Fleur's latest novel 'The Shearer's Wife' is now available to buy on Booktopia
People come and go in our lives. Some are easily forgotten and some stay with us forever, even if we’re not in contact. This morning I found out that my old music teacher died from cancer. I’ve been shocked at my sense of loss, even though it’s been nearly twenty years since I’ve had contact…
DetailsThese are my favourite views of our farm. It seems to say everything about it – natural (all the bush that has been left as stock shelters), fertile (that dark green is a lovely, healthy looking barley crop), undulating. Then the man made things – good fences and a great road that also acts as…
DetailsI love crutching time. It’s wonderful when the sheep leave the yards with beautiful clean, white rumps and we know that really, there shouldn’t be any problems with flies. There is real satisfaction in finishing a job that needs doing. The top photo is the last of about 1,000 ewes that went through the shed…
DetailsLeaden clouds hang in the sky. The anticipation of a downpour is thick in the air. We feel the winds pick up and hear the distant rumble of thunder. A flash of lightening, then the plop of a drop: one, two and then a million! Large, heavy drops which, as they hit the ground, throw…
DetailsHere’s a Purple Road. This was taken somewhere between Ceduna and Port Augusta. Would you like to name two characters in my newly finished book, Purple Roads? Well here’s your chance: At the moment, their names are Cam and Belinda. Cam is a truck driver, while Belinda is a stay-at-home mum with four boys. I…
DetailsI went to sit with my first ‘child’ today. Although he’s a bit dottery on his paws now, and old and grey around the muzzle with weepy eyes, underneath he’s still my old Rex. He was born one cold blustery winter night under the combine in our machinery shed. Coincidentally it was on my dad’s…
DetailsWithin my circle of friends, it’s well known that I can sometimes be an idiot. My best antic is mixing up my words and saying the wrong thing, or acting without thinking. Most of my family and friends smile and say “Oh, Fleur….” when I’ve done something particularly ridiculous, and today I think I might…
DetailsAll country folk have a driving short-cut story don’t they? and usually they don’t end well! Here’s my take on it: Setting: Afternoon barbeque, blokes having a few beers, girls around the table with a wine. Conversation: Bloke 1: ‘Gotta head over to *insert town’s name* tomorrow.’ Bloke 2: ‘Oh yeah? What for?’ Bloke 1:…
DetailsFor regular readers of my blog, you may know why I’ve named my third book Purple Roads. First of all, the bitumen in parts of South Australia (where the story is set), looks really purple and secondly, the dirt roads have that look about them too. In Purple Roads, Matt is a farmer who has…
DetailsI’ve written before about the depth of my South Australian roots. They are especially entrenched on the station that has been in my family since the 1800s. It’s hard to describe how much the landscape is burned into my soul: the old ruins, the creeks that criss-cross the land, the ‘casha’ or Acacia trees that…
DetailsJournalism fascinates me. That’s why Louise is here! She’s answered a few of my questions. I guess being a journo you love words? What’s your favourite word and have you used it in your stories? When people ask me what my favourite word is I always think of the discussion in indie classic Donnie Darko…
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