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Viva 70 is an online magazine with articles, interviews, videos and photographs about ways of making

25/06/2024

What are these coloured posts used for?!?
They emit bird sounds, frog sounds, water and wildlife sounds as you walk into an urban town square in the heart of Prahran… a town square with planting, lawns, sculpture, an amphitheatre of seating…. Places to gather, eat lunch, rest and yes… listen to recorded sounds of nature from giant speaker poles!!!
Urban design gone bonkers … ????….or a great idea??? What do you think?

10/06/2024

What winter!!? Long walk in glorious sunshine-morning swimmers, dogs -a- plenty and a Pufferfish warning!! Never heard of them before?!….. if this is winter in the city I’m loving it👏☃️❤️

28/05/2024

We’ve been gifted a new dawn… how to make this day special…….?

23/05/2024

Growing up to the music of Bob Dylan, it was a night of memories at the concert last night… great music at the Palais narrated by Brian Nankervis. Great crowd and such talent! A testimony to Dylan’s range of songwriting- they played a lot of songs I had forgotten about….. and on memory….
How come I could remember all the words to Subterranean Homesick Blues but I can’t remember where I put my glasses!!!!
Ageing Well!

26/04/2024

What a wonderful painting by Albert Guillaume. It’s called The Latecomers… I love the expressions of the audience feeling grumpy about the interruption! This is among the gems at the Paris Life exhibition at the Bendigo gallery.

24/04/2024

Autumn glory…. 10 degrees lakeside and such a beautiful place for a morning walk ❤️

02/04/2024

Some days there’s no fanfare or celebration… it’s the tiny moments of joy that make you smile…
A morning walk where a line-up of birds taking in the view across the canal, bring a smile. A delicious fruit bun from Spotty’s served with Smokey earl grey tea brewed in my favourite tea pot. The old and new flowers in a vase that give a cheeky wink at such audacity.
It doesn’t take much to find joy. …. Just seeing eyes and an open heart….

28/03/2024

Happy Easter to all our followers… thanks for being here… it’s means a lot! Have fun. Play in the sun. Eat chocolate. Forget the big stuff for a few days…..Act like a kid again!

25/03/2024

It takes a long time to grow an old friend… check in on your old friends today ❤️

22/03/2024

Lambley gardens in Ascot, Victoria. I’ve seen many wonderful world famous gardens, but there’s something very special about this one. I drove there today through hills and paddocks scorched brown by summer sun… in their own way quite stunning… but then you enter that long treed driveway at Lambley.
A rush of colour greets you. Mass planting of perennials, the scents of roses and tree branches hanging low with the weight of citrus and quinces. Neat garden beds, soldiers in a row ready to be planted again. I sit on a bench in the shady avenue of trees underplanted with Japanese windflowers. It’s serene and magical with only the birds for company.
Sitting in such beauty is such a gift.

21/03/2024

Early autumn retreat from the Grand Prix!!! Heaven…. Five glorious days staying at the old Glenlyon School. Those cold mornings followed by brilliant sunshine. Morning walks with people stopping for a chat instead of staring into their phone. I love the energy of the city but not its intensity, so I’m making frequent visits to the school house a priority.
Blessed… even Gracie cat is enjoying her new ‘hood and has settled into her favourite sunny spots…. Autumn in the central highlands is magical ❤️

15/03/2024

Wild, unrelenting waves roll in and the sound washes away city noise and stress. Big skies, wide, open landscapes and satin soft sun somehow calm and soothe a jangled nervous system.
Walking beaches with no purpose other than to put one foot in front of another and take in the view. We all need these unstructured days of connecting back to nature, calming the soul and opening the heart….. before heading back into the maelstrom of life…

09/03/2024

Perfect 38 degree day.. morning swim and then to the movies to see “One Love” a biopic about Bob Marley and a memory resurfaced.
It was 1979 and I had seen him play a great concert at Festival Hall. I’m not sure why I was walking up Collins street the following morning. Ahead were 2 runners coming down the hill past me. I looked up just as I recognised the smile of Bob Marley. It took me a few seconds to register but I will never forget that luminescent smile…

Thanks to Pixabay for the photo. Thanks to Bob Marley for the music… and the smile!

