It’s time for another guest blog post by DD. His holiday has been such a hectic whirl that it has taken him a week to finish the tale of his quickie trip to the South of France. Here’s what happened next … I need to provide some context about my hosts in France, Ben and... Continue Reading →

I was admonished by the youngest for not crying during her graduation ceremony last week. Well, I did choke up a few times, but the tears weren’t dripping down my cheeks. I don't think I've fully processed that my years as a high school mum are over. It has all happened in the blink of... Continue Reading →

I am in love with the new retro cocktail menu at Sydney rooftop venue Smoke Bar at Barangaroo House. I was invited there last night with a plus one ... But I was a Naomi no friends. I was bailed on again at the last minute - man flu was the reason this time -... Continue Reading →

When I was invited to a whisky tasting at Park Hyatt Sydney last night, I couldn't say no. I've walked past the Park Hyatt Sydney many times in my life, but I've never been inside. It is the most stunningly located hotel, with its views of the Sydney Opera House and city skyline. Room rates... Continue Reading →

Many, many, many moons ago I was a 13 years old and obsessed with a band called Split Enz. They were from New Zealand and wore strange costumes and face paint and had weird hairdos. They’d also just had their first major hit - ‘I Got You’. (I am including all these details because my... Continue Reading →

DD just spent three days in the South of France WITHOUT ME (sob) and sent a guest blog post about it. Here's what he had to say about his crazy first day ... In my workout group, if I'm in charge of the playlist I always choose "Marseilles"; by the Angels - it has the... Continue Reading →

While I've been blogging about helicopter flights over the Great Barrier Reef and going to Champagne school, lots of other stuff has been bubbling below the blithe surface. The eldest was sporting two black eyes when I got home on Sunday night. He used the money I gave him for dog sitting to get both... Continue Reading →

After the excesses of Hayman Island I decided it was time for a health kick on Monday. I vowed to drink less alcohol, buy lots of fruit and veggies, go to a Pump class on Monday night … Then I checked my diary and remembered I was enrolled in Champagne school at 6pm. Ah well,... Continue Reading →

Our final day on Hayman Island dawned sunny and far too soon. We wandered down to the extravagant buffet for my final breakfast curry of the trip. The view from the restaurant was stunning and it was hard to believe our mini-break was over, just as we were settling into it. After packing our bags... Continue Reading →

It’s funny how your memories trick you. I was convinced I snorkeled off the beach in front of Hayman Island Resort 25 years ago, but I was wrong. There’s no coral out the front of the resort, it’s all sand flats until you are much further out to sea. I must have hiked with the... Continue Reading →