30 day: You have choices once we land in Katherine. Discuss what you discovered and enjoyed from the links.Include your fellow bloggers to help inspire interaction.
https://northernterritory.com/katherine-and-surrounds/destinations/nitmiluk-nati…
https://www.katherineoutbackexperience.com.au/

My response: I want to say sorry about the links when I created this challenge they all worked. I will double check every night from now on before sending the prompts out. There’s always something when it comes to the internet.

We were told by the guide that Katherine Gorge was spectacular but that’s an understatement. My mind immediately imagined stories looking at the gorge’s steep walls. What if we had decided to a rope climbing challenge or what if we had tried hang gliding , the possibilities and the dangers would fill pages.
I’m a morning person so I opted for the sunrise cruise, the colors were over the top amazing. Who knew there could be so many shades of reds, mauves, and gold reflected along the gorge walls. It was like being inside of a kaleidoscope for me.

Edith Falls is definitely in my picture, those small showers on the train and restricted water usage have left me still feeling grungy after being at the Opal Mines yesterday. I can’t wait to go swimming and totally immerse myself in the water.

By the way, just in case you’re wondering no one has suspected our involvement in the heist. I still can’t believe we were conned by those crooks. We helped them pull it off by being so trusting. So much for being street savvy. I was so glad no one pointed fingers last night. I was pleased Carly and Willie agreed silence was in our favor right now. I couldn’t help but wonder if we did go to the police would those men come after us. They had no qualms about shooting the real Uwe. Needless to say I didn’t sleep well, my conscience was playing devil’s advocate.

BCoF There are beautiful pictures in the links, your prompt is to pick one and write a poem or a story about that location. Be creative.

https://northernterritory.com/katherine-and-surrounds/destinations/nitmiluk-nati…

https://www.katherineoutbackexperience.com.au/

https://northernterritory.com/us/en/katherine-and-surrounds/destinations/nitmilu…

https://northernterritory.com/us/en/katherine-and-surrounds/see-and-do/nature-an…

https://www.visitkatherine.com.au/attractions/national-parks

alternative option is to write about the average Australian cuisine. How does it differ from our norm.
My response was to write a limerick and then answer the second part of the prompt/

Average Australian cuisine of kangaroo, emu and snakes isn’t appealing to me but then neither is sushi, alligator or snake and we have that as specialty dishes on our menu.  I did find ANZAC biscuits which are crunchy cookies made of rolled oats, golden syrup and desiccated coconut quite good. Also the meat pies and sausage pies really tasty but thankfully they didn’t indicate what meat was involved. Yeah, I know ignorance isn’t bliss but when it comes to my tummy I would rather not know. I’ve noticed how popular shrimp is here but I can’t do shrimp, I have a severe iodine allergy which also makes me more consciously aware of food content. Cross contamination is dangerous for me.

30 day prompt.
From your morning stop at the outback outpost of Manguri, you’ll venture into the weird and wonderful opal mining township of Coober Pedy, where more than half of the residents live underground. Here, you’ll enjoy a day of discovery, and a gourmet lunch in the most unique of locations: underground. Dinner is served back on the train where you can enjoy a nightcap as your journey continues.

We’e going to get dirty today. But maybe we’ll score an opal. Let your imagination take you wherever.

https://journeybeyondrail.com.au/journeys/the-ghan-expedition/

https://www.gemsociety.org/article/opal-mining-coober-pedy/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrCpNlPggtA

My response is: The guide said humans love Opals but I’m sure someone will deny that point. It’s his lucky day, I do like opals but would I say love them not necessarily but I’m in too good of a mood to argue but I do hate generalizations like that.  Sandy, Blue, April, Neal and Willie all seem to be enjoying seeing the underground homes. Whiteman in a hole makes the literal name of  Coober Pedy to the next level as I keep looking around for the exits. I’m out of comfort zone. I can’t help but wonder when the last earthquake was. I used to have nightmares as a child so I’m out of my comfort zone.
Once we got outside again, I took deep inhales in spite of the intense heat. I can’t imagine working in these conditions but looking around me I’m amazed at how many men versus women lived there.
It’s a harsh reality knowing how much work is involved and the risk of finding nothing.

I don’t know about you but just the short time I actually tried mining was exhausting. I looked down at my clothes and wondered how much hot water would be available once we got back to the train. I’m not keen on cold showers either.

I’m getting hungry again. I should have ate more at breakfast than I did especially if we’re going to have kangaroo or emu on the menu again tonight.

