My friend Pete had been at me to write. ‘When am I going to be able to read from MaureenBetty’, he kept asking. I haven’t felt like writing I told him. His response? Well write about that. Well I wrote a little last week and I guess I touched on this.  It’s been a big tough year. There are no two ways about it. It’s … Continue reading Queens & Kings of Change?

Hey now, hey now, don’t dream it’s over……………….. “Level 1 – you can’t get any better than that”. So said Neil Finn at the Crowded House concert we attended on Wednesday night. I looked around the Christchurch Arena and couldn’t not acknowledge how damn lucky we in Christchurch are. Right here. Right now. Whatever you think about the current NZ government, you have to admit Jacinda, Ashley … Continue reading Don’t dream it’s over….

I haven’t worn real shoes for 3 weeks. Or jewellery. Or real pants for that matter. As for make-up, well that’s a joke. A little tinted moisturiser. Makes you realise you can actually get away with a fairly minimal lifestyle. Not that I would want to. I’ve trialled that environmentally friendly deodorant I’ve had for a while. The one I’ve been too scared to test … Continue reading This gig – day 23

I’ve spent the last 16 days enjoying my own private party. A party about what I can’t do anymore. Ok I mean wallowing in self-pity. Party style, in other words, big time self-pity party wallowing. Of massive proportions. Sorry MoD. And that hasn’t even been from a personal point of view. Albeit the prospect of not seeing my Australian family and friends for many months … Continue reading Yep, I’ll take that

Virus = a submicroscopic infectious agent Corona = Latin for crown There is absolutely nothing royal about COVID-19 Coronavirus. We have been sent to our rooms to think about who we are, and maybe, just maybe, what our future world looks like. MoD and I were sent a little earlier than others. We had some Aussie visitors, some extended whanau if you like, plus we … Continue reading Latin for Crown

My youngest son, the musician, who I am sure at times struggles to know where he is going to find money for rent, has put up his excess musical equipment for sale. To help the bushfire appeal. The money is going direct to the nominated relief fund. He won’t see it, just asks for a screenshot of the receipt and then the equipment is theirs. … Continue reading My country is burning

As we come over the hill for our first view of Lake Pukaki including a clear view of Mount Cook and the Hillary step, deep turqouise coloured water as far  as the eye can see, I make the comment how lucky I am to have eyes. The view is nothing short of dramatic. It never ceases to amaze and literally makes you gasp. And I … Continue reading It’s the Chrissie hols!

Loneliness. It’s a bitch. It slithers its way into your soul like a virgin cruisers slide into the buffet bar on a cruise ship It sucks at your confidence and makes you feel ugly, unloved. Forgotten. I just finished ‘Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine’, a book by Gail Honeyman. Complex, engaging, challenging, disturbing. A journey into one women’s life. A journey I could relate too. … Continue reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

Sailaway, with me. To the sea. And we did. We chose a small tour operator named Sailaway to take us out to Low Isles for a spot of snorkelling. The tour included morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and guided snorkelling out at Low Isles. All we needed were our togs (swimmers) and towels. Another early morning in paradise, the norm here. And that’s ok. The … Continue reading Sailaway with me

It’s a stressful business stealing the neighbours customers. Martin oh Martin. We had travelled the 40 minutes up to the Daintree to take a 1 hour boat ride along the river, stopping at the first cruise we saw. Big mistake. Martin lured us into his tent before the competition could raise their heads and notice us walking towards them. Aggressive, rude, obnoxious. Traits we discovered … Continue reading Daintree and Mossman Gorge