Ummmm August? How did that happen?
Before we get into the catch-up let me just say this: it’s been a week of truly magnificent weather. Blue skies and temps getting up to the mid-20s. Not bad for the middle of winter, hey?
And the sunrises…oh the sunrises. They’ve been grand indeed.
One lockdown
Okay, that’s not strictly correct as there are currently two covid lockdowns in the country.
Sydney has just had theirs strengthened and extended – to the end of August. Most modelling data is predicting that will push through to September. I hope for their sake the modelling is wrong.
Here in Queensland, the southeast of the state – that’s Gold Coast, Brisbane and Sunshine Coast (where I live) – has gone into a snap 3-day lockdown. A 17-year-old student in Brisbane tested positive on Thursday (and her family and tutor on Friday) so they’re expecting that cluster to grow.
It’s another infection that has somehow made it out of our strict quarantine requirements.
Anyhoos, I’m in Hervey Bay at Sarah’s for the week – and Hervey Bay isn’t in lockdown.
I will, however, be acting as though I am – not that there’s anything terribly unusual about that! I rarely stray too far from home in any case.
It’s not too shabby a place to be. (Classic Aussie understatement there…) Having said that, if lockdown extends, I’ll head back home to hubby (if possible).
One vaccination
I finally got my first jab of Astra-Zenica during the week. I was going to hold out for Pfizer (being under 60 that was the Australian health advice – although that in itself is a moving target) – but after being on the list for over a month I received an email last Friday from Queensland Health telling me I wouldn’t be able to book until October at the earliest. I decided to go with A-Z so I could get the whole process going – only to arrive home to find an email from Queensland Health inviting me to book a Pfizer jab. Hey ho.
It does, however, illustrate the issues we’ve had here with vaccine rollout.
One tree
Jokes, plenty of trees! You can see the whole collection here.
I’ve had a fabulous time in July posting trees for Becky’s square tree challenge. The best part was going through my photos and reliving travel memories. I didn’t post every day, but to those of you who get an email every time I do, it probably felt very much like I did. #soznotsoz
It also reminded me that I never finished posting about France – from three years ago.
Anyhoos, the one tree I didn’t post was a Christmas tree. So here it is. From Christmas 2019 in London.
One recipe
It’s sausages (made into meatballs), cannellini beans, tomatoes and silverbeet and ridiculously quick and easy to put together.
Plus there were heaps left for lunch – for the next two days.
One bake
I baked a batch of ginger crunch during the week. Some went into work with Grant, and the rest has come up here to the Bay for Sares.
It’s a recipe that featured in Wish You Were Here and will do so again in The Little Cafe By The Lake. You can find it here.
One new thing
I read a lot during July but won’t be posting a round-up of my books just yet. Instead, on Friday, August 20 I’ll be joining in with my friends Sue, Deb and Donna to launch “What’s On Your Bookshelf?” a monthly feast of all things book related.
We’d love you to join us and share your monthly reads, favourite books, or review a recent read. It can be fiction, non-fiction, cookbook, memoir, self-help, armchair travel, whatever – it’s your call. The goal is to keep it simple and inspire others with your recommendations.
The series will be live on the third Friday of each month (that means the third Thursday if you’re joining us from the northern hemisphere).
If you’re linking up a blog post you can do so in the comments. Alternatively, you might want to get involved via Instagram or your social media of choice. Whichever way you choose to share, don’t forget to leave a note in the comments so we can find you. We even have a hashtag you can use #whatsonyourbookshelfchallenge.
Until then, here’s a sneak peek of what I’m reading right now.
Okay, that’s my week. How was yours?
Linking up with the weekend coffee catch-up with Natalie the Explorer and for Denyse’s Life This Week.
And Anyways... 
Love that tree reflection and the Christmas tree is just beautiful! Hopeful that the 3-day lockdown doesn’t get extended for you.
Ooh I love the bookish link-up! Will make sure I link up this month. Yay for getting the AZ; honestly, our federal stuffed up the rollout so badly along with the bloody media. It made me so mad. I’ve had a few friends (under 40s and not yet eligible for Pfizer) go get the AZ and they’re all doing ok apart from the 24-hour side-effect so I’m grateful people are getting it. The sad thing is, the elderly who were eligible for it, didn’t and now we’re seeing the consequences. Also, don’t get me started on the dude that started this whole thing being 65 and unvaccinated. I’m glad you’re in Hervey Bay with your daughter and not in strict lockdown. As always, I love your sunrise photos which I catch on Insta!
I was a little tired, but other than that…nothing.
I got my vaccination dates this week – truly amazed! Hope to join in on 20th with ‘What’s on your bookshelf?’
Look forward to seeing you on the linkup.
I love your sunrise and tree photos. So beautiful. I like easy recipes so thanks for the link to the tray bake recipe. Hope to join in your bookish link-up. Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare.
We look forward to your contribution… Have a great week.
