As I write this, South-East Queensland has already reached summer temperatures, even though it’s the last week of August and still officially winter. Yes, folks, the orangey-red has come back out for the temperature blanket – orange being for temps between 30-34C. Heavy sighs. Overnight lows are in the high teens so the doonas are off the bed. It was nice while it lasted.
On the up side, we’re almost greeting the sun after our morning walks now. With sunrise just after 6 am, we’ll soon be walking in the daylight. And on the even better side, September sunrises tend to be beautiful.
Alrighty, without further ado, into the wrap-up…
Travel
I spent a week and a bit with my bestie and her hubby in Wellington during August. It’s always lovely getting back to NZ and lovely also to have so cold winter temps – although compared to some parts of southern NSW and VIC, Wellington was relatively mild lol …although that’s without the wind chill factor, of course.
My friend lives up on a hill overlooking the harbour and out towards the airport, and one afternoon from the deck, I took this beautiful photo …
Just half an hour later I watched a southerly front engulf the airport, the noise of the wind and the suddenly icy temperatures hitting me before the wind did.
The wind gusts were well over 100km/hr and the windows shook. It was quite the storm, but over almost as quickly as it arrived.
I told you a bit about what I got up to here and I’ll more to tell you about the foodie adventures next week.
Watching
Welcome To Wrexham (Disney)
I was reluctant to watch this because:
- I’m not really into all things Hollywood, but I am into the English Premier League (EPL) (hello, after being with Grant for 35+ years, how could I not be?) and was concerned that a Hollywood treatment of a takeover of a Welsh football club could be a bit cringe.
- I’ve never heard of Rob McElhenny.
- I’ve never seen Deadpool (see below) and didn’t get the references to that.
How wrong was I? My friends and I binged Season 1 when I was in Wellington, and now I’m home, I’m into Season 2. Plus, I watched Deadpool, my first-ever Marvel movie, because I’ve decided I like Ryan Reynolds now.
As for Wrexham, I’m now working out whether we can manage a side trip when we tour Wales next March. Grant just rolls his eyes.
What else? There have also been new seasons of Signore Volpe (Acorn), Under The Vines (Acorn), Sister Boniface (Britbox – early seasons on iView) and The Mallorca Files Season 3 (Prime) to catch up on.
Cosy crime and nothing but cosy crime.
Writing
Philly 3 – The Mystery at Deverell Grange – is done and off being edited. I’ve also begun work on the new Clementine Carter/ Whale Bay mystery. The working title is Murder in the Mangroves, but if there ends up not being a murder in the mangroves I’ll have to change that lol.
I’ve been a tad slack with my weekly writing updates, but you’ll find them here:
The one about Philly Barker, Wellington, cheese scones and burgers-a-plenty
The one about a round of applause, a cover conundrum, a hippie-dippie classic, murder in the mangroves and a twist on apple crumble…
Also, in case you missed it, you’ll find what I’ve been reading here.
Over to you ā¦
Alrighty, thatās enough from me ā¦āwhatās been on your calendar this month? Perhaps youād like to update us on your word of the year or intentions? Weād love to hear about what youāve been up toā¦
The linky is below ā¦
My co-hosts are:
Deb at Debās World
Sue at Women Living Well Over 50
Donna at Retirement Reflections
And Anyways... 
Hi, Jo – I’m delighted to hear that ‘Philly 3’ is awaiting editing and that ‘Murder (or Salvation) in the Mangroves’ š is well underway. This reader is anxiously awaiting her copies! š
Oh, and I am incredibly jealous about your late winter being warmer than our late summer. No fair! š¦
It’s ridiculous weather. I’ll have quite the patch of orange on my temperature blanket.
Hi Jo, another fabulous month for you in all ways! Love how much you manage to pack in and the joy you exude while doing it all š
It’s been a good month, to be sure.
I remember that storm in Welly…I was at work and it sort of came and went. Looks like you had a great month and so glad you enjoyed your trip over here.
I do love Welly…
Wow, you have been on a roll with your writing! How nice that you are now able to devote yourself to it full timeā¦ allowing for fun excursions now and then. I loved your selfie in the wind.
Thanks Janis – these days I wonder how I had time to work for someone else and miss it not one iota.
I didn’t realize you were an EPL fan – which team? I am Liverpool and The Engineer is Man U (who we are going to see in October!). We love the whole Wrexham thing because of Ryan Reynolds who does all sorts of cool stuff here in his home country. Can’t wait to see the finished blanket!
