Friday, 26 November 2010
Not long now :-( - photos!
Redhill......
Mad dog Henry and Harry the cat!!!
The ladies that do lunch....
The Eureka Tower...
The Edge......
Can you see me....
The view up high........
Was it mossie- gate or red-back spider gate....????
Or more like Shirley being over-dramatic hyperchondriac gate!!!!!
That'll do for now - more will be added when I get a moment - and Julie - I promise to have a family album before I leave here!!!
Thursday, 25 November 2010
Not long now..... :-(
How can my holiday be nearly over already - didn't I just arrive??? It's less than a week until I return to the wonders of the UK - the snow, the cold, the dark mornings - boy I cannot wait!!!!!!!!! NOT!!! But heh, looking on the bright side, I still have five days, plus the rest of this one left so the glass is most definitely half full!!
I am not able to add pics at the moment, so I may add those later on a seperate page! I am currently sitting in Redhill at my Aunt's place out in the countryside, but ironically also near the beach! It's a bit grey and overcast,but it is warm and all I can see around me are roses, trees, and more greenery. The rozellas and parakeets are adding even more colour to the scene, so it is very idyllic! The cat Harry is a foot away from me snuggled up on his bed, keeping an eye on life outside and Henry - a mad labradoodle has just left my side - it's possible he has realised I cannot go anywhere without him even if he isn't stuck to me like glue! It's been a incredibly relaxing and peaceful few days. Yesterday was spent perusing the boutiques of Sorento and on Wednesday evening I think I may have completed my challenge to find the best glass of white wine ever! It is called Eldridge Estate and quite conveniently it is brewed right next door - a trip there is on my to-do list after I have written this! However, clearly I will need to keep trying different wines until next wednesday as I may find something better and it would be wrong to miss that opportunity!
Monday and Tuesday of this week were about catching up with an old friend - once again not old, but a very good friend! You certainly know a true friend when you feel like you've just seen them a week ago, when really it has been five years!!! A significant number of my friends here seem to have developed the same condition where they now how little people in their lives, that follow them everywhere - very strange. But come to think of it - I think this condition has also affected my friend's in the UK - strange one - I wonder if there is a cure as it is clearly contagious!
We also had a fantastic walk on the dog beach - with the dogs of course on tuesday afternoon. Glorious sunshine and two dogs running back and forth, cooling you down when they shake and having the time of their lives - it made me want to be a dog (no smart comments please!!). There were at least fifty dead, huge jelly along the waters edge as well - no photos of those I am afraid, but such fascinating creatures!
Last saturday was another netball 8am start, but this time the weather was pretty sensational - it's really not difficult to be up early on a Saturday when the weather is that good! Sunday I went into the city to a polish festival, took part in a street performer's houdini like escape and went up the Eureka tower. The Rialto tower is the old verion of this and that is pretty high, but the Eureka goes that bit further and has an experience called 'The Edge' which is a glass elevator (to quote Roald Dahl) that comes out of the side of the building and gives you the feeling that you are standing in mid-air! I had no idea what The Edge was, so I happily signed up and enjoyed every minute - I am not sure I would have been so game had I known, but as they say ignorance is bliss! This is where I would put in some photos to demonstrate the experience so to quote another wonderful phrase - patience is a virtue my friends.
Mossie-gate was definitely the theme of last weekend and those of you on facebook would have been 'lucky' enough to have experienced this with me. It is actually unlikely that they were mossie bites, but whatever they were they were rather unpleasant all five of them and my legs looked ever so attractive with five great big red wheals on them. Whatever bit me had the cheek to do it through my leggings as well - so it certainly had some fangs on it!! As I am still alive I think we can safely presume they were not from a red-back spider, although having just read that less than 20% of bite victims will need anti-venom - I think i am going to go with saying I was bitten 5 times by a red-back spider - it sounds far more dramatic - and if I remember/get time - the photos on the next page will prove my point! When anyone who sees them says "OH MY GOD!!!" you get to realise that they are not normal bites. (PS If anyone manages to identify it for me - send me an email - don't publicise it)!!!
