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40°C in August? A climate expert explains why Australia is ridiculously hot right now

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrew-king-103126">Andrew King</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p>It’s winter in Australia, but as you’ve probably noticed, the weather is unusually warm. The top temperatures over large parts of the country this weekend were well above average for this time of year.</p> <p>The outback town of Oodnadatta in South Australia recorded 38.5°C on Friday and 39.4°C on Saturday – about 16°C above average. Both days were well above the state’s previous winter temperature record. In large parts of Australia, the heat is expected to persist into the coming week.</p> <p>A high pressure system is bringing this unusual heat – and it’s hanging around. So temperature records have already fallen and may continue to be broken for some towns in the next few days.</p> <p>It’s no secret the world is warming. In fact, 2024 is shaping up to be <a href="https://www.carbonbrief.org/state-of-the-climate-2024-now-very-likely-to-be-warmest-year-on-record/">the hottest year on record</a>. Climate change is upon us. Historical averages are becoming just that: a thing of the past.</p> <p>That’s why this winter heat is concerning. The warming trend will continue for at least as long as we keep burning fossil fuels and polluting the atmosphere. Remember, this is only August. The heatwaves of spring and summer are only going to be hotter.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GmhMKjxEGQo?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">Widespread heat forecast for Australia in August, 2024 (Bureau of Meteorology)</span></figcaption></figure> <h2>Records broken across Australia</h2> <p>The Bureau of Meteorology was expecting many records to be broken over the weekend across several states. On Thursday, bureau meteorologist Angus Hines described:</p> <blockquote> <p>A scorching end to winter, with widespread heat around the country in coming days, including the chance of winter records across multiple states for maximum temperature.</p> </blockquote> <p>The amount of heat plunging into central Australia was particularly unusual, Hines said.</p> <p>On Friday, temperatures across northern South Australia and southern parts of the Northern Territory were as much as 15°C above average.</p> <p>Temperatures continued to soar across northern parts of Western Australia over the weekend, with over 40°C recorded at Fitzroy Crossing on Sunday. It has been 2–12°C above average from Townsville all the way down to Melbourne for several days in a row.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/615457/original/file-20240825-18-d8f6ho.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/615457/original/file-20240825-18-d8f6ho.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/615457/original/file-20240825-18-d8f6ho.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=412&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615457/original/file-20240825-18-d8f6ho.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=412&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615457/original/file-20240825-18-d8f6ho.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=412&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615457/original/file-20240825-18-d8f6ho.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=518&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615457/original/file-20240825-18-d8f6ho.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=518&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615457/original/file-20240825-18-d8f6ho.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=518&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="Animated maximum temperature anomaly map showing heat building across central Australia" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Maximum temperature anomalies from August 19-24, showing heat building across Australia.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Bureau of Meteorology</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span></figcaption></figure> <p>Bear in mind, it’s only August. As Hines said, the fire weather season hasn’t yet hit most of Australia – but the current conditions – hot, dry and sometimes windy – are bringing moderate to high fire danger across Australia. It may also bring dusty conditions to central Australia.</p> <p>And for latitudes north of Sydney and Perth, most of the coming week will be warm.</p> <h2>What’s causing the winter warmth?</h2> <p><a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/charts/synoptic_col.shtml">In recent days</a> a stubborn high pressure system has sat over eastern Australia and the Tasman Sea. It has kept skies clear over much of the continent and brought northerly winds over many areas, transporting warm air to the south.</p> <p>High pressure promotes warm weather – both through clearer skies that bring more sunshine, and by promoting the descent of air which <a href="https://media.bom.gov.au/social/blog/2544/explainer-what-influences-air-temperature/">causes heating</a>.</p> <p>By late August, both the intensity of the sun and the length of the day has increased. So the centre of Australia can really warm up when under the right conditions.</p> <p>High pressure in June can be associated with cooler conditions, because more heat is lost from the surface during those long winter nights. But that’s already less of an issue by late August.</p> <p>This kind of weather setup has occurred in the past. Late-winter or early-spring heat does sometimes occur in Australia. However, this warm spell is exceptional, as highlighted by the broken temperature records across the country.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/615284/original/file-20240823-20-1mu7h0.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/615284/original/file-20240823-20-1mu7h0.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/615284/original/file-20240823-20-1mu7h0.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615284/original/file-20240823-20-1mu7h0.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615284/original/file-20240823-20-1mu7h0.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615284/original/file-20240823-20-1mu7h0.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=566&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615284/original/file-20240823-20-1mu7h0.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=566&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615284/original/file-20240823-20-1mu7h0.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=566&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="Graph of August Australian-average temperatures increasing since 1910" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">August temperatures have been rising over the past century.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Bureau of Meteorology</span></span></figcaption></figure> <h2>Feeling the heat</h2> <p>The consequences of humanity’s continued greenhouse gas emissions are clear. Australia’s winters are getting warmer overall. And winter “heatwaves” are becoming warmer.</p> <p>Australia’s three warmest Augusts on record have all occurred since 2000 – and <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-is-australia-having-such-a-warm-winter-a-climate-expert-explains-210693">last August was the second-warmest since 1910</a>. When the right weather conditions occur for winter warmth across Australia, the temperatures are higher than a century ago.</p> <p>The warmth we are experiencing now comes off the back of <a href="https://theconversation.com/earth-has-just-ended-a-13-month-streak-of-record-heat-heres-what-to-expect-next-236655">a recent run of global temperature records</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/extreme-heat-is-breaking-global-records-why-this-isnt-just-summer-and-what-climate-change-has-to-do-with-it-234249">extreme heat events across the Northern Hemisphere</a>.</p> <p>This warm spell is set to continue, with temperatures above 30°C forecast from Wednesday through to Sunday in Brisbane. The outlook for spring points to continued <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/outlooks/#/temperature/maximum/median/seasonal/0">above-normal temperatures</a> across the continent, but as always we will likely see both warm and cold spells at times.</p> <p>Such winter warmth is exceptional and already breaking records. Climate change is already increasing the frequency and intensity of this kind of winter heat – and future warm spells will be hotter still, if humanity’s greenhouse gas emissions continue.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/237398/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrew-king-103126">Andrew King</a>, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/40-c-in-august-a-climate-expert-explains-why-australia-is-ridiculously-hot-right-now-237398">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Domestic Travel

