Gold Coast - sunny one day ...

During the past year I have been wondering about why I live on the Gold Coast. When I decided to buy a house I didn't have any clue where I wanted to live except the climate had to be warm. During the past twelve months I've been distracted with thoughts of why I chose to live in this area and I am so glad I live here.

As a service wife, I've lived in Sydney, Wollongong, Canberra, Wagga Wagga, Brisbane, Townsville, Canungra, USA, and as part of an around Australia trip, in Melbourne for several months. I didn't handle the cold weather too well. Just ask my family. So somewhere warm was number one on the list.

I wanted to be close to the beach and the rainforest. I visit these environments when I want to let the stress of my day drain away. I wanted to feel the energy of the city and its people who aren't afraid to live life their way and get on with it. I wanted a progressive city that looks to the future; Gold Coast is hosting the 2018 Commonwealth Games and to me this means they are looking forward. I don't dig sport...at all, so sport wasn't one of the reasons why I live here.

I like the great eating places and tourist attractions that I love to share with family and friends  when they come to visit from out of town. There are also the great film and theatre productions and writers whom I like to meet with, talk writing, sip coffee and swap ideas.

There are long walks along lots of beaches and I've just discovered the Botanic Gardens is a great place to start my day with a morning walk, and a coffee of course. I'm never lost for anywhere to take time away from my writing and blow the cobwebs away.

These are just a few reasons why I live where I live.  I'd love to hear why you live where you live. Leave me a comment below.

I'll Meet You At Hachiko

Hachiko monument, Shibuyu

When I went to Japan  I didn't expect to hear about the faithful dog, Hachiko. It was a story that brought tears to my eyes and I want to share that story with you today.

Hachiko, a homeless, Akita breed of dog, came into Professor Hidesaburo Ueno's life one day in 1924. Hachiko became his loyal companion. Every day Hachiko met his master at Shibuya station where the professor stepped from the train after his day's work at Tokyo University. In May, 1925 Professor Ueno died of a brain haemorrhage. Hachiko waited for his beloved master every day even though in the early days he had no food. People who got to know Hachiko knew of his master's fate and brought food for him. Hachiko continued to wait for his master until his death in March 1935.

A film titled, Hach: A Dog's Tale, was produced in 2009 to make this true story real to movie fans. The monument is a favourite place for people to meet when they arrive in Shibuya. The station is a busy place. The Hachiko memorial is an outstanding landmark that had me thinking about loyalty. Can we humans understand the loyalty of this dog to his master? What was the instant connection starting the relationship that kept Hachiko coming back to greet Hidesaburo every evening and even after his death?

I have a connection with a special friend that started way back in the early eighties when we met in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. She now lives in Melbourne and I live in Gold Coast. We are always there for each other when we need to talk. We have been through high and low times. We speak on the phone often and it is a deep connection that takes us to a deep level with each other. She is my confidante, my sounding board to try out new ideas and most of all she loves me for just the way I am warts and all. I know I will be loyal to my friend until the day I die.

I believe this is the connection Hachiko had with his master, although the level of loyalty Hachiko and his master shared may be on a level I will never understand. So when you and I are meeting up in Tokyo meet me at Hachiko in Shibuya.

I'd like to hear about the special relationship you have with your pet or friend. What is that special something that means so much to you?