Anyhow - my tummy is now saying it is way past lunchtime so i am going to head off! Tonight we are hoping to do fish and chips on the beach - which just sounds far too civilised - lots more wine drinking is also on the cards over the next few days aswell - life sure is swell!
I am not able to add pics at the moment, so I may add those later on a seperate page! I am currently sitting in Redhill at my Aunt's place out in the countryside, but ironically also near the beach! It's a bit grey and overcast,but it is warm and all I can see around me are roses, trees, and more greenery. The rozellas and parakeets are adding even more colour to the scene, so it is very idyllic! The cat Harry is a foot away from me snuggled up on his bed, keeping an eye on life outside and Henry - a mad labradoodle has just left my side - it's possible he has realised I cannot go anywhere without him even if he isn't stuck to me like glue! It's been a incredibly relaxing and peaceful few days. Yesterday was spent perusing the boutiques of Sorento and on Wednesday evening I think I may have completed my challenge to find the best glass of white wine ever! It is called Eldridge Estate and quite conveniently it is brewed right next door - a trip there is on my to-do list after I have written this! However, clearly I will need to keep trying different wines until next wednesday as I may find something better and it would be wrong to miss that opportunity!
Monday and Tuesday of this week were about catching up with an old friend - once again not old, but a very good friend! You certainly know a true friend when you feel like you've just seen them a week ago, when really it has been five years!!! A significant number of my friends here seem to have developed the same condition where they now how little people in their lives, that follow them everywhere - very strange. But come to think of it - I think this condition has also affected my friend's in the UK - strange one - I wonder if there is a cure as it is clearly contagious!
We also had a fantastic walk on the dog beach - with the dogs of course on tuesday afternoon. Glorious sunshine and two dogs running back and forth, cooling you down when they shake and having the time of their lives - it made me want to be a dog (no smart comments please!!). There were at least fifty dead, huge jelly along the waters edge as well - no photos of those I am afraid, but such fascinating creatures!
Last saturday was another netball 8am start, but this time the weather was pretty sensational - it's really not difficult to be up early on a Saturday when the weather is that good! Sunday I went into the city to a polish festival, took part in a street performer's houdini like escape and went up the Eureka tower. The Rialto tower is the old verion of this and that is pretty high, but the Eureka goes that bit further and has an experience called 'The Edge' which is a glass elevator (to quote Roald Dahl) that comes out of the side of the building and gives you the feeling that you are standing in mid-air! I had no idea what The Edge was, so I happily signed up and enjoyed every minute - I am not sure I would have been so game had I known, but as they say ignorance is bliss! This is where I would put in some photos to demonstrate the experience so to quote another wonderful phrase - patience is a virtue my friends.
Mossie-gate was definitely the theme of last weekend and those of you on facebook would have been 'lucky' enough to have experienced this with me. It is actually unlikely that they were mossie bites, but whatever they were they were rather unpleasant all five of them and my legs looked ever so attractive with five great big red wheals on them. Whatever bit me had the cheek to do it through my leggings as well - so it certainly had some fangs on it!! As I am still alive I think we can safely presume they were not from a red-back spider, although having just read that less than 20% of bite victims will need anti-venom - I think i am going to go with saying I was bitten 5 times by a red-back spider - it sounds far more dramatic - and if I remember/get time - the photos on the next page will prove my point! When anyone who sees them says "OH MY GOD!!!" you get to realise that they are not normal bites. (PS If anyone manages to identify it for me - send me an email - don't publicise it)!!!
Anyhow - my tummy is now saying it is way past lunchtime so i am going to head off! Tonight we are hoping to do fish and chips on the beach - which just sounds far too civilised - lots more wine drinking is also on the cards over the next few days aswell - life sure is swell!
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Well we have returned from the Mountains - well Mount Bogong (pronounced Bow [as in bow and arrow] and gong) otherwise known as 'Big Fella.' We had a lovely time and other than another little bit of sunburn for me - who would have thought it was possible to burn in less than 20 degree heat - we are all the better for our break! The Hume highway survived my pomme driving skills and despite a lack of observed koalas and kangeroos (apart from the one by the roadside that was past it's sell-by date!!) the place was pretty spectacular!
