Next Phase In Fitness began in early 2011. It began as a WordPress hosted blog, until it moved to a self hosted site. The reason for beginning the blog, was to record my exercise events. At the time, I was participating in many events, such as fun runs, bootcamps, long bike rides and gym sessions, both in Victoria and Interstate. When I looked back at my first post, I was immediately taken back to those days. At the time, I was 57 years old with less injuries and aches and pains. A bit later, I was doing more long distance events. There was a 24 hour unsupported 112 kilometre walk from ..read more

  So the question should be asked. Whats on your bookshelf?  I love looking at beautiful bookshelves on Instagram, but have to admit that mine are a mess. When I was unpacking my books after moving, I really didn’t have time for organising bookshelves, so I plonked them on the shelves ,whichever way they landed. My thought was I would get them organised the following weekend. Here we are now at mid January, five months after moving in, and still those shelves are a mess. We aren’t planning on being here for a long time, so my first thought was to just leave the books as they are, un ..read more

When DNA testing for those with an interest in genealogy and family history was first possible, I had mine tested. In those days, the testing was quite basic, with extra options being added in the years since. I was only really interested in my ethnicity, and using my DNA test as a tool to further my family history research. I can’t remember exactly when I had my test done, but it was many years ago. One of the most recent new options available,when having a DNA test, is to test for personal traits, such as personality and behaviour.  I recently decided to upgrade my test to add traits ..read more

  Recently, we went out of town for a few hours of walking, just for a change of scenery. We have decided to reinstate our regular out of town walks, which were started during covid. During covid we were in isolation for just over 12 months.  These walks were a way of getting out and about occasionally, but without having to come into contact with anyone. Because I’m now working fulltime, and time is precious, these walks will be a special treat. Taradale is only about 40 minutes from home, but isn’t on a main highway, so we rarely go there. Being a very tiny town, or perhaps a vill ..read more

The prompt for the #SundayStills photo challenge for this week is Sweet. I will admit it. I have a voracious sweet tooth and I could be chocoholic! I do try to keep it in control, but when there are special occasions, I can go totally off the rails. I don’t eat cakes and desserts every day. To keep my need for chocolate under control, I make myself go without for long periods. Before Christmas I go without chocolate for at least three months, and then before Easter for about two months. I’m about to start the pre Easter ban in the next week or two. I’ve done this for a few years now ..read more

I’m sure avid readers understand a DNF to be a book that you ‘did not finish’. Google told me today that DNF could also mean ‘dream not found’. I my prefer the readers definition. I’m thinking about DNFs, as earlier this month,  I had my first DNF for the year. Actually I’m fairly sure it’s my first DNF for about 18 months. This made me wonder what others do. If you start a book, do you finish it not matter what? Or do you class it as a DNF and put it aside. Until a couple of years ago, I would always finish a book that I started. I would make myself continue with it to the last page, no ..read more

  Terri from Second Wind Leisure has been running a photo challenge with a weekly prompt for a few years. Last week I bought a new iphone, which I was told has an amazing super duper camera. I have to believe the salesman on this, as I really have no idea.  I am definitely not a photographer, but I thought that it might be fun to join in this challenge. It might even help me to get to know the camera on my phone a bit better.  I’m not sure that I will be able to join in every week, but I’ll have a go when I can.  This challenge is weekly and the prompt for this week is Red ..read more

For the past few years we have spent the Queens Birthday long weekend in Port Fairy with our friends who are from Melbourne. We stay in a very spacious B&B where there is plenty of space for Oscar and our friend’s dog Pickles. Last year, because we have had to miss a few years, due to covid, we had our weekend in Port Fairy in January. Usually Port Fairy is very cold in June, so it was a lovely change, to be there in summer. Sitting outside on a beautiful summer day, someone came up with the idea that we have a week in Hobart in January 2023. Very quickly it was all booked and we started ..read more

I am writing this post on 31 January, the day of my 69th birthday! I have no idea how that many birthdays have slipped by, and really cannot believe that I am that old. I don’t feel any different today, to how I felt at 40. Well, maybe a little different. I have a few aches and pains and war wounds than I had back then, but I seem to be weathering the storm of life, quite well. The following post which was originally titled 67 Things About Me at 67, was posted in 2021. I decided to relook at it, and see how the past two years have treated me. Reading this post did confirm, that even though we ..read more

The holiday period was very quiet here, as I decided to work whenever I was needed so that those with families could take time off. I caught up with my mother before Christmas, and my son and grandsons decided to make a last minute visit between Christmas and new year. As usual, I was a bad blogger, and was so caught up in the joy of seeing them, that I forgot to take photos. Actually I did take one single photo. Below is Hudson, who is about to turn 9. He’s a gorgeous, very active little boy who laughs a lot, and is a pleasure to be around. As are all my grandchildren of course. Just so the o ..read more