When everything was wrong

And everything was gone, we ran to Avalon. Oh yeah.

Oh Joy!

I haven't read the book so can't promote it but really love this cute little promotional video. I have a yearning for a scooter and a bunch of flowers!

The Shipping News...

Apologies for the extended absence - I've been moving home again (yes, that's right twice in the period of a year, not recommended). The best bit about this one is the balcony with an amazing sea-view. I've longed for a sea-view for many years now so this really is a dream come true.


We're up quite high so when there are gale force winds (which we've experienced quite a bit of already) it gets a bit hairy outside. Nonetheless we've also had some lovely weather and have managed a couple of meals out there. The binoculars have been on constant standby as we see a lot of sea going traffic, from windsurfers to passenger ferries, there's always something going on out at sea. My favourite times are first thing in the morning when I rush to look at the view and in the evening once it's dark and the lights of the ships can be seen bobbing around. We really are very lucky to have this experience.
Just now we spotted a tall three masted ship - seemingly on collision course for our flat. It's like Pirates of the Caribbean muttered Dr X... 
Here's some sneak peaks if you are interested:

All  calm at sea today

Sometimes I feel like I'm living inside an oil painting

Ship ahoy!

I wouldn't mind a lift if Captain Jack Sparrow has room...

A tale of two sisters

Does my bum look big in this? (Answer - Yes)

Surveying the Queendom

Yes? Can I help you?

I started out in life with just one sister, now through a cruel twist of fate (aka my mother's sense of humour), I have two. One is hairy with pointy ears, a wet nose and a propensity for self-serving indulgent behaviour; the other is less hirsute and considerably more fragrant.

I became aware that something was up in the sibling pecking order when my mum started referring to me as her number 2 daughter. That's fine I thought - I am the youngest and came second in the sibling timeline. There's probably no need to put it in writing on cards though but whatever. However things darkened when I visited home and she started ordering me to take care of my 'little sister'. My what?? Thoughts of parental betrayal at hiding a younger sibling from me for all these years flashed through my mind.  Before I'd gnashed away my teeth it became clear that my new 'little sister' was none other than the devious hairy hound (mentioned previously here). Quite how this one-trick, mousey breathed, flea-bitten doglet had managed to worm it's way into my mum's affections was beyond me.


Nonetheless my visit was punctuated by filling up water bowls, serving it's special diet on a gilded platter, playing ball (and having my hand snapped at when we both went for it at the same time) and having to give up the best seat near the fire...


What I'm now wondering is which one of my sisters is the number 1 daughter? I think I'll leave it for them to fight it out though.


Do you have a problem with sibling rivalry? 

10 brave things I will do one day (maybe)...

All of the below make me fearful just thinking about them:


1) Eat a piece of stinky French cheese (it's stinky for a reason, because it's full of mould! Yet the French go mad for it. I must be missing something.)


2) Initiate conversation with a stranger at a party (I'm not good at small talk so this seems near impossible, but perhaps its a social skill I should have learnt by now)


3) Sing in public (I find it hard enough to talk in public, but the thought of singing in front of people is enough to bring me out in a cold sweat. But maybe it would be really good fun?)


4) Audition for a play (ditto above)


5) Learn to dive underwater (it's so unnatural to trust something you carry on your back for oxygen. I've seen the Abyss, I know the dangers. But it must be so amazing down there and I love looking at fish)


6) Walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge (I'm sure the views are magnificent but I probably wouldn't be able to look down anyway)


7) Abseil down something tall (this would have to be as a result of an emergency scenario with abseiling being the only way out)


8) Journey overseas on my own (I've flown a few times now but I still get lost in airport departure lounges and I don't like the thought of being in a plane without Dr X as he obviously has magical properties which keep the plane in the air no matter what.)


9) Wild camp in the Rainforest (I love the thought of being close to nature, seeing the amazing birds and butterflies, but the thought of poisonous creatures sharing my sleeping bag would keep me awake all night)


10) Go on a roller-coaster ride again (I did this once as a teenager and was so scared I started screaming 'let me off, let me off!'. Now when we go to adventure parks I have to wait while others go and have fun. Is it worth trying again?)