Fainter Falls - the last photo was pretty fab too - it was a bit of a hike to get there, but keeping in-line with my fitness regime (and working off some of the calories I have consumed) it was well worth it! The accomodation was very comfortable and my bed was my haven - sooooo comfy and quiet, I felt like I could sleep forever!!
Tomorrow I am meeting up with an old friend - well not old, but definitely a friend, whom I have not seen for five years - Hampton Street here we come I ssupect or maybe the beach!! The weeks are flying past and whilst I seem to be having several dreams that I am back at work - I am always very relieved to wake up and discover I am still in Oz - sorry guys, but as unbelievable as it may sound........it's true ;-)
Peace seems to be reigning in the Wilson household now that the younger folk have gone to bed - so it must be flop in front of the tv time - I'll catch you again shortly!!!
Fainter Falls - the last photo was pretty fab too - it was a bit of a hike to get there, but keeping in-line with my fitness regime (and working off some of the calories I have consumed) it was well worth it! The accomodation was very comfortable and my bed was my haven - sooooo comfy and quiet, I felt like I could sleep forever!!
Tomorrow I am meeting up with an old friend - well not old, but definitely a friend, whom I have not seen for five years - Hampton Street here we come I ssupect or maybe the beach!! The weeks are flying past and whilst I seem to be having several dreams that I am back at work - I am always very relieved to wake up and discover I am still in Oz - sorry guys, but as unbelievable as it may sound........it's true ;-)
Peace seems to be reigning in the Wilson household now that the younger folk have gone to bed - so it must be flop in front of the tv time - I'll catch you again shortly!!!
Sunday, 14 November 2010
Lifejackets at the ready!!
No. of Mossie bites - 3
Items purchased for oneself - 7
G'day guys - I really must come onto this blog thingy more often - it has just taken me the best part of 5mins to work out how to do another post - clearly it's exhaustion from my busy week and weekend!!!
This week I have made a couple of trips to my absolute favourite place in the world - Hampton Street to peruse the shops! I have no idea what it is about the street that I love so much and I cannot even make a comparison to anywhere in the UK - but it is just fab! It was reassuring to discover that a few of my old favourite shops are still there and of course I had to make pur-chases! This time I chose to get a train back home and I felt quite nostalgic sitting in the sunshine remembering all the times I had travelled up to the city for nightshifts when I had been working at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne! Good times!!!
Just to keep up my fitness level (or rather try and develop it) I played in half a game of netball on friday afternoon - with a bunch of eight year olds in 30 degree heat!! I am not sure the little girl whom I was partnered with was overly impressed with my marking skills - the scowls said it all - but I felt it was important to help her develop her netball skills - I think she actually sat out in the end! I on the other hand ran around like a lunatic, driven by the excitement at actually being taller than my oponents however, after 15mins I was ready to drop!
The weather turned a bit dodgy on Friday evening and it rained, like it never ever rains in the UK - and it continued pretty much all night! I did expect to get up on Saturday morning to find the hosue floating down to the beach - but a bit of rain doesn't stop anyone here in Melbourne and off we went for more netball at 8am!! See, I can even get up and out at this time without the sunshine!! We cheered and encouraged the tigers (Steph's team) to mark up, jump, run and pass the ball as much as we could in the pouring rain, but they couldn't quite pull off a win against the other team who were at least a foot taller than all of them! It took me back to the days of being at primary school and being hammered by a team who's goal shooter towered over me as goal keeper!!
Today was a day out in the country at my aunt's place in Redhill - it's got acres and acres of land and is just so idyllic that the only sensible thing to do was drink champagne and eat great food!!! The rain has stopped and I could definitely feel the sun trying to come out again today - so I feel like it will return to the great form of last week for our trip to the mountains for three days!!! Watch out those on the melbourne roads - Shirley is gonna be behind the wheel!!!