BCoF prompt is about Opals

https://www.opalsdownunder.com.au/learn/famous-opals/

https://www.gemsociety.org/article/famous-opals/

https://www.gemsociety.org/article/opal-mining-coober-pedy/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkhY9fcp54k

Weave us a tale about an opal heist.

My response is: We were all watching Yowah Opal Cutting and Polishing with Uwe Barfuss when I noticed a group of men approaching on camels. I looked over at Willie. She nudged Sandy . We’re more street savvy than some of our blogging friends. I whispered to Uwe that men were approaching on camels. He reached under the table for his pistol and tucked into the front of his pants.
I thought of my children. and grandchildren. I don’t want this day to be my last especially because of an damn opal.
Uwe nodded his head to the opening in the mine. We scurried quickly inside while he continued polishing the nut opal. He looked so calm to me.
Willie leaned closer, “Do you think they’re going to rob him or worse kill him?”
” I hope not.” But I didn’t dare say outl oud what I was really thinking.
Neal suggested we all hold hands and pray for our safety.
But April had a better idea, she suggested we create some kind distraction to give Uwe time to disappear safely. We quickly gathered the contents of our purses. Thank goodness some of us like nail polish. We quickly painted a slew of small stones with the polish and then switched them with the real pieces in his box so it was to heavy to carry.
Uwe smiled as he saw us make the exhange.
Uwe offered each of us a handful of opals to tuck into purses so we could carry them to safety in case things got really bad.. He said, “I don’t want my life’s work in the hand of swindlers. I have children to feed.”
We could hear the men’s voices getting closer. Uwe showed us the tunnel to the underground city, he told us to stay to the left when we came to each tunnel divide. He nudged to go before it was too late.
We scurried as quickly as we could, hoping to find someone that could help Uwe before it was too late. We met some men when we arrived at the restaurant . We told them what was happening to Uwe. They quickly ran down the tunnel.
We waited and waited or paced is probably is a better description of us. Finally, the men returned with Uwe in toe. He had a few brusies on his face but overall looked well. We all let out sighs of relief because the alternative was terrifying.
We returned his opals to him and thanked for his interesting exhibit of stone polishing. We were happy to be alive. It could have gone down much worse. We said our goodbyes and returned to the Ghan train and the next part of our journey.

Sitting in the dining room on the train, we hear on the radio how a group of women pulled off the greatest opal heist. The owner of Uwe Barfuss had been found tied up and gagged in one of the abandoned mines. He was flown by the flying doctors to Adelaide for surgery to remove the bullet lodged in his chest.

Willie grabbed my arm, we’re going to jail aren’t we?

“Not on my watch, we’re going to Katherine first then Darwin. No one is going to suspect us if we stick together.”

Today, I received a notification for the Liebster Award from https://peaksofcheeks.wordpress.com  I am honored to be nominated. Thank you so very much for thinking of me.

According to Google, the Liebster Award is an award that exists only on the internet and is given to bloggers by other bloggers, with the earliest case of the award going far back as 2011. It is said that the Liebster Award was created to recognize and/or discover new bloggers and welcome them into the blogosphere. It’s increased to 11 bloggers and 11 questions from the original 2-6 bloggers and 5 questions.

https://theglobalaussie.com/the-liebster-award/

The Rules:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and add a link to their blog
2. Answer the 11 questions given to you
3. Nominate 11 bloggers that you think deserves the award
4. Ask 11 innovative questions to the ones you have nominated
5. Remember to notify your nominees once you have uploaded your acknowledgement post.

https://peaksofcheeks.wordpress.com/2020/08/04/liebster-award-nomination/

My questions for the nominees from SMB

1.What is happiness according to you? 

Happiness is seeing my husband’s smile, cuddling with my fur babies,  seeing and hearing my children and grandchildren, talking with good friends, the smell of the trees and flowers, hearing the birds sing and writing everyday.

2.Which one memory of yours will you always cherish?

The expression on my husband’s face when we exchanged vows.

3. What is the latest thing that made you laugh your belly out?

This morning there was a knocking outside the window and Macavity raced to see what was happening when a woodpecker’s head bobbed up. Macavity sprung back so fast. I couldn’t help but laugh at how comical he acted with such a tiny little woodpecker.