04/03/2024

The runway was great but it was the fashion outside that was really fabulous! Melbourne felt so alive at last… dappled sun, champagne, people dressed to impress and with a confidence that was exhilarating… cameramen rushing around to take the best shot.
What I loved was the way men have freedom to express themselves now… instead of endless suits & ridiculous ties there were men in dresses, sequins and rich, bold colours. Fabulous!
On the runway Elle sashays & the Melbourne audience welcomes her enthusiastically. There are still way too many gaunt, childlike models and too few older models and no plus sizes here.
Sitting next to me was a beautiful older woman with her 12 year old granddaughter out for evening dressed up to enjoy. Next to me a fabulous younger woman with a voluminous black tulle skirt that black top with a Peter Pan collar and shiny ponytail- very Audrey Hepburn… she’s an engineer. In front of us sat a group of true fashionistas… a man with a pants suit incorporating a cape in vivid blues… perhaps the next Alexander McQueen?
Such a great night. So proud of living in Melbourne and being surrounded by people of such creativity, energy and talent❤️

03/03/2024

What a find! We were exploring Kyneton for a Sunday drive and came across this cocktail bar with rooms full of wonderful interior bling. The reimagined George Hotel is now Kabinett.
A charcuterie plate, exotic cocktails on the verandah on a warm summers evening… perfect!
Indian silk cushions, stunning outdoor furniture, glassware, and so much more. I wanted to take the curved sofa home but……!
The scent of aromatics draws you from one room to another….herbal tones, citrus and deeper spice notes from the candles, perfumes and essences.
We spend so much time on choosing furniture, colours & art work but the sensory landscape of a home… its scent, texture and mood is primal. Good quality candles, room sprays and essences can make all the difference.
Bergamot, citrus and earth tones are my favourite….what are yours?

22/02/2024

Cloudehill gardens in Olinda are a beautiful retreat on a summer’s day. Such a pretty formal garden with its Lily pond, brick paths & topiary. A mountain garden well designed for all seasons.
When we lived in the Dandenong Ranges a summer treat was to take a picnic with friends to the Cloudehill Shakespeare performance in the gardens. Early evening was always warm but as the sun set over the mountain it was always cool and the mists rolled in.
The Ranges are a stunning part of life in Melbourne and only an hour away. Mountainside villages like Olinda, Kallista and Sassafras are so pretty.
On this day out I also drove to the berry farms in Silvan and returned to the city with huge boxes of freshly picked strawberries, raspberries & blackberries. Fresh eggs and locally grown veggies accompanied me home.
It was such a treat to share my berry trove with my neighbours in our city flats. One family wrote me the sweetest note…”is this what strawberries should taste like…?!”
and yes…. They were magnificent!!

21/02/2024

Heroes and Humans! A recent outing to hear Kevin McCloud talk about Home Truths at Hamer Hall….
I ‘m a great Grand Designs fan. I heard Kevin McCloud talk about urban design and architecture in a Melbourne radio interview. Simply brilliant, insightful, articulate and meaningful.
Then I went to his show at Hamer Hall and left at the interval! Kevin as showman had little to say and the cheesy jokes & circus antics were wince-worthy.
But he tried. And when we try we risk failure. Sticking to the old script is comfortable and easy…. Taking a step out of your comfort zone is risky, exciting and yes, potentially it will all go pear- shaped!
Especially in older age we hang on to who we were… our old job titles, our career definition from years past…. But we are no longer those people… we have skills and knowledge but even those can be outdated & irrelevant.
The challenge as we age, is to release past identities and create a new one as an older person living in the present.
And that means creating change… and with it the risk of stuffing up…… but this is a good life lived fully…. This is positive ageing
What are the changes you are considering? What are the risks involved? What’s the worst that can happen? What’s the best? When will you start?

