Update for 2023

Since my last blog entry, I’ve been through a strange Christmas, took a trip to World Pride in Sydney and travelled over the ditch to the land of the long white cloud.

This was the first Christmas with none of my parent’s generation still alive, so my usual trip to see my elderly aunt or call home to talk to my father did not happen. I did have a family Christmas and spent the day with my cousin and some of her family, but I avoided the traditional get-together held on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) as it was going to be a very occasion with two extended families coming together. I spent that day with my best friend instead.

In February, Sydney held events to mark World Pride and I went up there to meet up with one of my friends, who was there with some of his friends. There were some particularly highlights, namely the performances at the opening concert by Shelden Riley, Casey Donovan, Jessica Mauboy and the Minogue sisters. I also enjoyed watching the Mardi Gras parade, even though the parade was so long, that it turned out to be a very long time standing.

Later in March I went over the Christchurch in New Zealand for a long weekend (there was a public holiday in Victoria). I enjoyed the trip but probably would have enjoyed it more if I had been travelling with someone. I had one lovely day and another miserable day, but I found things to do in both. I came back with a new jacket, as I had not been prepared for how miserable the weather would get. I did also find somewhere nice to have brunch and stayed in three different hotels over the course of the trip.