Merriman Meanderings: A new year's resolution that I shall keep to

Following a Christmas break in New Zealand and the inevitable "New Year's resolutions", I have come to resolve that I will become more efficient digitally this year. This is so opposite to my inclinations (digital I mean as efficiency and I are best friends). It was following my mother asking why I wasn't blogging anymore. Part of me answered with; "but no one looks at it", but the truth said, "the digital world and my photos, links, downloads and the like are just getting to big for me. Hence, I resolve to sort it out this year!

Last year, I taught myself to: tailor trousers (included making jigs to assemble a near perfect welt), copy a shop bought shirt, create my own knitting pattern, understand the ins and outs of the Industrial Revolution, set up a decent media centre and thank the GFC (global financial crisis) for making a year of positives in the recovering investment markets. Last year did not have me sorting out the miriad of technology in the home or trimming down my digital library expansion, needless to say, all of my digital issues are compounding into a problem that needs a resolution. This year, I shall sort it all out.

Bringing me finally to posting a couple of catch-up posts.

This post was written in November and covers the Merriman Meanderings to Palm Cove just north of Cairns in Queensland, Australia.

Days and weeks turn into months and personal writing via a computer screen into an ethereal world seemed rather pointless especially as many of my posts were mere recordings of activities completed. t was only after a chat with a friend that I have changed my mind and decided that typing via an electronic device into a world that doesn't really seem to exist is not a bad option for recording some of our activities - especially in the world of travel where I have since discovered we have been searched and located!

Is this a catch-up post. Yes, I admit it is. The first of two. The completion of T and my winter holiday to New Zealand and Australia followed by a short trip to Dubai and survival for the non-shopaholic or thrill seeker amongst us.

Since T has been breathing air, we have taken some holidays with mum. Just the three of us. Essentially all works well. Mum and I are regarded as a couple with T joining us as the under 16 year old "child". Really it means a twin room with T and me sharing one bed and quiet nights in for the three of us. This August was little different to previous years excepting for an increased "ease" of travel due to T being that much older.

Palm Cove was our destination, just a short drive north of Cairns. Both mum and I had been there about 15 years prior and felt it would be a good stay put winter break. I was acutely aware of the pitfalls of returning to a wonderful destination and how the holiday is less charmed. Thankfully, this did not occur! We repeated most of our day trips but on this holiday I had to squeeze in a morning scoot and an afternoon wave jump leaving mum with some happy quiet hotel balcony time.

A key feature for me on this holiday was giving T a longer leash. She is used to independence within our compound and it works well there. However, she doesn't quite get my reluctance to let her go when we are staying in a resort. Following a bit of negotiation and some rules, T was allowed to scoot the same circuit that I was doing on foot.

Another great holiday!