Mists, Music and sixteen years

Bog Post No. 2 – February 2026

Sweet reader,

I hope you are well — finding comfort in one another, in the small everyday things that hold us together, and solace in the natural world. The outer world is… disturbing, to say the least. I hope you’ll allow me, here, to bring a little light into the darkness.

Before I get too far ahead of myself, let me remind you that we spent most of February in Bali, at the most gorgeous little hideaway retreat. Puri Arsa is tucked into the heart of a small village on Jalan Tegal Temu, near Tanah Lot on Bali’s western coast. The owner, Made Arsa, is a delightful, kind and generous man, and the two young women who cared for us during our stay couldn’t have been more gracious.

We spent much of our time simply resting in this beautiful place. I continued my funny little art pieces, edited a book I wrote over twelve years ago, kept up my daily writing practice, and read — a lot. We ventured out twice with two fellow guests, Sabine and Andreas from Germany. Sharing a taxi, we explored Lake Batur, the volcanic crater lake in Kintamani. Though the nearby volcano hid behind low cloud, it was beautiful nonetheless. We also visited a water temple and later enjoyed a fabulous meal at Liap Liap Folk in Ubud — a gem Bob and I discovered last year.

REEL HERE !

A week later, the four of us returned to Ubud simply for the atmosphere. On both visits, the rain was our almost constant companion. It hardly mattered. The air was warm, the scenery lush, and the swirling mists lent everything an added layer of mystery.

Bob and I celebrated our sixteenth wedding anniversary on February 13th. We marked the day with a special brunch at Lily By The Sea, a gorgeous beachside restaurant a few kilometres from Puri Arsa. Naturally, I revisited the infamous fifty-five seconds of wedding hilarity that still makes us laugh out loud. Sixteen years married, twenty-six

together — laughter is the glue that makes even the hardest times bearable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSIlf2YOi6M

Our time in Bali was deeply restorative, but eventually it was time to re-enter our usual — still delightful — lives. We flew into Sydney on February 22nd, stayed overnight near the airport, and picked up a rental car the next morning. After visiting Jo for a gorgeous hug in Dee Why, we colletced CDs and stage clothes for the tour, and headed ninety minutes north to Woy Woy.

Ina and Michael Fine have run The Troubadour Folk Club on the Central Coast for many years. They are generous, enthusiastic music lovers and community builders par excellence. We stayed in their little cottage at the top of their garden while we reacclimatised, enjoying good food and even better company until Michael Fix arrived the day before our first show on February 26th.

It had been about ten months since Michael and I last played together, but you wouldn’t have known it. We slipped straight back into that sweet performance space where everything flows. Our first show, at the Everglades Club — promoted by The Troubadour Folk Club — was a roaring success. With over a hundred people in attendance, including some of our favourite faces and the rest of Hat Trick (the fabulous Aussie band Michael has long played with), it was a memorable night. Mary Mahony joined us on fiddle for Paul Simon’s Late in the Evening — always a joy when fellow musicians add their magic. Thank you, Mary!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA4dhe4LfLE

Our heartfelt thanks, too, to Ina and Michael for their beautiful hosting and for creating such a special evening for everyone. Until next time!

Our second show took us to a new venue: the Prince’s Opera House Theatre in Gulgong, NSW. It was a four-hour drive from Woy Woy (thank you, Bob — you’re the best!), and we arrived with just enough time for a quick S.C.A.N. — Senior Citizens After Nap!

This concert was lovingly organised by our dear friends Pu-Yu and Craig, who moved to Gulgong from Tuggerah a few years ago. Once again, we were reminded how fortunate we are to be surrounded by such capable, generous community builders. We were looked after royally and welcomed by a wonderful crowd in that beautiful old theatre, their enthusiasm infectious from the first note.

Pu-Yu is an exceptional flautist and pianist, and Craig a wonderful drummer. In Tuggerah they ran the highly successful Intuition School of Music and hope to recreate it in Gulgong. We were thrilled to have them join us on Forever Autumn— what an honour.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5hqHlTcegc

I think it’s safe to say we’ll be returning as soon as possible. Thank you, Pu-Yu and Craig — and to all those gorgeous audience members who expressed their appreciation so warmly. We are very blessed.

After dropping Michael at Sydney Airport yesterday — March 1st already! — Bob and I are now heading to Victoria to spend time with friends before returning to the NSW coast for our next run of shows in Lansdowne, Gloucester and Harrington on March 13th, 14th and 15th. Perhaps we’ll see you there?

Between now and the next blog post, there will be a plethora of Collister & Fix shows to share.

Until then, dear sweet reader — stay well, be curious and keep rising above the turbulence. And remember, keep hope alive and peace in your heart. Know that you are loved and appreciated.

With love and gratitude, as always,

Christine x

Terns, Coastlines and a quiet Paradise.

Blog Post – January 2026

We’ve already had a whole month of 2026! Can you believe it?

Greetings from a very balmy Bali. Bob and I are staying in a small but beautifully formed haven of rest and tranquillity in a village on the outskirts of Tanah Lot. Puri Arsa is a collection of four small hut-like structures with a lovely outdoor bathroom out the back. Our hut is a generous, welcoming space with a king-sized bed, a fridge, a wardrobe, and a set of chairs. We each have a little recess at the side of the bed for books and bits.