14/02/2024

St. Valentine’s Day used to be a difficult time for me. As we age our friends and loved ones leave us- through illness and death or relationships that no longer could accommodate new needs and growth.
Rituals are important to mark the passing of time. Romance, love and passion can be alive at any age and self love and care present in any decade or stage of life….
So my ritual has evolved over the years…. To buy flowers and a lovely book for myself. When money was tight, garden flowers and a book from the op. Shop was just fine too.
But this year, beautiful peachy pink roses reminiscent of walled formal rose gardens, grace my coffee table.
The book I chose is called “Artists At Home” by Susie Hodge. It provides a peep into the homes of Picasso, Lucien Freud, Jean Cocteau & Barbara Hepworth, among others.
So tonight after dinner, I’ll sink into my sofa, enjoy background jazz and get lost in the pages of my beautiful book…
Happy St. Valentine’s Day everyone!❤️🌹

09/02/2024

Watching the kite surfers on my evening walk is magical… their speed, agility and elegance in catching the wind….
It’s a fabulous summer living bayside and “ checking in “ with the colour of the sea, the intensity of the wind and tides has become part of daily life…. Perfect weather today for walking, cruising the bookshops and people watching from the cafe I now call my local. Meeting some really interesting people too at the various groups I’ve joined. You’ve just got to step out, start chatting to people and it’s amazing how quickly connections form….
After living in the country for most of my life, city living is certainly a challenge some days.. but 3 months in, there are also days when my new life feels like a comfy old hat…
Judging less, accepting the vagaries of life, understanding change at any age can be challenging….
Change is like kite surfing… catch the wind, find your balance and FLY!!

03/02/2024

Summer days beachside with grandchildren and family… scrambling over rocks, building sand castles and forts… laughter, hugs and exploration.
My granddaughter is getting really good at photography & we love taking photos together… her photos feature in this post…..at 6 years old it sometimes feels like she’s the wise one and I’m just along for the ride. My grandson is nearly three ….when he calls out “ Gwanny” this granny finds a bounce in her step reserved only for these kidlets.
Ageing is a strange creature. You can wake feeling slow, tired, creaking a bit but spend a day by the beach chasing little ones and your body feels agile & nimble once again…..the spirit lighter and the heart full…….. blessed ❤️

01/02/2024

Summer mini break in the elegant surroundings of the Mineral Springs hotel.. The Grand… beautiful interiors from the carefully curated art, calming colours, soft velvet chairs… and a chef creating my dinner!
The displays of fresh proteas are stunning and used to effect draped over the fireplaces… fresh gum leaves are woven into the garlands and add a soft grey colour and the forest smell is bliss.
I like the new self care ritual of a monthly retreat.. a moment of luxury.. a quiet interlude and then back into city frenzy…..
I’m grateful that I can live the life I have….

26/01/2024

The countryside called me back today. I returned to the country towns that were my home for 14 years. Very curious, but I wanted to know what season it was!
Yes I know it’s summer here by the beach. People are buzzing around chasing fitness, running, striding with purpose. Everything seems purposeful here in the city.
But today I wanted to break out of this purposeful life and just notice summer in a different place.
Summer in the countryside is different. The cooler, clean air invites a stroll rather than speed. In strolling you notice the season in its fullness. The paddocks are yellow and dry. But unseasonal rain has filled the lake and the willows bow in a ritual dance and move with the wind.
Here the magnolia grandiflora dares you to be so wildly ostentatious… there are seeds and chestnuts forming in vivid greens. Tiny cottages peak out from verdant gardens. But the most telling expression of this season is found in the leaves of the oak trees. Nature has decided they should rehearse their autumn colours now. The leaves are turning red and gold signalling an early autumn.
Somehow I learned to read this seasonal country landscape while city beach life remains a mystery to me. I see the changing colours of the sea. I notice the direction, heat and force of the wind but I don’t understand its meaning in the way a seasoned sailor would. Perhaps it takes a decade to hear the wind…..
Wherever you live, I hope you too can live with the seasons and let nature steady your pace. We don’t need to rush as we get older.. we can take the time to really notice the world around us…❤️

17/01/2024

Veg Out Community Garden…..
I wandered into this fabulous garden on my evening walk … an older woman was harvesting zucchini in her plot and fighting to hold back the leaves. I stopped to help her and we got chatting about gardens, children and life. Her accent was Eastern European like my mother’s. As we harvested those zucchini, for a moment there I felt like I was helping my mother harvest vegetables from our garden in Derbyshire. Mum’s motto was..” if you can’t eat it, don’t grow it! “ a left-over from her refugee days. I love flowers. I never listened to mum on garden design!
Fast forward 60 years and I’m loving helping this lady, who at 84 is harvesting her produce. She hands me half a dozen zucchini, picks up her basket of produce, we hug and I’m on my way……. Joy really is packaged in unexpected moments❤️

