Then i went to a rally for our healthcare. It's protesting a takeover of our local private hospitals by a religious provider (catholic) which would limit access to a range of care including IVF, reproductive healthcare, gender affirming care, and voluntary assisted dying.
Started my Sunday near the water supporting the kayakers as they practised unfurling our on water banner ahead of next Saturday's Paddle for the Planet. They did so good too. #RisingTide #PaddleForThePlanet #kayak #environment #climate
There's a Paddle for the Planet happening on 14 November in Newcastle NSW. Not a blockade (that's next Feb). It's a one day family friendly flotilla at the world's largest coal port. You can byo a vessel or register to borrow one for the paddle out.
#RisingTide #PaddleForThePlanet #environment #ClimateJustice #ClimateChange
https://www.instagram.com/p/DcLA94XgEGj/?dlrf=MWhlaGZpNng5MTZpOQ==
If Sydney folk want to come up for the day and paddle out - locals have sorted out the train trip so you can have some cheery company on the way. They may also be able to help with carpooling if you can't do the train. #RisingTide #PaddleForThePlanet #environment #ClimateJustice #ClimateChange https://www.instagram.com/p/DfZJ-PfzXyn/?mdxt=MTB0Nmd5Zm91MzZs
From our final morning at Maules Creek: Big Swiftie photo op overlooking the mine. Isn't she magnificent!? #SwiftiesNotCoal #LockTheGateAlliance #Environment #ClimateActivism #ClimateJustice #ClimateChange
Came up with words representing the Swift Parrot's journey (and what they want to be left alone to do), designed the letters and learned how to screen print. #screenprint #environment #birds #art #LockTheGate #MaulesCreek
Drove up to Maules Creek (near Boggabri) for a Create on Country event organised by Lock the Gate Alliance. It was really lovely. Got to meet some wonderful people, enjoy country hospitality, do creative stuff and experience the country. The Leard Forest and its creatures are so precious. And under threat from further expansion of the massive Maules Creek coal mine. #LockTheGateAlliance #MaulesCreek #LeardForest #bats #environment
Helping fly the Big Swiftie was glorious! So happy i held her wing on the first flight. Swifties, not coal! #LockTheGate #Environment #ClimateAction #climatejustice #BigSwiftie
Headed in to Sydney. Woke up far too f@cking early for the far too f@cking early train. Worth it for the Big Swiftie but f@ck i am not a morning person.
They did all the hard work, i mostly minded stuff on the beach. All went well except for some jerks on jet-skis who tried to capsize the kayaks and did make one of the signs snap off.
I was really worried as they called to ask me ring for police assistance (which is a pretty rare thing for us to do). They were well out of my line of sight (even after walking further round the harbour). So i fretted for a while. All was ok and they continued as planned. #kayak #RisingTide
Supported the Rising Tide kayak club yesterday arvo as they paddled out into the harbour to promote Paddle for the Planet coming up on 14 November 2026. #RisingTide #kayak #environment #climate #ClimateActivism
Some gorgeous friends took me out of the house for a drive yesterday (suitably masked up) to Budgewoi and the Norah Head Lighthouse (under an hour south of Newcastle). A lovely gift of sunshine, sea air, and their fab company, bless them. Had a great catch up and felt more human than i have in days.
🌸🤧😷😍
Day 7 of this stupid miserable cold. Energy levels have improved but otherwise not showing any sign of letting up. Hate the blocked nose the most. Means i don't sleep well or for long. And just makes everything else uncomfortable.
Have had a kindy nap and a late lunch (had some soup - so happy i happened to have some ready to go in the fridge).
But i feel like even a cold can be too much for some folks. So if i can avoid passing it on, it seems like the best option all up.
And my cousins are urging me on. Saying, surely with a mask, it'd be ok.
Feeling blue. Came down with a cold overnight so won't be performing with my group at the festival this arvo. I'm well enough to play but don't want to pass the lurgie on to anyone. We're packed into a close formation at the front of the stage. Even with a mask, it feels like it's be a bad idea. Part of me wants to go anyway.
A spooky strange thing happened while I was chatting with one of the lovely organisers afterwards about the poems i still hadn't written in response to the art. Explained i wanted to write a poem from the river responding to all the postcards written by visitors during the exhibition. And one of the postcards fell off the wall in front of us as we passed by. It was this one!
The River has Spoken! 😱💙🩵🤍
Was a full on Saturday (in a good way). Uke group practice for 2 hours in the am. Rising Tide debrief straight after (lessons learned from the HVO campaign kind of thing). Then off for the art/poetry/science event at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery where i was one of the poets who read.
Had such a blast! Not only heard some fab poets, artists and scientists but was happy with how my poems went. And we went for drinks and chats after which was fun.
Put myself to bed, had a good cry then a sleep. Now having raisin toast and sleepy tea since i missed dinner with all the crying and sleeping but don't feel hungry. Will sit up for a bit then more sleep i hope.