Everyday stuff.

Today is a bit of a scorcher in Brisbane - it's predicted to reach 38 degrees this afternoon, that's a 100 if you work in Fahrenheit! That's pretty hot for October, so I'm staying indoors and catching up on a bit of house stuff which obviously means browsing through photos on the computer!

Here's a few visuals from a couple of weekends ago. 

This is the Bougainvillea that is on the walkway down at South Bank next to the Brisbane river. The flowers are such a vibrant pink above your head. Such a shame that it also produces the most vicious spikes! We have a Bougainvillea at the back of the house and we have tried to tame it back and contain it as it can also make a beautiful mess when the flower petals drop. 

I've just taken this photo a minute ago on my phone. The contrast in the colours is pretty stunning.

Twmff the cat is asleep somewhere behind that wall trying to shelter from the heat. He wouldn't appear for a photo....I don't really blame him today.

Talking of lovely colours, Sibs was so delighted that this year she had a 'real' ballet costume for a performance that she was part of at QPAC recently. Over the years some of the costumes have included a white leotard for a goat, a pink leotard for a flower and a red and white stripe outfit for a doll. It's all been very age appropriate but she's been desperate for a proper ballerina look. Imagine her excitement at being able to wear a tulle tutu? Yet another growing up step.....

I don't venture into the city too often at night, but each time I do, I always stop and admire how lovely it is. The river bank was full of neon clad runners a few Saturdays ago. Unfortunately I didn't have a camera or a phone with me to capture it. Let's just say it was colourful, noisy and spectacular.
This is a shot on the way home after a performance and the city is all alight.

Straight after this photo we luckily got a message from a friend advising avoiding our usual route home as the rugby game between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks had just finished and the roads around the stadium were blocked.  We didn't want to know the score either so went the really long way home up Mount Coot-tha. At one junction there was a taxi next to us and Sibs gave me strict instructions not to look at it as the people inside would have given the result away!

Quick shower later and the two of us - actually make that three as Twmff came to join us, watched the recorded game. From pink tutu ballet wearing girl to rugby fan in one swift move!

After such a late night the Sunday lie in was quite welcome. It's never quiet for long though and the much dreaded dismantling of the trampoline happened with Papa helping out. The trampoline is an Australian childhood essential. It seems that if you have a patch of grass then it will have a trampoline on it. Sibs got hers for her fifth birthday and has loved it since that day. It was showing some signs of wear though and we didn't realise quite how much until we inspected the underside and noticed that it was rusting away! Sadly that was it - the trampoline had to go.

Not much else has really been going on.

I've been dipping in and out of my crochet blanket.

I'm enjoying the challenge of the different stitches but it's not a rhythmic, getting lost in time, type of project. I have to concentrate! It does feel lovely and soft and I'm sure that I will enjoy using it in the cooler months. 

I've ordered my first lot of wool on line today. I'm planning a ripple blanket - now that will be something that I'll be able to get lost in time with! 

I thought the shades were a little more subdued....but now I see them next to my current blanket they look exactly the same! I still don't quite know who I am with all these colours! 

I've also got some wool ready to go on another baby blanket. That will be quite soothing as I don't know whether the bub will be a boy or a girl so that blanket will just be cream until I know. Just got to decide on the stitch and remember that babies are small! (The last baby blanket I made turned out bigger that I planned and the little sweetheart looked a little bit lost in it!)

Well, best get on with some of those things on my to-do list....

Have a happy and safe week,

When a bit of home comes to Australia

You know that feeling that you get when life is happening at full speed and you have a hundred and one things that you would love to sit down and blog about but your days just merge into one and the moment seems to get lost?

So much has been going on around here - good stuff.

Stuff that I so wanted to record on this blog but time slipped by.  So I am going to indulge and go backwards. Spend a little time capturing a few of those moments that have been making my memories...

I went to Sydney last weekend.... and so did thousands of others!

