Book Launch – Doing Good

 

 

James McRobert – Doing Good

 Author James McRobert launched his mystery  novel Doing Good last night at Caf Fez café in Bunbury . The launch was a celebration of a fourteen year writing project coming to fruition. McRobert, a retired social worker thanked everyone for their encouragement, including friends and family who had read early extracts from the book when it was still in draft form .   While McRobert’s family admitted to being a little concerned at times regarding his interest in garrotting and firearms, they need not have worried for it was all in the name of research for a good story.

McRobert also thanked the South Side Quills writers group, of which he is a member, for their support and encouragement along the writing journey. “The group meets once a month and you can read out your work and get valuable feedback. It may not always be what you want to hear, but it’s honest feedback, which is what you want”, he said.

More than fifty people attended the launch, including members of the Quills writers group. Group mentor Jo Robertson, praised McRobert’s efforts saying to complete a book takes commitment and perseverance. “… And you’ve done it – bloody good job” she quipped. Mrs Roberson encouraged anyone who wanted to write a story, be it memoir, short story, novel or whatever, to do so. She also spoke of William Yeoman of the West Australian  newspaper, who writes a regular section on books and local author’s in the paper. Yeoman encourages writers, when they complete their book, to send it to the West for some exposure.

 

South Side Quills Writers Group

McRobert delighted readers when he told them he is already working on a sequel to Doing Good.   To buy a copy of the book, you can contact James McRobert by email dave008@westnet.com.au 

 

Social media feline

Oh looks like there’s a message …

Excuse me … how does this work again?

OK … I’m onto it

Oh you do it will you

 

It’s a bit complicated and I can feel another nap coming on.

 

 

Champagne

Here I am drinking champagne in Champagne!

Exploring the GH Mumm champagne cellars

It was a long day, spending 9 hours in Champagne exploring the region, the vineyards and of course sampling the champagne. I know it’s tough but do you hear me complaining? No – no complaints here at all!

Visited the GH Mumm and the Mercier cellars both really good drops … Unfortunately Moët and Chandon were closed for renovations.

One of the staff  (sorry I neglected to take his photo – too many bubbles by then)

Anyway, he advised:

Champagne should be stored horizontally, if not – it will lose its boobles

Champagne should be not be stored for too long  – Ha … like that’s going to happen.

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The origin of Champagne comes from the Latin Campo, meaning field or countryside and it was the Romans who established the vineyards and crops in the region around the 13th century. It was very fertile land and strategically placed relative to being central to the north, south and Eastern Europe.

Before the Romans, the region was inhabited by the Celtic tribe – the Francs in the 3rd and 4th centuries – hence the name France.

mpa

A cathedral of note in the Champagne area is Our Lady of Reims Notre Dame and is the place where the Kings of France were baptised, including Clovis – the first King of France.

It’s pretty amazing … Well like all the cathedrals in Europe – they are just mind boggling. It is one of the oldest cathedrals in Europe, but not the most beautiful according to the guide. That title, she said would go to the Chartres Cathedral, which is renowned for it’s stained glass windows. I am yet to see the Chartres cathedral but will be sure to post it when I do.

A biento

 

 

 

 

Amsterdam

 

Well you really take your life in your hands when crossing the road in Amsterdam. And I thought Rome was bad! At least traffic will stop in Rome allowing you to cross. In Amsterdam it ‘s rather tricky crossing the road – and BIKES RULE! Even the buses are wary of the bikes.

So you want to cross the road – you must negotiate the cars , the buses, the trams and just when you have done that  … Then there are the bikes coming at you in all directions (including motor cycles mind you). So good luck!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vienna

Fruschoppen in Regensburg, Bavaria

 

Fruhschoppen

No I’m not swearing  … Fruhschoppen is a German and Austrian custom where people meet up, traditionally mid morning on a Sunday and drink bier (or another alcoholic drink) and partake in a brunch consisting of German sausages – weisswurst, bratwurst, sweet mustard prezels and Weiss bier (an unfiltered wheat beer). During Fruhschoppen, people discuss everyday life and politics and there is live music playing .   I have to say German beer is the best!

So people are joining in the festivities of the tradition and at 10.30 in the morning I sa

y to the steward ‘You would think no- one will want lunch after this ‘ and he said ‘That’s what you think – they’ve just had breakfast’!

 

Costa, Kristen & Stephan

With Boris – Catering Manager Extrordnaire – he’s Croatian also!

We enjoy a walk around the old city of Regensburg situated on the Danube River, with a population of  150,000, of which a large percentage is made up of university students. It is also home to a BMW factory.

Unlike most German cities, Regensburg was spared the destruction of WW11. It’s a charming city with it’s cobbled streets,  a variety of squares and small alleys. It was also home to Oskar Schindler and previous pope Pope Benedict XV1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regensburg, Bavaria

Walked around the old city of Regensburg and they’re not kidding when they say old – the city is 1800 years old, with a population of 150,000

 

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