Water for Elephants - what a read!

I have just finished Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants - and before anyone asks, no, I haven't seen the movie. Actually, my book club cautioned me about it because they said it is so different to the book. Maybe I will, maybe I won't...

Being the animal lover I am, I was initially concerned about perceived cruelty within a circus environment, but of course there are those within that industry who genuinely love animals and continually fight for their rights.

Gruen is a wonderful author who undertakes extensive research, and the reader can tell. She told the story, which is set in the depression years, with feeling and understanding, and I loved it. There was intrigue, love, anger, desperation, humour and above all, quirky characters and fabulous animals. I also learned a great deal about what it is to be part of a travelling circus. Now I can't wait to read her book Ape House.

A wonderful read which I finished in about three sittings. And I am pleased to say that the pile on my bedside table is slowly decreasing - for now, anyway.

Saving our native wildlife

Today I attended a luncheon at the Beaconsfield Neighbourhood Centre in northern Tasmania, to raise awareness and money for our local wombats who are suffering from deadly mange. The luncheon was organised by a small group of caring individuals including our good friends Doreen and Gordon Shaw.

Representatives from two of our wombat rescue organisations were present at the lunch and we were told how the treatment works and is allowing our wombats to be rehabilitated and returned to the wild. All the carers are volunteers and they need our support.

Please visit Wombat Rescue Tasmania and Wombat Warriors Tasmania on Facebook and help save these beautiful creatures!

Tradition

Eureka Street has just published my article about a traditional Japanese tea ceremony:

The Count Down

In a little over four months' time we will be winging our way across the world to Italy!

We are planning three or four days in each of Milan, Venice, Florence, Siena and Rome before embarking on a cruise which will take us via Athens and the Suez Canal to Abu Dhabi. Along the way we will visit the ancient city of Petra, a site I am so looking forward to seeing!

Petra, Jordan

In readiness for our journey I have decided to take Italian classes, which I commence at the end of this month. Having learned basic French for several years, I was able to use it when we travelled in France and now I hope to be able to communicate in Italian - just enough to order food and ask for directions.

Already we are counting down the weeks until our departure, but there is so much more to do in the meantime...