Robyn told me, "I do like the restrictions of this genre - an interesting challenge! One day I might be brave enough to start writing a memoir". I really think you should Robyn and am sure we would all enjoy reading it.
Who could resist the warm, crocodile-free river after a day's hiking in the searing Northern Territory sun? We wallowed by a small weir, watching families picnic along the bank.
The short waterfall by the weir, smoothed by centuries of tumbling water was too tempting. Three of us went first, crashing together in a laughing tumble of arms and legs.
Dad followed. He didn't take the smoothest route and he hit the bottom minus the seat of his shorts.
His ignominious walk through the park to the car where we left our towels is a family legend to this day.
Four months living in Scotland, miles inland; suddenly we needed the sea. Despite it being mid-winter, we hitched a ride on a frosty morning. In a tiny fishing village on the coast, two women passed, reeking of fish, no doubt employed by the local fish factory. We came across a rocky, freezing beach. The fierce North Sea wind cut through us, howling out of a slate sky, grey waves tumbling on the shore. We were as far from our blue Pacific home as we could be. We stood there, inhaled the salt air and felt that we could breathe again.
June 2001. I fell in love with New York City.
We stood in the sky, looking down on rooftops of the concrete and glass canyons far below. A few minutes before they had towered over us.
Thousands of taxis, reduced to toy cars now, threaded the streets like endless yellow veins, carrying the lifeblood of the city.
My diary says ‘Amazing security to get into the tower.’
June 2002, nine months from the never to be forgotten day, back to the city that never sleeps.
There was no sky to stand in, only a deep, empty hole, devoid of life.
I live in the beautiful far north of New Zealand surrounded by beaches and forests. My family have lived here since the earliest days of settlement in New Zealand.
I love travelling and have been lucky to have explored many fascinating parts of our wonderful world. I’ve visited America many times and stayed with wonderful friends I have made. I lived and worked in Scotland, the land of my ancestors, mostly clearing tables and washing dishes in a slightly questionable restaurant, a million miles from my job as a teacher in New Zealand. My greatest adventure was 3 months camping and 20,000kms around the Outback and Tropics of Australia. Nowadays it’s all about rediscovering my own beautiful country and discovering the joys of cruising. Travel has truly broadened my mind.