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Princess Eugenie celebrates her son's 2nd birthday

<p>Princess Eugenie has shared a sweet video in celebration of her son's birthday. </p> <p>August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, the son of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, turned two-years-old on Friday, with Eugenie marking the occasion with a rare glimpse at the young royal. </p> <p>Posting to Instagram, the Princess shared an adorable video of August smiling and dancing while on an outing with his parents. </p> <p>Eugenie captioned the video, "Happy 2nd Birthday to our boy Augie.. you are our worlds greatest joy. Keep dancing and smiling my angel. Xx".</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Coc0x3JA27L/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Coc0x3JA27L/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Princess Eugenie (@princesseugenie)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>She also shared a series of photos and videos on her Instagram story, delighting royal fans everywhere with the unseen footage of the rarely seen young August. </p> <p>The heart-warming video comes just weeks after Princess Eugenie <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/princess-eugenie-pregnant-with-second-child" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> she is pregnant with her second child.</p> <p>The youngest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson announced the news on her Instagram, showing off an adorable photo with August. </p> <p>The post on Instagram was timed with a statement from Buckingham Palace, which formally announced the couple's news.</p> <p>"We're so excited to share that there will be a new addition to our family this summer," Princess Eugenie captioned the photo of August kissing her blossoming belly in a field, taken by the dad-to-be.</p> <p>The Palace confirmed the baby will be born sometime during the British summer this year, so the bub could arrive any time between June to August.</p> <p>"Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank are pleased to announce they are expecting their second child this summer," the official statement said.</p> <p>"The family are delighted and August is very much looking forward to being a big brother."</p> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem;"><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Here’s what’s happening across Australia in August