Items purchased for oneself - 7
G'day guys - I really must come onto this blog thingy more often - it has just taken me the best part of 5mins to work out how to do another post - clearly it's exhaustion from my busy week and weekend!!!
This week I have made a couple of trips to my absolute favourite place in the world - Hampton Street to peruse the shops! I have no idea what it is about the street that I love so much and I cannot even make a comparison to anywhere in the UK - but it is just fab! It was reassuring to discover that a few of my old favourite shops are still there and of course I had to make pur-chases! This time I chose to get a train back home and I felt quite nostalgic sitting in the sunshine remembering all the times I had travelled up to the city for nightshifts when I had been working at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne! Good times!!!
Just to keep up my fitness level (or rather try and develop it) I played in half a game of netball on friday afternoon - with a bunch of eight year olds in 30 degree heat!! I am not sure the little girl whom I was partnered with was overly impressed with my marking skills - the scowls said it all - but I felt it was important to help her develop her netball skills - I think she actually sat out in the end! I on the other hand ran around like a lunatic, driven by the excitement at actually being taller than my oponents however, after 15mins I was ready to drop!
The weather turned a bit dodgy on Friday evening and it rained, like it never ever rains in the UK - and it continued pretty much all night! I did expect to get up on Saturday morning to find the hosue floating down to the beach - but a bit of rain doesn't stop anyone here in Melbourne and off we went for more netball at 8am!! See, I can even get up and out at this time without the sunshine!! We cheered and encouraged the tigers (Steph's team) to mark up, jump, run and pass the ball as much as we could in the pouring rain, but they couldn't quite pull off a win against the other team who were at least a foot taller than all of them! It took me back to the days of being at primary school and being hammered by a team who's goal shooter towered over me as goal keeper!!
Today was a day out in the country at my aunt's place in Redhill - it's got acres and acres of land and is just so idyllic that the only sensible thing to do was drink champagne and eat great food!!! The rain has stopped and I could definitely feel the sun trying to come out again today - so I feel like it will return to the great form of last week for our trip to the mountains for three days!!! Watch out those on the melbourne roads - Shirley is gonna be behind the wheel!!!
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
Jellyfish and blood sucking mossies!!!
Hi all - Well here I am again to entertain you with wonderful tales of my travels - is there anybody there???
The past few days have been glorious weather wise which is a great incentive for getting up and walking the children to school - yes - Shirley is not just walking, but at 8:30am - told you the weather was good! In fact ellie and I have a music ipod quiz around 7:15 every morning - needless to say I have not managed to stay awake beyond 10pm yet this week, which means I have been wonderful company for my cousin Robbie - I blame her, the couch is just too comfy ;-)
The past few days have been glorious weather wise which is a great incentive for getting up and walking the children to school - yes - Shirley is not just walking, but at 8:30am - told you the weather was good! In fact ellie and I have a music ipod quiz around 7:15 every morning - needless to say I have not managed to stay awake beyond 10pm yet this week, which means I have been wonderful company for my cousin Robbie - I blame her, the couch is just too comfy ;-)
So yesterday was a beach day - as I hope you can see it was a gorgeous sunny day, blue skies - beaut as they would say here in the land of Oz! Protected with suncream (or so I thought) and enough mossie spray to enable my cousin to go skating in her laundry room where I had sprayed it - I ventured onto the beach, lay down my towel and took in the sights around me - it's been two years since I've been on a beach! It was wonderful to just sit back and relax, read, write, relax - total bliss!! I even decided it would be a good idea to venture into the water. There were others around doing the same thing so I felt it was only right that I joined in - I got in as far as my ankles, before I saw the creature below....
I decided that it was a sign that I should venture no further - after all I am a Brit - let alone my Mother's daughter and I would not want to get too wet now would I ;-)
Needless to say, I did get a bit burnt and the damn mossies got me - two of the little suckers - I will not scratch...I will not scratch - but it sure feels good when I do!!!
