Top 5 Tuesday where, what, why, when, who

Prompt from Meeghan of 5 books with one of the 5 W words in the title.

1. WHERE the Crawdads sing

2. WHAT happened that night by Shelia Flanagon. I read this in 2019 on a cruise ship.

3. The Girl WHO came home by Hazel Gaynor. I bought this book during a trip to Ireland on the cruise mentioned above as it is about the Titanic.

4. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest by Stieg Larsson

5. If this title was translated from French to English it would contain what. He ne sais quoi by Lucie Arnoux. It is a graphic novel which I would not normally read but it was a category on 2023 Book Clllub challenge. It is anecdotes of a French woman’s travels.

Syndey Harbour bridge and opera house

So many photos must have been taken of the Syndey harbour bridge and opera house. I took a few! On New Year day when I did the bridge climb and we were talking about the bridge I asked a native Sydney resident whether they had taken a bridge picture. They never had!

The first time I saw the bridge and opera house I was not expecting to see them; we had arrived in Sydney late in the day, almost dinner time and our tour guide recommended fed walking from hotel to the circular quay. I wandered out mainly looking for someone to eat. Then I saw them! After about three weeks of being in Australia; these iconic buildings! Wow! That night I ate a pub meal outside looking up at the bridge.

Our tour the next day around Sydney meant we saw the bridge from lots of angles. In the afternoon I took a ferry to Manly and therefore sailed under it.

The following day was nye years eve or as the signs said SYD NYE. In the morning before the botanical gardens closed for the afternoon to get ready for the night I was able to have a wander in them. I saw the opera house and bridge from more angles. There is a gate at the bottom of the Botanical gardens which you can normally walk through and be directly at the opera house but the gate was closed due to it being New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Eve was spent on a boat circling around in Syndey harbour. Therefore saw plenty of the opera house and bridge and they were lit up. At 9pm and midnight there were fireworks from the bridge. Completely amazing that I saw Sydney fireworks from a post anchored right in front of it. In fact, our boat was part of a light possession with other boats in front of the bridge.

New year’s day I did a bridge climb. The most nerve racking part was taking a breathlaser test! Being on the bridge did not feel that high or precarious as feet on wide pathway far from the edge. Firmly attached to the bridge. Just a couple of ladders to climb. You can not take own camera up there but photos are taken of you with fabulous Sydney backdrop. Of course you buy to add to collection of photos of the bridge!

Book Club Challenge Complete

I have completed the challenge as follows!

TOP TIER books

In no particular order the books I enjoyed most.

A book with a boy’s name in the title

The last voyage of Mrs Henry Parker by Joanne Nell. I think this title actually contains two books. It was very reminiscent of Elizabeth is missing, featuring a women with dementia. Although a serious subject both books take a light hearted approach. It is set in the opulent surroundings of a cruise ship including flashbacks and this contributes to the joy of the book.

A book with a mathematical connection

The Number Bias by Sanne Blauw. A non fiction book about how a number for example a stat can mislead us if you do not understand how that number was generated. Including numbers used to define a recession therefore topical and interesting to learn.

A book with a religious connection

I have bought Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir to read for this category. A sc if I book. My second sc fi and Andy Weir; it shows I like Andy Weir books!

SECOND TIER books

A book with an alliterative title

The Hawkshead hostage by Rebecca Tope. A series set in the lane district that I’m working through and enjoying although lazy plotting like people not having phone on can be annoying!

A book connected with the sea

I read the Shelly Bay ladies swimming circle by Sophie Green set around Australian sea whilst I was in Australia.

MIDDLE TIER books

A graphic novel

I wanted a subject area that held some interest for me rather than superhero’s etc. I read Je ne Sais Qui about a French women moving to London. The text shared interesting travel anecdotes. I did not engage much with the pictures. I probably would not have usually read but and it was too big a book to read in bed. But it was as easy read!

A book with a job in the title

On my TBR shelf I found I had the Librarian of Austwitz. With the bleakness of the subject is is hard to truest say this type of book are enjoyable reading.

LOWER TIER books

These books were not ones I spent longer finding / choosing. These ones I enjoyed least.

A book recommended by a friend

Two friends recommended books.

I have read is: while you were breeding by Kristen Newman. It centres around a woman’s travels. But I got a bit tired as it was mainly about her conquests around the world rather than giving insights into countries.

I have made a start of the second Woman who ran with wolves. It tells stories with some type of message in and that part can have some interest. But then the book dissects each story endlessly. I’m going to keep the book to try and keep dipping into it but I think if try and plough straight through it I will not absorb anything from it.

A book with an item of clothing in the title

In the library found a book with blue trousers in the title. Not particularly enthralling.

A book set in South America

The Puma Years by Laura Coleman. A true story of a woman working with pumas in Bolivia. Think it could have been tighter edited to make the pace better!

A book with a musical connection

I read the Piano Teacher by Lynn York. It was a book I picked up for €2 dollars in Manley (Sydney, Australia)

 

A book by a woman writer you have never read before

I read the Holly Project by Kate Sterritt. A book set and bought in Sydney by an Australian author and a signed copy at that!