4. Which embarrassing memory of yours makes you laugh even now?

I was a very young wife (16) and had never cooked at my parent’s home. This was before the days of instant search on the internet. I didn’t even have a telephone, land line as they’re called today. My husband wanted carrot cake for his birthday.   I had never had carrot cake before so I relied solely on the cookbook which didn’t specify grating the carrots, so I sliced them very thinly and layered them in the cake batter. It looked beautiful when was done until it was sliced. My husband threw a tantrum that I ruined his birthday and wasn’t the least compassionate about my lack of cooking skills.

Thankfully, that man is in the past and I’m married to a very loving man now. The carrot cake story makes even laugh.

5.What about Mother Nature do you admire the most?

I love the ocean, the salty spray in the air, the way the waves break on the sand. It’s my zen place.

6.Which is the first song that comes to your mind now? Can you share it?

LeeAnn Womacks’s I Hope You Dance,

7.What do you do when you cannot fall asleep?

I read, there’s something about a book in one’s hands. The smell and feel of the paper are soothing to me.

8.Have you miserably failed in delivering a joke? How did the experience go?

No, I can’t say I’ve participated in delivering jokes. I’m not comfortable with jokes in general, feelings are too easily hurt and I don’t like to hurt anyone.

9.Is there anyone in your life you want or wanted to apologize to?

My grandson, for not making more time to spend with him, all those missed opportunities because we live so far apart. It’s my biggest regret. Now, I can’t change it. He’s dead. And I would give anything to turn back that clock.

10.What is the one thing you are proud of? 

I wrote a book of poetry about my experiences in my first marriage. Domestic violence is difficult anyway you look  at it, so I decided poetry would deliver encouragement to other women like me but in smaller doses. In My Shoes, My Poetic Journey from Abuse to Victory.

11. Can you share one of your classic jokes or pick-up lines?. 

I once told a man singing in the band that his jeans would look better on me. He looked me and agreed. We hooked up at the end of the night. I have to admit it was fun undressing him. I kept those jeans for ten years and they did look better on me.

I nominate these awesome bloggers. I look forward to reading their blogs everyday.

https://teepee12.com/

https://jilywily.wordpress.com/

https://jimadamsauthordotcom.wordpress.com/

#FDDA

https://fivedotoh.com/category/dog-days-of-august/

Today’s theme is “Lost Love.” Share a story, a poem, a photo, a drawing, some music, or whatever you wish to about a love you lost. Is it a person? A pet? An object? It’s up to you.

Some of you know from reading my blog my grandson, Johnny was killed a year ago by a fluke dirt bike accident on July 1st, 2019. Johnny was 13 years old. He was my eldest son’s only son. I wasn’t sure our family was going to recover from the loss, it was touch and go for a while with my son. He was consumed with guilt for he had let Johnny buy the bigger dirt bike the day before. No one expected it to be an issue because Johnny had been riding dirt bikes for years. Hold your children or grandchildren tightly because you never know.

I’m going to redirect this conversation to a less painful loss. Since Vic and I’ve been together we’ve had to take two of our feline fur babies to the vets to end their suffering.  I’ll share a little about each with you.

Quasimoto was our Maine coon cat and in his prime weighed thirty six pounds. People often commented on his footprints in the driveway in Maine because they thought a bobcat was hanging around. Yes, he had huge feet. I rescued him at Agway where I used to live so he spent his youth with me until I began dating Vic. We lived 8 hours apart at the time so when I went to visit I took Quasi, Purryl, and Yeatsie with me for the weekends. Quasi was never keen about the car rides so once Vic and I decided we were taking our relationship to the next level, Quasi was the first one to relocate. He enjoyed spending time in the new house with Vic alone.

Purryl I rescued here in New Jersey on one of my early visits Quasi was at home in Maine with one of my friends checking on him. She was on the back deck and it was really cold. I initially thought she couldn’t get over the five foot fence but when I picked her up I realized there was a lot more to the story. Vic at the time didn’t have cats but he did have tunafish. She devoured it and then a bowl of water. Cats don’t consume food or water in one setting. I asked Vic to go to the pet store and get a litter box and food for her. We posted signs at the development office but no one replied. I took Purryl back to Maine with me. I didn’t bring her directly home, I had called my vet and he waited up for me. Yeah, in Maine we still have vets who will do that. Purryl was malnourished, dehydrated still and had an infection. He put her on antibiotics, neutered her for me and three days later she joined our family. The vet estimated her age at two.

Quasi developed later in life thyroid issues and that became a constant juggling act of medicine doses but unfortunately they couldn’t do anything for his renal failure. We had to put him to sleep in May of 2012. He no longer could control his body functions. Quasi was just shy of his 20th birthday in August.