I went to watch the third and final test of the British and Irish Lions v Australia. I was fortunate enough to watch the first test in Brisbane and it was great being part of the atmosphere that a Lions tour brings.

Being Welsh I was brought up watching rugby. I was a child in the glory years of the 70's when Welsh rugby was at its best. Seeing as the British and Irish Lions only play in Australia every 12 years it was no surprise that I was keen to watch them.

We even had the chance to go and watch some players train one afternoon and Sibs got to meet some of them. 

She was keen to share her knowledge of who's who in the team.

A good friend of mine is a primary school teacher in a small school in Wales and her year 5 class have been following the Lions tour and learning about Australia at the same time. We got one of the Welsh players to pose for a photo with a personal message to the class. They were thrilled (understatement!). A few days later we arranged a Skype call with them and the children were so excited. It was lovely to be a part of it. There we were on a Monday evening chatting in Welsh to a classroom on the other side of the world - magic!

thank you Alex Cuthbert

It was a bit last minute, but some tickets became available for the final test in Sydney and in a very unlike me manner I decided to grab the opportunity and go.

If I though the Brisbane match was amazing, Sydney was something else - it was really special being a part of it.

Walking along George Street in Sydney on Saturday afternoon was incredible. It was full of the most glorious of Irish, Scottish, English and Welsh accents. There was even singing on the train on the way to the stadium courtesy of some Irish lads. Everyone wanted to chat, everyone had a story to share about their adventures following the rugby.

It was reported that there were around twenty five to thirty thousand British and Irish fans inside the stadium with many thousands without tickets  outside soaking up the atmosphere. Even though the Lions fans were probably outnumbered 3 to 1 they easily produced the most noise. I have never heard anything like it in a rugby game.

There are plenty of reports about the rugby game but here's a story that I want to share...

I'm sitting in my seat about half an hour before the game starts just enjoying the people watching. I'm surrounded by Australian Wallabies supporters all decked out in yellow and there is one empty seat to my side waiting to be filled. Next minute a red jersey appears and makes his way to the empty spot.

I have a red scarf on and he immediately strikes up a conversation along the lines of "Where are you from then?"
We exchange the safe "I live in Brisbane but I'm from Wales" chit chat and it turns out he lives in Singapore and is also from Wales...
"Which part of Wales....?"
We establish that we originate not too far away from each other and then it gets interesting.

(You can see where this is going...?)

He tells me where his family farm is and I tell him that I have really good friends who farm in the same place and we quickly come to realise that he is the first cousin of some very close friends of mine. So close that we both had received messages that day from the same person commenting on the rugby game that we were now sitting next to each other watching!

Oh my goodness...out of 83,702 I was sitting next to someone that I had a connection with.

We took the obligatory phone photo and it was sent across the world to share.

Even though I am thousands of miles away from home, every now and again I don't feel too far away...

Congratulations to the British and Irish Lions team and supporters for a great tour with a special 

llongyfarchiadau i'r bois o Gymru!

There are Lions in Brisbane

Queensland Reds v British and Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium Brisbane June 2013

Excitement is mounting....the anticipation is akin to waiting for Christmas!

The British and Irish Lions are finally here.

Every 4 years a team of rugby players made up of Welsh, English, Scottish and Irish travel to tour the Southern Hemisphere countries of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in turn. They then play in a three test series against the home nation. The Lions also play a number of  local provinces, clubs or representative sides during the tour. This means that they arrive on Australian soil once every 12 years. It's a big thing...

When you're a Brit living in Australia it's like a little bit of home coming to see you. 

We have been looking forward to this tour for a while now. You may recall that I set the alarm for a 1am wake up call way back in December when I was over in the UK in order to get some pre sale tickets. Then the dates were marked in the calendar months ago in red ink. Plans have been made for get togethers with friends and family prior to the games - it's been a big operational task let me tell you. Beds have been booked out in this house and the no-vacancy sign has been put up!

