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

Adventures in Costa Rica, Panama… and Friendship!

Blog Post No. 11 – November 2025

Where to begin? November was a tour de force. Costa Rica offered up adventure after adventure — rich, beautiful, and full of surprises.

Angela Hryniuk and I have been friends since 1986. Our paths have looped around each other for four decades, and since 2020’s upside-down world, we’ve kept a cherished weekly video date. I was her maid of honour in 2009 when she married her sweetheart, Steven Seaton, in Noosa. Their story began in London in the mid-70s — she a visiting Canadian athlete, he an Aussie social worker living in Hackney — and they reunited thirty years later.

Time really does have its own magic.

Three years ago, Angela and Steve moved to Costa Rica. I think they’re incredibly brave — new country, different language, unfamiliar culture. I’m not nearly that bold; my life may be odd and unpredictable, but I walk a narrower path. Luckily, our differences and similarities balance out nicely. Bob and I certainly reaped the benefits of their adventurous spirit.

Week 1

The journey out — including a night in Toronto — was blissfully smooth (unlike the return!). Angela and Steve picked us up at Liberia airport, and whisked us off for two nights at Arenal Volcano and two more in the Cloud Mountains.

A quick word on the roads: near towns and tourist hubs the tarmac is lovely. Beyond that… chaos. Rough, dusty, and cratered with potholes the size of beach balls. Angela drove like a magician, dodging holes and coaxing the car over terrain that looked more suited to trail bikes.

It rained on and off around Arenal, but everything was warm, lush and wildly alive — bright flowers, dazzling birds, oversized butterflies. We soaked in hot springs, ate delicious local food, and marvelled at how different life can be.

You'll find a Reel HERE.

The drive to the Cloud Mountains was an adventure in itself — the bumpiest “roads” I’ve ever experienced. Still, we arrived in one piece and just slightly shaken. The treetop walks and sloth sanctuary were worth every jolt. Sloths are extraordinary creatures — slow, strange, and endearing. We saw both three- and two-toed varieties, the latter with a much more varied diet. One sloth with only three limbs had been safely cared for in the sanctuary for fifteen years and was thriving.

Our eco-hotel overlooked forest, valleys, and — on a clear moment — the coastline about fifty kilometres away. Clouds drifted endlessly, reshaping the landscape, and the sunsets were breathtaking.

Another REEL for your delight.

From there we made our way to The Jungala, near Paraiso Guanacaste, where Angela and Steve have built their beautiful home. “Proud” doesn’t even touch it — the place is stunning. We met BB, their ten-month-old black-and-tan pup: joyful, affectionate, and occasionally mischievous. I thought of Sweep often.

Week 2

I joined Angela for her yoga class under a grass-roofed platform in the jungle — a stark reminder of how unfit I’ve become — but the connection with nature was electric. We floated home.

While Bob and Steve collected tiles in Santa Cruz, Angela and I meditated in her Nido, a serene little creative nest a short walk from the house. Bliss.

We all went to Tamarindo for their writing group, meeting new creative souls and joining in a writing exercise before lunch on the beach.

Angela had also arranged a house concert for me. I performed an abridged Children of the Sea and Beyond, with videos on their big TV. Steve, being a music aficionado, jerry-rigged a PA system that worked beautifully. About fifteen friends came — “Collister virgins” — and they were marvellously attentive. A sweet, intimate gig, followed by shared food and warm company.

Afterwards, we headed to Samara, staying just steps from the beach. BB came too and had the time of his life. Walking into the warm ocean each day was heavenly. I spent an entire day reading in the shade — or what I thought was shade. I managed to sunburn the left side of my face and shoulder despite wearing a hat. Lesson learned.

We finished with a wonderful outdoor meal: virgin Piña Coladas, fabulous food, and laughter under the warm evening sky.

Another REEL anyone?

Week 3

Back at the house, we settled into a gentle rhythm of daily life: mid-morning fruit with yoghurt and homemade granola; late-afternoon swims in the pool while spotting howler monkeys and hummingbirds; simple meals shared with dear friends. Ordinary moments that felt like privileges.

Week 4

And then — Panama!

Angela had planned a trip to coincide with two American friends celebrating Thanksgiving. Rachel, an English teacher in San Jose, found a magical Airbnb: a purple house perched over the water in Bocas del Toro. She and her friend Marina joined us later.

Getting to the border took two days. We drove five hours to San Jose, shared a surprisingly good Chinese meal with Roseanna — another lovely writing friend — and stayed the night.

We left at 7 a.m. to beat the traffic and wound our way down a snaking mountain pass to the Caribbean coast. The roads were miraculously better on this side! After a few wrong turns, we reached the border, where our Panamanian guide, Adriano, shepherded us through taxes, passport control, and the bridge to Panama. His father, Pappito, drove us to the boat — a 45-minute ride, followed by a 30-minute crossing. It all felt deliciously noir, like a tropical thriller.

One last REEL to enjoy!

Our accommodation was pure magic. Despite it being the start of the rainy season, it was warm and relaxing. When Marina and Rachel arrived, the fun dialled up: a day on the water with a local boatman who showed us dolphins, starfish, parrots — and took us snorkelling. It was perfect: hilarious, vivid, life-affirming.

The return journey was less romantic. We hadn’t realised it was the equivalent of a bank holiday weekend, and everyone was on the road. A 4.5-hour drive stretched to almost eight. Angela and Steve were heroes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpJqI8JQWyQ

I’m finishing this from our Heathrow hotel. We were supposed to stay for two nights, but our flight from Costa Rica was delayed, so we missed the London connection — my first missed flight ever. Air Canada arranged a hotel for us and provided many food vouchers. We crawled into bed at 1.30 a.m, only to be awakened at 4.15 by the fire alarm. After a bewildered stumble outside into –3°C snow, we were eventually allowed back in.

C’est la vie!

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

This is only an abridged account of Costa Rica — a country still straddling modernity and wildness. We went because our friends live there, and it was a joy to see what they’ve built and who they’ve become. Angela, my friend of forty years, continues to inspire me. She is a powerhouse — brave, expansive, and entirely herself.

Thank you, darlin’. We’ll do it all again soon enough. Know you are loved.

And thank you, dear reader, for checking in on this wee singer as she wanders the globe. Next month’s update will come from Perth, Western Australia. The adventures continue…

Until next month — the end of the year! — Stay well, be curious, and keep rising above the turbulence.

Much love,

Christine x