^{A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY FOLLOWERS – I’m always so chuffed when I see my little articles being read and my photographs enjoyed. And I love reading your blogs too!}

^{I begin 2023 having now posted 100 blog pieces – mostly travel pieces – since I began in March 2021 as something to amuse me during the height of the pandemic. This New Year greeting is my 101 posting.}

^{In 2023, I will post more about my November 2022 Japan trip, with hopefully some useful tips for those of you who might be planning to travel there. I’m currently working on a story about the ancient Tsumago village in Japan’s beautiful Kiso Valley.}

^{Meanwhile today I have been down to the foreshore of Geographe Bay in Dunsbrough, Western Australia to enjoy the first dawn of 2023. A beautiful day here – nice mild summer weather with the temperature reaching about 22 c. I feel a beach picnic coming on for lunch! The Western Australian capital, Perth, about 300 k to the north, is expecting about 28 degrees.}

^{As the 2023 dawn broke over Geographe Bay shortly after 5 this morning, there were already paddlers, swimmers and fishers out and about – a good start to the New Year!}