The good bits of August 2025. UK and Australia.

We started August in up north and ended the month in Australia. It's been really busy, too much travel, jet lag and on the go non stop in the garden also.

But I wouldn't have it any other way (other than Business class flights if the price was right)

UK

Nightly hedgehog visit.

Loads of books read this month.

Three football matches.

Recreating photos with our granddaughter.

Work in progress in the garden.

We sifted all the soil from here to the front, now we can start on our new path.

I've been really surprised with the growth of these melons.

We do love our coffees out.

Australia.

We're still doing the same things, just in a different location and lots more walking, with beaches and lots of meals out.

Animals. Nuggie

Out for a walk in Centennial Park

Holiday cat

Beach Turkeys

Bin Chicken

Books

Sport - SCG

Olympic Stadium

Grandchildren - Breakfast for grandson, dinner for us.

Gardening - wondering what this is. A cabbage fern.

Not identified this yet

Coffee - Not so sure what they've drawn here 

I'll be writing separate posts about the places we've visited, the walks we've been on more about the flora and fauna of Australia over the coming weeks.

My top three travel bucket list destinations

I'm currently visiting the UK from Dubai and I moved there from South Africa. Travel was never something I'd considered until I met my husband in 1999. We merged two families making us a family of 7 so I still didn't think travel was going to be possible other than an annual family holiday. As a family and just the two of us and often travelling alone we've visited Nevada, Arizona, Oregon and California many times. We've also traveled to Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia as well as nearly every European country, even if its only been on our way to somewhere else. I've also been to Denmark and hubby travels freely with his job. We've also explored everything South Africa has to offer in terms of destinations and experiences.

I know it's corny, but there is a hole world of opportunities out there for me, there are places in Wales, outside this window I've yet to see.

But there are 3 places I'd like to visit, that I've never been to and going somewhere new is what appeals to me. In June I'm off to Canada, why? just because I can, I have a twitter buddy and pen friend there who said 'if you're ever passing' 

I carry my passport with me at all times

My case seems to be permanently packed

Given the opportunity when dropping family and friends at the airport, I'd be on a plane someone, if I could. This year also sees me return to the UK in September and back to South Africa in October and November, but if I have time and money here is where I'd like to visit.

1. Scotland - I've only been to Edinburgh twice and both times only for a weekend. I'd love to explore more of Scotland, see the wildlife, camp under the stars, visit the beaches, catch a ferry to the numerous islands. Living abroad people always tell me how much they'd love to visit the UK, I lived there for 39 years and never saw half of it.

2. Peru - The Inca Trail. I would love to travel back in time and see how the Inca's lived. I have no knowledge or opinions on what Peru would be like, the culture, the history or even the food and accommodation, but that's what appeals to me the most, a voyage of discovery.

3. Australia - I have family there, a friend is emigrating there soon, it's a continent I've never visited, like Peru, there is noting in particular that stands out for me to want to see, but I'd love to travel by train across the country, stopping off where I wanted to for as long as try my hand at surfing or at the very least take some photographs.