This is the twentieth in my series of short reflections on different places in Australia and New Zealand, as experienced during my November 2019 visit. Today is the fourth of my posts on New Zealand’s North Island. In my last post I wrote about one of New Zealand’s most iconic attractions: the Hobbiton Movie SetContinue reading “Australia and New Zealand Mini Series Part 20: North Island, New Zealand: The Magic of Millions of Glowworms in the Caves at Waitomo”
Category Archives: animals
Australia and New Zealand Mini Series Part 7: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast, Queensland
This is the seventh in my series of short reflections on different places in Australia and New Zealand, which I visited in November 2019. In our November 2019 visit, we found Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary just a short walk around the corner from our accommodation at Currumbin Sandcastles, Gold Coast. The sanctuary is popular with familiesContinue reading “Australia and New Zealand Mini Series Part 7: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast, Queensland”
Australia and New Zealand Mini Series Part 6: Australia Zoo
This is the sixth in my series of short reflections on different places in Australia and New Zealand, which I visited in November 2019. Australia Zoo is one of the jewels of Queensland; I’ve visited it a number of times during different periods of time spent in Australia. Not only is it a shining exampleContinue reading “Australia and New Zealand Mini Series Part 6: Australia Zoo”
A Visit to the Prinknash Bird and Deer Park, Gloucestershire
What a lovely place the Prinknash Bird and Deer Park is. I was very impressed with it when we visited on Easter Saturday. The park is beautifully landscaped with some enchanting gypsy caravans and playhouses for young children, and the birds and animals are very tame indeed. A word of warning – do buy theContinue reading “A Visit to the Prinknash Bird and Deer Park, Gloucestershire”
A Cat Cannot Always Win: After all, It’s Only A Visit to the Vet
It was the moment she heard me take the basket out of the cupboard. I had under-estimated the acuteness of her hearing skills, and also her memory of past abductions. But having removed the cat carrier from the hall cupboard, unfastened the straps, and set it out in the hallway, I was undone. She wasContinue reading “A Cat Cannot Always Win: After all, It’s Only A Visit to the Vet”
Boxing Day Entertainment by the Kenilworth Lions at Kenilworth Castle and Abbey Fields
The English love to do fun – and some might even think silly – things on Boxing Day. Perhaps this is a relief from all the stress of preparing for Christmas. It’s also the opportunity for people to gather together in the fresh air and enjoy themselves with traditional English entertainments. Here are a fewContinue reading “Boxing Day Entertainment by the Kenilworth Lions at Kenilworth Castle and Abbey Fields”
Signs and Omens at Gloucester for A Passionate Spirit
Many have through the centuries seen signs or omens from the natural world. In my article on Carl Jung’s theory of archetypes “How Can Carl Jung’s Theory of Archetypes Help You In Your Creative Writing?” which I wrote for ezine articles in January 2012, I mention the archetype of the animal spirit guide/messenger. This runs as a themeContinue reading “Signs and Omens at Gloucester for A Passionate Spirit”
Friends At Last: Building Trust in the Animal World
Molly has now overcome her resistance to the idea of an alien cat in the house with her (albeit her mother) But it took Willow a little while to overcome her annoyance at her daughter Molly’s initial rejection of her. She spent a few days expressing her annoyance, and trying to exert some discipline. SheContinue reading “Friends At Last: Building Trust in the Animal World”
Mother and Daughter Relationships – Poignant Family Drama in the Animal World
Mother and daughter relationships – a popular trope in TV sitcoms/family sagas/romantic fiction/women in jeopardy/social and romantic comedies and many other stories. And in the last few days my family have been immersed in a poignant drama in our home between a mother and a daughter. A mother who was separated from her little girlContinue reading “Mother and Daughter Relationships – Poignant Family Drama in the Animal World”
Darkness into Light: Celtic Spirituality
Heart of Darkness, Sharing the Darkness, embracing the darkness – the archetypal theme of darkness versus light is ever-present in our lives, through books, movies, media, faith, life experience. Last week – on the night of the full moon – I was at a Celtic Christian service in the 13th century church at Morton Bagot,Continue reading “Darkness into Light: Celtic Spirituality”