Monday 23 April 2012

Anzac Day And Finding Darcy

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Wednesday is Anzac Day, a day Australians commemorate not only the anniversary of  Australian and New Zealand forces landing on the Turkish Gallipoli Peninsula, but also the sacrifices made by so many Australians in many conflicts across the world.

As usual, I'll spend the day at the MCG with a dear friend, watching Collingwood play Essendon, enjoying the Anzac commemorations and hoping for a Pies win. 

North of Australia, families of civilians and members of "Lark Force" - the 2/22nd Battalion, will gather in Rabaul to mark 70 years since Japanese troops attacked, over-ran and captured the pacific islands of New Britain and New Ireland, and well as launching an assault on New Guinea.
At the Shrine of Rememberance, Melbourne.

The fall of Rabaul and the subsequent loss of over 1054 lives on the Japanese prisoner of war ship, the Montevideo Maru, is  at the heart of my young adult novel Finding Darcy.

Finding Darcy is loosely based on my own grandfather's experiences. He was a member of 2/22nd Battalion, C company and is listed as having been aboard the Montevideo Maru when it sank.

As much as I wanted to be in Rabaul for Anzac Day, 2012, it just wasn't possible. I am, however, attending the dedication of the Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Memorial at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on July 1 and am very much looking forward to it.

You can find out more by reading Finding Darcy, of course, or by checking out the Rabaul and Montevideo Maru website where you can learn more about Rabaul, the Montevideo Maru and the stories of those who fought, including my grandfather, Pte W A McLennan.

My grandfather, holding my mum, with my grandmother, Trawool, 1941


Wednesday 11 April 2012

Easter...and back to reality.

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We spent Easter with dear friends, catching up, laughing, eating, laughing, drinking and laughing. At one stage we oldies (I can't say adult anymore as three of our collective four children are now over 18) escaped the Misfits viewing to explore a community garden. It was a permaculture garden filled with sensational garden art.
We returned inspired and promptly sat down to plan...and eat, and laugh, and sip a red.

Now it's back to reality and the essay I thought was due on April 30 which is in fact due April 16. Sigh! 

Here's a few photos of the garden.
Standing on the outside looking in...
Mermaid gates...

I so love this owl!
Creative gardening


From the front...



Bell peppers..

Eggplant...my favourite.

Art from wheelbarrows.

Thursday 5 April 2012

Final Day

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Today is the final day of the Forget Me Not Blog tour and to wrap up an amazing two weeks, I'm visiting Michelle at Novels on The Run to chat about the writing process. Michelle has also reviewed Forget Me Not. Thanks Michelle for the gorgeous review!

It's been a blast visiting so many fantastic blogs and talking about such a range of topics within the one I love most - writing!

Huge thanks to the Jenny at Walker Books for organising everything and to the generous bloggers who hosted the tour:
The very funny and gorgeous Michael at Little Elf Man's Random Thoughts
The passionate and energetic, Sheryl Gwyther's
Author and reviewer, Tara Calaby
The delightful Celine at Forget Me Not
Author of fabulous Fury and Preloved, Shirly Marr
The crew and reviews at Booksellers NZ
And of course, Michelle, who I owe a carton of tissues, at Novels on the Run

What a week - the Forget Me Not launch (photos below), Pan's Whisper a CBCA Older Readers' Notable book, a fantastic blog tour, my dear friend's birthday today and school holidays!

Now back to reality and finishing that assignment and working on my next book.
All set - Titanic Theatre Restaurant

Corinne Fenton a creative soul!

Posing as it starts

Authors - Bernadette Kelly and Carole Wilkinson

Authors - Karen Tayleur and Claire Saxby

Publishers and editors - Maryann Ballantyne and Andrew Kelly

Signing.