There’s a front porch with a table and chairs and another table and chairs at the back, giving us plenty of room and privacy. A gorgeous swimming pool lies at the front, with lush gardens surrounding us. It feels like paradise.

Back in Dee Why, NSW

Before Bali, we spent much-needed family time with Jo and our gorgeous girls. They’re not girls anymore! Bella and Chiara are most definitely young women – funny, kind, thoughtful, and absolutely beautiful (not that I’m biased at all :-) ). Jo, of course, is just wonderful. I love them so.

In our first week, we went to the local cinema. The girls loved the film; I did not. The Housemaid is a thriller of sorts, with music that pulls the audience into jumpy reactions at all the tensest moments. I found it sort of entertaining but frustrating: the stereotypical portrayal of women (crazy, stupid, manipulative, greedy, vicious, and overtly sexual) did my head in.

A friend who saw it with a teenage daughter and mother reported the exact same split: the teenager loved it; the adults didn’t. Maybe it’s my age?

Anyway, (PLOT SPOILER!) my biggest criticism is the ending. After all the twisty plot lines and the violent finale, they still blamed the perpetrator’s mother. Too easy. Lazy concept. I won’t be watching the inevitable sequel.

Aside from that, we spent time at the beach, ate delicious meals, and generally soaked up being together. Once Jo was back at work, we headed down the coast to visit friends.

Time with Ian and Fiona

We love staying with Ian and Fiona Stewart at their gorgeous home in Yatte Yattah, near Milton, NSW. Fiona has taken to waking early (not her favourite thing) and walking along Lake Conjola Beach every morning, so we joined her and Ian in that ritual while we were there. What a glorious way to start the day. It’s a truly beautiful spot.

On our first morning, Fiona and I dipped in the lake as well, which was a joy.

After our second morning walk, Fiona and I went to her local yoga class – a restorative style, right up my street. The teacher was exceptional: grounded, warm, kind, and compassionate. She took time to explain so much and show us variations, which were incredibly helpful. We both floated out of the class.

We met Bob and Ian at their favourite local eatery, Milk Haus, just out of town, for a delicious brunch.

The Arctic tern

On our third morning walk, Fiona and I discovered a tiny fledgling Arctic tern tangled in a bundle of knotty seaweed at the water’s edge. It looked dead. But when I glanced back, I saw its little head lift, just a fraction.

The beach is a protected site for nesting Arctic terns – they’re so vulnerable. We gently disentangled the bird. Fiona carried it cupped in her hands while we walked back to the car, and Ian phoned a friend who volunteers at the site. We were advised to return the bird to inside the protected area, scoop some sand into a hollow so it could rest out of the wind, and mark the spot. We drew an arrow in the sand and placed two large sticks as markers for the rescuers.

That evening, they rang to say they’d found our little fledgling and taken her to a centre, where she would be hydrated and allowed to recover before being brought back to her nesting site. It was such a beautiful moment. My heart was full.

There's a Reel of our time in YY: HERE!

A fierce storm rolled in over the next few days. Bob and I travelled up to Shellharbour for the weekend, just the two of us, and I was relieved our little bird didn’t have to face those gale-force winds. Our time with Fiona and Ian, as always, was rich, fun, and enlightening. They’re an amazing couple.

Shellharbour and Hamnet

In Shellharbour, we stayed in a quirky little Airbnb – a well-appointed hut at the side of someone’s house, which turned out to be delightful. It rained the entire time we were there, but in between downpours we managed a short walk to Bushrangers Bay Aquatic Reserve. Spectacular.

One afternoon we saw Hamnet at the local cinema. I loved it. The two leads are wonderful, and Jessie Buckley is an extraordinary singer as well as an actor. The film won Best Motion Picture at the Golden Globes, and Jessie Buckley won Best Actress, so the signs look good for the Oscars. I’m not really an awards person, but when a quiet, beautiful, understated performance rises above the rest… I like it. Always championing the underdog? Maybe :-) x

Our last few days before heading to Bali were back in Dee Why, close to Jo and the girls.

Bali and visas

We’re in Bali till February 22nd, ostensibly to trigger a work visa for my gigs with Michael Fix, starting Feb 27th. Last year, we allowed two weeks for what was supposed to be a one-week process. When the visa was still missing the day before we were due to leave, panic set in. This year, we’re giving the process a whole month to sort itself out. I’ll let you know how that goes next month.

Since arriving, we’ve done very little. I’m making a piece of art every day, just as I promised myself in 2023 when Children of the Sea was trying to become not only a CD but also a book, and needed gorgeous imagery. At the time, I had no intention of creating anything for the project, but that’s exactly what happened. I gave myself permission to make the worst art imaginable, as long as I showed up every day.

