What’s top of my mind: How nice it is to be home.
I’m a lucky person. I love travelling and I love being home. I have the best of both worlds.
Where I’m going: Christmas Shopping.
I only have Mum and Dad yet to buy for.
Georgia is turning 30 a few days after Christmas, and I want to take her shopping for some women’s shoes to fit her. It’s time.
Where I’ve been: to the mechanic.
I’m still salty about the bingle I had, just 4 days after coming back from the Crazy Road Trip. I was happily driving along Nepean Highway, went into the service road to turn left and saw that there were no cars in front of the car before me, so OF COURSE they’d be turning.
I glanced to the right to check if there’d be any cars on the road when I got there, looked back and the silly cow in front of me hadn’t gone… even though there was nothing in front of her. So I ran into her.
It was my fault by the letter of the law, but why wouldn’t you make the turn if there was nothing preventing you from doing so? My poor little car. She drove 8,000 km with no problems, and then this happens.
I will have to leave her at the mechanics for 7 business days at the end of January. They’ll be stripping her right back and replacing lots of panels etc. Thank god for car insurance!
What I’m reading: LOTS of books.
I’m thinking I’ll do a whole post on this, as I read about 12 books on my holiday. There were some cracking good reads among them.
What I’m watching: Alaskan Bush People.
This is a show on Netflix. I didn’t feel like watching anything challenging and this show fits the bill. It’s about a family of 7 kids who are totally under the thumb of their incompetent parents, particularly the father. They live far away from civilisation and exist like settlers in the 1700’s.
Their father is so STUPID. His decisions are questionable most of the time and he thinks he’s the head of “the wolf pack.” Ugh.
I got excited though, when I saw two towns that we went to in Alaska. Ketchikan and Hoonah. They filmed a segment in the very café I went to in Hoonah, where I saw the bald eagle fly to the pier and eat a salmon it had clutched in its claws.
What I’m listening to: Georgia’s music.
It’s drifting down from her room at the end of the house to where Scout and I are in the lounge room.
What I’m eating: Low carb stuff.
*sigh*
What I’m planning: my Vietnamese visa.
I have to get things together. I’ve heard they can be tricky to get right and I know quite a few people who have had to get one at the airport – at a cost of $500 or so. Yikes!
Who deserves a ‘thumbs-up’: Everyone who has commented on the blog this year.
Anyone who has been blogging as long as I have would know that people used to comment a lot more on blogs back in the day. Nowadays it seems that people just consume the posts and move right along.
I appreciate every comment and they make my day. So thanks, commenters!
What has made me smile: Avocadoes!
I planted a couple of avocado trees 3 years ago. I was watering the front yard a couple of days ago when I noticed something.
Yes, one of the trees is finally sprouting avocadoes. I was so thrilled!
Dad Joke of the Day:
Have so enjoyed your posts this year. You have travelled to some of the spots on my list which inspires me to perhaps do more than just think about booking! I travel with my hubby and I so admire you in being able to travel on your own. I’m not sure I’d have the courage to be honest.
Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy your family in the beautiful home you have created I look forward to next year’s travel itinerary!! Also as an avid reader I look forward to your book recommendation as well 😊
You’re welcome! I used to blog years and years ago but social media killed that off. I miss my regular round of interacting with bloggers.
oooooh avocadoes!!! One of my small life goals is to have one fresh off a tree .. or at the very least to SPOT one on a tree. I have to visit southern california (or Mexico) and keep my eyes peeled, I think. Please take pics as your beauties come along.
I love seeing all your travel, both solo and with friends. Each type of travel is its own leap of faith!
I always enjoy your blog. I’m trying to remember the time frame around visas when we went to Vietnam. I’m pretty sure we sent them express post which seems to mean not much these days. I saw that you could get visas on arrival and had wondered why we wasted money on express mail but your post has answered that!! I’m impressed by your outback trip. I would have gone insane driving those distances in a day and my back would have killed me sitting for that long.