This is the second time that I have been awarded this particular award.  The first time was back in 2015 on a different blog and I was nominated by Meg of Bringing Up Brits.  At the time Meg and I only knew one another via social media, but I am pleased to say that since then we have met in person and she has even assisted me with my website presence as has her business partner Rachael.  But I digress.

Sal of Sal’s Word & Photo Addiction has bestowed this honour on me.

So I will answer her questions that she posed:

1. If you could have a ​superpower​ what would it be and why?

I’m not sure that it can be classed as a superpower but I wish to travel back in time and ask my grandparents things that I wish I had thought to ask them. They all passed away when I was a teenager and I really wished there were things I knew better about them.

2. What is your favourite movie?

One of my favourite movies of all time would have to be ‘A Room with a View’ – it may be partially responsible for my fascination with Italy.

3. When and why did you start blogging?

I started blogging in 2011 when I was living in Italy as an expat.  I wanted to share my experiences of living in a foreign country.

4. Paperbook or Kindle?

Both I’d have to say.  I commute to work by bus and sometimes I will be reading a book on my Kindle or alternatively listening to music on my iPod.

I love to read and hope that 2018 will be full to overflowing with lots of books read.  I hope that this year it will predominately be paper books. There are quite a few that I have stockpiled at home ready to read.  My 16 year old daughter who is herself an avid reader took it upon herself to organise my bookshelves before Christmas and although biased I think she has done a marvellous job.

5. Do you now live in the country you were born in?

No I don’t.  I was born in Australia and I currently live in my paternal grandfather’s country of birth – England.  My husband and I have lived here with our two teen children since 2012.  Prior to that we were in Italy for 6 years.

6. If money was no object what would you do this weekend?

I’d fly to Australia.  It’s been too long.

7. Who do you respect and look up to?

People with grit.  People who feel the fear and do stuff anyway.

8. Do you listen to music when you write. if yes what is your preference?

No I don’t.  I like total silence when I write, I find it helps me concentrate.

9. What really makes your heart sing?

Singing, dancing and writing.

10. What is your main goal for this year?

Writing more and being creative in the different types of writing that I try.

Now instead of nominating between 5-10 bloggers as described in Sal’s post, which incidentally differs from what I did over 2 years ago, I am going to mention some of the blogs that I included last time:

Emma of A Bavarian Sojourn. Emma takes some wonderful photos.  Be sure to head to her website and read some of her posts.

Ken of An Evolving Scientist This is my Dad’s blog!  He takes great photos too.  Yes I’m biased.

Maxabella of Maxabella Loves I like Maxabella’s blog because of her honesty.  I enjoy her posts about being a mum.

Krista of Rambling Tart Krista is a Canadian who lives in Australia on a farm.  Her posts often make me hungry or moved.  Her writing is just beautiful.

These are some of the blogs that I keep on reading.  I do also have other favourite blogs that I have read for years.  Occasionally I come across new ones.

To finish up I have two questions to pose to readers of my blog in general.

If you are a blogger what motivates you to keep blogging?

If you are a blog reader, what keeps you coming back to read more?