Nice to know that we’re leading the way!

I don’t think bloggging is dead… at all. I just think it’s utillity is being learned and that the masses (if such there were) have realised it is jolly hard work to build a readership and keep it interested. The bulk of bloggers never got off the ground in any case, but the statistics reported in the media were quoting the number of new starters, not the numbers of starters who then stopped.

But newspapers, local newspapers and publications will merge with blogging so that it becomes another publlcation platform… everything’s going online, print will die out, and those bloggers that have built niche audiences with a tight constituency will inherit the periodical-publishing world.

Blogging never existed imho, just online publishing.

As for Twitter and FB – I have to admit to signing up. Twitter I don’t get involved with much and am thinking of giving up on – just not for me. FB, however, has put me in touch with many friends who, after 12 year’s of me living overseas, had become a little lax on the e-mail and letter writing front. I have always been a letter writer, but I appreciate that not everyone is and so was sad to lose touch with people over the years – however, many of those people find it easier to write a few lines on what they are doing each day – and from that I now message them and feel a connection once more – which is wonderful! It’s also an easy way for them to share photographs and events.

As for blogging, I still get so much out of in, in terms of keeping our family in touch with their growing grandchildren. It means so much to them to have a window into their lives. We also love looking back on posts on a rainy day (and are thorough with backing everything up!). I also enjoy making new acquaintances, it is like a modern day equivalent to pen-friends in a way! I’ve learned so much from other bloggers and appreciated their advice and support.

As Ruta says, ‘Bloggers of the World Unite’! Here! Here!

Hi Danny

You’re right – NZ is a long way from anywhere but somehow being further away can bring people closer together. We’re north of Wellington, about 2 hours drive to Fielding. The one thing about NZ is that the roads are long and narrow making even short distances take a long time. We’re heading back to the UK in a few weeks, it will be my first trip back in 3.5 years – I’m excited and a little scared by the prospect. What might I think of going back……!

I love to read Fiona’s blog and your recent contributions have definitely made me smile. You sound like quite a formidable team. I agree with you about blogging, it takes more effort than people might think. It takes discipline and energy which makes it a daily challenge but the responses from people are what make it worthwhile. I love to read other people’s stories and am inspired by what people achieve. I’ve book marked lots of tips and recipes from Fiona – and all because I did a google search one day looking for the secret to ripening tomatoes!

All the best, Julie

Having observed Fiona writing for her blog over the past three years, it occurs to me that if blogging is becoming a dying art them maybe that’s because it is simply hard work.
Writing as a hobby is fun, better still if you also get paid for it. But adhering to a rule of “one post per day” soon becomes a slog. It could easily slip to one every second day, one per week . . month . .it’s a slippery slope. Then it’s not fun any longer. It’s lonely too, unless you build up a following who encourage you to continue, but that can take months and month to gain momentum.
It helps that Fiona and I are a partnership. She writes. I edit and do the techie stuff like maintain the server, enhance the blog software etc.

Anyhow, I wanted to chat about your adventure in NZ. Fiona’s bro lives in Fielding. Whereabouts are you (approx)?
Doing what you did is something we have all thought about, if not dreamt about. It’s a beautiful country, no doubt, and the enhanced value for money available in NZ if one sold up in the UK is a big factor. It’s just soooo faaaaaaar awaaaaaaaaaaay !

Thanks for your beautiful photo shoots and well written articles.

Cheers,
Danny