Purryl also had urinary issues but the vet determined hers was from the malnutrition days before us. It was a lifetime of special food and constant urinary infections for her. In April of 2019, Purryl stopped eating, she wouldn’t take food. I took her to the vet, she had been losing weight that winter but I hadn’t realized it was that much. She was a furry cat that hid her actual body. The blood work determined she was dying of renal failure as well. Her kidneys were backing up into body and poisoning her. Purryl had just turned 20 if the vet’s estimation was correct. I know she lived with us 18 wonderful years.

We still have Yeats and Macavity but when it comes their time I will not be replacing them. I’m a firm believer that when we reach a certain age we need to consider our life expectancy in addition to our pets. I’m a cat fan , both of my sons have dogs and my cat’s aren’t used to being around dogs. My daughter has a cat but cat’s are fickle creatures you can’t force them to co-habitat. I will out live Yeats who’s 16 and Macavity who’s 6. Unfortunately we will most likely be taking Macavity next if the doctor’s diagnosis is correct he has a heart condition. He’s taking the same medication for congestive heart failure as my ex-husband did before he passed. How strange is that? I see everyday as a blessing with our boys.

I look at life in a very practical manner. Our pets are part of our family and shouldn’t be bounced around from home. It’s not fair to them. We’ve made a commitment to be their parents for the duration of their lives but as much as I love cats I cannot make that same promise to another cat. I’ll volunteer at shelters and contribute that way.

We’re hoping on The Ghan for one of the world’s great train journeys. Travel through the heart of Australia in luxury while enjoying the all-inclusive food and beverages, well-appointed cabins and the Off Train Excursions that allow you to get a feel for the places the train travels through.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g255093-d12951577-Reviews-The_Ghan…

30 day prompt, check out these links and discuss. You must discuss a minimum of 3 of the links. I’m very aware there’s a lot of reading to do but if we were actually traveling we wold be looking things up too and trying to figure out what to see and what to skip to maximize out enjoyment.

https://www.pinkroadhouse.com.au/oodnadatta-track/

my response: We’re traveling where John McDouall Stuart explored in 1859, and it would later become the path for telegraph cables. Can you imagine how amazing it must have felt to have communication from point a to point b? We take it for granted everytime we just grab our cell phones.

https://www.australia.com/en-us/places/northern-territory.html

my response: Alice Springs was a surprise, I felt like it was mirage at first. I blinked to make sure I wasn
t imagining it. Come to find out it’s the largest city in the Northern Territory and there’s tons of art and cultural exhibits, great food and clean bathrooms. I don’t know about you but I prefer my bathroom not to be moving. Yeah, I know I’m showing my age with this comment. I felt so guilty seeing the Kangaroo Sanctuary after knowing some of our group had kangaroo for dinner. They’re so adorable, especially when the little ones pop their heads up to look around.

https://alicespringsdesertpark.com.au/

My response: It’s sad that the desert park has remained closed to the public because of covid-19.

https://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/

My response: Wow, the video gave some insight how the medical services work in the remote areas of Australia. 90 years of servicing rural Australia I can’t imagine not being able to walk into a doctor’s office if needed. Though with covid, it certainly has changed a lot. My yearly physical exam is coming right up and it’s business as usual except that I have to have my temperature checked prior to entering and confirm I haven’t been in contact with anyone. But there’s a huge difference when you don’t have the same instant access to the news, to medical facilities and household necessities to maintain your safety like bleach, masks, and hand santizers.

we’ll be dining in https://journeybeyondrail.com.au/guest-information/food-beverage/queen-adelaide-…

My response: It wasn’t five star but not for lack trying. The decor was interesting. The food presentation on the plates definitely could have been what you would see in Manhattan. I’m glad there were three courses because I’m a hearty eater and the portions could have been larger especially after being outside all day. I was starving.

BCoF prompt is about Australian literature:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_literature

Scroll through the different sections and discuss things you know about authors and the topic they wrote about.

My response: My first exposure to Australian authors was a children’s writer named Ethel Turner. She wrote Seven Little Australians which takes us on the adventures with these mischievous children. Until looking it up I had no idea that it was first published in 1894 and is still in print today. How cool is that?

Alternate prompt sent by Neva. Day 4 we catch a Ghan train in Adelaide. Have you ever ridden a train? What was it like? If you haven’t ridden a train what do you think it would be like?.

