Gok comes to town



The view from my Friday morning run



The new nursery seems to have been a good move as Celia was so much happier when I left her off on Friday even though it was only her first day. This meant I had a guilt-free run along the Brighton coastal path, followed by coffee and croissants at North Point cafe overlooking the sea, reading my book while Max had a kip - bliss! Then I had a little bit of retail therapy in Elsternwick which is one of the many Melbourne suburbs where the local shopping street has really kept its charm and community feel so everyone chats to you and bends over backwards to help - chains like Starbucks wouldn't stand a chance!
This was followed in the afternoon by baby group in the park as it was such as a glorious day and Jess had made the most amazing cake. I was pretty much thinking life couldn't get much better when Andy arrived home to tell me he was off his nice city centre project where he gets home by 7pm most nights and was off to Sydney on Sunday for the week and Singapore the following week. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted!

On Saturday me and some of the girls decided it would be a laugh to go and see Gok Wan doing his makeover show at the local shopping centre. Gok was quite funny and a bit risque for midday but the makeovers were awful. They put everyone in stilettos that were too big and leopard print & black, including the woman who needed a makeover to get some colour into her wardrobe?! Oh well, it was worth going just to get a few hours with the girls childfree.

Late Saturday afternoon Andy’s boss was hosting a Teddy Bear’s picnic for all the families with young kids so we headed over to her house where Celia overdosed on chocolate, Max tried his hardest to overdose on chocolate (and leaves, twigs, grass etc) and Andy overdosed on Mount Avoca shiraz as not only is Lisa head of Deloitte, she also owns a vineyard as you do! 

A week in the life of.....

I seem to talk a lot about our weekends on this blog and although we did have another lovely weekend (barbie at Andrea and Dan's on Saturday, and a daytrip to Dalesford which is Australia's answer toWoodstock, on Sunday) I thought I'd let you know what I get up to during the week.

Barbie at Andrea's

On Mondays we go to the local church playgroup where we have storytime, singing, craft activity, group morning tea (which I had to provide last week - very stressful as I've never fed 25 under 4's before!) and they have the best stocked toy cupboard I've ever seen. We also had an easter egg hunt in the church gardens this week which all the kids loved, including me as I got to eat lots of chocolate as poor Celia's couldn't manage more than 2 mini eggs or that's what I told her anyway. You pay an annual fee of $120 and it's well worth the money - makes a change from my usual whinging about the price of everything else!

On Tuesday's we go to rhymetime at the library which is much like the sessions we used to go to in london except that it is overseen by a mini-hitler type librarian who shouts at the mothers if they let their children stray from their laps for more than 2 seconds. She had one mum in tears a few weeks ago so she is great entertainment value. Luckily Celia is very well behaved but I can tell Max is going to be a 'bolter' very very soon so I'd better watch out!

It is the expat playgroup on a Wednesday and this is where I've met most of my new 'mummy friends'. Mind you, the Monday playgroup is rapidly becoming an expat playgroup as 4 new british families have joined in the past 3 weeks and on our night out last week, 8 out of 11 of us were Brits!

This playgroup is less structured than the Monday one and its really just an excuse for likeminded mums to get together and have a gossip/moan about the price of bananas and flights home.

We go to my 'Prams in the Park' exercise session on a Thursday and so far it has worked out OK. Celia plays happily on her own for an hour (I'm sure any day now I'll regret writing that) and Max normally has a sleep in the buggy so I actually get quite a good workout.

Celia starts a new nursery this Friday as she was still crying every time I left her off at the other one which can't be right after 5 months. Luckily the local council childcare centre had a space so it will be a nice 5 minute stroll away rather than a 15 minute drive plus it's a nice small group of 10 children. So Friday will be my cleaning, shopping, jogging day every other week as I have my mother's group on alternate Friday/Thursday afternoons. This is where I pretend to be a first time mum and Max gets to meet all his pals.

                                                    Mother's group round at ours

And somewhere in the weekly schedule I try to fit in a few park visits, cooking, cleaning, washing etc so the weeks are flying by and generally I'm enjoying life as a fulltime mum. There are of course a few days where I miss having a 'proper' job and I got halfway through an application form for Ikea on Monday before I had a quiet word with myself! The fact that we are having an indian summer right now also contributes to the appreciation of my current 'occupation' as what job allows you to sunbath in your back garden for an hour at lunchtime, then head off to the park where you can sit under a tree with a book for another hour (is it any wonder Celia is good at entertaining herself - what a bad mother!).......

