Grave Secrets by Kathy Reichs is a good book lacking detail. I know that this sounds silly but if the book had some more detail it would be a great book.
In many way this book is actually written very well, it is based in countries other than Australia or America, this in its self a wonderful change.
I would recommend this book for someone wanting a quick read but it's not at the same level as "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo". I did enjoy reading this book.
I do have another couple of Kathy Reichs books here that I will read and I will do reviews on.
Tiff, Alice and I met up with Jazz from the Super Butcher at Yatla at around 7:30am. We had used the mighty Ute to bring down the BBQ, Oz Trail, Chairs and cooking equipment. There was a good turnout ready to board the Logan Coach to head into Goodna and help out wherever they could. Some of these guys had been down helping out the day before, the bus driver for one had driven the bus the day before helped out while he was there and then had to work late into the night.
We followed the bus into Brisbane Tce in Goodna and were met by a scene of total destruction. Houses stood with their doors open contents spewed out into giant piles on the footpath. The smell was a mixture of river mud, decaying garbage and plant material.
From the time that we arrived the sense of camaraderie was awesome there were thousands of people all working together to help clean up. Just in the street we were in there were dosens of organisations including Rural fire brigades, Parks and Wild Life, The Australian Army, Surf Lifesaving and even one or two SES all working alongside Mum, Dad and Family civilians.
We set up the Oz trail and BBQ in the park backing onto the river. While I started cooking up the super butcher snags Tiff and Alice headed off to let the Volunteers and homeowners know that the food was on the way. As well as sausages there were bottles of water, packets of Oreos, Kingstons, and baked goods that people kept bringing down during the day. The council brought around a couple of large water coolers filled with ice and water. One of the residents brought across mugs so that people could serve themselves coffee. We used the side burner on the BBQ to heat the kettle (as there was no electricity in that part of the city) between doing loads of onions donated by Panorama Patios ( Tiff’s Mum and Dad).
From the time the first sausage was ready we were inundated with people needing a recharge of the batteries to keep them going. We must have served up at least 300 sausages by the time the rush had started to abate, the sausages were being consumed as fast as they were leaving the hot plate. Tiff and Alice pointed people to the hand washing station while they were serving sausages, coffee, cooking onions and making sure everyone was having plenty of water and staying hydrated. When they would get a minute Tiff and Alice would run sausages and water out to the people controlling the traffic and the truck drivers while they were stopped to be loaded. Everybody who came for a recharge during the day kept making the comment, this is the best sausage I have ever eaten, the best cup of coffee I have ever drunk, the best seat I have ever sat in. It is amazing how exhaustion can make you appreciate the most basic of things.
Most of our party found there way down into Evans Street which Runs off Lower Stuart Street and had suffered flooding up to just under the eaves on the single story houses. The larger machinery was unable to get down into these streets due to the low hanging power lines. Two guys with tip trucks were donating their time, fuel and trucks to take loads out to the tipping point. I took my leave of absence from the BBQ after the rush had subsided and headed down to join the others for some heavy lifting. When I arrived I found that the Maori family that were a part of our group were in their element organising their troops (of which there would have been around 150 – 200 volunteers and homeowners) to help load the tipper trucks. John and his family were helping people to load the heavy items like fridges, stoves, washing machines, bookcases, beds and air conditioners onto the trucks, this was then followed by the various debris that used to be peoples prize possessions. Everyone was putting in a massive effort and the homeowners were not holding back with expressing their gratitude to the masses of people that were helping them to get their places whipped back into some kind of shape.
I would not give a complete rendition without mentioning the people some driving and some on foot who were helping to keep this massive army of people refreshed and energized. In one instance there was a home ice cream van driving along the street handing out ice cream to any that needed them. There was one bloke who had a BBQ on the back of his Ute and he had surrounded himself with water they were driving to the various streets and providing food and refreshments directly to the volunteers and homeowners. Still others were walking around handing out baked goods that they or a family member had made up. There were blokes in Utes loaded with massive eskys containing everything from water and soft drinks to Beer. In fact the John (the Maori bloke) joked that it was one of the best beers he had ever had.