After being with Grant for 35 years (he played football for 50 years – until he was 55 – & if you ask him would say he’s still on a career break rather than retired). We’re an Everton household although I have a soft spot for Westham. Grant’s father played for Derby County, but their in the championship rather than the EPL.
Loved the shots of Windy Wellington. What beauty there is there. And your friendship is so very special I know.
Hot. Yep. Had it. Windy and 30deg here now. OVER it.
It’s funny about TV series that I ignore and then find I like them..a lot, and I was that person for Ted Lasso. So much I now have the DVD series. They are talking about a 4th series and I am not keen. Sometimes we just need to end when we do.
Castle Hill Library is celebrating 20 years I have seen in local news. It still seems new to me..and I hope we do eventually get that cuppa in the cafe one day.
Denyse
20 years? Seriously? I remember when it opened. 20 years????
Hi Jo, I remember having hair all over the place the day I was in Wellington. I also remember how quickly the sun left and black skies arrived. I’m very interested to hear that you’re going to Wales. Looking forward to hear all about where you went. Yippee for Philly being with the editor.
I can’t wait for Wales – we’ve only ever been just across the border to Chepstow and Tintern but this trip we’ll be heading up the coast and visiting everywhere my mother has named a corgi after.
What beautiful photos! And that rainbow. Glad you had a good time visiting your friend. I smiled at seeing your temperatures notated in Celcius as opposed to Farenheit. We in the United States were promised as schoolchildren that one day we would switch to that system, and use the metric system in general for all measurements. But only the scientists made the switch; the remainder of us laymen still struggle through our antiquated ways of measurement. Alas.
That’s funny. We’ve been metric since the late 60’s – longer than I’ve been alive, in fact. I find it funny when in the UK how they’re metric for temperatures and in baking, but refer to distance in miles and body weight in pounds.
Oh wow; what beautiful views your friends enjoy! We often get storms like that here too since our house faces the wind during most severe storms and I’m always so glad we built it ourselves with lots of sturdy beams!
It’s an amazing view. Wellington is well known for its winds – and its earthquakes … which is why the house is so sturdy.
The sunrise photo is so beautiful. I rarely get up early enough to see the sunrise since I’ve retired…but we’ve had some lovely sunsets recently. I enjoy a good storm from the safety of a sturdy home, and of course, a rainbow is always a welcome addition. Here’s to a spectacular September! Thanks, as always, for hosting #WBOYC.
Over winter, we’re way too early for the sunrise, but as we don’t have daylight saving here during summer, it won’t be long before the sun is up at 4.30!
Hi Jo, sorry I’m late. I absolutely enjoyed all of your Wellington trip photos and you’ve certainly ‘sold’ me on this NZ city. I love the idea of using different colours in your blanket for the current temperatures. Speaking of temperatures, Summer has come with a vengence hasn’t it? Have a lovely September and exciting times ahead with Philly on the horizon. xx
It’s a fabulous city – and they don’t even pay me to say that lol.
Beautiful views and photos, Jo. It’s been hot and humid everywhere I was this summer, except in Norway when it was sunny and pleasant. I hope you’ll have a nice summer. I look forward to hearing more about your trip to Wales. #WBOYC
Summer in Norway … now, there’s a lovely thought.
I really enjoyed reading this, Jo. Other than one in January, I have yet to write a single post about my word of the year, which is “now.” I guess I’ve actually been living it more than writing about it? I’m so glad I discovered your linkup and look forward to future gatherings!
Perhaps you have been living it – which is really the best way to treat such a word. See you here next month for the linky!
Hi Jo – I feel like I’ve lived a lot of August with you through Facebook and Substack! It looks like it was a great month all round – and I can’t believe we’re already in September – soon we’ll be digging out the Christmas decorations!
What striking photos of the storm rolling in at the airport. Glad it all passed quickly and gave you a rainbow at the end. We had a crazy storm hit the airport in Nashville, Tn on Sunday. Played havoc with all the incoming and outgoing flights but allowed for some great photo ops, too, from the large windows facing the tarmac.
Always glad for TV viewing recommendations. With all the apps and stations, there is still so often nothing fit to watch. Will check out Wrexham. Thank you.
I need to catch up on all things Substack. We were out of town twice in August and now I’ve broken my foot so life has been kind of upside down. Will be by to visit this weekend.
Enjoy your warming weather.