Monday, 17 March 2014

Daffodils

Daffodils, by William Wordsworth 
I wander'd lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden daffodils,
Beside the lake, beneath the trees
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretch'd in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: -
A poet could not but be gay
In such a jocund company!
I gazed - and gazed - but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought.
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills
And dances with the daffodils.








HRH

I still can't believe this, but I was so lucky and thrilled to be invited on behalf of the British Australian society to meet His Royal Highness, Duke of Edinburgh last Wednesday at St James' Palace.  

A small group of us Aussie 'Shielas' as the Norfolk branch is known, tottered off to the big smoke and kicked up our heels in true style!  It was such a magical evening that I will never forget!  











Monday, 3 March 2014

Birthday

February is birthday month for both JP & I.  This year for my birthday, we celebrated at Kesgrave Hall in Ipswich.  http://www.milsomhotels.com/kesgravehall/   For JP's earlier in Feb, we went cycling through Thetford forest with 5 other families, then convoyed on for an early supper at a divine pub which was once owned by the Guinness family.  Good times!  




















Monday, 24 February 2014

Winter wonder

Seriously, I have to show you this right now....  Yes, it's blue, hot, sunny today!  Middle of Winter, in England where the country has battered the most severe storms recently.  Madness, but am certainly not complaining!  
I'm happily working out in the garden today (am on a smoko break!!!)









Wales

This week over the half term holidays, we drove to Wales.  Everyone normally asked "why?" but I can now tell you why....because it's absolutely stunning and so much to do and see.
It reminded me heaps of the Lake District, with the slate walls, lakes, also amazing views, rolling hills.... except Wales has sheep, over 11 million of them!

We loved Wales, weather and all.  We hiked Mt Snowdon (to the snow line) and to build 'Olaf' the snowman (see the movie Frozen) and finished the hike at a cozy tearoom where we indulged in hot chocolates and Welsh teacakes.

We pretended to be Welsh protectors of Caernavon Castle.  A truly remarkable castle.

We were total dare devils and did the world's fastest and longest zip wire.  JP & Tanzin went on the big zip wire that took them over 1km doing 100mph!!!   Taylor, Jaimie & I did the little one - still fast at 60mph!!  SO much fun!!!! zip-world

We tried to speak Welsh but always ended up sounding mixed Scottish/Indian.  Will give it a miss.

We hiked about 5 miles along the southern coast line of Snowdonia and all in all, just had a really lovely time all together.  The girls only fought over who was going to hold Matilda on the lead!!

The pathway to the top of Snowdon is behind the girls.  

Zipworld

The longest town sign in Wales.  Go on, give it a go!!

Evening hike up a slate mine


On the coastal path







Friday, 14 February 2014

Jaimie


Our little girl is such a girly girl!  Her makeup kit is way bigger than mine.  She's forever clopping around in my sparkly heels and loves all things pretty. 

So I had a giggle when I caught her putting on eyeshadow in my bathroom the other day.   She cracks me up!  

Concentration

I've taught her well to blend!!

Do you feel the love?

Happy Valentines Day!   

We have never celebrated the day with gifts, restaurants & flowers, because it's the little things in life that make your love special to you.  Not just one (very commercial) day.
Whoa, it's taken me a very long time to say that!  You all know me, I've never been one to refuse a gift or flowers. so yeah, I admit, I have been a tad jealous of those girls that receive on Valentines Day, but now in my wisdom of age, I've come to understand and realise the true importance of love.

Tonight, I had fun and with the help of Taylor, we decorated our dining room with love heart plates, lights, balloons and candles.  Sweet...