<p dir="ltr">With the winter chill waning and spring just around the corner, there is plenty to do around the country.</p> <p dir="ltr">Whether you’re a foodie, art connoisseur, or looking for your next film fix, here’s what’s happening around Australia in August.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong><em>Fleur de Villes</em> Flower Show, Sydney</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">After a five-year tour around the world, a whimsical flower show, <em>Fleur de Villes</em>, will be landing in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens from August 19-28.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-b5099dd3-7fff-a1b9-0da0-0d0711aae8cf"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">This year’s theme, <em>FEMMES</em>, will see local Sydney florists create life-size tributes to 15 remarkable women, including Kylie Minogue, Frida Kahlo and Indigenous activist Evelyn Scott. </p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/fleur-de-villes.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @rbgsydney (Instagram)</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Floral workshops, bespoke dining experiences, a pop-up flower market, and talks from scientists, florists and horticulturalists round out this year’s program, with general admission tickets costing $22, and seniors and kids aged 5-17 getting in for half-price.</p> <p dir="ltr">To find out more about the show, head <a href="https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/what-s-on/fleurs-de-villes-femmes-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>SALA Festival, Adelaide</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-63f5ee9c-7fff-bb05-be75-4f4677bc5a53"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">The South Australian Living Artists Festival is returning for a statewide celebration of local artists and celebrating its 25th festival with a Silver exhibition of local artists curated by six special guests, including the Lord Mayor of Adelaide.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/sala-festival.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @salafestival (Instagram)</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Along with thousands of artists exhibiting across metropolitan and regional South Australia, this year’s program also features an online exhibition, masterclasses and workshops across various art forms, and a five-day drawing marathon.</p> <p dir="ltr">To find out more about this year’s SALA Festival, head <a href="https://www.salafestival.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>The Curated (side)Plate, Queensland</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The culinary festival is returning to the Sunshine Coast once again, following its debut in 2019, for ten days of culinary experiences.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-4b02d736-7fff-f6ed-2416-015107a52ee7"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">This year’s program is filled with long lunches, picnics, foodie nights and brunches, featuring local produce and culinary talent.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/sideplate-fest.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @thecuratedplate (Instagram)</em></p> <p dir="ltr">To find out more about the Curated (side)Plate festival, running from July 29 until August 7, and purchase tickets, head here.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Central Coast Chorale Anniversary Concert, NSW</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">After nearly 250 concerts, the Central Coast Chorale is celebrating 30 years of music at their upcoming concert, ‘Celebration in Song’.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-16294372-7fff-1775-e9ec-3f61ec010c3a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">The choir of 55 singers will be performing a range of majestic music, from Bruckner and Haydn to the highlights of Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute. A newly-commissioned piece by emerging composer Courtney Cousins - who is currently playing Mahler’s second symphony with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra - will also be debuting.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/coast-chorale.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Central Coast Chorale</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Tickets for the concert on August 28 will be available to purchase at the door at St Patrick’s Catholic Church East Gosford, with more information available <a href="https://www.centralcoastchorale.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>70th Melbourne International Film Festival</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-a4bbd6c4-7fff-322e-4a42-8c68a76f8517"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Melbourne’s month-long celebration of cinema is returning once again to cinemas across Victoria, bringing with it a program of acclaimed international films, world premieres, and new Australian cinema.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/miff1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Visit Melbourne</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Other highlights include the launch of the festival’s film competition, as well as a series of special events, talks, performances, and commissioned works.</p> <p dir="ltr">To see the full program and purchase tickets, head <a href="https://miff.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Darwin Festival</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-346bb106-7fff-507c-1f1d-2e8d944bf641"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Darwin’s annual winter arts festival has returned, featuring a program of outdoor festivities and activities that take advantage of the Top End’s dry, tropical winter.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/darwin-fest.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Tony Lewis (Darwin Festival)</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Highlights include balarr inyiny (meaning Light Dreaming), a light festival that will see 160 drones take flight for a breathtaking sky show that illustrates Larrakia songlines from across Darwin’s coastline, along with the Prehistoric Picnic and plenty of comedians, local and international artists, and theatre.</p> <p dir="ltr">To see the full program and find out more about Darwin Festival 2022, head <a href="https://www.darwinfestival.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Gascoyne Food Festival, WA</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c86a1f24-7fff-6987-05fe-e5e31a7f5c9b"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">The country’s largest regional food experience is heading to Gascoyne, in WA’s north-west, from July 30 until September 4.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/gascoyne-fest.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @t.r.i.s.m (Instagram)</em></p> <p dir="ltr">The region’s best ingredients and culinary talent will be on display across various events, including Australia’s Biggest BBQ (September 3), pop-up food market Eating the Gascoyne (August 4), the Twilight Gala Dinner (August 5), Canapes on the Gascoyne (August 26), and Flavours of Shark Bay (September 4).</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-86cac65d-7fff-8136-43c6-7f7d318dbed5"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">To find out more and book your spot, head <a href="https://www.gascoynefoodfestival.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p>

