There will be an interruption to normal service – changing servers

Because of problems with the site I am about to change servers. This will mean an interruption to service for a couple of hours, but will improve functionality of the site.

• Online gallery and shop
• Better communications
• Improved ability for guest bloggers to post

Please bear with me while I work this out.

If you are currently subscribed to the site I am not sure if that will carry over. If that’s the case please revisit later today or tomorrow and renew your subscription.

Thanks for your patience

Photo of the week – Golden sunset Menindee Lake

The third in the Lake Menindee series is this gorgeous photo of a golden sunset.

Be quick to take advantage of this exclusive offer to buy one of only 300 prints of this photo – framed, signed, numbered and with a certificate of authenticity – for only $375.00

Measuring 64cm x 86 cm (photo 48 x 72) it is a truly beautiful artwork for anybody’s wall.

Buy it now quote “Golden Sunset Menindee Lake” for payment details

Two Sheilas in a Ute – we’re off again!

Planning is underway for the next great Two Sheilas in a Ute outback adventure.
Helen has another couple of months off work, so we’re heading out. This time most likely to Uluru.
I say most likely, because one of the objectives of the trip is to get out of the cold, and believe me, it gets cold at Uluru in June!

City girls in the bush

On my last outback trip to Broken Hill I was lucky enough to be interviewed by ABC rural radio. Here’s the link to the story.  Whiel this was done a while ago, it’s the first time I’ve heard it.

I hope you enjoy it!

City girls turn to twitter for help on road trip by Cherie McDonald

Bad landlord stories

I bet every renter has a bad landlord story!

I have rented for all of my adult life, apart from a short time as a property owner during my first marriage. Over that period, as you can imagine, I have had some good landlords and some bad ones.

When my kids were still at school I always took care to advise the estate agents that I was only looking for long term rentals as I wanted to maintain some stability for my kids.

Despite that we had to move 3 times in six years.  The owners of two places decided to sell when property values skyrocketed, of course with vacant possession. One landlord wanted to put the rent up 75% but couldn’t while we were living there. So we were given notice – no reason given.

But they have nothing on the Strata Management of the place we are in now.

Kangaroos drinking at the Darling River, Menindee

Now that everybody is back at work after Easter, and probably stressing out, here’s a calming video for you.

I took this at what was the most amazing campsite I think I’ve ever stayed at – in the Kinchega National Park on the Darling River at Menindee Lake.

The road much less travelled

I went out to practice my 4wding yesterday – getting ready for my next trip outback.

At least, that was the intention when we started out.

I had a photo shoot on the NSW south coast, so Doc decided to come along as my assistant and then take me out for a 4wding lesson afterwards.

All good.

We finished the shoot (which went swimmingly) around noon, then went to find some not too difficult tracks for me to practice on. Through some sand, and over a couple of creeks, and things were going great. I even did a steep entry to and exit from a sandy creek. I was feeling quite proud of myself.

Then we came across a very rocky part of the track.

Melbourne – setting trends for city living

When I go travelling it’s normally off the beaten track, somewhere in the great Australian outback. This time I’m in Melbourne, and it’s a revelation.

Like all Sydneysiders I know Melbourne isn’t as good as people who live there think it is. It’s cold and grey, rains all the time, and it’s boring.

So why am I here? Well you might ask that. I’m here for the Grand Prix and because I have a good friend who lives in Melbourne.

And I’ve had a great four days.

Watching very fast cars drive round and round

I was woken up at 7am by the (less than) dulcet sounds of a formula 1 car racing past my bedroom window.

Doc, who hates mornings, opened his eyes, looked at me and smiled, before going back to sleep.

Yes, I’m in Melbourne at the Grand Prix. The car didn’t quite drive past my bedroom window, but given how loud they are it sounded like it.

How to take good photos in outback Australia

i love taking photos in outback Australia, but it can be tricky.

While I think the bright sunlight shows Australian landscapes at thehir best, if you’re not careful it can wash out too much colour, making your landscapes appear faded and dull. Or you can end up with lens flare where it’s not wanted, or blown out highlights.

This can be fixed with photoshop or similar, not everybody has or can use photo editing software. Besides – if you can get it right with the camera there’s less work to do in the editing room afterwards.

Here are my five top tips for taking landscape photos in the strong sunlight outback Australia :