Beach or mountains? Which do you prefer? Why?

I would have to say in a choice between beach ⛱️ or mountains ⛰️  I would choose beach.  I love visiting the beachside places here in Victoria like Barwon Heads,  Ocean Grove,  Queenscliff or even Williamstown.   We used to holiday at Barwon Heads when I was just a toddler and even though I got dragged out to sea as a toddler at Thirteenth Beach I really love that part of Victoria and long for a beachside holiday to take Lily to.

As a teenager we used to camp 🏕 up in the high country at Jamieson,  near where the film 🎥 The Man From Snowy River was made. I love that film and it shows how beautiful and rugged  the mountain countryside is, however beautiful the mountains are i stil l would prefer to go to the beach. I am lucky that I live in Australia 🇦🇺 where we are known for both beautiful beaches ⛱️ and mountainous areas,  we are spoilt  for choice here in the lucky country.

What are your family’s top 3 favorite meals?

I know I have answered this question before but today instead of focusing on my 3 favourite meals I thought about my extended family and the meals we as a family love.

1. First on this list would have to be my Mums curried sausages.  Definitely a family fave
2. Definitely my sister in laws Chicken Odobe.   My sister in law is from the Philippines and this is our family’s favourite dish that she makes
3. Last but not least would have to be my Mum’s Golden Syrup Dumplings.  This brings back so many memories of my childhood and as I think about it and write about it  I  can smell and taste it in my mind,  it is such an entrenched memory.

Do you trust your instincts?

Yes i do trust my instincts.   I know if something in my gut doesn’t feel right i know to trust that and to proceed very carefully with whatever is causing me to feel uneasy.. Maybe it is women’s intuition,  but I know that my gut is a good indicator of what I need to acknowledge and trust. There has been times in my younger years when I didn’t pay attention  to my gut and it normally had bad consequences.  I’ve learned the hard way to trust my gut and take my own advice in this life.

What’s your favorite month of the year? Why?

November is my favourite month. I like it because it is Spring here in Melbourne.  It usually is both warm and a bit wet..  The days are getting longer because of daylight saving, and the days are warm without the scorching hot summer ahead. The roses 🌹 and other flower’s are in bloom and everything is fresh and new.. I don’t mind the rain in November because it is good for the gardens and us too.

What is your favorite place to go in your city?

M y favourite place to go near where I live is The Gatehouse Cafe.  It is in a beautiful old building with lots of little cosy rooms to dine in. The food is delicious. The Gatehouse as a building is at the entrance to Rupertswood, where the first cricket match between Australia and England, now known as the The Ashes was played.

What’s the first impression you want to give people?

The first impression that I want to give people is that I am a wise, intelligent,  compassionate and empathic person who is also creative.  I try to be the very best version of myself when I meet potential new friends 🧡 or contacts.

What book are you reading right now?

I have not long finished reading “Nobody’s Girl ” by Virginia Roberts Giuffre.   It is probably the best seller  at the moment. It certainly is no fairytale,  but it packs a punch. She had such a sad life, and Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislane Maxwell were predators who preyed on her vulnerability. I think every woman should read 📚 this book.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

This is such a great topic.  If I could live anywhere in the world 🌎 and money was no object I would live in the inner Auckland suburb of Parnell.   It is a very exclusive beautiful suburb.  I would also  have a beach house 🏠 somewhere in  the north island of New Zealand.  I would also like to visit Two Paddocks Sam Neill’s winery 🍷 in the Central Otago region of the South Island. Gee it’s nice to have dreams. This dream is pure fantasy.