Sunday Drive

 

 

August rarely fails to deliver beautiful days in this part of world. Anyone thinking of visiting our region should do so in August.

 

Knowing that rain was due to start falling again this evening, we decided to take a leisurely Sunday drive through the Ranges this morning. All the rain we've had over the past two months has made the everything wonderfully green, and now the wildflowers are starting to bloom, adding an extra splash of colour to the landscape.

 

Our drive took us well out of town, past farmhouses and old ruins, down into valleys and over hills, and through sleepy tiny townships with just a handful of buildings.

 

Book Review: The Nelig Stones by Sharon Skinner

The Nelig Stones by Sharon Skinner

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Nelig Stones by Sharon Skinner is a fantasy novel for children set in the magical land of Anoria.

Stefani is a bit of a science geek who doesn't get along well with her mother, whilst Robbie likes to skateboard but is constantly picked on by bullies. They are accidentally transported from their hometown to Anoria after the two collide outside Hole-in-the-Rock in Arizona. Once in Anoria, they discover they must undertake a physically challenging and dangerous journey to locate the Nelig Stones, magical trinkets that when brought together will give them the power to return home. Along the way they engage the help of fairies, mages and glimmerings in their quest, and come face-to-face with strangling vines, quicksand, raging river rapids, fire worms and dragons. However, despite the trials they are forced to endure, Stefani and Robbie build a strong friendship based on mutual respect for the other's strengths and weaknesses. They also discover new confidence as their journey forces them to take on new responsibilities.

I thoroughly enjoyed this great little novel, even if it was specifically written for children. It's impossible not to be drawn into the magical world of Anoria and become invested in Stefani and Robbie as they attempt to achieve such a mammoth task. The Nelig Stones is not bogged down in too much detail so would be perfectly suitable for anyone aged 7 and up.

Many thanks to the publisher, Brick Cave Books, for inviting me to read and review this novel, and for providing me with a wonderful paperback copy in order to do so.

 

 

 

 

View all my reviews

Imbolc

 

In Australia, the 2 August is Imbolc.

 

Imbolc falls midway between Yule (winter solstice) and Ostara (spring equinox), and marks the beginning of spring. 

 

Despite a few grey clouds passing overhead around mid-morning, today was mostly uninterrupted sunshine, and if it wasn't for a chilly southerly breeze blowing in over the Ranges, it would probably have felt very much like spring indeed.

 

I even started some spring cleaning.

 

This evening it rains again, and the rain is expected to continue in a very winter-like fashion for the remainder of the weekend. However, if there is one place that truly reveals the changing of the seasons it is the garden, and there are many early signs of spring in ours.

 

Although, I'm not entirely sure I'm ready for winter to be over just yet...

 

[Seed pod on the native hibiscus]

[New growth on the geraniums]

[Hardenbergia violacea - aka native wisteria]

[The first buds on the lemon tree]

[Delicate, tissue-like Rosemary blooms]