
6 minute read
Lifestyle
Man-oh-man I need a holiday
Holidays are infectious. When I sit here at my desk doing the final checks that all contact details are in the flight bookings, that there have been no last-minute schedule changes, that the ship suite or stateroom documentation matches my booking records, and all those other details that are of major importance, I just want to pack my bag and go away again. Somewhere. Anywhere. My current bucket list has cold climes relegated to the top. And it seems I am not alone. Those images of ice and snow are captivating, particularly in a humid Sydney summer. My inbox is a daily repository of seductive offers for the Arctic and the Antarctic. What is fuelling this growth? Personally, I believe it has to do with a latent focus on the natural environment, which is gaining increased prominence thanks to conversations around climate change. People are keen to get out there and visit Greenland and the North Pole before there is irreversible change. Some of that change has also opened up routes once only available to scientific exploration eg. the Northwest Passage. And now thanks to an improved airstrip at Antarctica, you can forego the supposed horrors of the Drake Passage crossing and fly to and from for your cruise. Another reason is the explosion in small ships and exploration vessels purposely designed to go where most vessels just cannot go. Small is the new fashion - and understandably so. Small cruising means you can get up close, exploring those sheltered coves, the inlets where bird and marine life is abundant due to their remoteness, the islands that remain off the grid unless you are one of the lucky few who have the time and money to invest in this kind of travel. I recently sailed onboard Ponant’s latest vessel, Le Laperouse, on a 5-day journey across the Tasman. So small that it looked like a luxe tug beside the big ships moored alongside in Sydney harbour, our ship nonetheless traversed this sea beautifully thanks to excellent stabilisers. Such technology continues to improve so that even older ships such as Silver Cloud have been successfully repurposed to provide safe and extremely comfortable remote cruising options. With seasickness pills to hand, you need never fear nausea again! And the really good news? There are currently some terrific fly free, solo travellers and early bird deals. Just for you but don’t linger to buy! I do recognise though that not everyone wants remote. That landlubbers still rule the world when it comes to travel, and here too I continue to be surprised by the wealth of choice. There are tours for every interest be it walking, art, photography, golf, music, trains and more – Trendsetter is actively involved in organising several which appear on this page and I’d urge you to investigate beyond the box. We are also organising a lot of trigenerational family groups to celebrate major milestones. Resort or island stays, destinations guaranteed to provide memorable moments - think Africa, Japan, South America and NZ – are top of mind for many. Truly, travel has never been more attainable, or affordable. The world does seem to have shrunk and I like that technology means I can explore it much more easily. (It’s just a shame that my emails must follow me too!!!) Come in and see how we can turn your bucket list dream into a reality.
Calling all revheads & celebrity diehards
Trendsetter is hosting a cruise onboard Silver Spirit in MayJune 2020 that takes in the Monaco Grand Prix (2 days of racing) and Cannes for the Film Festival. Everybody welcome,
enquire with Adrienne or see our website www.trendsettertravel.com.au
Painters and photographers
will love Pamela Fairburn’s Navigate Nova Scotia tour in October 2019. Perfectly timed for sublime autumnal hues, artists will need lots of warm colours in their palate and photographers will need extra memory sticks for all the spectacular photos. www.
pamelafairburnart.com.au
Words by
Adrienne Witteman Managing Director
Trendsetter Travel & Cruise Centre 9428 5900 I www.trendsettertravel.com.au

9427 6425 www.sydneycs.org
Lane Cove and Hunters Hill senior residents are special and very lucky. Here we have Councils that are ready to celebrate senior residents - and they also put their money where their mouths are.
One such example is that in February, Lane Cove celebrated Seniors ‘Month’ (whereas everywhere else just devoted a week). Activities included a lunch featuring singing by Captain Rick, African drumming, a Fun, Fit and Feisty exercise class, Ballroom Buffet and a meditation and sound bath session.
Something out of left field was our decision to mix a Tai Chi class with the opportunity to cuddle a cat from the Cat Protection and Adoption Centre in Gladesville. Bizarre but amazingly successful, one of the most moving moments was when we placed a cat into the arms of one of the care home residents, who has been uncommunicative for many months. She immediately responded and started to stroke the cat and talk to it. The workers from the home were amazed and have started to think about bringing the cats into the home on a regular basis. We believe that you are never too old to try something new, whether it be the cha cha or the tango or drumming. Ballroom dancing, African drumming, mindfulness and movies are now just some of the regular activities that we are considering offering from 1 Pottery Lane, and 46 Gladesville Road, Hunters Hill. We are always keen to discover things that seniors would like to do, so please let us know if you have other ideas.
The fun and social things we do at Sydney Community Services are not funded by either the state or federal government. Fortunately, our local Councils consider it important, but we can only host these activities through charging either a small fee and through fundraising. Fundraising is hard. I spent two hours in Gladesville shopping centre trying to sell raffle tickets and it was excruciating. People looked everywhere but at me. The prizes are fabulous and include a television from Len Wallis Audio worth $3,599; $3,000 of travel from Trendsetter Travel; $500 worth of goods from Estee Lauder plus lots more prizes including wine and dinner vouchers from local restaurants.
If you want to win one of these wonderful prizes AND help us put on more fun things for the local community, go to www.rafflelink.com.au and search for Sydney Community Services.
AUTUMN HARMONY
MARCH 2019
Celebrate Cultural Diversity in Lane Cove and Beyond
Proudly presented by Lane Cove Council Download the full program of events at www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/festivals
FEATURED EVENTS First Fridays: Calligraphy Workshop
Come and learn the art of Japanese calligraphy and contribute to a collaborative artwork. Friday 1 March, 3:30pm – 5:00pm Lane Cove Plaza
Saturday Sounds: Katcha
Enjoy your weekend coffee, brunch or a spot of shopping in Lane Cove Plaza with a live performance inspired by diverse sounds from across the globe. Saturday 9 March, 10:00am – 12:00pm Lane Cove Plaza
Harmony Day Indonesian Dance Performance
As part of Harmony Day join in for an energetic mix of dance, body percussion and song, in an interactive and informative performance which introduces traditions from across the Indonesian archipelago. Thursday 21 March, 10:00am – 11.00am Lane Cove Library
Kaleidoscope of Lane Cove
Drop by and celebrate our vibrant community at this annual celebration of cultural diversity featuring free entertainment, interactive workshops, stalls and more. Friday 22 March, 3:30pm – 6:00pm Lane Cove Plaza