   

  

    

Time for a little whinge

Although we had another lovely weekend (relaxing in the garden on Saturday and lunch in the countryside on Sunday with an old uni friend of Andy's and his Melburnian wife) I thought it was time for me to air a few grievances just because that is what I do best!
The main whinge this week must be about our ongoing possum problem. They've been living with us since December yet the pest control people only managed to come out to us this week. They blocked the hole in the roof with the intention of forcing them out the escape hatch but instead it sent them downstairs (favourite spots being behind the extractor fan in the kitchen and more alarmingly Max' bedroom) I think they have now escaped (or died) but it's typical the one week that Celia and Max both decide to sleep through all night, the possums keep us awake!
An ongoing whinge is of course the cost of living over here. I had to actually ration Max and Celia's banana intake this week as they have now reached $12 a kilo (that about £2.50 a banana)!  We also naturally  expected our favourite Australian wines to cost less than they did in London but some of them are as much as 50% more here?! The biggest price shock this week, however, was the cost of musicals (not an everyday essential item I grant you). How I regret not taking advantage of all the shows when I was in London. The only musical showing is Hairspray and it's about 3 times the price you'd pay in the West End.
I watched Australia's answer to 'Question Time' this week (called 'Q&A'). The format is pretty much identical except they run a constant ticker along the bottom of the screen showing all the incoming twitter comments and I mean all. So as I was listening to a very serious and well articulated debate on Libya I was amazed to see scrolling along the bottom of the screen such comments as "that Miss Devine is a bit of alright, mmmm...." How I miss the BBC!
And finally, I was peeved to discover that they have never heard of Aussie Miracle Moist shampoo over here - I feel like reporting them to the trading standards office as I'm poitive they don't really use Macadamia nuts from Queensland!

Back to Normality

The past 2 weeks have been blissfully uneventful in comparison to the previous 2 but that is not to say we haven't been making the most of our weekends. The Saturday before last we had a lovely barbie at Niamh and John's house (one of my expat playgroup friends) and the next day we headed into the countryside as Deloitte were hosting a family day at a fun park so more barbequing, rides on hobby horses, Celia went down her first 'big' water slide and she took part in a very early easter egg hunt.

This weekend was a long one as Monday was a public holiday (Labour day) so we went to the Moomba festival on Saturday which is held on the banks of the river Yarra in the city centre. As always this was free, family friendly and packed with things to do - they really know how to put on an event here.

On Sunday we went to Werribee Open range zoo which would have been more enjoyable if it hadn't been for the typical Melbourne weather (set off in blazing sunshine dressed accordingly, 10 minutes outside Melbourne the temperature drops 6 degrees and in the blink of an eye the storm clouds roll in and it pours for the next 3 hours!). Anyway, Celia loved the hippos and Max was a big fan of the wooden variety.

We ventured into the city centre on Monday to attend the Moomba festival parade in the morning and see a bit more of the city in the afternoon. Celia was a bit unsure of the stilt walkers but she loved the Melbourne Museum in the afternoon (once again this is free, child friendly and has stacks to see and do) plus it's next door to the beautiful Royal exibition building and is in cool and quirky Fitzroy so we have earmarked a few bars and restaurants for some return visits.

So a lovely way to spend a few days and appreciated all the more when we got home and witnessed the horrors the poor people in Japan are going through. Feels surreal.   

Sunshine, chilling out, old friends and a fab wedding - We Love New Zealand!

Before being caught in a certain earthquake in Christchurch, we actually had an amazing holiday in New Zealand. It really is one of the most stunning places we've ever been and I for one can't wait to go back.

As it was only 5 short weeks since our last holiday we really didn't feel ready for another trip. Consequently both Lydia and I were totally underwhelmed by the prospect of the planned 10 days of planes, hirecars and boats that awaited us in NZ.
Within 24 hours of reaching Queenstown however we were well and truly switched to holiday mode. Nine and a half years after my last visit (an adrenaline packed boys trip with my friend Olly) and once again I was in love with New Zealand. Our thanks for this must go in no small measure to the wonderful hosting of Julie Brown (and husband Julian) a good friend from distant Glasgow years. They laid on a fantastic barbeque and introduced us to their beautiful and carefree children. Sipping wine made from vines growing in your own garden whilst your children play on the lawn overlooking uninterupted lake and mountain views. You guys certainly have the life! Great to see you all - we'll be back come ski-season!