Domestic Travel

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Princess Eugenie’s son makes royal debut

<p dir="ltr">Princess Eugenie's son has finally made his royal debut at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant. </p> <p dir="ltr">Queen Elizabeth celebrated her 70-year reign with Trooping the Colour military parade, a flypast of 70 aircraft, a thanksgiving service at St. Paul’s Cathedral and a concert and spectacular light show outside Buckingham Palace.</p> <p dir="ltr">But it was 16-month-old August Brooksbank who stole the show on Sunday in the royal family box as they watched the final procession arrive in front of Buckingham Palace.</p> <p dir="ltr">Princess Eugenie took to Instagram and shared multiple heartwarming photos of her son watching the pageant in her arms as well as husband Jack Brooksbank’s arms. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The Platinum Jubilee Pageant was just incredible. To all the people that took part, organised it, made it flawless for us all watching, THANK YOU. You made us all so proud,” she captioned the photos. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ceb2_3lrV4g/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ceb2_3lrV4g/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Princess Eugenie (@princesseugenie)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">She also shared an adorable video of August waving as Ed Sheeran took to the stage and wowed the crowd. </p> <p dir="ltr">This however was not the first event that August accompanied his family with, as Princess Eugenie earlier shared images of her family watching the RAF fly during Trooping the Colour celebrations. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CeT2hf5o5ln/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CeT2hf5o5ln/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Princess Eugenie (@princesseugenie)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The Pageant was the first event where he was photographed publicly with all previous photos shared by Princess Eugenie. </p> <p dir="ltr">August is the Queen's ninth great-grandchild, and he is currently 13th in line for the British throne.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty/Instagram</em></p>

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Princess Eugenie's father-in-law dies before baby August's christening

<p>Princess Eugenie's father-in-law George Brooksbank has died just days before his grandson August was christened. </p> <p>The 72-year-old battled Covid-19 last year and was in hospital for nine weeks, with some reports suggesting he never fully recovered. </p> <p>A source told the MailOnline, "George had been in hospital with Covid and had not been the same after that."</p> <p>"He had been unwell for some time. It’s been a difficult time for Jack losing his father before the Christening."</p> <p>After being diagnosed with Covid-19 in March 2020, George was put on a ventilator for five weeks as he fought to overcome the virus.</p> <p><span>When he was eventually discharged from hospital more than two months later, Princess Eugenie thanked the UK's NHS staff "saving my father-in-law's life".</span></p> <p><span>"George came back to us the other day so happy, and as the 'miracle man' as he called himself," she said.</span></p> <p><span>George went on to thank the medical personnel who helped him through his illness, and praised them for their efforts. </span></p> <p><span>"It was a real eye-opener for somebody who has not been in hospital before for any length of time. I certainly owe them my life," he said.</span></p> <p>George's exact cause of death is not yet known, but it is believed he passed away last week. </p> <p>Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank baptised their son August <span>at the All Saints Chapel at Windsor in front of the Queen, members of the royal family and friends.</span></p> <p>August's cousin Lucas Tindall, the son of Zara and Mike Tindall, was also christened in the rare double service. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Princess Eugenie shares new snap of baby August

