an hour but we made cups of tea and cooked pasta in the van at the port. Smooth crossing and drive to campsite for the night. New book bought started.

214 

Awake around 7am, a shower, dressed and packed the van. Peter drove for the first hour for breakfast then sat in the car watching the Rugby while I drove down to Birmingham where her dropped me off for the football. Train home. Peter had unpacked most of the van. Bath and to bed early.

 

Things to make you smile:

Grandson declared he didn't like me anymore as I was going home. Our two other grandchildren are arriving to visit them on Sunday and our grandson wanted us to bring them over with us. Our grandson loves to take photos with our phone. Here are some of his better ones.

Things that made me happy:

Time with our grandsons, child 4 and DIL. All the grandchildren will be together on Sunday, however we left on the Friday afternoon. Stopping off on the way home from Scotland to watch Birmingham City play. Our hedgehog is still visiting us. The author of the latest book I read replied to me on twitter.

On the blog this week:

My Garden in July 

Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week

WOTW - Camping

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Week 30 2025 One Daily Positive and Project 365

One of our 2 cat sitters for Australia let us down. Mum has stepped in and offered to look after Pushkins. 

No gall bladder surgery for me, thankfully. It's not a choice but the surgeon has said it should be managed by a high fibre, low fat diet, however add gluten free to that and it's a bit of a struggle as most gluten free foods are higher in fat. Looks like I'll be making a lot more meals from scratch. I can't eat jacket potato with beans on forever.

I did get a telling off though for not having sought help with my gall bladder last year, as it could have been worse. But in my defence (and the surgeon fully understood) that as Stephanie died on the operating table, going into theatre was a definite no for me. I didn't need to worry.

202 B12 jab then onto Bromyard to sort paperwork for my new job in September. Got my nails done before going home and stopped for a coffee. Out in the evening to Upton upon Severn for Orange button training.

203

A lazy morning then off to Gloucester to meet DIL and grandchildren. A hard day for us as we used to bring Stephanie with us and we’ll never get used to going to Gloucester and not having her with us. Granddaughter cheered us up with her constant desire to make friends with everyone she sees.

204 

A day out with Mary then a hospital appointment with the surgeon about my gall bladder, they want to manage it with diet for now. So that’s me on high fibre, low fat and gluten free now. Evening spent reading and a long soak in the bath.

205 

Hairdressers for cut and colour. Met Peter for coffee, dentists and home to do some gardening, reading and book campsites and ferry for Northern Ireland.

206 

A lie in and then off to meet a friend at the Welland Steam Festival. Home at 2pm, followed by a 2 hour nap and a coffee out and food shop. Evening spent reading in the garden.

207 

Went out for coffee and to get some photos of Stephanie printed. Home to finish reading my 4th book this week. Packed the van and had a tidy up. Friend dropped round to drop some stuff off and another friend came round for a cuppa, a catch up and cat sitting instructions for the week.

208 

View from the van at our campsite in Scotland ahead of our crossing to Belfast in the morning.

Things to make you smile:

Being charged £65 before I was allowed to see the dentist, who took less than 5 minutes to tell me there was nothing wrong with my teeth, after he'd sent me an email berating me for not having been for over a year and threatening to take me off his list. I'm a private patient. I should be allowed to see the dentist when I need it, like going to the Doctors.

Things that made me happy:

A day out with our grandchildren, homegrown cucumbers, sunflowers and reading.

On the blog this week:

Is life better in the sun?

Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week

Word of the Week - Mornings

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