Friday, March 22, 2013

Bryce is Beautiful - Bryce Canyon National Park That Is

Bryce Canyon National Park is just beautiful. This national park is one of the highlights of southern Utah and one of the USA's most memorable parks.

Since I was driving in a clockwise direction to visit the state's national parks, I travelled about 90 miles from Zion National Park in the southwest to Bryce Canyon.

Scenic Byway sign, Utah, USA - Fran West
Some of the route was along National Scenic Byway 12. I highly recommend planning your trip along these byways when possible because the scenery is well worth it. 
These Scenic Byways are well marked as you can see from the sign.

There's a whole list of these in a little booklet which was sent to me in 2009 from the American Park Network - "Utah's National Parks: your complete guide to the parks".

When I arrived at Bryce Canyon it was pouring with rain, not a good omen for taking photos.

However, the weather cleared up at times with a few sunny patches here and there, revealing the scenery in the two photos below.

Quite an adventure walking the muddy trails after rain as it was slippery in sections and sometimes each step was like pulling my feet out of glue as I squelched along the track. I just love having my boots caked in mud!

Nevertheless, there's nothing like walking in amongst the multihued rock formations. 

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA - Fran West
As you drive further into the park, you'll come across several lookouts like the one below. 

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA - Fran West
To really explore Bryce Canyon you need more than the two and a half days which I had. The colours of the rocks change depending on the time of day, particularly sunrise and sunset, and you need to experience the park in several ways by driving, walking, biking or riding a mule into one of the canyons.

Here's a link to more information about Bryce Canyon National Park.

There are two photos of Bryce Canyon in my kindle book on Amazon. Just click on the photo for more information.

Friday, March 15, 2013

"Free Internet Marketing for Small Business" ebook out now

Free Internet Marketing for Small Business, by Fran West and Hilary Thompson, is an ebook full of practical tips for sole proprietors, home-based operators and small to medium enterprises.

It is a "must have" for anyone who is starting up a new business or trying to attract more clients/customers to an existing business.

Written in an easy to read and understand style, this ebook is an invaluable how-to manual with loads of illustrations and templates.

Testimonials

“I think your eBook will be most helpful to get all the Indie business owners out there started on internet marketing. It was all very clear and most importantly the links worked, making it easy to navigate. As an independent international publisher we already make use of some of your recommendations, but are pleased to know about all the others. We tend to cover just some of the ones you suggest because we are often just under overwhelm most of the time, what with all the other vital tasks that have to be covered. You make it easy for your readers to choose their own favourite tools and make an easy start on this most important activity.”

Robin Beck, Managing Director/Owner, Kima Global Publishers, Cape Town, South Africa, www.kimabooks.com

“Well done ladies. Simple, clear and easy to read. Our company is in the midst of a marketing facelift … change in strategy, website, brochure … work in progress. It is strange how at times things we need fall into our lap … it really is a lot about timing! I needed to be pointed to read the Google+ Guides to Business.”

Michelle Bassanesi, Resource Broker, Chief Operations/Financial Officer, Event Services, Rome, Italy, www.eventservices.it

“There's a lot of excellent information in these pages. The internet and modern communications have advanced beyond all recognition in the last 10 years or so, and your book gives an excellent overview of the techniques for marketing a small business in the 21st Century. There are many free resources that can help to make the difference between success and failure as a small business starts out. I've never really got to grips with Pinterest or Vimeo, but your book led me to the relevant information in a click! As a result I'm getting some ideas about how I might incorporate them into my site.”

Jon Fryer, Proprietor, Coffee Berry, Sheffield, UK, coffeeberry.org.uk

“This is an excellent resource that has been crying out to be written. My congratulations to the authors for their clear and detailed instructions that will appeal to the most nervous or unsure new business owners who wish to gain maximum exposure for their enterprises. You are led through the process by means of screen shots taken directly from the most relevant websites. Each stage has working links to the pertinent pages so the value of each practical suggestion can be checked immediately. Where there is cost involved for extra services from those sites, this is clearly pointed out, but you may never need the extras. When the authors say "free" they mean "free." I recommend this eBook without reservation.”

Penney Hughes, Special Education/Early Intervention Teacher, Adelaide, South Australia

“This book saved me hours of research time, and with the explanations of how sites work, it saved me even more time by trying to work out how to use them.”

Annie Waddington-Feather, Freelance Writer and Communications Consultant, Adelaide, South Australia, www.wadders.co.uk

“I have been waiting for a book like this for over 30 years, it debunks the myth that IT specialists are the only people who can teach us this medium. It is easy to follow and for a person like me it unlocks the mysteries of some of the software I have difficulty understanding how to use. Well done to the authors for such a great initiative, may I wish you all the success you deserve.”

Ken Wood, Interventionist, Optimist, Educator, Adelaide, South Australia, www.kenwoodspeaking.com.au/

“Free Internet Marketing for Small Business gives me practical information based on practical experience. Parted the waves for me through the ocean of free internet marketing opportunities deep enough to drown me - and which I couldn't spare the time to explore. Now I have my own easy-to-follow internet marketing bible. Thank you Fran and Hilary.”

Peter Nicholls, Australia's People Gardener - Growing Better People, Adelaide, South Australia, www.australiaspeoplegardener.com.au

“This is great! I can't believe how many great ideas are packed into this little e-book. It covers a wide range of internet promotion techniques and sites, and the screen shots show you exactly what to do. Even if you have never used the Internet to promote your business, this book gives you everything you need to make a start. Best of all, the authors walk their talk and talk their walk - you can easily adapt what they've done to suit your own needs.”

Shelley Dunstone, Innovation in Strategy, Adelaide, South Australia, www.legalcircles.com

To purchase at $9.95 go to:

Friday, March 8, 2013

Rritjarukar (Willy Wagtails) Ngarrindjeri Choir at Wooden Boat Festival, River Port of Goolwa, South Australia

The Rritjarukar (Willy Wagtails) Ngarrindjeri Choir featured at the Wooden Boat Festival, river port of Goolwa, South Australia.

This was my second Wooden Boat Fesival at Goolwa, South Australia, held on the last weekend of February, 2013.

A fine hot summer's day was forecast so I decided to be in Goolwa before the crowds arrived. It took me less than an hour to drive from my home in Adelaide through the rolling hills of the Fleurieu Peninsula to Goolwa.

With such a brilliant day for photography I took almost 2,000 photos. Some of these will appear in my "Alzheimer's Products" DVDs, photo downloads and interactive jigsaw puzzles. They'll also be turned into kindle books for Amazon.

The programme was filled with plenty of activities  - some on the water and others on the land and I was fortunate to be on the wharf where I could photograph both areas.

One of the highlights of the day was the song and dance performance of the Rritjarukar (Willy Wagtails) Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Choir led by Rita Lindsay (pictured below).

Rita Lindsay, leader, Rritjarukar (Willy Wagtails) Choir
The outfits and face painting set the mood for the performance which illustrated traditional activities and aspects of life in the lower reaches of the River Murray.

Rritjarukar (Willy Wagtails) Choir
 As you can see from the photos, the performance (in the Ngarrindjeri language) was full of action.

Rritjarukar (Willy Wagtails) Choir
 What impressed me most was the age range of the group extending from young children up to the elders. The Ngarrindjeri culture is not only being passed on to the younger generation but it's also being presented in such a way that the wider community can enjoy it too. 

Rritjarukar (Willy Wagtails) Choir
 Listen to a podcast with Rita Lindsay.