<p>Princess Eugenie has shared a new photo of her and Jack Brooksbank's son August Philip Hawke in celebration of World Environment Day.</p> <p>On Saturday, the royal took to Instagram to share a number of nature shots which included photos of elephants, flowers and stunning scenery.</p> <p>In one of the photos, the 31-year-old included a picture of herself holding the couple's son, who they welcomed in February.</p> <p>In the photo, August can be seen strapped to his mother’s chest as the pair stand in front of a small hill covered with yellow daffodils.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CPwChV6lQzH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CPwChV6lQzH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Princess Eugenie (@princesseugenie)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“Environment Day 2021!! Thank you world for giving us such a beautiful place to live,” Princess Eugenie captioned the post. “To mark this day I wanted to share some photos over the years (and more recent ones) that remind me how amazing our environment is and how we must always protect it.”</p> <p>The royal’s tribute to nature comes after she recently jointly celebrated World Bee Day along with the news that her sister Princess Beatrice is expecting her first child with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.</p> <p>Sharing a throwback photo last month of her sister and her brother-in-law on their wedding day, Princess Eugenie expressed her happiness over the baby news while using the nickname Bea to refer to her sibling.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CPGSUa0Fewy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CPGSUa0Fewy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Princess Eugenie (@princesseugenie)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“It’s World Bee Day!! A day to celebrate nature’s most badass little friend with their black and yellow stripes…” she captioned the photo. “But our furry little friends have to share today with my big sis Bea who’s got a little one on the way. Beabea and Edo huge congratulations on your news - can’t wait to meet the little one.”</p> <p>Princess Eugenie concluded the 20 May post with the hashtags #WorldBeeDay and #SaveTheBees.</p>

Family & Pets

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Princess Eugenie's adorably candid shot of her son August

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Princess Eugenie has thrilled royal fans by sharing sweet snaps of her husband, Jack Brooksbank, and her son August for Brooksbank's birthday.</p> <p>Jack turns 35 and the first photo is the one that has royal fans swooning over baby August in a monogrammed cardigan and a white hat.</p> <p>“You are exceptional.. Happy Birthday my love,” Princess Eugenie, 31, captioned<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CObAKuGlWSn/" target="_blank">the sweet post</a>.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CObAKuGlWSn/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CObAKuGlWSn/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Princess Eugenie (@princesseugenie)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Fans rushed to wish Jack a happy birthday.</p> <p>“Happy Birthday Jack how lovely to have your photograph taken with your baby son August on your special day," one wrote.</p> <p>"Happy birthday Jack have a great day with your cute family," another agreed.</p> <p>The sweet snaps come after Eugenie and Jack attended the funeral of Prince Philip last month.</p> <p>“Dearest Grandpa,⁣ We all miss you.,” Eugenie wrote in a heartbreaking post following news of his passing.</p> <p>“You would be so touched by all the tributes that have been shared with me the past few days. ⁣People remember sitting next to you at a dinner, or shaking your hand once, who remember you saying hello in passing, or remember how much their DofE award meant to them. ⁣</p> <p>“I remember learning how to cook, how to paint, what to read. I remember laughing at your jokes and asking about your spectacular life and service in the navy. ⁣</p> <p>“I remember incinerating the sausages and you swooping in to save the day.⁣ I remember your hands and your laugh and your favourite beer. ⁣I will remember you in your children, your grandchildren and great grandchildren. ⁣</p> <p>“Thank you for your dedication and love for us all and especially Granny, who we will look after for you. ⁣With all my love ⁣Eugenie.”</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Family & Pets

