Being grateful in Montcuq...

1. BEING A PASSENGER: I am rarely ever a passenger and certainly would never drive in Paris, so I am VERY grateful that Sue got us safely out of the city and onto the motorway in her gorgeous mini-coupe (see pic above). It’s nice to be chauffeured around when you are always the driver back home. Although, I am pleased to say that I did my fair share of the driving once we were on the open road. Navigating a right-hand drive on the right side of the road was a novelty and challenge at times. But we arrived in Montcuq in one peace and on time to watch the World Cup final!
2. AUSTRALEDEN: This is the name of the 13th century stone house I stayed in, in the little village of Montcuq, five hours south of Paris. Check it out here! It was spacious and authentic with shutters on the windows and wooden floors and gorgeous flowers around doorway. I loved opening the shutters in the morning (and following my afternoon nap) to look directly across the road at the peoples enjoying everything from coffee to confit of duck at any one of the three restaurants only steps away from my front door. I can’t wait to go back and am grateful for my three days to get some rest after working pretty much non-stop since leaving Sydney on June 18.
3. SUNFLOWERS: The region in which we cruised around Montcuq was simply stunning countryside with fields and fields of sunflowers. We just had to stop and take photos... see above.
4. FLIRTATIOUS FRENCHMEN: Let’s face it, a little flirting goes a long way, and it’s always more interesting with a language barrier. If one can’t communicate in words, one can only stare and smile. So thanks to the chef Christophe who didn’t say much but didn’t need to. You made me feel young again! 
5. DUCK, CHICKEN, STEAK: I’ve never been so grateful for meat in my life. I sometimes toy with the idea of becoming a vegetarian but when you eat meat the way the French cook it, you can’t pass it up. Three nights in Montcuq, three amazing meals and the best French fries ever. Yes, I know, I won’t be eating anything exciting at all when I get back to Oz. It will be steamed vegies and salads for the rest of my life... blah, blah, blah!

More to be grateful for in Paris...

1. SHOPPING: It was wonderful to see SOLDES signs in all the shop windows in Paris, but as my cases were already at capacity from New York I wasn't even tempted to look at clothes or shoes or bags. I was however more than grateful that three steps out of my hotel I found a ring on sale that I had to have. The stone is Chalcedony, and for those who don’t know what it looks like, mine is the colour of egg-shell blue. Those who know me will get the meaning. It’s also the colour of the cover of my next book Paris Dreaming so I wear I’m wearing as I do final research and the edits on the novel while I’m on the road.
2. FRENCH CARRIBEAN FOOD: There’s nothing like a home-cooked meal after nearly a month on the road. It was like heaven heading fifteen minutes south of Paris and into the burbs to have a Colombo curry and Guadeloupean cocktail with Aline and Pierre. I devoured the spicy lamb dish and even the rice was heavenly. I’m going to try making the curry with kangaroo when I get home. It was a true highlight of my Parisian visit and I am grateful for the hospitality I received in their home. Poor Aline even took me back late at night on the train for fear the Aussie author might get lost! [Pic above of Aline, Pierre and I]
3. CAFES: I just love the culture of sitting in cafes facing the street and watching the world go buy as you eat bread, drink coffee and wait for the sun to set after 10pm in summer. I’m grateful for the opportunity to do it in Paris. I wished we’d pick it up in Sydney. I saw something similar in Noosa last year, but can’t remember the name of the restaurant, which I think may even be a chain. But it is very European and I love it.
4. PAIN AU CHOCOLAT: it’s puffy pastry like a croissant but square and has pieces of chocolate in it. I am grateful for whoever invented it!
5. CHAMPAGNE: It’s the real deal here and much cheaper than back home, and for that a girl should be grateful!

What I’m grateful for in Paris

Hello again, I had a whirlwind four days in Paris celebrating NAIDOC Week and researching a travel story for Women’s Health magazine (will let you know when it runs). Here’s a very short list of what I was grateful for while there July 7-11.
1. OLD FRIENDS: It was wonderful to find myself amongst old friends (while making new ones) while in Paris for four days. David and Sue travelled down from Norwich to catch up, Aline was there to help me do more ‘research’ for Paris Dreaming, and Catherine whom I first met at a writers salon in New Caledonia is taking one year sabbatical to write in Paris. We all managed to have dinner at one of my favourite restaurants Nomad’s- with Ania a colleague from Australia - who arrived in Paris the night before I left. There’s something to be said for breaking bread with friends from around the world at the one time in a wonderful city like Paris.
2. THE AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY: I am grateful for the Australian Ambassador to France, David Ritchie. A man with a fab sense of humour, David hosted a NAIDOC event in his residence where I addressed the intimate crowd on how Aboriginal writers and writing closes the gap in literacy and ignorance. It was a memorable evening as I spoke with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop. Stunning, as you can imagine!
3. MACAROONS: I was excited but a little nervous that the hotel I was booked into – Cadran -had its own chocolate bar with the most delicious macaroons. Do I need to explain? If so, you’ll have to keep your eye on Women’s Health magazine for the story I am writing.
4. THE SEINE: Cruising the Seine was a perfect Saturday morning thing to do to calm my nerves after the chaos of the past three weeks.
5. BREAD: Every time I go to Paris I swear I will never eat bread back home again. I had a carb overload with the wonderful French breads... and butter (it really does taste better), cheeses and of course foie gras! As I have always said: at least if we had been colonised by the French we would’ve had better food and better fashion than what the English imposed upon us.

