ORDER Fleur's newest novel 'Into the Night'
March 21 is etched in the Condingup Community’s mind. It’s the date of our annual fair that we use to raise money for our school. Its a day full of fun and excitement aimed at families. There’s a dog high jump and tractor pull, many competitions – cooking and photography and loads more that I…
I’ve been trying to find the words to express my horror and sympathy but I’ve come to the conclusion that words just don’t cut it this time. Its the hugs, listening ears and donations of basic essentials that is gong to give more to these grief-stricken people, who have will be shell-shocked for months and…
I had a great surprise and shock when I went to the mail box today! There was a package from Siobhan, my editor. Opening it up there lay three reading copies of Red Dust, wrapped in bubble plastic. I had no idea Siobhan had sent them until this morning, and when I saw them, I…
With the bit of rain we’ve had recently, I think this duck is looking for a safe place away from the water! He plonked himself on top of our garage, which was a bit of an unusual sight, staying for quite some time! He’d obviously had enough of wet feet!
When I first started writing Red Dust, my main hope was to interest a publishing house. I was so lucky and privileged to be picked up by my publisher, Louise Thurtell, through her ‘Friday Pitch Day’ – I can still remember her phone call and how long I shook for after she told me she…
We’ve been fencing. Late last year we had a machinery shed put up near our house, but it’s also in a paddock. Not good if you have cattle in the paddock because they love to rub and tend of bend things like sheds and machinery if they rub on them! The cattle in the sorghum…
These are the cows that Hayden and I’ve been feeding. There is nothing better than seeing your stock grab huge mouthfuls of hay and slowly chopping away, their eyes half shut. It’s the look of contentment! It’s also a great way to know the hay you’ve made, is good, sweet hay that the stock will…
What odd weather we’re having. On Monday the mercury hit 48 degrees, even though the official reading was 45. What’s a few degrees when it gets that hot though?! After sweltering throughout the day, at about 5pm, it was still 40, so I loaded up the kids and headed to the beach. A cool change…
On a trip to one of local beaches recently, we laughed at this Christmas tree that had been transplanted from the roadside to the beach. Stuck in a huge hole on the beach, decorated beautifully and complete with a filleting table underneath, we’re pretty sure that ‘John’s Filleting’ and the rest of his campers had…
I love shifting stock. It’s great fun just slowly wondering them down the laneway to the paddock or yards. It’s where I do a lot of my planning for writing and because I’m outside, right in middle of my inspiration. It’s where I get most of my ‘light bulbs’ ideas. I never leave home without…
After cleaning up the shed for shearing on Monday (no public holidays around here!) I was playing ‘silly buggers’ with the kids. Rochelle thought she’d be smart and catch me playing peekaboo with them. So here I am, in all my sweaty, dusty glory with Rocket who has had a ball chasing flies, sniffing out…
Unexpectedly, a change in the weather netted us a couple of mm of rain. Looking out the window I commented to myself: ‘I’m not sure where that has come from.’ My little man, who’d run past as I was muttering obscenities about rain wrecking the dry feed and clothes on the line, did though. ‘It’s…
My late father-in-law had a saying ‘Morning is the best time of the day, I always say!’ and the past few mornings have been just that! Calm, cool and really quite autumn-like. It’s been a joy to be up and about early.
We live at the bottom of a huge big granite hill – well, not big compared to NSW, Vic and Tassie standards, but pretty high for around here. Most of this country is gently undulating. Anyway, back to the story. This granite hill is covered in thick native bush, poking out inbetween the granite. and…
Does anyone else’s washing machine eat socks? Sitting watching the cricket I decided it was time to attack the odd sock pile. that had been taunting me for about oh, maybe three years. While fielding questions from Hayden: ‘What does ‘de but mean Mum?’ (debut!!), I tried to match pair after pair but the rotten…
It’s been warm on the South Coast of WA recently and I sent Rochelle out to let the dogs off the chain so they could have a run under the sprinklers and cool off. She came running back into the house yelling there was a Racehorse Goanna up the wall! Not really believing her, I…
A quick note to let you all know that the release date for Red Dust is May 1 2009 — just in time for Mother’s Day! Was supposed to be April, but Allen and Unwin think that May would be a better month and since all Mum’s need time out from their busy life, I…
I reckon there’s a huge difference between inland and coastal kids, when it comes to being comfortable at the beach! Growing up far from the sea, I barely knew what a live fish looked like let alone tasted like. I knew they smelled, and Mum ordered it most times we went out to tea and…
With recent rains, Red Dust Country is no longer brown and dusty! In fact it looks quite idyllic through these photos that my Mum and Dad took! Amazing photos of watching the water just as it starts to run down the creek and long suffering sheep on green pastures! It makes me wish I was…
Remember back at the beginning of December we were spreading fertiliser on our sorghum crop and I said it was going to grow fast and furiously? Well, it did! We’ve put our weaned calves onto it and some of the plants are eight foot tall! Can you see the cattle in amongst it? It must…
Meet Bob the Kelpie and Tim! These two cheeky dogs can’t bear to be away from their owners, Rob and Helen, who are sitting inside having a bite to eat. Much to the delight of Hayden and Rochelle, (the hysterical giggles proved this). Tim in particular kept sticking his head into the cat door thinking…