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Princess Eugenie shares sweet new snap of baby August

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Princess Eugenie has shared the fourth official photo of her newborn son August as she celebrates her first Easter as a mum.</p> <p>She took to Instagram this morning to share a sweet snap with her family of three.</p> <p>Eugenie summed the beautiful image up perfectly: "Wishing everyone a Happy Easter and a blossoming Spring."</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CNTCrkzF55b/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CNTCrkzF55b/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Princess Eugenie (@princesseugenie)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Fans were excited to see baby August as it's the fourth time they've seen him since his birth in February.</p> <p>"You're such a lovely family. Happy Easter and spring for you," wrote an excited fan.</p> <p>"Thank you for sharing! Hope the first Easter was wonderful!" Another added.</p> <p>The post was a hit with fans as it has more than 73,000 likes.</p> </div> </div> </div>

Family & Pets

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6 new books to look out for this month

<p>We’ve rounded up six of the best books to look out for this month, and whether you love drama, history or suspense, there’s something here for you.</p> <p><strong>1. <a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/93981/71095/1880?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Fand-fire-came-down-emma-viskic%2Fprod9781760402945.html" target="_blank"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">And Fire Came Down</span></em></a> by Emma Viskic </strong></p> <p>Deaf since early childhood, Caleb Zelic used to meet life head-on. Now he’s struggling just to get through the day. His best mate is dead, his ex-wife, Kat, is avoiding him, and nightmares haunt his waking hours.</p> <p>But when a young woman is killed after pleading for his help in sign language, Caleb is determined to find out who she was. And the trail leads straight to his hometown, Resurrection Bay. The town is on bushfire alert and simmering with racial tensions. As he delves deeper, Caleb uncovers secrets that could threaten his life and any chance of reuniting with Kat. Driven by his demons, he pushes on. But who is he willing to sacrifice along the way?</p> <p><strong>2. <a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/93981/71095/1880?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Fthe-last-tudor-philippa-gregory%2Fprod9781471133060.html" target="_blank"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Last Tudor</span></em></a> by Philippa Gregory </strong></p> <p>Seventeen-year-old Jane Grey was queen of England for nine days. Using her position as cousin to the deceased king, her father and his conspirators put her on the throne ahead of the king's half-sister Mary, who quickly mustered an army, claimed her crown and locked Jane in the Tower. When Jane refused to betray her Protestant faith, Mary sent her to the executioner's block. There Jane turned her father's greedy, failed grab for power into her own brave and tragic martyrdom.</p> <p>'Learn you to die' is the advice that Jane gives in a letter to her younger sister Katherine, who has no intention of dying. She intends to enjoy her beauty and her youth and find love. But her lineage makes her a threat to the insecure and infertile Queen Mary and, when Mary dies, to her sister Queen Elizabeth, who will never allow Katherine to marry and produce a potential royal heir before she does. So when Katherine's secret marriage is revealed by her pregnancy, she too must go to the Tower.</p> <p>'Farewell, my sister,' writes Katherine to the youngest Grey sister, Mary. A beautiful dwarf, disregarded by the court, Mary finds it easy to keep secrets, especially her own, while avoiding Elizabeth's suspicious glare. After watching her sisters defy the queen, Mary is aware of her own perilous position as a possible heir to the throne. But she is determined to command her own destiny and be the last Tudor to risk her life in matching wits with her ruthless and unforgiving cousin Elizabeth.</p> <p><strong>3. <a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/93981/71095/1880?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Falexander-hamilton-ron-chernow%2Fprod9781786690036.html" target="_blank"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Alexander Hamilton</span></em></a> by Ron Chernow</strong> </p> <p>The bestselling life of one of America's founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton, which became the basis for the hugely successful Broadway show <em>Hamilton</em>.