Weekend Coffee Share – Page 2

~ Post from Perth – Weekly Catch up ~

It’s been almost a week now since I returned from the UK. The jet lag this time has taken longer than usual, and I’m in danger of getting in a loop, going to bed early and having a nap in the day! It has to stop. For the first few days I generally take a sleeping tablet, but that’s something I don’t want to get used to. Hopefully I will return to normal soon.

So where has the week gone? I took it easy on Monday and was supposed to unpack, I will finish it soon just a case (no pun intended) of putting the clothes away.

Tuesday I was back at the Bridge table and after drove straight to my daughter’s for a spot of babysitting. Wednesday I had Rosie again for a few hours, Lachie has started school and I will miss my munchkin Mondays.

Thursday and Friday more Bridge, no wonder I haven’t fully unpacked!

View from the terrace where I play Bridge

Being back in Perth is wonderful, my dear hubby has missed me and is glad to have me back. I have missed the sun and the warm weather, I can’t cope with English winters anymore.

Photos for Natalie’s Public Art Challenge

On my last day in Dublin I went for a walk near the hotel to have a look at the murals located on the walls of The Icon Walk.

Left – Gabriel Byrne – hosted The Late Late Show on a Saturday night, known as The Housewife’s Choice and a gentle shepherd.
Middle – Thomas Crean (1877 – 1938) – Explored the Antarctic three times with Scott and Shackleton. Awarded the Albert Medal for bravery
Right – “Priests on a remote island off the coast of Ireland managed to encapsulate Ireland’s changing consciousness about the church and that delicate matter, that, the anoited ones might be as imperfect as the rest of us; only funnier”

This was a lovely walk and I wish I had had more time to properly look at all the descriptions of the various artists. Ireland has produced so many famous authors over the decades and continue to do so. My favourites are Dervla McTiernan, Claire Keegan and Marian Keyes.

First Week in the UK – Catch Ups and Celebrations

I’ve been in the UK for a week now and it’s flown by. I’m staying with my parents in Essex after not seeing them for almost a year, not the best time of year but my mum turns 90 (yesterday actually) and there is a big celebration for her.

So far I’ve had a day in London with Sarah from Travel With Me, a night out with friends from way back and a 90th birthday party.

The day in London with Sarah started at the Barbican where I had suggested we meet. I have no idea why that place came to mind because there wasn’t too much there. Anyhow we made our way to a cafe for coffee and a “get to know you” conversation. We had so much to talk about, it’s great to meet up with a complete stranger and get on straight away. It was my first time to meet a fellow blogger, hopefully not my last. My Dad sent me off with warnings about how did I know this was a real person or even a woman, the worry for a child never goes.

A few of our photos below of our wonderful day together. If you follow Sarah and myself then you will have seen some of these photos already.

After coffee we walked to St. Paul’s and looked for a place for lunch. We found a very cosy pub in a little alleyway called Williamson’s Tavern, former residence of the Lord Mayors of London. A walk across the Millennium Bridge after to walk off lunch and a visit to the Tate Modern to look at some of the fabulous art on display. Back across the Blackfriars Bridge and then we said our goodbyes. It was good to put a face to a name and make another friend too.

“Each new friendship can make you a new person, because it opens up new doors inside of you.”

🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷

The weekend was very busy with a family lunch on Saturday with two cousins, brother and family and my mum and dad. I had not seen my two cousins for over three years so we had lots to talk about.

Sunday was the big day and my mum’s 90th birthday. The party started at 2pm and finished around 6.30pm. My dad had hired a hall and my brother and sister-in-law had organised all the food. It was a wonderful celebration for my mum. She received so many cards, flowers, chocolates and all kinds of gifts.

“Age is simply the number of years the world has been enjoying you!”

I’ll be adding this post to Natalie the Explorer’s blog for weekend coffee share and public art challenge.

🐇 Kung Hei Fat Choi 🐇

Weekly Catch up from Perth, WA

The mystery of the missing passport has been solved, it’s finally been delivered to the correct destination! I’m very glad I didn’t cancel it. Hopefully it won’t be too long before the new one arrives.

Another busy week, which started off with a trip to Rottnest.

Below are sculptures outside the Wadjemup Museum

I had a lovely catch up with my friends for dinner at one of our favourite restaurants overlooking the sea. There was a fabulous sunset that evening.

On Saturday we said goodbye to Laurence and Maddy as it was time for them to head back to Melbourne. It was wonderful that they had three weeks in Perth with us, but all good things come to an end.

