^{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!}

^{POSTSCRIPT: It is now September 2024 – the beginning of the Australian spring. It’s been a long grey and wet winter, but finally some warmer weather is appearing. The time since New Year 2023 has flown. I returned with husband MJ to Japan in November 2023 – finally making it to the northern island of Hokkaido and exploring Iwate and Fukushima, along with visits to some old favourites. I’m currently finalising plans for another visit this Japanese autumn with new areas (for us) including Okayama, the Seto Island Sea,  Kintaikyo and Matsue! It will be our second visit in 2024 – our 7th visit to Japan over-all.}

^{Since NEW YEAR 2023, we have welcomed a granddaughter into our family! A sister for our toddler grandson! These little joys have come late in life – all good things come to those who wait!}

^{I’m still loving photographing the beautiful coastal region of Western Australia where I live. Still loving the sunrises and sunsets, the passing whales, the spring time wild flowers, the trail walks and great local food. And still travelling at 72! ELTON JOHN’S “I’M STILL STANDING’ is my theme song!}