Alrighty, there’s a lot to get through so without any further faffing about, let’s wrap the month up…
Travel
Sarah and I spent 5 nights in Penang, Malaysia and 3 nights in Singapore at the beginning of the month. Both cities are favourites of mine, and while Sarah has also visited both, she was just a kid the last time she was there. It was, therefore, as if she was seeing it all for the first time.
I’ll get around to posting some bits and pieces about where we went and what we did and (more importantly) what we ate, but for now, here’s a set of sample pics… Spoiler alert – whenever Sarah and I travel anywhere, water is usually involved… we’re both water babies.
Birthdays
It was Grant’s birthday on Saturday so we celebrated with his favourite things – an early morning walk on the beach followed by breakfast at Mooloolaba with Sarah.
Rather than going out we bought in the makings of a posh seafood platter and had it at home.
And then on Sunday, for something a little different, we did a tour of a coffee plantation in the hinterland followed by morning tea.
Healthy Habits
This month I’ve been setting myself weekly goals. I haven’t been perfect – far from it. I’ve always been an “almost there but not quite” type of person – so the way I figure it, if I set a stretch goal and get 75% of that, I’ve done better than if I set a moderate goal and get 75% of it. It’s the same with tea – no matter what size cup, I always drink 75% of it.
Anyways, this month, I set out to walk an average of 10,000 steps a day and, for the first time in over two years, have done it. Yay me. I’ve been less successful with the 2 strength sessions a week and the daily plank and stretch thing, but I’ve done some, so that’s better none.
I’m also doing better with the not drinking alcohol during the week thing. Again, not perfect, but better.
Building on October my goals for November are:
- Average 10,000 steps a day – so 300,000 steps for November
- An alcohol-free month. I haven’t managed this in years, so wish me luck!
- Get back in the swim – it’s been a while since I regularly swam laps, so I’m aiming for at least one black-line swim a week
- 2 strength sessions a week – I know I need to, but groan…
- The plank thing (again, groan…)
Writing
Christmas at Fountains Hall is now locked, loaded and (almost) ready to go. Pre-orders are now open and it will be available on all digital platforms, with print available from November 25.
The blurb is:
A Christmas-themed television special is coming to the Cotswolds. And it could change everything…
Tallis Harlow is reeling from the discovery of her husband’s infidelity, but thankfully she has her job as an assistant on a reality baking show to keep her busy.
At least that was the case until charismatic London chef Ziggy Giudici is cast on the Christmas special. Now the mutual attraction she’d previously dismissed with the younger man is proving impossible to ignore.
Gail Longmuir can’t help from feeling that her life is growing smaller compared to her friends in the cookbook club, especially since her daughter has just left for university. She knows she should be elated when the gorgeous vet from their village asks her out, but it only makes the feelings she has for her boss Liam more complicated.
At a time when Tallis and Gail need each other the most, events in their lives suddenly seem to be driving a wedge between them. With the entire production at Fountains Hall in doubt, will they be able to save their friendship before Christmas comes?
You can preorder at Amazon here, or on all other digital platforms here.
The third Philly Barker, Murder at Deverell Grange, is now also done and is with my beta readers before getting a final proofread. We still haven’t nailed the cover, but expect news on release date and preorders in the next week or so.
That means I’m back into drafting mode for the second Clementine Carter mystery – Murder in the Mangroves. I’m running dangerously close to the deadline on this one so I need to get writing!
Over to you …
Alrighty, that’s enough from me … what’s been on your calendar in October? 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 …
My co-hosts are:
Deb at Deb’s World
Sue at Women Living Well Over 50
Donna at Retirement Reflections
And Anyways... 
Wonderful Jo, your trip away with Sarah, your goals for the month and your book news – what a month! All the best for a fabulous November, you are a powerhouse! xx
I’ve loved following your November too, Debbie!
Hi Jo, what a fabulous month you’ve had. It was lovely that you and Sarah had a mother/daughter/friend getaway to Malaysia and Singapore and looks like you had a great time. Visiting a coffee plantation sounds interesting. You seem so determined with your goals which is great to see and you are starting to really see some progress ticking them off. Have a wonderful November! xx
I’m getting there – diet still a problem, but that’s improving. At least I’m no longer putting on weight so that’s something, right?
Oh wow; those photos from your trip look incredible! And yay you for reaching some/most of your healthy living goals!
It’s been a great month – and our trip together was lovely. We’re already planning the next one.
Hi, Jo – That looks like a very successful month. I am also trying to get back to where I was in my fitness routine. My strength, stretch and planks are fine but for some reason I can’t get back into my regular walking routine (and I love walking – so I have no idea why). If you ever want to do strength/stretch/planks together online, I would be happy to do that anytime! ❤
Maybe we should get together – I am so hopeless at doing it because I don’t enjoy it, I think…& my big fat tummy gets in the way too…
I can be available anytime. We can give it a try and see how it goes!