I’m writing this from Singapore Airport, where I’m enroute to the UK. I flew Singapore Airlines from Perth and then Emirates to the UK. I thought I could check my luggage all the way through, but no! I ended up having to go through immigration, collect my case and back through again, what a pain as I’m travelling with a small cupboard.

Luckily I’ve been standing next to chunky men to help me with it! Actually it’s a ploy to cast my eyes around as to where to stand.

I’m off to visit my parents and to celebrate my mum’s 90th birthday. The change in weather is going to be aa shock, probably why my case is so heavy due to all the jumpers.

Anyway I’d better finish as will be boarding soon.

Posted for Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share

It’s been a busy and wonderful week …

This is the last post for Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share and I am sharing my busy and eventful week with you.

Starting Monday evening for Anthony’s birthday, we decided last minute to go for dinner. I was quite tired after having the munchkins all day, not that I am complaining, Monday is my best day! We thought we would try one of our favourite Greek places but when we got there it was closed and being renovated, never mind we drove to another favourite. This had been replaced with another restaurant but it was packed to the rafters with tables spilling out onto the street. Finally we found a small Moroccan place that could seat us. We had beautiful meal and we will definitely go back. I was amazed that on a Monday night this suburb was so busy with nearly every cafe and bar full. So different from last year.

I found some wonderful murals as well. The whole street was lit up and many trees were decorated with lights and baubles.

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday I played Bridge all with different partners. I think I am becoming a bit obsessed with the game. I have joined a golf club, not to play golf but to play bridge! It’s just a social membership but the club has fantastic views from the terrace towards the sea and the city skyline. It will be good for evening drinks watching the sunset.

I have been busy also trying to buy everyone’s Christmas gifts and my mind has been a whirl. The children were easy and I could have bought so many things, but had to limit myself. I’m nearly done and now for the wrapping, which is not so enjoyable and also to find somewhere to hide them. Lachie and Rosie pretty much know every hiding place there is.

I’ve also been pressure cleaning the tiles outside, which is extremely hard and dirty work, with the dirt spraying up my legs. All in a good cause I suppose.

Friday night we drove into the City to meet Elena, Damian and children to do the Rio Tinto Christmas Trail. First we were having dinner and the only place I could get into was an extremely noisy and packed pub. I thought Rosie would be scared but she seemed to enjoy the live band. Places now have apps on the table that you scan and order your food and drinks where you sit. It’s so convenient and saves having to line up at the bar.

Off we set to walk the streets of Perth. I have to say Perth has really outdone itself this year and is definitely on par with Sydney and Melbourne. Maybe I’m biased. Although I would have preferred the lights not to have been so far apart, 6,000 steps later…

**I think everyone had the best time and now definitely in the mood for Christmas**

Tonight we are off to our annual street party, walking distance of course. It’s going to be a very warm evening. Catching up with all the street gossip will be fun and meeting the new kids on the block.

🎅🏻 Have a very Merry Christmas everyone and hope you are on Santa’s good list 🎅🏻

Bright Lights and City Sights

I’m linking up this post with Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share and Public Art Challenge.

We arrived back in Perth very early Thursday morning, around 1 am and I’ve been busy ever since. Especially today as it’s Munchkin Monday and have been run ragged by my two adorable grandchildren. The plan was to see Santa and choose a Christmas decoration each. They both declined the visit to Santa, Rosie being particularly scared and anxious, she is only two. Anyway I didn’t push it and we just stood and had a look at the scene before us. We had a pitstop in a cafe, coffee for me and smartie cookies for them. Back to the house for some Christmas baking, more cookies and then chocolate cake for hubby’s birthday. A huge sugar hit today, hope they sleep okay!

Below are some photos of Hong Kong at night.

Let City Lights guide you home

One thing for sure about Hong Kong, it really knows how to dress up at night, Christmas especially. Walking around the city that never sleeps there’s always something to catch your eye. Brightly lit skyscrapers, shop windows and side streets.

Oohing and aahing at every corner!

John “Rudolph” Travolta

Even the trams get a sprucing up, just captured this as it trundled by in a blur!

This is just because! I turned around walking through this shopping centre at night and just liked the clean lines and the diagonal pattern it made.

Just like to say thanks to Natalie for taking on the PPAC challenge after Marsha, something I’ve always enjoyed. This is also my first time for Weekend Coffee Share, although I’m a day late.