A Snippet of Life

  As spring is basically upon us, and summer just around the corner, I felt this title is very appropriate for this time of year. I know what you are all thinking, I can talk, I have been sunning myself on a beach for the past two months, but this, ladies and gentleman, is the very reason why this topic is so appropriate. I honestly cannot remember the last week I had that was full of exercise and I am in no way proud of this. I have no issues particularly with my figure, but just do not feel right, and having walked five miles yesterday morning, and completed a full...wait for it....fifteen minutes of hardcore exercise this evening, I already feel upbeat. Whether it is walking you enjoy, running in the countryside, swimming, hopping, skipping, jumping, it does not matter, there is no doubt about it, it will make you feel a million times better, even if you were on top of the world before you began. Especially in the sunshine, make the most of it! I must admit, while writing this I...

  So, for the first two months of this year, I was travelling up and down the east coast of Australia and it was one of the best things I have ever done. Before I left, so many people I spoke to told me this would be the case and they were right. My send off was lovely, most involving drinks, and a lovely goodbye party, held by Mike and Kathy from Moulton shop, with a delicious curry cooked by Tanja. The last day was emotional, VERY EMOTIONAL, because I am the worst at goodbyes, and have such a great group of friends and family, that I knew I would miss (as the Aussies would say) 'heaps'. Anyway, after I had been bulked up on Shepherds Pie cooked by my amazing friend, I went, to the airport in a Jaguar, courtesy of my Dad, and set off on the longest flight ever! We arrived, and from that moment on, I had the time of my life. There was not a single second that I regret, not a single moment that I wish did not happen. That is not to say that none of my trip was tough, but it was ...

So, as I grow older, and maybe a tiny bit wise, I think by the time I finally find myself in a relationship, I shall know the ins and outs of men! I mean, when you look at it from the outside, it really is a piece of cake ( I have a funny feeling a lot of people may hate me by the end of this post, I am being a tiny bit tongue and cheek!). May I point out before I start, that when I say women, I am also referring to myself, I think the same, love the same things, and can see why men find us difficult to understand, equally men are an odd breed as well! We shall start off with men on men rules...URINALS. I clearly, am not a bloke, and did think it was only us women, however, I've been told men too have unwritten laws, and completely ridiculous ones at that! No 'urinal neighbours' or talking when using one, understandable, I often think, if I was male, I would prefer to use the cubicle for peeing as well, don't like the thought of lack of privacy when excreting! Men are W...

My village is an amazing place. I know I have written a post similar to this before but no harm in adding more! I mean I've just recently returned from a 2 month trip to Australia (as anyone following my blog will know!) and from the minute I stepped off the plane I was welcomed with smiles (and a beautiful emotional - we both were- friends who I love dearly). I arrived back in the village and they had made a window display for me at the shop! Love them! The children had just finished school and ran up to me with smiles, so genuinely interested about my experience. I even got a whole page in the Moulton newsletter! That's just me, I'm nothing special, I just make sandwiches, serve the wrong coffees, get mixed up with my vegetables and occasionally get too drunk at the local pub and embarrass myself! The point I am trying to make is everybody makes so much effort for everybody else. Everyone is special, and that is why I love it.   Last year a group of incredible ladies ...

So, after another FLIGHT between cities in the same country, I arrived in Adelaide, greeted by my lovely friend who I was to be staying with for the final few days of my two month adventure. In a real, lush, clean, house which lacked bed bugs and 20 dorm rooms, perfect! Six lovely people, two wicked dogs, and the most adorable baby. Witnessing how actual Australian everyday life is...paradise! First stop, the beach. Yet another beautiful one, crystal clear blue sea, golden sand and the heat to go with it! Nothing better than a nice cold cider on a day like this! Followed by a barbie in true AUSSIE spirit!   The following day began with a dog walk in search of Kangaroos and possibly koalas! None to be seen...THIS TIME... But beautiful views. We then headed to the garden if unearthly delight, and into the city. Perfect weather for another cider, mooching around and a wannabe Harry Houdini street performer who didn't half love to blab on! On the way home the views were fantast...

Having stepped off the plane, we literally thought we had somehow taken a detour back to England. Shivering rapidly, we waited for our luggage OUTSIDE (they could have at least added some warmth to the situation!). When we got to the city the streets were rammed, we were wondering if this was an average Saturday night in Melbourne, but no, white night by name! An annual light display, with art shows with added quirkiness, spreader throughout the city, originally started to get money into the city but the turn out was huge so they carried it on. Anyway, going off tangent...there we were strolling through melbourne at midnight, with our backpacks, in search if our hostel, amongst the drunks. We finally found it and ran straight to our warm beds, at least I thought mine was mine! Until about an hour later when I was patted on the head by a Canadian guy who thought I was his friend (they both had very long hair), turns out apparently I was sleeping in his bed! Goldilocks type moment! I re...

After another hideous, overnight train journey, this time with no blankets provided and with the added disruption of some complete imbecile mouthing of at the front of the carriage, which meant I got literally NO sleep, we arrived! Walking through the station, with rain outside, down to the underground, it reminded us very much of London, although the tubes were double decker- pretty cool!   We found our way to our backpackers, having given a dollar to a tramps daily fund and been told I was going to heaven, really, I was...(I only gave him money so that he wouldn't hurt me!). Shortly after arrival, we realised we had picked THE dodgiest part of Sydney, Kings Cross! The hostel owner took us to a nearby cafe for a free coffee (you suddenly become trusting of everyone you meet while travelling, especially if they offer free food or drink, pretty dangerous!). After a while of being creeped out by the hostel owner, finding out that the hostel didn't have hot water, and that th...