I’d love to do a guest post, but would need guidance on what topic to cover. I’d also need a pretty long lead time as things are busy…but yes, in theory that sounds lovely. Could you pass on a link to your blog so I can take a look and see what might be relevant? And thanks.

Hi Clara

What interesting comments. You’ve really piqued my interest about Tasmania. So sad to hear about the deforestation, no wonder if makes the whole island feel odd. I know very little about it, so your comments are interesting.

I also know what you mean about being put off by the complexity of the elder. But its not too bad, actually. Plot out a very pale shape for the flowering head then decide where to start plotting in your flowers. Ever so mindfull… Your champagne sounds delicious!

x

Oh, And I forgot to mention that the island was once called the Apple Isle because of the very old orchards there with varieties not grown anywhere else in Australia. But the apple isle is also a name for Avalon, and indeed Tasmania has the energy of that too. Deep, ancient magic.

Honestly it broke my heart to live there. For while it’s often touted as a pure wilderness, a car drive only a few hours into the interior reveals completely denuded hills from clear felling as the islands main economy is logging old growth forests for wood pulp. I could not bear to witness that, and the strangeness of the place so I left.

Hi Constance

My absolutely pleasure. The whole issue of invasive species seems to be really important (and entirely down to humanity’s insatiable need to travel and explore!), whether it’s lupins in Iceland, rabbits in Australia, blackberries in the USA, or Himalayan balsam in the UK. I do always have a sneaking admiration for these creatures and plants that proverbially roll up their sleeves and crack on with colonising these new areas of paradise, unfettered by predators or disease. But yes, the damage they do is profound, and it doesn’t seem that any of the examples Ive come across have found easy solutions.

Thanks so much for your support and kind words

Yours
Lizzie

Aww Marialena, you’re always so kind. Writing a book is somewhat terrifying, I do think about it from time to time…and then the next job comes in! But its somewhere in the caverns of my mind, as a neglected idea. And thanks for thinking it might read ok if I ever did write one! Much love XLizzie

Thank you Peter.