I’ll message you x
Hooray! I’ll be ready!
I’d also be happy to join in. Accountability is key and having friends on board makes it so much easier.
Consider yourself accountable.
Looks like a great October – the trip in particular.
It sure was…
Loved reading and viewing this post Jo.
I like the 75% idea. Much better than all or nothing.
And slowly does it…even though I know we all want quick results.
Big congratulations on the book front too.
Take care and thanks so much for the link up hosting #WBOYC
Denyse
Thanks Denyse … 75% is better than nothing.
Gosh, those pictures of Malaysia are gorgeous 😍 Another destination to add to my bucket list! Your new book sounds really good… I’ll have to go check it out! You did really good with your goals this month, maybe I’ll try the ‘weekly’ trick to see if it works for me 😉
Penang is such an interesting place – I’ll blog a bit more about it over the next few weeks. Weekly goals seem to work for me – not so far away that I lose focus (and I lose focus very easily…)
My goodness, how good does Malaysia and Singapore look?! I would fly there tomorrow but I doubt if the hubs would want to come. Your goals for Nov look very achievable, I will join you in the strength one. I intended to get back into that in Oct but only managed 1 session. Good luck with the new book!
They’re both places that never get old – and you can always find something new. Love them.
I stopped dead in my tracks when you mentioned giving up drink for November! I was so speechless that I just had to reach for the glass beside me. There goes November, then! I’m quite good at the walking stuff but I don’t count my steps. I do t’ai chi and qigong a couple of times a week and play croquet. I suppose I’d like to be more self disciplined, but it’s not likely to happen any time soon. You seem to be making the best of life, Jo. Nice to learn a little about you.
It’s been years since I went a whole month without alcohol & let me just say, I’m not looking forward to it!
Find something else that you really like..for me it’s an Italian cream soda if they are available. Or perhaps a non alcoholic beer although so far haven’t found one I love.
I don’t drink soft drinks (or sodas) at all, but might investigate the non alcoholic beers. I’m a sparkling water with lemon or lime girl. It really is a habit…
That sounds ok. Although I am never sure from one country to the next what sparkling water is.🤔
Lol… we call it sparkling mineral water ie with nothing but gas in it… or gassed in the soda stream without any additives. It’s so funny how we all have different terminology. Soda in this country is gassy water. What you’d call soda ie flavoured fizzy drinks we call soft drinks like coke and Fanta.
Coke etc are pop in Canada. Sparkling water comes in flavours galore.
What a fabulous holiday! Those shots are stunning, and I am still trying to figure out why I see fish in the sky in the airport.
As to the weight, exercise, food, and alcohol it is a struggle to get headed in the right direction. I used the fast800 app, and that helped tremendously. Giving up alcohol is quite easy for me, but chocolate…well, that is a different story. Set goals and keeping yourself accountable is key.
The digital aquarium in the ceiling is one of the features at Changi terminal 2… I’m sort of following fast800 too so glad to hear it worked for you. I need to do more than “sort of” follow it. I tend to feel quite restrained when I can’t convert my own recipes but at the same time think sticking to a structure is what I need at this point.
We found many recipes we really liked on the fast 800. I loved that it had the exercise programmed in it. I just followed it and added in some pool time and loads of walks.
I forgot to say, I’m the opposite – while I bake I rarely eat sugar and chocolate isn’t a thing for me. Alcohol, however, is.
Your trip sounds divine, Jo. I always enjoy your photo recaps. Good luck with your health goals for November. I love your attitude toward 75%. Yay for you!
Thanks Christie…
I wish…not eating what I bake is so hard….
Wow, your travel adventures to Malaysia and Singapore look amazing! I’ve never been but maybe I need to remedy that.
Good luck with your health goals! I think you are smart to keep them realistic. Denying yourself too much makes it hard to keep at it. I found that pouring a glass of wine while I’m making dinner became a habit… I didn’t even want one half the time. I was just as happy with sparkling water.
I’m looking forward to reading Christmas at Fountains Hall! It looks like just the thing to get me in the mood.
They’re both fabulous places – but Asia is such a long way away for you guys, I guess…
Maybe we need an extended stopover in Australia first. 🙂
YES!!!!
Congratulations on your success at the start of your healthy goal setting. I’ve been trying to have no alcohol during the week too but now it’s gone bloody hot those cold beers and glasses of wine keep calling my name!
Let’s say I’m not enjoying the no alcohol thing. I’m doing well during the week though, so that’s something!
I think I am officially a fire sign but at water baby at heart. My Leo daughters are both water babies, too. Maybe because they lived the first years of their lives going to the beach several times a month? The pictures of your getaway are so interesting and bright and colorful. I know you gals had a grand time.
Happy bday to Mr. And Anyways, Grant. Sounds like he was well celebrated.
Anxious for the release of your latest book. Thanks for the preorder link.
I often joke that because I swam throughout my pregnancy Sarah was born swimming!