I am grateful for the NYC launch of Manhattan Dreaming

On July 1st, deadly Aussie author Hazel Rowley launched my novel at The Australian Hotel on West 38th Street in Manhattan. My dear tidda Tara June Winch MCd the event, and old and new friends came along to celebrate with me. I am grateful for SO much, namely:
1. HAZEL ROWLEY for her sensational sense of style and humor in delivering her launch speech. I’ll post it here shortly! I was worried Hazie might steal my thunder with her dramatic performance, where everyone laughed and cheered. I was so happy to have the author of Richard Wright’s biography, also give her stamp of approval on my novel... but that’s what friends are for, right?
2. TARA JUNE WINCH: I want to be TJW when I grow up (even though she’s 18 years younger than I am). I dream about having half the literary skill of this writing genius! Thanks for the inspiration, Tara!
3. DAWN McCOY: my dear tidda flew in from Richmond, Virginia for less than 24 hours to help me mark this milestone in my career. We started with lunch at Docks Oyster Bar and Grill and finished the night at Lil Frankies in the Village. I wouldn’t have survived the day without Dawn’s support and I am so humbled that she made the effort to be there with me. And, we had a LOT of laughs. See pic above with guys doing roadworks outside the Australian Hotel.
4. THE AUSTRALIAN: like my character Libby Cutmore, I am not one to go to Australian bars abroad generally speaking, but I am so glad I found this jewel back in 2008. It is an institution, as is the owner Matt Astill, and ex-NRL player who also features in Manhattan Dreaming. Matt and his staff put on a fabulous spread of Aussie food and bevvies on the night to help celebrate in style. On a professional level it is in my top 10. If I land a publishing contract from tonight then it will be #1!
5. FAMILY AND FRIENDS: I am always humbled when people take time out of their day to come to one of my events or to read my books. So I was incredibly grateful to those who travelled from Sydney including my lifecoach Geraldine Star and Meredith Garnesy, Cathy Craigie and Miah Wright who made the long haul too. My friend Lorene flew in from Texas and a few friends including Vanessa and Robin travelled in from bed Stuy! I am truly grateful you are here to share tonight with me.
Thank you all for helping to make the night such a stunning affair – warm, fun, professional.

I’m grateful for NAIDOC in New York!

I was in New York to celebrate NAIDOC Week and I am grateful for the opportunity to present a lecture celebrating the evolution of Aboriginal literature over the past decade. I need to acknowledge the Australian Consulate here in NYC, specifically Fiona Gosschalk for coordinating the event. I’m also grateful to the Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education at the University of Western Sydney for giving me a roof for the week. DFAT in Canberra assisted by getting my books from Oz to NYC so massive gratitude to Tom Walter for his help that end.
I also want to thank all those locals who came along to the event on June 29 at the Consulate. Pics above include Australians living here and visiting the Big Apple this week, including: Matt Astill (owner of the The Australian Bar and Restaurant), Hazel Rowley (Aussie author living in NYC), Kodie Bedford (SBS Living Black), Geraldine Star (my life coach), Vanessa Rodd, Meredith Garnsey, Neil Willmet and his fiancée Sarah Goff.

What I’m grateful for in New York, New York!

I am so sorry I have been silent the past week but as you can imagine one does not want to sit in a hotel room when in the city that never sleeps. Since arriving on June 27 I have not stopped walking, shopping, eating, shopping, working, talking, shopping and most of the time trying to manage the heat... by going into shops with aircon! Here are a few things that I am incredibly grateful for in NYC!
1. SoHo – this is the place I eventually want to live. I love the community atmosphere and not wanting to be too specific I do know that a loft in either Spring or Wooster Streets would do me just fine, thank you very much! If you know anyone looking for a writer-in-residence let me know!
2. Grand Central Station – the busiest train station in the world is also one of the cleanest with two of my favourite pastimes: shopping and food! I love the hustle and bustle and just doing people-watching there.
3. MACY’s – much like my character Lauren Lucas in Manhattan Dreaming I am amazed at the size and shopping options at the largest department store in the world.
4. CENTURY 21: It’s called the worst kept secret in New York and is a designer department store where I picked up a saucy red dress and some Kenneth Cole shoes for a bargain. It’s down near Ground Zero so you can check both out.
5. WOODBERY COMMON: Ok, so I’ve overdosed on shopping here but this day trip from the Port Authority down to Jersey is THE BEST! It’s an outdoor premium outlet mall and I managed to get some fabulous shoes, jewellery and lingerie. If you can’t look good you need to at least feel good!
6. THEATRE: When I travel to NYC I always book my tickets to Broadway on line. I’m not interested in queuing when I’m in the city. This year I went to see the musical Next to Normal at the Booth Theatre about a dysfunctional family dealing with depression. Highly recommend it... and look for the twist!
7. ENERGY: There is simply no other city in the world with the energy that is on high voltage 24/7 – literally when you consider the lights in Time Square. It is impossible not to smile when I am here. I feel completely alive walking the streets here.
8. CENTRAL PARK: An oasis in the middle of the city, I love walking through it for the sense of peace at Strawberry Fields, the sense of culture with buskers singing, playing the sax or electric keyboard, and the sense of health as other people jog by. I’ve ridden the carousel and had a horse and carriage ride through the park. When in Rome... 
It’s fair to say that I heart NYC!