Why can't all gardens be like this?

BBQ and great company by Julie Brown.
Wine by Amisfield. http://www.amisfield.co.nz/

We spent four days in and around Queenstown and could easily have spent another week. Wanaka and Arrowtown are two other fantastically scenic towns and everywhere you go the people are incredible, the roads are empty and the views sensational. Celia loved the paddling (even if the water was freezing) and Max just seemed like a different wee boy thanks to the fresh air and a bit of daddy time!
We can't recommend it enough.

Nice!

Simon says - put your right hand up

From Queenstown, through a combination of plane, car and boat we made it to Marlborough Sound and the seclusion of Furneaux Lodge (http://furneaux.co.nz/accommodation) on the north coast of the North Island. This was the main reason for our trip to NZ - the wedding of another university friend Olly and his new kiwi wife Sarah. This was a four day affair in a location only accessable by boat (or a 3-day walk). The combination of fishing, diving, walking and wine on the veranda with mates I haven't seen for 10 years made for an incredible few days. The wedding wasn't bad either!

Thank you so much for the invite Olly and Sarah. Your vows were memorable. The wedding was stunning and we wish you all the best for a happy future together. We'll be waiting patiently for news of those first grandkids!

Furneaux Lodge

Mr and Mrs Roberts

Get a room!

Chip of a very old block

From Furneaux, via Picton it was back to Christchurch and a couple of nights in the tranquil beachside suburb of Sumner with its surfing, great coffee and scary scenic mountain roads. Yet again we found a great little town, with lovely friendly people and amazing scenery.

On 22nd February 2011, three hours after we left the hotel for a walk round Christchurch before heading to the airport, Sumner was very near to the epicentre of the Christchurch earthquake. Our holiday ended a little unexpectedly but thankfully we have some terrific memories of the previous 10 days to balance the rather more scary times of the next couple of days.

I'll be back to New Zealand again in September for the rugby world cup. I can't wait.

View from top of Queenstown hill

Christchurch Earthquake - Way too close for comfort!

For most of the last two weeks we have enjoyed a fantastic trip to New Zealand where we went to celebrate the wedding of our good friends Sarah and Oliver who live in Christchurch. Our most vivid memories however are of a much more tragic event.

At 12.50pm on Tuesday we were just finishing our lunch, a nice sandwich in New Regent St, Christchurch, a few minutes after stepping off the tourist tram in Cathedral Square.
At 12.51pm we were on the floor of the cafe with our 7 month old Max's buggy thrown on its side, surrounded by food and bottles of soft drink falling from the fridges. Yes, we were in the middle of a 6.3 earthquake - it was very obvious very quickly.
What we didn't know at the time of course was that this was the most deadly earthquake to ever hit New Zealand and that only two streets away in both directions buildings were collapsing taking scores of lives.

The next few minutes were pretty hectic as we picked up our children and got out of there as quickly as possible. As we left the cafe we could see clouds of dust coming up the street, probably from the cathedral so obviously we ran the other way, with Lydia carrying a frightened Celia and me pushing a screaming but somewhat oblivious Max. We had to crouch and take cover a few more times as fairly large and extremely scary aftershocks hit but we were pretty quickly out of the central area and away from large buildings.

As we walked away from the central business district in a bit of a state of shock we could see helicopters dropping water on burning buildings and plumes of dust rising in several parts of the small city. It was pretty obvious that there was no chance of retrieving our luggage or passports. They were in a multi-story car park right in the city centre as we were due to head to the airport immediately after lunch. The locals told us that the last earthquake had sealed off the city centre for a week and that this one was much worse. We also heard on someones radio that the airport was closed so we, like many thousands or others were stranded with only the clothes we were wearing.

