One perfect day

There's nothing like an English summer's day and this is going to be one – glorious blue sky, fabulous sunrise. Hope all is well in NYC ...

Lavender Shortbread

Lavender Fields. Photo:AP

Busy researching a project which knows no bounds. Gorgeous summer days and long summer nights, love 'em and then you realise you are working much longer hours! Fields of lavender stretch forever - feel you want to lie down in them except for the bees!! Lavender shortbread makes interesting eating until you taste the plum pizza, but more of that next time.

Ice Bear Sydney

As a guest of Aurora Expeditions on Friday 3 June,  I was lucky enough to meet UK sculptor Mark Coreth, who is an Arctic aficionado and huge admirer of polar bears. He spoke about his work with great passion and humour and went back to sculpting the ice bear which melts to leave its bronze frame. Mark loves to work on the nose, especially and here he is below, watched closely by the 1 million women campaign poster www.1millionwomen.com.au the group of women dedicated to cutting a tonne of pollution from our daily lives.

Sculptor Mark Coreth at work on the Sydney Ice Bear, Circular Quay, Sydney Image: ©AP/TrueBlue Cockatoo

Aurora Expeditions specialists also spoke of the compelling beauty of the Arctic and 'Russian Coast 2011' is a collection of voyages to inspire everyone to go. www.auroraexpeditions.com.au 

Mark Coreth is sculpting ice bear cubs at a masterclass in Sydney on 6 June.