Today has been shopping day and I have re-familiarised myself with Southlands - the local shopping mall. I have also familiarised myself with the bus system and how far it is from where I am staying to Sandringham railway station. I would like you all to take note of the fact that I say familiarise as I have not stayed in this area before. Hence why I missed the stop where I needed to disembark the bus and hence why I also walked back from the train station and arrived home about 45mins later - I feel I have more of an idea where I am now and my ankles have finally stopped aching!
By the way - if any of you are golfing fans - whichever tournament is in Melbourne this week -with Tiger Woods - it's just up the road here and it will no doubt be causing traffic chaos over the next few days!
Sunday, 7 November 2010
G'day eveyone!!
Well I am finally here and finally adding to this blog-thingy! Well I hope I am. I am not quite sure how it all works, but I am sure I will figure it out by the end of my trip!
My few days in Abu Dhabi were pretty cool - well mega hot in the sense of it was about 39degrees! It is a really interesting place. I was staying with my friend's right in the city and so I was able to experience the madness of city life, the crazy drivers and the culture all in one! I have to say it was pretty tough to arrive and have a 90mins massage at a nearby spa, courtesy of my hosts (THANKS AGAIN GUYS) and be forced to drink beer, wine and eat good food!
The days raced past and I was soon back on the plane on my way to Melbourne - well, when I say soon, that wasn't entirely correct! It took longer for me to drop off my bag (having checked in online) than it did for others going through the normal check-in process and duty-free was like the first hour of the NEXT sale at Christmas - total madness! This continued in the departure lounge where the chaos continued - so it was a huge relief to sit down once on the plane. I figured it was going to be a fun filled journey when the guy next to me remarked that his seat was extremely uncomfortable - we hadn't even taken off at this point - so I sympathetically reminded him he had 13hours ahead of him so he should get used to it! He didn't seem overly impressed when I actually managed to sleep and he had to wait 2hours to go to the toilet facilities - apparently I sleep like a baby!
Things were far more efficient when I reached Melbourne airport and I was through and meeting my cousin and her girls within 30mins! It feels like I have never been away and whilst there are a few changes here and there and obviously a main figure missing - everything is pretty much the same. I am off shopping to Southland (local shopping centre) later and we have already had a BBQ. I am finding it difficult to find a wine that I really like, so it has been a real challenge tasting it all - I expect the challenge to continue ;-)
The weather is good - sorry all those in the UK - and we are expecting some hot days later this week!
I will do my best to get some photos up at some point as they are far more interesting!
Hope everyone is well - wrap up warm!!
My few days in Abu Dhabi were pretty cool - well mega hot in the sense of it was about 39degrees! It is a really interesting place. I was staying with my friend's right in the city and so I was able to experience the madness of city life, the crazy drivers and the culture all in one! I have to say it was pretty tough to arrive and have a 90mins massage at a nearby spa, courtesy of my hosts (THANKS AGAIN GUYS) and be forced to drink beer, wine and eat good food!
The days raced past and I was soon back on the plane on my way to Melbourne - well, when I say soon, that wasn't entirely correct! It took longer for me to drop off my bag (having checked in online) than it did for others going through the normal check-in process and duty-free was like the first hour of the NEXT sale at Christmas - total madness! This continued in the departure lounge where the chaos continued - so it was a huge relief to sit down once on the plane. I figured it was going to be a fun filled journey when the guy next to me remarked that his seat was extremely uncomfortable - we hadn't even taken off at this point - so I sympathetically reminded him he had 13hours ahead of him so he should get used to it! He didn't seem overly impressed when I actually managed to sleep and he had to wait 2hours to go to the toilet facilities - apparently I sleep like a baby!
Things were far more efficient when I reached Melbourne airport and I was through and meeting my cousin and her girls within 30mins! It feels like I have never been away and whilst there are a few changes here and there and obviously a main figure missing - everything is pretty much the same. I am off shopping to Southland (local shopping centre) later and we have already had a BBQ. I am finding it difficult to find a wine that I really like, so it has been a real challenge tasting it all - I expect the challenge to continue ;-)
The weather is good - sorry all those in the UK - and we are expecting some hot days later this week!
I will do my best to get some photos up at some point as they are far more interesting!
Hope everyone is well - wrap up warm!!
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