A couple of Saturdays ago a game was played in Brisbane against the Queensland Reds and we had a house full. It was great fun. 

Brisbane City provide free transport to the stadium and the bus was full of fans wearing either the red jerseys of the Lions or the red jerseys of the Queensland team - a little confusing but very red!

My little Sibs was a dual supporter that night - wearing her Queensland cap, her Queensland top under her Welsh rugby jersey, her Welsh scarf and waving a British and Irish flag! She really got into the spirit of the game.

Despite the drizzle and the later downpour it was a great match and the home crowd were the noisiest that I have ever heard. The atmosphere was great and bodes well for the first test match this Saturday. 

So as the first game against the Wallabies looms we are preparing for a weekend of company.

Brisbane is expecting around 30,000 British and Irish fans to descend on the city. I was on the fringes of the city centre today and saw a group of supporters with their familiar red jerseys with 'supporters' backpacks on their shoulders. They had big smiles on their faces as they were taking in the lovely Botanical Gardens. 

I feel very fortunate to be a part of this. 

Can't wait for Saturday.

germs, ballet, baking and catching up!

Here we go...another week...

just chilling on Sunday under the watchful eye of nurse Modlen the cat

There's been a few germs lurking around here recently which has resulted in a bit of lethargy and a few dramatics! For the first few years after we emigrated I was a little smug that we seemed to be consistently avoiding the winter lurgy! Well, I think the immune system that we'd built up after numerous freezing cold Winters has finally been broken... This is now the sniffly, spluttering and coughing house!

Sibs was off school today and thankfully that seems to have done her some good - oh, and the fact that she has graciously passed on all germs to her mother! I'm waiting for the cats to start sneezing next as they have been proper little nurse maids these last few days. Funny how their sixth sense kicks in when an owner is a little off colour.

Thankfully all was well at the end of last week as it was ballet exam day on Friday. 

first ever ribbons on ballet shoes

This was the first time that Sibs had worn ribbons on her ballet shoes - the anticipation and excitement was almost unbearable. You could sense the pride...

We continued on the tradition (started last year) of going out for a girly lunch after the exam. This year Sibs chose a sushi lunch followed by a rather large ice cream/gelato dessert. 

post ballet exam lunch

It was a great start to the weekend. 

I did a bit of baking on Saturday...

jam and coconut slice, lemon drizzle and chocolate muffins

Then we headed out to watch the Queensland Reds rugby game at Suncorp on Saturday night...and that's when the germs found us!

So it's been chicken soup for tea and early to bed for Sibs. That's where I should probably be heading. I stayed up to watch the last double episode of Downton Abbey last night...what will I do on a Sunday night from now on??

Here's to a healthy week,


 

Quick post about rugby and pasta!

It's the day after a long weekend here.

The clothes line has been full of towels and bed sheets after a full and busy and people filled time.

We went to watch the Wallabies v Wales rugby union on Saturday night and managed to find a few other Welshies to come along! Sibs was a dual supporter and donned her (free) yellow jumpsuit to support the Australians and accessorised with a Welsh hat and flag.....oh, and not forgetting the pink handbag!

She certainly got noticed!

As a Welsh supporter it wasn't a great result, but we enjoyed the night anyway.

I was chatting to a friend this morning about the game and commenting how safe I felt. Even travelling home on (free) public transport at 10pm.  Brisbane is a good city.

So it was a full house at ours and we had a leisurely late bbq breakfast on Sunday.
Then the kids went out to play cricket and I pottered and prepared some pasta ready to be rolled and shaped for tea.

Sibs waiting for the tagliatelle - not realising that
I had to roll it flat a few times first.