  


A backpacker hotel we passed as we left the CBD - everyone got out safely

 

Refugee children sharing their donated pyjamas

Over the next 48 hours we experienced so many random acts of kindness it wouldn't be possible to mention them all - but I'll try to remember the main ones

• The backpackers who let us share their radio to hear what was happening
• The amazing lady from Armagh street (we will find out your name and send you a thank you) who took us into her house and gave us water, baby milk, baby bottles, spare clothes for the children, advice on where to go
• The bus driver who squeezed us on the first 'stranded foreigners' bus out of the city and then left us all alone at the Antarctic Exploration Centre (a blessing in disguise)
• The manager at the Sudima hotel whos organisational skills in controlling, feeding and arranging sleeping for around 2000 stranded people was just staggering
• The Australian family (Levi, Sarah and Ruby) who so kindly allowed us to share their room on Tuesday night - unbelievably we were one of a very small minority in that hotel who actually had a bed - although with dozens of aftershocks there wasn't much sleeping!
• The businessmen and the German student who lent me their iPhone chargers - I hope the extra blankets from our room helped you sleep a little. iPhone4 battery life is appalling, just when you need it most.
• The Red Cross people at the rescue centres who were organised and helpful and gave us more nappies, babyfood and plenty of food and water.
• The manager of the beautiful Copthorn hotel and his wife who took us into their home and gave us coffee and a few moments of calm at a point in the day when things were becoming a little too stressful to handle (for Lydia!). They then found us a room in the hotel that allowed us to see the British Consulate on Thursday morning - and he bought me a Guinness.
• Margaret, the mother of our friend Michelle in Melbourne who drove, picked us up and then ferried us to one of the few open chemists to have our new passport photos taken
• The English couple we met at dinner who kindly donated clean t-shirts to Lydia and I (they probably smelt us across the table) and some books and stickers for Celia
• My employer Deloitte for arranging and paying for our very expensive new flights home - without them we would have been there until Sunday
• The British Consulate for getting us emergency passports (eventually)
• The random woman we met at the British Consulate who then insisted on dropping us to the airport
• My boss Lisa, for coming to meet us at Melbourne airport at 9.30pm with food, flowers, wine and teddy bears. Amazing.

Red Cross Relief Centres - Very impressive

The one thing maybe doesn't get properly reported is the number of aftershocks. In the 51 hours between the earthquake and the time we left Christchurch there were more than 100 aftershocks, each of them making your heart beat just a little faster than normal, and in some cases quite a lot faster! Check out this fascinating up-to-the-minute tremmor map. http://www.christchurchquakemap.co.nz/

And finally, thanks to all our friends around the world who sent so many great messages of support via Facebook. A lot of families in Christchurch are much much worse off than us this week so please think of them too. We have a story to tell for the rest of our lives. Around 250 people aren't here to tell any stories anymore.

The epicentre - where we were EXACTY 24 hours earlier - the view is probably quite different now

Very soon we'll post some details and photos of the real reason we went to NZ - a fantastic holiday and a beautiful wedding. It's a truly stunning country with incredibly friendly people so please go see for yourself. I guess it would be understandible if Christchurch isn't on your itenerary right now (although the tourist dollar will be most welcome in the coming months) but the rest of the South Island should be on everyone's 'must see' list. We loved it.

















Honeymoon Couple and LOTS of rain!

Last weekend we had our first proper overseas visitors come to stay. We're still waiting to hear from all the others who promised a visit!
My cousin Russell and blushing bride (actually Russell is far more blushing come to think of it) Claire (formerly of Ballyclaire) Millen stopped in for a couple of days whilst enjoying their Australian honeymoon.

I'm not sure if the open plan nature of our spare room, extremely squeaky spare bed and children who like to wake up at 6am really created the desired honeymoon atmosphere but it was fantastic to see them nonetheless.

Unfortunately for Russell and Claire Melbourne's unpredictable weather excelled itself throwing up the worst tropical rainstorm in living memory (just as I was stoking up the BBQ). It then proceeded to rain torrentially for 24 hours and then be freezing cold the rest of the weekend. Lovely excuse for a couple of big nights out however.

We trust you are enjoying the rest of your honeymoon and hope Max and Celia did their little bit in showing you the delights of parenthood (they were really funny and well behaved all day - just forgot how to sleep at night for a couple of days).

Anyway, next up on our antipodean odessy is a little trip to New Zealand and the very extravagant wedding of my old friend Olly. More on that one next time.