Where May was like March and April with more travel, June has been like May…with even more travel. In truth it feels as though I’ve barely been home and am so far out of routine that I’ve forgotten what routine looks like. While most of it was for work, there was also some fun to be had.
Anyways, without further palaver, here’s what’s been on my calendar in June…
About the weather…
South-east Queensland in winter is truly beautiful – the days are warm (we’re still getting mid-twenties) and the nights are cool.
It really is the best time of year to be up here.
At work…
As June ends I’m back to covering that additional role in the day job so I’m again waving goodbye to my scheduled days off. It is, however, what it is so I need to pull my big girl’s undies up and get on with it.
Out and about on the Sunny Coast…
Grant has made the first move in his transition to retirement and is no longer working Fridays – a day I’m scheduled to have off. Even though I’ve either been away or working, we have managed to get out for lunch twice on a Friday.
One week we tried a new riverside Asian street food place in Maroochydore – Rickshaw…
…and then last week we shared a meal at a Greek-themed bar in Forest Glen – Tziki.
On the move…
Since we last spoke I’ve been to Sydney twice and Melbourne twice – the former for work, the latter for play (the first with Sarah and the second with my Kiwi bestie).
In Sydney I worked hard and in Melbourne I played hard… that pretty much covers it!
I told you about the Melbourne bars last week, and the art earlier this week, and you’ll be able to read about the food next week (spoiler alert – there was a lot of food!).
In between the art and the food and the drink we mostly walked – partly to justify eating and drinking but mostly because Melbourne is a fantastic city to walk around.
We paid a visit to Rose Street markets on Saturday morning – and the second-hand market held in the old carpark across the road – and, because it’s Melbourne, also did a bit of shopping…followed by more eating and more walking.
Heather and I also scored some last-minute tickets to a matinee show of & Juliet – a fabulous and fun musical that explores what might have happened if Juliet didn’t die with Romeo all to a backbeat of some of my favourite pop songs. We loved it!
In the kitchen…
Again I’ve barely been home so there’s been very little baking happening. Given that baking is how I tend to manage my stress, that’s not necessarily a good thing.
I did, however, bake a batch of Cunard’s posh scones for International Scone Day (who knew there was such a thing?).
Anyways, you’ll find the kitchen diaries for June here.
Creating and Colouring
So because of the travelling and the working I made it to just one of my scheduled art classes this month – that makes a grand total of 3 for the term out of a possible 10…and yes, I’d paid for the whole term. Given that next term builds on this term and I’m back to square one with the whole day job thing I’ve made the difficult decision not to reenrol.
In other news, I finally finished the first draft of the new Philly Barker (she’s in the hands of my fabulous editor as we speak) and have started a new one in the Brookford series. At this point I have an opening scene but who knows where the story will take the women of the Cotswolds Culinary and Cookbook Society.
In the garden…
After repeated summer crop failures (due to either excessive heat and humidity, excessive rain or mutant locusts – usually a combination of the above) this year I tried something different and planted my tomato seedlings in early autumn. They’re now bearing fruit and are so tall I’m having to use the clothesline as a support. (And yes, I am that person who leaves the pegs on the line…)
My chillis have also been prolific – particularly the jalapenos – and I’ve been using them in my cooking and have pickled some too.
Over to you…
What’s been on your calendar this month? Perhaps you’d like to update us on your word of the year or intentions? We’d love to hear about what you’ve been up to…
The linky is below and it’s open for a week… Oh…one final thing…as I’m travelling I mightn’t get to comment on all the link-ups until I’m back…so apologies in advance for that.
My co-hosts are:
Deb at Deb’s World
Sue at Women Living Well Over 50
Donna at Retirement Reflections
And Anyways... 
Hi, Jo – I am delighted that you have managed to balance ‘working hard’ with ‘playing hard!’ That sounds like a very wise thing to do.
Congratulations to Grant on his initial stage of retiring. As I tell anyone who will listen, ‘Come on in, the water is fine on this side!” “D
I am super excited about your new Philly book and on catching up again with the women of the Cotswolds Culinary and Cookbook Society. I can’t wait!
Hi Jo, I greatly enjoy seeing your photos on social media. I see how you have saved additional ones for your post. Ha, ha, the ‘big girl’s undies…’ we have the same saying over here. Wow, on the Lennon art. Melbourne seems like a large city from all I have read, yet you indicate a good place to walk around. Great information. And, good eating goes hand in hand. I was not aware you have taken art classes until recently. Thank you sharing all. xx Erica
It was a very busy month but good that you balanced work and play. Plus some major productivity with the writing. You always have a lot on the go. It’s interesting that baking/cooking is your stress relief. I also find it wonderful but then, alas, I eat top much of it. Bernie
Meant to mention that the sunset picture is so perfect!!
Working hard and playing hard sounds the perfect way to approach life Jo. Your time in Melbourne looks like it was really great. I love having time out in Melb as it’s such a beautiful city. It seems I missed International Scone Day. I love eating them but I’m not much good at baking them. I loved catching up on June with you.
Work, work, work….and some play, play, play. I am glad you had some great catch ups that I know mean so much…Lots of food and good times shared. Sad for you about the art, but if you are “needed in the day job” then so be it. Take care, and thanks for the link up. Denyse
& Juliet does sound fun! So bummed that you had to miss so many of your art classes. Melbourne looks like such a lovey city to walk around and explore.
You have indeed had a full month, Jo. As always, I truly enjoyed looking through your photos for the month. Here’s to a happy July!
You have so many beautiful photos – Have a great July!
Looks like a fabulous month! I love Melbourne too.
Looks like you had a great month! Will your tomatoes survive the winter? Sorry – I don’t know much about the climate down there, but since you planted them in early autumn, I thought perhaps they could winter over.
What a mixed month Jo but I admire your positivity and just get on with it attitude. Hopefully Grant is enjoying his transition to retirement. Best news is the progress on Philly Barker, can’t wait to read it. All the best for July 🙂
Oooh, I’m keen to see & Juliet!! Sounds fun. And something that might work with the kiddo. Love the first firepit photo. What a gorgeous place to while away the hours. How nice to have Friday lunches together (if you can swing it). Melbourne is always so fab! #WBOYC
I’m glad to hear you balanced work and play in June. As always, I enjoyed your beautiful photos. I heard many good things about Melbourne. Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare. Have a wonderful July!
Hi Jo – you’re always SO busy – I don’t know how you manage to keep up the pace both with work and with leisure. The amount of travelling you do just blows me away. Hope you’re managing to maintain your stamina and finding some down time in amongst all the busyness – looking forward to seeing what July has in store for you. x
Hi Jo, what a lovely month for you despite the additional workload. It would have been special spending time with Sarah and also your weekend with Heather in Melbourne looked like a lot of fun. Your month was jam packed with life and as always I enjoy your food photos. You seem to find the best places to eat! Your sunrises always make me feel good and yes, Winter in Queensland is the best. xx
Jo, you are a dynamo. How you managed all these disparate projects amazes me. Wading slowly into the world of retirement is an excellent idea. It looks like you and hubby know what you are doing.
Good for you to mix working hard with some occasions to play hard. And eat well!! Yummy photos of your lunch date plates.
Glad you both are beginning to dip your toes into retirement. Better to ease into it. I didn’t have that option and from the moment I thought about retiring until the day I worked out the door the last time, less than 2 months had passed. It is an adjustment that comes easier over time. Good luck to you both.
I think it is an adjustment. Last time Grant tried it, he went straight into it and that didn’t work at all.