Paulkyville

I have a fascination and admiration for the Great White Shark, even before the film Jaws came out in 1975. There is something extraordinarily primeval about it; this perfect killing machine, built for speed and strength, that glides through the water with an apparent effortlessness, seeking out its next meal. It has always been an ambition of mine to dive with them (within the safety of a shark cage, I must add!!). Until I read this ; a Great White, 10 feet long, was the apparent victim of another Great White, twice its length . That is a big fish! Though in Australian waters, it's on the other side from Perth, off the coast of Queensland , near Brisbane. The largest ever specimen reliably recorded is 21 feet, but there are tales of even larger sharks out there. Much as I'd love to see one, I don't think I'd want to get that close to such a big, and potentially hungry, fish!

I've noticed a lot recently that when people talk to me about my move to Australia, they seem to follow it up with a moan about some aspect of their own life, be it job, house or relationship. It occurred to me yesterday that complaining about it solves nothing but to make you miserable. So today my advice to those people is to stop moaning and start doing! If you don't like something, change it! Don't like your job - get another one! Not easy in a recession, but they are out there. Register with a recruitment agency and bug them until you get an interview. Don't like your house - sell it! The property market is starting to recover so it's still a good time to buy and sell. Don't like your relationship - get a new one! I never understand people who have affairs or complain about their partner. How anyone can exist in a relationship where there is constant arguments and bickering is beyond me. So come on people; take control of your life and do what you wa

A year ago I was in Perth, having the time of my life. Little did I know that one year later, I would have permanent residency and be starting the process to go and live there! Had you said to me that I would be at this stage a year ago I would most certainly laughed in your face. I wonder where I'll be one year from now... Hopefully already there and enjoying life! And to add a little colour and interest to your Friday, here's a little video clip from Down Under of Great White Sharks eating a humpback whale calf (I believe the whale had already been injured prior to the sharks eating it.). This took place just off Floreat beach, which is one beach along from my favourite City Beach. My mother -in-law also saw the sharks first hand, though not up close and personal! I have walked this beach myself and feel somewhat aggrieved to have missed it!

Well, let's be honest; this is all fauna, but adding the flora bit makes for a nicer title! Living in the UK, about the only animal you really have to worry about is being bitten by a dog or trampled by a cow or a horse. The only indigenous, venomous creature we have is the adder, which is very rare now. But once I move to Australia, I have to contend with some of the most venomous creatures known to man. Like this fella: This is a Tiger snake; according to Wikipedia , the fifth most venomous snake in the world. Apparently Mrs Paulky's cats once caught and killed one of these in her Mum's back yard. Which is where I have stayed and will be staying. I never saw any snakes whilst I was there, but... Next up is another snake, the Dugite , another deadly poisonous critter I hope never to become acquainted with! I'm starting to think I may never leave the house! But if I don't then there's always the chance I could run into one of these beasties: This is a red back

I have returned from my holiday in the Lake District, and very nice it was too; some fantastic scenery and lovely weather for the most part! The Calling did indeed kick in, as the apartment we were staying in was lovely, but as expected, by the end of the week I was ready to go home again; I am nothing if not predictable. It looks like house prices are starting to rise again, so am cautiously optimistic that when we come to sell the house we might actually get more than we paid for it. Now I just need to pray that the Aussie Dollar to Sterling exchange rate gets out of the gutter in time for us to actually make the most of what little money we'll get!