15/01/2024

Flower growing in the Yarra Ranges …mountainsides with their flower carpets and acres of poly tunnels… the rich soils and abundant rainfall are perfect for the flower industry.
I used to live in the Yarra ranges but have not visited for 10 years or more.
Escaping muggy city heat a friend and I headed for the hills. So close to the city and magnificent clean air, we decided on Olinda for lunch. Stopping at growers stalls along the way we came home laden with fresh peaches, apricots, cherries, beans & berries….locally grown and so cheap compared to city prices….
After a hectic year in ‘23 this staycation has been one of the best decisions made… exploring places so close to home yet worlds’ away… stepping away from the familiar…. So if your comfortable chair is just a little too comfortable, grab those comfy shoes & a day pack and head to the hills…!!

11/01/2024

Bread baking….. an early morning beach walk and I was sure I could smell bread baking…..it turns out Spotties is an Elwood institution… a sunflower sourdough walked home with me.
Glorious morning beachside. Do you have those days when your body just wants to move…?
This morning walking seemed easy.. arms and legs synchronised and light…. So much to see… people of all generations swimming, paddle-boarding, using the gym equipment by the beach. I love seeing older people walking hand in hand along the promenade… the lilt of different languages and children learning the intricacies of sand castle design….
I’m writing about the Blue Zone research today for Viva70.com
Why is it there are communities who live longer (to 100+) and live healthier than others? What can we learn from these Blue Zone lifestyles?
Have you seen the Netflix series? What did you think?
PS my sunflower bread is sure to be healthy!

09/01/2024

The writing shed….Which famous writer created his works here….?
New articles this week viva70.com We travel to Wales, check out Bradley Cooper’s film Maestro and much more… 300 articles on the site ready for summer reading or a cosy night by the fire…..
Oh …. And the lucky writer who worked in such idyllic surroundings…..? It was Dylan Thomas.

07/01/2024

Melbourne from the 47th floor…. Tennis courts all ready for the Australian Open… Government House… The Arts Centre Spire…. Fed Square… The murky Yarra river and the bay…..
A city of memories….a comfortable old chair to come home too….
Staycations are an easy way to relax & and as my perfect weekend comes to a close, I’m already planning the next one….
The weekend started with a Mozart by Candlelight concert. A trip to the stunning sculpture garden at Point Leo. Sunday saw brunch with friends followed by a film at the Kino and drinks at the Atrium Bar on 35th floor and finally a blissful sleep at the Sofitel and these photos….. a lovely City break….step out of the daily routine…. Clear the mind… find new energy….self care!
Do you take regular mini breaks? What are your favourite places/ activities on a mini- break?

06/01/2024

Exploration- the key to ageing well… today’s adventure took me to a stunning sculpture park nested into a 300 acre winery. The backdrop is Westernport bay.
Awe, discovery, exercise and engaging conversations followed us around the art trail…
Now to write a story for viva70.com ….. perhaps tomorrow…. Time for dinner after being out in fresh air all day!

05/01/2024

Mozart concert by candlelight this evening…. A soulful interlude in a warm city night….

31/12/2023

Happy New Year Everyone!!!
The dawn of possibilities…
As we get older each dawn is a precious gift….. to our Viva70 community and beyond, may 2024 be a year to live fully, laugh frequently, make shared memories & find purpose in your life…..❤️

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Travelling along the main Launceston to Hobart route today. Sightseeing in Campbell Town, Ross & Oatlands… more this evening

Day One in Northern Tasmania…. Staying in the Coachman’s Cottage at Brickendon near Longford…. More Tassie posts this week!

Elle Macpherson walks the catwalk at Melbourne Fashion Festival this evening….. she is a gazelle…simply stunning… and she smiles!

How did you spend your day? Exploring Nottingham in Uk I wandered for 7 hours... a stunning domed shopping arcade, canals, a city square, beautiful old buildings and people enjoying a lazy Sunday in cafes and outdoor pubs...... in sunshine!

Rainy Saturday- Love Melbourne! Arcades and laneway cafes,art exhibitions, lovely Basement Discs,buskers,dumplings & a touch of retail to keep the economy going-Beckham pout and new rice bubble coat! What does your Saturday look like? Embrace the viva spirit!

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