Simply and very tasty. I need to remember that it's quite easy to make pasta. I use a Jamie Oliver recipe of 5 fresh free range eggs to 500g plain flour. That's it! Just mix and knead, cover with cling film and leave in the fridge for about an hour and that amount will feed about 6 people. I usually half it for the three of us, and that's more than enough, and then freeze the remaining dough to be rolled another time. It takes a few minutes to cook and tastes so much nicer than packet dried pasta. I've only mastered spaghetti once and I think the trick is to use extra flour quite liberally when rolling to keep the dough pretty dry so that it doesn't stick to the cutters.

Yesterday was a bit of a rainy day so we stayed indoors and moved furniture around....as you do! 

The playroom got a huge clearout which was very satisfying. I'll load the photos and share later this week.

I think I have sorted out my blogger problems. Just in case others are having problems - I uploaded Google Chrome and it seems to be working ok now. 

Have a good one,

Happy crying and other weekend stuff.

 

Someone turned down the thermostat overnight and we woke to a chilly Brisbane this morning. It was a scramble to find the uggs boots to be able to get out of bed. I smile when I hear Sibs complain how freezing it is as I check the thermometer and it's 12 degrees... It will soon rise into the 20's during the day, but she went to school looking as if she was going on an Arctic expedition!

So before I tackle the mountain of chores that awaits after a week of just doing the essentials (school fete really does take over), I have to record a few things from the weekend.

Saturday was as full on as expected, but good fun. I think I was on my feet for most of the 10 hours. The sun shone and the local community came out in their thousands to support the school. There were many highlights to the day but the huge anticipation of the event - the fact that Sibs was tall enough to go on The Dominator....well, it never happened! 

My poor girl. By the time she plucked up the courage the queue was so long....and one thing after another meant that she never quite made it. I don't think it really mattered, she certainly enjoyed her day without it.

I mentioned that there had been some secret planning for Mother's Day.

Well I have to say that my girl reduced me to happy crying.

She had telephoned a local coffee shop and booked a table for the two of us.

All by herself...



placing the order and paying for mother's day breakfast.



It was special...really special.

Before all of that, I had to stay in bed whilst Sibs and her friend (who was sleeping over) clattered and pottered about in the kitchen. There was lots of giggles...

Eventually I was allowed out and had to follow the arrows to this -

mother's day table

best chocolate cake - EVER!



As I had been baking up until Friday night there were no eggs in the fridge, but a cake was made anyway!

I didn't care that it was made egg less! It was fabulous!

We had a late tapas lunch in Paddington with some friends

and then Sibs and I went to watch the Queensland Reds rugby.

It was a great game (although pretty tense at times)

and a win for the Reds finished off the best Mother's day.

Caru ti Sibsy x

Well done Wales - Grand Slam 2012

I think that there will be a few sore heads in Wales this Monday morning following the weekend.

 

source
photo by Tom Jenkins





I wish I'd been there...

...not for the sore head,

but to watch and celebrate following the Welsh rugby team winning the

The Triple Crown

The 6 Nations Championship,

and the Grand Slam!

Just in case you're not Welsh or you're reading this and wondering what I'm talking about...

The 6 Nations Championship is an annual rugby competition played between Wales, England, Ireland, Scotland, France and Italy.

When a British Isles team (Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland) beats all other British Isles teams they claim the Triple Crown.

A Grand Slam is achieved by winning all games.

As a child in the '70 I lived through what was considered the 'glory years' or the 'golden era' of Welsh rugby.

In my mind the nation stopped when Wales played rugby. Everyone watched the game - no excuses!

I remember Saturday mornings would be spent in anticipation of kick off. We'd head off to the town to choose our own bag of pick and mix. A treat indeed - no sharing of my sweets with my younger sister for once! Most Northern Hemisphere rugby union is played during the Winter months so it was home to a warm house, the fire would be on and the sandwiches for tea and snacks would be prepared. Nothing could interrupt the afternoon once the starting whistle had gone.

I still like to make a bit of an occasion of an international rugby match even though we are the other side of the world now.

Taffy the dragon makes his appearance and we now usually watch the recorded games over breakfast without the pick and mix sweets!