I could go on for days about the things that were happening, I will say that it was fantastic to see the Ausie spirit alive, health and helping others in their time of greatest need. It was a humbling experience to have been a part of there is plenty still to do out there and if you get the opportunity go and experience it for yourself.
My first trip to Tasmania, Australia was for an unfortunate reason. Blake’s Gran had passed away a few days before hand. Never the less we wanted to make sure that we still had an enjoyable time. Hey remember Weddings and Funerals is when you actually catch up with family.
We arrived at 9:30pm Saturday 8th January being Tasmania (Tassy) and needing to be in Coles Bay we hired a car. The car was hired from Budget (car rentals). The girl at the counter was really nice. Something that is interesting though she just assumed that because we were driving at night that we would be calling the following morning to report damage to the car. After driving at night in Tassy I know realise why.
As we drove out of Launceston I realised why the girl behind the counter thought that would be the case. There was a huge quantity of wild life. The possums themselves were big and fat compared to ours in Queensland. They also seemed to think that the road belonged to them. We passed many that had the ill fate of realising that the road really isn’t just for them.
We were also lucky enough to see a couple of baby Tasmanian Devils. They are so funning when they run. If you can imagine a rocking horse, then you might get some sort of idea what I am talking about.
There were many wallabies to be seen. The thing with Wallabies you always know that if there is one you are bound to go around the corner and there will be at least about 2 or more.Then we also saw these animals called potoros and they are sort of like a wallaby however a little smaller and for all the bouncing they do, they really don’t get very far. If they were on the mainland then they wouldn’t be around for long because predators would just sit and wait because they would be so easy to catch.
After seeing all this wonderful wildlife and being lucky enough not to hit any of it even though they were pretty much jumping out in front of the car we arrived in Coles Bay. My parents were actually staying in Coles Bay for a couple of night during their holiday down to Tasmania. We found number 10 cabin at the Iluka Holiday park. We had a drink with Mum and Dad then headed to bed as it would have been around midnight by that time.
Blake woke me early I would say it was around 5:30am so we could wonder down to Muirs beach and do some yoga. I have to say that it is one of the nicest places I have been to chill and relax. After Yoga we then heading down to the jetty. I was too late to see the old jetty as they had just put in a new one.
We hadn’t seen any of the family yet as it was still early. While walking back to my Mum and Dads cabin we ran into Blake’s Dad going for a walk. I left them to it and headed to the cabin for a much needed coffee and start breaky.
When Blake arrived back to the cabin we had bacon and eggs etc. It really was a good breakfast. After this we showered and packed everything up as we would be moving from the cabin and into a caravan that was onsite.
I finally had the opportunity to meet Blake’s Grandad. He is a lovely man. He has done a great job in his garden and he should be very proud of it. Gran had planted some lovely flowers around the garden. We all started picking the different berries and beans etc that were around the garden, home grown always tastes better.
We had lunch at Grandads place consisting of left over’s, which I always love. Then after spending some more family time then Barry ( father-in-law) David (Blake’s uncle), Blake and I went to the pub for some dinner.The meals at the Iluka Pub were large and very well presented as well as tasted great. Blake and I had to share a meal because they were so big.
The big day arrived when we had to travel back to Launceston to pay our last respects and good-byes to Gran. We arrived a little early and met a whole heap of people before hand. It was a good turn out. We were able to hear some stories and see some lovely photo’s of Gran. She was a stunning woman.After this we headed to Blake’s Uncle Kevin and Aunty Jenny’s place for the wake. It was great to hear some more stories and meet even more people.
We were supposed to get going before the dark came but as usual we were having a great time catching up that dark came and once again we were to drive back to Coles Bay. We did stop in a place called Perth had another great meal there. We then continued and it was a long drive back with fog that was quite thick and many turns in the road. Someone who rides a motorbike would love this road during the day. We ended up back at the caravan with an unharmed car again.