My response: I have ridden a train from Trenton, New Jersey to New York City. On another trip I went from New York to Boston with the older granddaughters where we met their mother and then they rode the train back onto Maine. And other occasions I’ve gone from Portland Maine to Boston and back to do holiday shopping. My most recent trips were to meet Vic in DC when he was working there, I’d leave out of Trenton, New Jersey which is 8 minutes from my house and three hours later I would be meeting him in DC for the weekend. I love riding on trains so this part of our trip is delightful. My only complaint is the bathroom moves, what can I say I’m getting older.

I’m enjoying spending times with the ladies in the dining car, enjoying coffee and tea as we all compare our adventures.

Another day on our virtual continent hopping adventure. Reading and engaging on each other’s blogs makes it fun just like when we comment here on wordpress.

Take advantage and do your laundry and whatever because we’re going to be roughing it on a train next.
we’re all staying at Hilton Sydney.
https://www.google.com/travel/hotels/Sydney/entity/CgsImO_m76TC4eXkARAB?g2lb=250…

30 day prompt:
There are a lot of great things to do and see in Sydney but you have one day so pick from the links what appeals to you and discuss what you discovered. Make us envious. Let your imagination get carried away.

https://www.thecrazytourist.com/25-best-things-sydney-australia/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g255060-Activities-Sydney_New_South_Wale…

My response: I really wanted to see the beach after being on ice the last two days. Bondi Beach is on the Australian Heritage List, and is also noteworthy for holding the Guinness World Record for the largest swimsuit photo shoot, with 1010 bikini-clad women taking part. I wonder if we could set our own Guiness Book record with virtual travel blogging.
It was nice to simple walk and dip my toes in the warm water.
I decided after seeing Wies’s excitement about the bridge climb I joined her. Wow, it’s the largest steel arch bridge in the world, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is an iconic landmark spanning one of the finest natural harbours known to mankind. Opened in 1932, the bridge is fondly nicknamed the Coathanger by Sydneysiders. You can walk and cycle across the bridge or climb to the top for stunning views. They’re right the view is stunning and then some. I took at least 200 pictures, so glad I bought a larger memory card for my Nikon.
I decided to end my sightseeing with Botanical Gardens and the Taronga Zoo. I set my phone so I would only be at the gardens for an hour. Thank goodness, I discovered the Choo Choo express, it offers a quick, scenic way to get around the gardens. The guide was very knowledgeable as well as entertaining.
The Targona Zoowas my highest priority, I really wanted to see a Tasmanian devil. They don’t look nothing like the cartoon version. I lucked out again because it’s quite a large zoo, and discovering  the zoo train and the Sky Safari was perfect so I would still have some energy to check out the nightlife.
I’ll sleep when I’m dead, I decided to give the 4-hour historic pub crawl a try, it took us to four of the oldest pubs in the city. We learned about the sometimes-seedy, always fascinating history of the area: gang life, brothels, unsolved murders and more. Man, I wish you could have seen Nanna’s, Neva’s, Apondia’s , Wies’s faces when our guide began his cocky spiel. Oh man the accent was so thick at times but hilariously entertaining.

https://www.bridgeclimb.com/

BCoF:
Take advantage and do your laundry and whatever because we’re going to be roughing it on a train next.
we’re all staying at Hilton Sydney.
https://www.google.com/travel/hotels/Sydney/entity/CgsImO_m76TC4eXkARAB?g2lb=250…

Prompt: Discuss one athlete and one actor or actress from Sydney. I’ve provided you a link with lots of options. Please, don’t write a book report, instead write an interaction you had with them or something you saw them do that amused you and why. Let your imagination go wild.

My response: Oh my, oh my that can’t possibly be Hugh Jackman at the bar talking with a woman. Oh, he was amazing in Les Miserables. I decide to venture a bit closer to grab a picture. Double bonus he’s talking with Claudia Karvan.  She was on Dancing with the Stars this spring.My hand is shaking so bad, damn it these pictures are going to suck.
Hugh Jackman asked if I needed help. He took my phone and snapped selfies with me and him and then pics of Claudia and me and then the three of us. I always thought he was nice but man he’s sweeter than I imagined.
I remember reading this blurb “With over a decade and a half of experience, Jackman has acquired the label of “Nicest Guy in Hollywood.” He’s opted out of a disingenuous media-friendly facade for a more honest and direct projection of himself, oftentimes disregarding the advice from publicists who say that he moves his hands too much, or shouldn’t talk about a certain topic or express himself in a certain way.” and thinking yeah right, well its true.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_Sydney
https://www.factinate.com/people/24-humbling-facts-hugh-jackman/#:~:text=With%20…