My Barrier Reef Experience

At the barrier reef we moored at a platform, I got to go see the fish 🐠 staying dry; in a glass bottom boat and going down steps to look at fish 🐟 from a window under the sea (like at an aquarium; but better because this was a window out to to 🪸 🐠 🐟 THE barrier reef 🪸 🐠 🐟 !

I did also get to experience being immersed in the sea. I went snorkelling 🤿 and went down slide 🛝 from the platform a few times.

Looking back a talking point was how we warned that there was going to be a 1.5m swell and we should all take sea sickness tablets. So that put some people off going.

We did all share and pop sea sickness tablets. Then going out the staff on the boat

kept handing out sick bags and stood over us watching, armed with sick bags. So at the time that was rather disconcerting. But in hindsight it is funny and part of the experience I had. I did not feel sick either way so was able to enjoy ice cream on the way back.

Getting ready to go in the sea was a faff as you had to have so much equipment; mask, snorkel, flippers, life jacket, full wetsuit and I think gloves and either a hood or a hat too? On the way to the reef there was a video about what to wear and where to collect it from. Then when it came too it you were left to find the bits yourself in your size amongst the other sizes whilst lots of other people were doing the same thing. I would have far rather been in the sea in a bikini but had to be fully covered I think because of jellyfish. I can fantasise how it would have been floating amongst the colourful fish I saw like a beautiful, thin mermaid.

I believe different parts of the coral are in different states of health. There was plenty of fish where I was. Perhaps scuba diving getting deeper there would have been more fish but I liked the control of snorkelling being able to put head up when wanted as opposed to scuba where you are relying on someone else to get you up and down. Also with scuba that person determines where you go but I was free to have my own little adventure following fish that I chose.

14 Mar Top 5 Tuesday books with numbers in the title

Prompt from Meeghan

  1. This book quite often gets included in these lifts because I love it so much: 1 day by David Nicholas.
  2. The One by John Marrs very interesting concept about people being gentically matched to a partner based on genetics and the different ethical situations that causes.
  3. Three wishes. This is possibly my favourite Lianne Moriety about a set of triplets.
  4. 34 days by Anita Walker. A book set in my home town of Sheffield.
  5. Five go bump in the night. Not by Enid Blyton! My sister gave me this as a present for my last birthday. Kind of a parody book. Not exceptional. But a sweet gift that made me smile as she knows I used to read famous five as a child. A book I now have to keep on my shelves for … at least a while.

French Island Australia

French island is a an island on a circular ferry route from Stoney point which also stops at Philips island (which can be reached by road). Stoney point / Philip island is about 60km from Melbourne.

I think it is a place you need to prepare for before turning up. When you get off the ferry it feels very isolated! If you go there alone you definitely need a plan and water! Insect repellent could be useful too. Think you can take bikes across to the island or rent a car. … if you have booked in advance. This is not a place where you are greeted by people offering you tours etc… It is a great place to spot koalas 🐨. There are no kangaroos 🦘 on the island.

I did this as part of a tour with Philip island. We went to a farm I think called Bayside Chicory Kiln. In a lady’s home we were given afternoon tea and told about the island. When I visited December 2022 we were told the island only had 110 inhabitants. Electricity only from generators, water from bore holes and no street lights. There is a primary school which at the time had less than 10 children but no secondary school so children then have to get the ferry to the mainland. Being an island they managed to not have any covid cases until January 2022 and by then islanders were vaccinated. If you came by yourself you would easily get an idea of the how unpopulated and dilated the island is and you may enjoy that if looking for peace. But I found hearing from a resident was what really engaged me in the island.

The farm had peacocks 🦚 roaming, a chicory kiln, Horses in the field, Koalas 🐨 in the trees in the garden: although also a lot of mosquitos under those trees hence recommend insect repellant. I did not see other buildings from the farm although a short ride down the road was a cricket pitch. That road had lots of koalas 🐨 in trees which really made the day!

Book Club Challenge Third Update Update

I thought I had identified / acquired books for all categories but it turns out American dirt which I read is set in Mexico is North not South America. I have now ordered The Puma years. I’m currently reading the Hawkshead Hostage for the alliterative title category.

A book with a boy’s name in the title

I was going to use CHRIStmas murders for this one. But now borrowed from the library one with Henry in the title.

 

A graphic novel

I wanted a subject area that held some interest for me rather than superhero’s etc. I read Je ne Sais Qui about a French women moving to London. The text shared interesting travel anecdotes. I did not engage much with the pictures. I probably would not have usually read but and it was too big a book to read in bed. But it was as easy read!

 

A book with an item of clothing in the title

In the library found a book with blue trousers in the title.

 

A book with a mathematical connection

The Number Bias by Sanne Blauw. A non fiction book about how a number can mislead us if you do not understand how that number was generated!

 

A book recommended by a friend

I have had two friends recommend books do looks like this will be a 13 book challenge.

The first I have read is: while you were breeding by Kristen Newman.

 

A book set in South America

 

Ordered the Puma Years.

 

A book with a musical connection

I read the Piano Teacher by Lynn York.

A book with a job in the title

On my TBR shelf I found I had the Librarian of Austwitz, I have now read.

