For this crusade Michelle has asked us to make an entry on our blogs and to tell everyone where we presently live and those places that we may have grown up in.
I am so very grateful for the internet, I have made some wonderful life long friends and have been so lucky to have been fortunate enough to meet so many of you in person!
As my Dad worked for the Electricity Commission, we moved quite a lot... so I will start from the beginning...
Born in Sydney and moved into an apartment in Dolphin Street Coogee (hmmm marine mammals from the beginning! lol)
Lived in various cities in Sydney then moved to Cooma in the Snowy Mountains.
Next we went on to Muswellbrook, then Lithgow (all in New South Wales).
At 17 I moved back to Sydney and then met my ex. Lived in various places around Sydney, Carlton, Kogarah, Maroubra, Randwick, Kensington and then spent 16 years in a house 3km from the heart of the city of Sydney. Married at 23, no children (not by choice) but many wonderful 4 legged companions over the years.
My Dad went on to work for the Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation and moved to Thailand, Malaysia and then China. I spent many a holiday with them in Thailand, and absolutely loved visiting!
Was involved for many years in Whale Rescue and Research and have attended many live strandings, the most memorable being a Humpback whale who came ashore on Peregian Beach Queensland in the early 90's. He was very lucky as he was returned to the sea! Have spent many a day and night on beaches with stranded whales and dolphins and also babysitting seals that have hauled out too!
My Dad passed away in 1992 aged 55, and at that point I decided that life was way too short andthat I wanted to see the world!
Went to Scotland and took part in a Cetacean Survey which departed from Mallaig. The US was never a place that I really wanted to visit, but shortly before my trip to the UK, I found out I didn't have a ticket and the only way to get to Scotland was via the US. So, I stopped in Boston for a few days (whale watching of course) and on the way back went to Seattle, then Friday Harbor! I was hooked!
Next trip was to British Columbia to see the Orcas.... (1993) and as I started dabbling in rubber stamps in '92 my next trip took in a number of conventions. Not too sure how many trips I have had to the US, but I have been privileged to meet up with so many of my online friends and now have to fit in seeing everyone when I do arrive!
Moved to the south coast of New South Wales (2 hour drive from Sydney) in early 2006 as I have friends here who are more like family and it was the best decision I have ever made. Divorce came through in late 2006 and earlier this year I bought my own house on just under 1/4 acre. Although I am only 5 mins to town, there is bush out the back and being on such a large block it is as if I am out in the middle of nowhere! I live in my wonderful little house with my two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Baillie and Harley!
I can get to Seven Mile Beach in less than 15 mins and it takes 30 mins to get to Huskison on Jervis Bay. Here's a link to the south coast if you would like an even better look at the area in which I now live.
The above photos are taken from the front of the house.
This one is taken from the back verandah!
26 comments:
Ohhh Janie! It was fun reading all about your adventures and places you had been! I have always (with a capital A) wanted to visit Australia, and through your post, photos and link I just took a mini tour!
Thanks for sharing!
Janine - as I told you on your birthday, I think it's terrific you are reinventing yourself after some bug life changes. Your environment looks lovely. I knew most of your story but enjoyed revisiting it as you told us about the places you've lived and visited. Thanks for introducing yourself in this way to the Street Team!
Thank you for sharing your story. I enjoyed reading about the exotic (to me) places you have travelled and lived. Your yard is lovely, your dogs are adorable...I wish for you 50+ more years of travel!
Fabulous view Janine!! Lucky you to have some room around your place for your dogs to play. Thanks for sharing your life with us all and love the fact that you are so dedicated to animals/mamals of all kind.
Wow, what a story. Happy re-inventing, sounds like fun :-) And keep enjoying your part of the world. Lovely dogs btw.
Janine,
this sounds like an interesting, sometimes sad, but always optimistic journey. You have actually been researching whales? Wow, my son would looooove to talk to you! He is four and a half and absolutely absorbed by marine animals right now: He has been spending the complete last weekend pricking, embroidering and coloring in whales, dolphins, sharks, sea anemones, clownfish... you name it. Have you ever had an embroidered orca? :-) He will give them to his grandma as christmas presents ...
Really enjoying this crusade is ... Sigrid
Janine,
You live in a veritable fairy land. I can see them peeking out of every corner! How wonderful!
And a very happy birthday to you. Getting older and better, you know.
Ariel
Such incredible natural beauty! Your adventures and stories have truly inspired me to get off my butt and schedule a trip or two... you are correct, life IS too short and tomorrow doesn't always arrive for some. I really needed this sort of inspiration and I thank you for sharing your lovely pups and home and countryside with us!
Wow, awesome blog! And great photos! I'll be keeping an eye on your blog for that reason alone. Your friend must have an awesome cell phone to catch those incredible storm photos. Rumor has it that it IS winter here in the northern hemi, but I've seen no proof of it. It's still hot here in Texas. The mornings are nice though. Glad you got to spend the big five O with a friend!
Hugs!
Genie from Etsy
I envy you your work with the marine mammals, especially the dolphins... I have a special love for them... got to see some wild ones in Scotland when I went there on a trip. I would love to help them like that, but it would be hard to see them in distress. Your yard looks lovely and what cute dogs! I know so little of Australia, but it sounds really nice. I'm glad for the internet so I have the chance to meet nice people like you that I wouldn't get to otherwise. Oh, I've been to Mallig once... was wierd, the whole town shut down for a funeral...some sailors from the town perished at sea... I never heard anyone else ever mention it before! Thanks for sharing our life!
You are welcome Pam. I loved Mallaig..... although we only used it as a base, remember having to climb over a number of fishing boats to actually be able to get onto our boat.... Must dig out the slides! Isn't the internet wonderful, I know I have met so many wonderful people that have become close friends.
Thanks for sharing your world and your life. How wonderful to now have a home all to yourself and your sweet 4-legged loves. Your joy comes through in each word of your travels and home. Being one who lives in the hot Sonoran Desert the Snowy Mts. sound so romantic! Do share some photos of Thailand some time...I love to close my eyes and dream of going there.
Thanks again! jodi barone
www.wildvines.blogspot.com
well happy belated b-day!!!! gosh, you've certainly come around! and i loooove the new home you have created for yourself. looking forward to seeing more :)
Thanks Belinda! Things have certainly changed since I met you in Portland! I do so love my new home... it is actually the first place that I can call home, the other places I have lived where just houses! xo
Beautiful place! Thanks for sharing!
Monique
http://smallworld.web-log.nl
Your story AND your garden are charming...I love your passion for sea creatures, I feel that you are fortunate to be able to contribute to their well-being...it must be a thrill to have been able to make a difference for such special creatures!
We need more people who care like you do!
What an adventure your life has been thus far.
And how wonderful to have found your true home.
Your yard is absolutely beautiful! I'm in awe of landscape, the plants and the flowers. The little doggie is cute too! Oh, wow, your post was a wonderful read!
I love what you did with the corners of your photos - they're so beautiful! &rew
Sounds like a lot of fun doing all that whale/orca etc watching. What a great reason to travel.
Love your garden and the 4 legged friend!
Janine, I see what you meant about seeing the front gate and falling in love! It looks like the entrance to the Secret Garden ! It's gorgeous!
-sondra
www.feelingarty.typepad.com
wow... so many exciting adventures, thanks so much for sharing. I especially enjoyed the photos.
I love the Edna Buchanan quote “Friends are the family we choose for ourselves” Here's to good friends. Life really is too short - enjoy your new home and lifestyle.
What a great post! So much great information on your adventures and terrific photos.
Wow, my post look so generic now *grins* I'm still getting used to this "sharing" online thing. Great Job!
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