</p> <p>Alexander Hamilton was an illegitimate, largely self-taught orphan from the Caribbean who overcame all the odds to become George Washington's aide-de-camp and the first Treasury Secretary of the United States. Few figures in American history are more controversial than Alexander Hamilton. In this masterful work, Chernow shows how the political and economic power of America today is the result of Hamilton's willingness to champion ideas that were often wildly disputed during his time. He charts his titanic feuds with Jefferson, Adams, Madison, Monroe and Burr; his highly public affair with Maria Reynolds; his loving marriage to his loyal wife Eliza; and the notorious duel with Aaron Burr that led to his death in July 1804.</p> <p><strong>4. <a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/93981/71095/1880?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Fthe-boat-runner-devin-murphy%2Fprod9780062658012.html" target="_blank"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Boat Runner</span></em></a> by Devin Murphy </strong></p> <p>Beginning in the summer of 1939, fourteen-year-old Jacob Koopman and his older brother, Edwin, enjoy lives of prosperity and quiet contentment. Many of the residents in their small Dutch town have some connection to the Koopman lightbulb factory, and the locals hold the family in high esteem.</p> <p>On days when they aren’t playing with friends, Jacob and Edwin help their Uncle Martin on his fishing boat in the North Sea, where German ships have become a common sight. But conflict still seems unthinkable, even as the boys’ father naively sends his sons to a Hitler Youth Camp in an effort to secure German business for the factory.</p> <p>When war breaks out, Jacob’s world is thrown into chaos. <em>The Boat Runner </em>follows Jacob over the course of four years, through the forests of France, the stormy beaches of England, and deep within the secret missions of the German Navy, where he is confronted with the moral dilemma that will change his life—and his life’s mission—forever.</p> <p><strong>5. <a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/93981/71095/1880?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Fgood-friday-lynda-la-plante%2Fprod9781785763281.html" target="_blank"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Good Friday</span></em></a> by Lynda La Plante </strong></p> <p>During 1974 and 1975 the IRA subjected London to a terrifying bombing campaign. In one day alone, they planted seven bombs at locations across central London. Some were defused - some were not.</p> <p>Jane Tennison is now a fully-fledged detective. On the way to court one morning, Jane passes through Covent Garden Underground station and is caught up in a bomb blast that leaves several people dead, and many horribly injured. Jane is a key witness, but is adamant that she can't identify the bomber. When a photograph appears in the newspapers, showing Jane assisting the injured at the scene, it puts her and her family at risk from IRA retaliation.</p> <p><em>Good Friday</em> is the eagerly awaited date of the annual formal CID dinner, due to take place at St Ermin's Hotel. Hundreds of detectives and their wives will be there. It's the perfect target. As Jane arrives for the evening, she realises that she recognises the parking attendant as the bomber from Covent Garden. Can she convince her senior officers in time, or will another bomb destroy London's entire detective force?</p> <p><em><strong>6. <a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/93981/71095/1880?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2F5-ingredients-jamie-oliver%2Fprod9780718187729.html" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 Ingredients</span></a> by Jamie Oliver </strong></em></p> <p>It's all about making the journey to good food, super-simple. Every recipe uses just five key ingredients, ensuring you can get a plate of food together fast, whether it's finished and on the table super-quickly, or after minimal hands-on prep, you've let the oven do the hard work for you. We're talking quality over quantity, a little diligence on the cooking front, and in return massive flavour.</p> <p>Each recipe has been tried and tested (and tested again!) to ensure the book is packed with no-fuss, budget-friendly dishes that you can rustle up, any day of the week. With over 130 recipes, and chapters on chicken, beef, pork, lamb, fish, eggs, veg, salads, pasta, rice &amp; noodles and sweet things, there's plenty of quick and easy recipe inspiration to choose from.</p> <p>With every recipe you'll find a visual ingredient guide, serving size, timings, a short, easy-to-follow method, and quick-reference nutritional information. This is Jamie's easiest-to-use book yet, and the perfect cookbook for busy people.</p>

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