 

A book with an alliterative title

All the books in Rebecca Tope series set in lane district have an alliterative title so this will be an excuse to buy and read the next in the series.

 

A book connected with the sea

I read the Shelly Bay ladies swimming circle by Sophie Green set around Australian sea.

 

A book with a religious connection

 

I have bought Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir to read for this category.

A book by a woman writer you have never read before

I read the Holly Project by Kate Sterritt. A book set and bought in Sydney by an Australian author and a signed copy at that!

Top 5 Tuesday Book Poetry – A Women’s work is never done

The prompt for a few weeks time from Meeghan is to create a book poem from 5 books on our shelf. The poem I created ended up having a feminist vibe, so I decided to publish it on a Wednesday as it is International Women’s Day.

It is called a Women’s work is never done. The first book I used was the biography of an MP Harriet Harman who’s book was titled a woman’s work with the implication it is never done.

The second book Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus is about the struggles of a female chemist in the 1960s. She has to battle to prove herself. She becomes a Mother and compromises by presenting a tv cookery show but she uses it as an opportunity to empower women by teaching them ‘lessons in chemistry’ . I wrote the poem shortly after reading it.

The third book stuck out to me because the title is so fun! So I chucked it in as part of a list of things women get on and do in their lives. How to measure a cow is by Margaret Forster. I like that she did not use her husbands surname to publish her books!

The poem finishes with describing a woman after a busy day putting children to bed. Lullaby is a book by Leila Slimani who is an interesting author that I have seen speak as she is Muslim from Morocco living in Paris. I have also read her collection of essays called Love, Sex and Lies and her other fictional work Adele.

Kiss, kiss fitted with Lullaby. I had not been particularly trying to right a feminist poem so this turned out to be the only book by a male writter. It is a collection of short stories for adults by Roald Dahl.

A Woman’s Work is Never done

A woman’s work;

Lessons in chemistry,

How to measure a cow,

Lullaby, Kiss, kiss

The Dome in Cairns

The dome in Cairns is above the casino and you can spend money about as quick in the Dome as in the casino!

There is an entry fee to look at a range of birds and small marsupials . There are crocodiles and koalas, but of course they all sleepy and still. It does not take too long to look round this for the price.

What elevates the experience is doing the rope courses. It is atmospheric to climb amongst the birds flying around and over the sleeping crocodiles. There is different courses to suit different people or you can do multiple courses the price for extra courses is less then the first course. There is also the opportunity to walk over, outside of the dome; I was not able to do that as it was too wet!

The dome also offers opportunities to hold animals for a photo opportunity, again for a price. My recommendation to get a good photo is to do your photos before going into the dome. My hair is soaking on my photo, I think from the humidity in the dome. This is not a petting an animal opportunity literally you get to hold the animal for seconds for a photo.

Made in Sheffield Shaff Adventure Films

Tonight I saw the Made in Sheffield collection of films as part of the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival. This collection is being shown again at the Showroom 10.30 and 6.30pm on Sunday. I believe sometime after the festival the films may be available online / may get shown at other outdoor or film festivals.

I gave the last film in the collection Reel Rock: Bridge Boys full marks. It had good pace telling a complete unique story with dramatic moments and humour. Plus the subjects of the film were eye candy! It was about Sheffield climbers who enjoy ‘crack climbing’. Focussing on their lockdown adventures … whilst some baked banana bread they decided to start climbing in cracks under bridges. They ended up deciding to do a multi day climb, climbing under a moterway bridge and therefore sleeping attached to the bridge too. I presume they peed off the bridge too; but the film did not cover that. It was fascinating and gripping, but I will not spoil the end because I so recommend watching!

I also really liked One More rep and being second to last in the collection I had thought it was going to be my favourite until I saw the last one! So only compared to the last one did it lose a mark. It was about the juxtaposition between the positive social media content a female runner was publishing and how she actually felt – the metal anguish and pressure she was putting herself under!

The topic of the Farm under the city was amazing as never heard about it yet it is a venture in Sheffield Kelham island. It is an indoor farm that is being very sustainable. Maybe say an hour document on the farm May have been too much for me but just that nugget combining Sheffield and sustainability leaves me impressed and wanting to know more.

The Peaks of Colour film was also interesting and covered issues been try to develop better awareness of.

En route about a Father and three sons going on a surf trip together after the parents separation. Some good points made about parenting.

Sapien was just a short film and nothing wrong with it just other films were more in depth.

Chinese laundry had won an award for being the best of the collection of films. I have it at the there end of my scale mainly because I have marked it down because I don’t think it was a film about the outdoors. The audio was interesting but for me the dancing did not add to the audio and at points made me a bit dizzy like watching a washing machine spin! But I know when I discussed it after, there was someone else who thought the dance was really clever! So it could just be just not appreciating the dance and as a backdrop to some of the dancing there was trees so my opinions maybe be controversial.

All in all, I really loved seeing these short films. I think when trying to get a message across in a short time you can get something more meaningful than a feature length film! Also of course if a short film is not good then it does not waste too much of your life! But in this case all the films were worth my time. I enjoyed them as a collection and then discussing them after.