This time, I don’t even have a theme. I just know I’d love to make another book with stories, songs, and images. For now, I’m playing with watercolour paints and abstract shapes. It’s incredibly satisfying and great fun, and I believe it paves the way for more creativity. Not that anyone needs a reason :-) x

Three promises

I promised myself three things while I’m here:

1. Paint something every day.

2. Do some research to find inspiration for a theme for my next project.

3. Edit the fantasy book I wrote twelve years ago.

The art is ongoing, I’ve yet to start the theme research, but the book is edited! It’s actually the fourth edit, but I hadn’t touched it for about eight years. I have no idea what to do next, if anything, but there’s a wonderful sense of achievement in getting this far, even though it’s taken so long. Watch this space.

Exploring (a little)

So far our “exploring” has consisted of a taxi trip to Tanah Lot Temple and a run to an international supermarket for yoghurt, granola, and fruit. (OK, we got crisps, Ritz crackers, and cheese too – but we do love the local food as well!) We also did one long walk, in scorching, sweat-inducing heat, to what we hoped would be a beach we could visit regularly.

There are a Reel that show the adventure: Here

There’s talk of a trip to one of the volcanoes next week with a lovely German couple who are here for three weeks, and we might revisit Ubud on the way. That’s probably as adventurous as we’ll get.

We’re acutely aware of how fortunate we are to have this experience. It’s not taken for granted, nor is it something we expect to continue indefinitely. Life is unknown in so many ways. Gratitude abounds.

An update on our tern

A sad update on our fledgling Arctic tern: she survived a few days after we found her but, sadly, died. However, another rescued Arctic tern made it back to Conjola Lake Beach and may well find its way to the Arctic. Who knows.

I take solace in knowing that our little bird was in far better shape than when we first saw her and that she knew the kindness of strangers before her last breath. Bless her.

Here's a video to capture all the above :-) x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cpi6RDaoLi0

Thank you, as always, for your kind attention and continued support – you matter to me.

Till next month, dear reader: be well, stay curious, and keep rising above the turbulence.

Know you are loved.

Christine x

Happy New Year!

Blog post No: 12, December 2025

Greetings from a not-so-sunny Sydney, New South Wales. Bob and I spent December in Perth, WA, with my gorgeous brother Paul, then arrived back in Sydney last night (January 2nd) to spend time with Bob’s wonderful daughter, Jo, and her beautiful girls—our amazing twin granddaughters, Bella and Chiara. Life is good.

Paul’s been in Perth for over twenty years now. He still occasionally toys with the idea of returning to the tiny isle, but Australia is home. We love our time together. Bob and Paul usually play golf, though less so this visit, thanks to a niggling injury. Paul and I, meanwhile, do what we do best: cook. We take turns conjuring all manner of deliciousness.

My other great joy in Perth is playing with paint. Paul has long been a fan of the late, great Bob Ross and has produced some beautiful work over the years—though these days he only seems to dabble when his (little) big sister is in town. As a Christmas gift, he treated the three of us to a fabulous two-and-a-half-hour alcohol ink workshop at a sweet little studio called iCreated, just fifteen minutes from his place. We loved it. I also tried my hand at a couple of abstract acrylic paintings, and the results made me laugh out loud—pure fun.

There were endless rounds of Rummy and Scabby Queen, plus a wonderfully daft card game we found in a local charity shop called Man Bites Dog. I dipped into the Indian Ocean most mornings—Bob joined me sometimes, and there is Reel-based evidence to prove it. And here too. We did very little else. It was relaxed, playful, and deeply restorative.

Christmas Day was equally low-key, apart from the temperature. At 43°C, it was officially the hottest Christmas we’ve ever experienced. My birthday, a few days later, was blissfully cooler and just lovely: chocolate cake, a wildly windy dip at Yanchep Lagoon, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind after dinner. What’s not to love?

We now have three weeks in New South Wales—some of it spent visiting friends along the coast south of Wollongong, and hopefully further north along the Central Coast—before heading to Bali for a month. I pinch myself daily. Gratitude abounds.

We’ll be back on the east coast of Australia from late February through to April to do some duo gigs with the fabulous Michael Fix. Alongside that, I’m editing a book I first wrote over ten years ago—this is attempt number four to get it truly up to scratch. I’m hoping I’ll feel brave enough to share it before too long. It’s a fantasy, with magic, and yes… there’s a unicorn. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m starting to feel OK about that. Who knew?

I’m also in the early stages of another CD/book-with-art project, due to be born in 2027. I have absolutely no idea yet what it will be inspired by, but I’m excited to discover where it leads. Wish me luck. Please.

As an aside, I recently read a beautifully written Substack piece by Suleika Jaouad about why New Year’s resolutions aren’t the best way to begin the year. Her thoughts on how results-driven self-improvement often contains built-in failure, while ritual offers gentler, longer-lasting ripples, really resonated with me. I love a ritual.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/7fbd78_9e3a4d9eef7d4826a3e6e088627642d4/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

There’s nothing more to report—except that I’m savouring the gift of being with the people I love in ways, that not so long ago, I couldn’t imagine. Life is never less than interesting.

I hope that 2026 brings you beauty in unexpected ways. That there’s room in your heart for hope, peace, love, and just a little joy. Know that you are loved beyond measure.

Till next time, sweet reader—stay well, keep curious, and rise above the turbulence.

Endless blessings,

Christine x