So much to love in this post Jo! I love all your sunrises, they make me smile each day. I’m not happy about the lockdowns because it means my daughter and grandson can’t visit me as planned, very selfish of me I know! I completely understand the need for them and am living my own form of lockdown although I’m well away from Sydney or Brisbane – just staying low at home. The tree posts for July have been fabulous and I’m going to miss it. I’m so looking forward to the launch of our ‘What’s on your Bookshelf’ series starting later this month 🙂
I like the sound of that What’s on your bookshelf – how exciting. Your pics are always so lovely. Those trees reflected shot is stunning (but I feel I said that to you before?) Anyway, I hope your lockdown is quick and successful. This is dreadful here and some scary stories coming from hospital staff at the moment. Stay safe, and stay well! #WeekendCoffeeShare
You stay safe to Lydia…
I love seeing photos of beautiful sunrises as I am rarely up early enough to experience them 🙂 Congrats on your A-Z jab! After becoming fully vaxxed last February, I feel so much better… although, as we know, new variants continue to emerge. Stay safe!
I certainly am an early bird! Have a great week.
Hi Jo – there could be a lot worse places to ride out a lockdown! We’re all good over here in WA – the borders get locked down every time someone sneezes – which drives a lot of people crazy, but has no real impact on my life. I’m just happy to live somewhere virus free (for now anyway) and I’m busy trying a few new things and enjoying the world around me (despite a whole lot of rain and wind over the last couple of weeks). Enjoy your lovely time in Hervey Bay xx
There are plenty of worse places to be for sure!
You’re lucky to be up in Hervey Bay at the moment! It looks idyllic! So glad you got the first AZ. It’s perfectly fine – too much hoo ha about it. I’m under 60 and I’ve had both shots. Best to get vaccinated ASAP given the delta situation. I love your sunrise photos and loving the look of that recipe where sausages become meatballs. Must investigate! Have a wonderful week!
So lucky re timing – the lockdown took us quite by surprise.
I remember being in London for a Christmas and the Christmas tree in the hotel foyer was just so magical. Love your traybake which I will put on my list and also your hat rack. The sunrises have been gorgeous haven’t they? Have a great week with Sarah! #lifethisweek
The traybake is so yummy – and easy. Have a lovely week.
That Tray Bake looks amazing…as does the Ginger Crunch.
I’m super excited about the link up on the 20th. As I will be sharing my reads since I last shared (Late Spring), I have a shelf-full of books to feature. I’d better get cracking! 😀
I’m so excited about the link up. Such a great idea.
Yay you getting your jab – the vaccine rollout has been a (not funny) joke – I’m fully vaxxed. Never thought I’d be excited about getting a needle but there you go! Pleased your safely ensconsed in HB, hope your lockdown finishes and you get to go home to Grant soon. I’ve just rediscovered my reading mojo so am looking forward to What’s on Your Bookshelf. Perfect timing!
I hope you join in with us Sammie…Have a great week.
You’ve had a busy week with a little bit of everything and lots to smile about – a wonderful location, wonderful company, wonderful views resulting in wonderful photos, wonderful food, and wonderful books. Have fun with the monthly book talk! Sorry about the lockdown, but I’m glad you are still able to travel a little bit and spend time with family. 🙂
There certainly are worse places to be stranded. Everything is open up here – poor hubby and dog are locked down at home.
I couldn’t believe it when I heard Sunshine Coast had gone into lockdown. I was starting (again) to think of going up to visit my son and grandchildren. Can’t see it happening now for a while. I’m sure you’re happy to be visiting your daughter during lockdown. Looking forward to What’s On Your Bookshelf.
I swear it was sheer fluke of timing that we got our vaccine appointments. Glad you’re enjoying a little freedom in HB.
Glad you got the appointment and jab for the vaccine. Go You!
Just a couple of slice pieces for me thanks Jo..I loved the look of that. Yum. Trouble for me is I can only eat small parts of anything I cook and with school hol plans to have grandkids visit, now lockdown for week #145 my freezer is full of mini cupcakes…
I am glad you have your choice of places where you can relax. It looks ideal. I hope Sarah is enjoying her work too.
Thank you for linking up this week for #LifeThisWeek. Glad you could join in. Hope to see you next Monday. Cheers, Denyse.
Thanks Denyse. The ginger crunch is still going – tiny pieces are the key.
It is interesting how food evokes memories, Jo. Your baking and all of your cooking is always the Gold Standard for me. The savoury loaf looks scrumptious. I totally agree, best eaten with Champagne.
The photos you share on Instagram are always a highlight for me, Jo. I have been watching the lockdowns more closely in Australia since I have friends who live there. ❤️The snap lock-downs are interesting and sound effective.
Reading your post, I see some of the parallels and differences to our part of the planet especially with vaccines.
A traybake…….a favourite meal……too hot to turn the oven on at the moment. (Btw – The lady on the cover of the book looks like Emma Peel)