August, 2019 - Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia

I am house sitting in Toowoomba, known as the garden city of Queensland. The annual flower festival is held in September every year. This year, the area is experienging drought but the gardens in the parks are still beautiful.

It is still two weeks until the festival but Queen's Park is looking good.

I am house sitting in this lovely house, set on an acre of terraced gardens. The house is quite new, so the gardens are still being established. I have plenty of watering to do!

Great views over the valleys, from inside the house and the garden.

July 2019, Vietnam - page 1

I flew to Vietnam to house sit in Saigon for a month. It was really enjoyable. I was looking after a small dog in a unit on the 31st floor of a modern apartment block.

Henry, a miniature Schnauzer, enjoyed three walks a day. Because the days were hot and humid, his main walk was at night.

the apartment block - one of 5 towers in the complex

This was the view from the apartment. The waterways in Saigon are clean - no plastic or rubbish floating. It has been a 10 year project.

cardboard collection

                                                   

                                                             

Henry was easy to look after.

July 2019, Vietnam - page 2

The unit I was living in while I was house sitting, was in District 2, Saigon. This is the district where lots of foreigners live. There are many International Schools and some very good restaurants. Within walking distance I had everything I could need. The supermarket was next door to the apartment building.

This ice skating rink was in the shopping centre, next door to my apartment.

the apartment pool

a local coffee shop

one of the many good restaurants

 The area had many apartment blocks but there were also some beautiful old builings. This building was two apartments.

A friend from Australia came to visit. This restaurant was a perfect place for cold beer at sunset.

July, 2019. Vietnam page 3

District 1 Saigon, is the old city. It is noisy, busy and interesting. It is a city of contrasts - very modern in parts but also traditional.

Crossing the street can be scary!

the old post office

Notre Dame Cathedral

a basket seller

the local government office - a beautiful building  from French colonial times.

The cigarette seller was taking a nap.