However, this Saturday (my very early hours of the morning on Sunday) I couldn't wait until a respectable time to watch. Being the late owl that I am, I stayed up until the 12.45 am kick off.

The only drawback being that it was only me, Taffy and the cats.

Anyhow, to cut a long story short the game was at times tense, but the Welsh hung on and came away with a 16 - 9 victory to beat France and claim the championship.

.

I had to curb my cheering....it was 2.30 am after all! I did let out a slight 'whoop' at the end and one of the neighbouring dogs joined in! (sorry neighbours)



photo taken from the ESPN TV coverage



I missed the whole post match discussions, I missed the familiar lilt of the Welsh commentators, I missed the sharing... I missed home...



not a spare seat..
 photo by Tom Jenkins source 



 So roll on June, when the Welsh rugby team come to Australia.

I'll be there...I might even take Taffy...!

Have a good week,

Good luck Wales

We're ready - Come on Wales!





Taffy is all dressed up in Sibs' old rugby shirt and although he's breathing in for the photo it still looks a little tight around that tummy....a few too many welsh cakes I think!

This is a big weekend for Wales in terms of rugby...the boys have made it to the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and we will be watching tonight. I'm missing all there is to miss about being home today...


Pob lwc Cymru, good luck Wales

-
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The week that was

This is my favourite part of the house.

It's small and insignificant with no view, but I love it. It brings a little of the outside into the kitchen and living area and because of the security of the lattice (that is backed by the all important insect screen) the doors are open for about ten months a year.

This is where I go to escape.

See the tranquil setting for morning tea on Sunday?

That is to disguise the chaos that was behind me in the kitchen!

I am seriously tired....the kind of tired that you can feel in your bones. You see, this week I have lived spent a considerable amount of time here -





I posted last week about Sibs performing in a ballet, it was a fabulous experience, but it seemed to be an all consuming week... Dress rehearsals, shows, stage make up and hair, eating out of a packed up box, organising lifts to save taking out a mortgage for car parking at South Bank! Then the painter at home wanting decisions about shades of white...!

I spent the beginning of the week cooking and preparing food that she could eat at the theatre, then after work and school it was straight back stage to the rather loud dressing room with over a hundred excited dancers. You wouldn't believe the noise!



my little dancing doll


Each night we would arrive home and Sibs would just about make it into the shower and fall into bed. Next morning she was itching to get going again...

By the time we got to Sunday, that's all I wanted to do was sit in my favourite spot with the papers and drink coffee.

So Neil and Sibs took off up the road to the French patisserie and brought back the pain au chocolat and I prepared the coffee.

Sounds blissful?

Well, not quite!

What you can't see in the first photo above is the trail of extension leads and mess in the kitchen behind me. The electricity decided that it would play up on Sunday morning.

The fridge was being powered from the socket in the living room, the coffee machine was carried into the study, the dishwasher had to be emptied of dirty dishes....getting the picture?

As I type this our tea for tonight is cooking away in the slow cooker - next to me on the study desk!

So did we relax on Sunday afternoon? ....oh no!

A bit of a tidy and it was all go again as we headed off on our "Stay at home Rugby World Cup tour".
After a glorious win by the Welsh on Saturday night, we headed off to watch the Wallabies overcome South Africa. Talk about tense!

There are a few people missing from the final whistle shot below - the tension was too much and they sought refuge on the balcony ! We had to drag Sibs away from watching New Zealand in the second game of the evening - early bed was calling.

Sibs in her NZ rugby shirt and a relieved cheer for the Wallabies.



Next weekend we get to do it all again for the semi-finals when Wales go up against the French and Australia play New Zealand....will the nerves take it?

And so it brings me to Monday. The house is quiet, the kitchen has been cleared, and life seems to be resembling a little bit closer to normal.

I do try and live the moments...just sometimes I wish all the moments wouldn't all happen at once!

Off to sit in that favourite spot I think...

Have a great week,

(Go the Welsh!)