I've lived in Manly since 1967. Or rather, it has been my Australian address since that date as we spent the 1980s in Montriond, Haute-Savoie France (see my memoir Alpine Beach. A Family Adventure - paperback and eBook). While businesses come and go the essence of Manly remains the same: the ferry wharf in the centre of the harbour foreshore; the ocean and Manly's famous beach; The Corso, that wide…
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SMASHWORDS INTERVIEW WITH SUSAN STEGGALL
Interview with Susan Steggall Published 2021-09-01. How has Smashwords contributed to your success? Smashwords has enabled me to reach a much greater audience beyond the borders of my native Australia, particularly my many friends in Haute-Savoie, France.It is a somewhat intangible association but an important one nevertheless. What is the greatest joy of writing for you? The greatest satisfaction (not sure about 'joy' - it is…
FORAYS INTO NATURE
An appropriate New Year’s resolution for a writer – write more. Write about the world around me. Just as I was thinking of re-visiting an essay published in Of Beasts and Butterflies, edited by Zena Shapter for the Northern Beaches Writers’ Group in 2019, serendipity showed its generous face. An important environmental theme in my story ‘Away with the Fairies’ (based on The Little Fairy Sister by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite & Grenbry Outhwaite,…
THE HOLIDAY THAT WASN’T, PART I
30 APRIL 2020, 18.00 Hours In a parallel 2020, Jack and I should be buckled into our seats on SQ 0242, about to take off for Singapore, thence to Koh Samui to pick up our 7-day Star Clipper cruise. No use moaning so I am going to write a day-to-day blog to simulate our trip. The closest I can get to a seatbelt is the one in our…
THE HOLIDAY THAT WASN’T, Part II
1 MAY, 11 hours Arrived in Singapore after an uneventful flight and checked into Transit Hotel, Terminal 2, Changi Airport for a few hours’ sleep (good to put the feet up). Up at 6.00 to catch SQ 5062 (Silk Air Ml 0772) to Koh Samui. No check in luggage so a smooth process. At Koh Samui airport, caught a taxi to Nora Beach Resort and Spa. Looks terrific – I am going to enjoy my day here!
THE HOLIDAY THAT WASN’T, PART III
1 MAY, 14.00 HOURS After a copious buffet lunch at the resort we decided to explore the main shopping area on foot: fascinating street stalls, temples of all shapes, sizes and colours and a sense that we really were in Asia – far from home. I learn that: Ko Samui is home to about 40,000 full-time inhabitants, 90% of whom are Buddhist. It's the second largest island in Thailand…
THE HOLIDAY THAT WASN’T, PART IV
3 MAY: 10.00 HOURS Met some interesting people last night at dinner and at a night-cap at the Tropical Bar afterwards. Reminisced about my week in Japan this time last year. I went by myself as Jack wanted to stay close to Zali’s campaign. I travelled well by myself, helped by food I like and a culture I admire. The Star Clipper sailed overnight and, looking out the…
THE HOLIDAY THAT WASN’T, PART V
4 MAY, 10.00 HOURS A quiet afternoon yesterday, snoozing and reading in a deck chair after an energetic morning exploring the waters of the island. Last night was the Captain’s Drinks for all the returning Clipper passengers. Of the approximately 160 passengers on board, at least half (including us!) had experienced at least one other Clipper cruise. Everybody comes back. (NB: 2020 will be a terrible year…
THE HOLIDAY THAT WASN’T, PART VI
5 MAY, 16.00 HOURS No stopovers today so a leisurely day on board. At first I think it will be difficult to fill the day but a book, some cryptic crosswords, chats with various combinations of agreeable passengers (it is always fascinating to hear of lives in other parts of the world) and a late-afternoon art class – and the day flows by as the ship glides across the…
THE HOLIDAY THAT WASN’T, PART VII
6 MAY, 08.00 HOURS Up on deck before breakfast to imagine the ship arriving at Pulau Redang Island (distance from Ko Mae Ko: 539.4 km; Duration: 20hour 40 minutes – probably longer in the Star Clipper). Redang Island is an island in Kuala Nerus District, Terengganu, Malaysia. It is one of the largest islands off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is famous for its crystal-clear waters…