Our last day in Coles Bay was great; we headed to the walking tracks. First of all we headed up a short distance to the breath taking view of Wine Glass Bay. It was a great lookout where if you turn around a little and looked at some of the rocks the fog was partly over and looking very cold. It was actually not a bad day temperature wise. We then left Barry, Janet (mother-in-law) and Josie (sister-in-law) there and we headed down to Wine Glass Bay and then around the swamp through to Hazards Beach. We stopped at Hazards Beach for lunch that we had packed. After lunch we changed and went for a swim. At a chilly 16 degrees some would say we are crazy and those that do I would have to agree. I generally wouldn’t enter the water unless it’s more than 24 degrees.
After we went for our swim and put some clothing back on we continued on our journey. We walked a fir distance along the beach then along the coast line back to the car park. The walk in total would have been around 12 klms and we completed this in 3 and ½ hours. It was a great walk that we both enjoyed.
When we were back at the cabin we had a couple of well deserved beers and showers. We all met down at the pub again for Pam’s (Blake’s Aunty) birthday dinner. Again we had an enjoyable meal. We then went off to the house for birthday cake and to say our good bye’s in case we didn’t get to see each other in the morning before we headed out.
We woke the next morning hoping to do Mt Amos however the fog was too thick and the rain was drizzling so we didn’t make it to Mt Amos or the light house. I think that we should have something else to have to go back and see.
Thank you people of Tasmania, you truly are great people.
So if you haven't noticed already I have been getting right into the James Patterson books. My favorite ones though are the ones that have the character Alex Crox. I wrote a blog yesterday about the book called "Roses are Red" now this is a great book, so comparing "Cross Country" to "Roses are Red" is unfair.
I will say that before I read "Roses are Red" I would have said that this is one of his best. So being that I have to say that I did enjoy reading this book.
Alex Cross heads over to Africa in this book. The scary thing is how close to the truth this book is in many areas. It is upsetting to read about things going on in Africa and the fact is this book hasn't exaggerated. I happy recommend this book as one that you should read.
Anyone who is a crime fiction fan, you will love it.
“The Beach House” by James Patterson and Peter De Jonge is not a bad read. This is definitely not one of James Patterson’s better books. I would say you can go through life without reading this one.
It is about your typical rich, poor, sex and murder type theme. To me it doesn’t seem to have anything new. However I did find it a very quick and easy read. I knocked it over in a couple of hours. So if your wanting a book for a long flight and want it finished before you get to your destination then this is the one for you.
So all in all I would be boasting and recommending this one.
Well I am going to have to say this is the best James Patterson book I have read so far. Yes I have read a few. This book is apart of his Alex Cross books. If you have read others who have the character Alex Cross but not this one, this is a must. If you haven't read any I would suggest you read some of the others first. This is just so you grasp a feel of the character.
This book kept me wondering all the way till the end. It has been extremely well written. If you are a fan of crime fiction then this is the book for you.
It is the type of books that very hard to put down and my husband ended up giving up even trying to talk with me. It didn't take long to read and it is an easy read with suspense beyond what I thought James Patterson was capable of.
Yes I am living in Queensland, Australia. We have the most devastating situation here at the moment. Many people are homeless now and many are missing and many lives have been lost. I am among many trying to help people and find out ways to continue helping. Unfortunately there is little many of us can do until the water levels have decreased.
A couple of simple things that people can do though is one stay safe, don't go into the water. It's not worth it.
there are many more organisation that will be donating. I also have to say that if you are traveling with Virgin Blue they are matching $1 for $1 on all donations. Please give as much as you can as they have already raised more than $250,000
On my flight back from TAS I was with Virgin Blue and I am very please I was.
The shelters are needing thongs for everyone, especially the adults as many turned up with nothing other than the clothes on their back. I believe from reports today that people have been very good and they have enough bedding and clothing for the moment. I am sure that the need for shovels, brooms etc will be needed next. Hopefully places like Bunnings and Mitre 10 are up for donating towards this part.
If I can help anyone please contact me. We will try and do as much as we can.
