Spring -nearly

 March started well with a visit from my lovely old work mate - Jonny Cash himself the very own Alan. Coming up to re-paint my life pictures on the side doors. Also had Kate, Molly and Connie for dinner after school as their house is being replastered. So full complement. Good few days. 

Mothers Day we went to watch Jon at a Great Heyward complete a 41 mile run to Burton. Back on boat for a nice dinner.

Babysat for Kate and Jon as they went out for dinner and pictures for Kate's 42nd birthday. Where have all those years gone.

Boaters nb Cockney Sparrow - Sue and Dave came round for a meal and borrowed all the River Thames books,how I envy them that trip. Dave enjoys his food!!!

A proud Nanny moment, Molly won a certificate in a National literacy competition for a poem called 

             Autumn Sences 

I can hear people talking and whistling wind

I can smell the tasty burgers and the fresh wind

I can see people walking in the leaves

I can touch the crunchy leaves

I can taste healthy food

Molly Woods. age 5  Manor Hill First School

Off up to Dave and Celia's in Northallerton on 15th another good trip 'Up North' getting used to the A1 although I managed to miss the M18 coming back. Although every cloud has a silver lining I stopped off for a cuppa at Ken and Andrea ended up staying the night having a great time meeting friends Pete and Diane who I had heard so much about over the years.

Time with Dave and Celia was fab. Going to Whitby for the day having the traditional fish and chips for lunch. Popped up to Stoksley to see Julie, most sexy butcher in Yorkshire! And met up with Tony my hopefully newest crew mate for August. Dave advised me on a Blue tooth speaker for my music, have since brought one its magic, thanks Dave.

Back on boat for a few days helping Kate to make Easter bonnets or the girls for school, before a trip to the dentist then driving down to Worhing for Easter. 

Weather was generally great although we did experience hurricane Katie on Easter Sunday. Lunch with Mum and Dad at the Fish Factory on Good Friday. Dinner at The Fox with Sue and Ken ( bit of a Dawn French moment)  but lovely. Staying so near the seafront at Eddies was just wonderful, walks along the prom, do miss the sea. 

Went over to Ropetackle to see Big Country on Saturday, short gig really but ended up in the Piste and Broke pub listening to a fab jaz and blues band.

Had lunch with Gill and Brian. Eddie is in love with Brian or is it his fantastic train set! Called into see Faye,Ryan and Chayse who is growing taller and such a sweetie.

Walks around Worthing and Arundel in the sunshine where perfect as was the company. Food at Sunnys and The Jaalfong also good. 

Back to the boat Saturday and went to Gatehouse theatre to see The Chicargo Blues Brothers with Ginny, Kate and Jon. Good start to April.

Looked after Bracken ( Jons dog) for a few days, Gill and Mick, my homeless friends! Also came up for a few days, so full house, or boat. They picked up their Mobile home now! France here they come.

Received such sad news, my wonderful brother Andy has been diagnosed with Cancer, but he is a fit  and otherwise healthy guy I have every confidence with surgery he will  conquer this horrid disease.

Had in lovely surprise call from Kathy and Martin on nb Moriarty where chugging from Middlewich into Stone so where able to have a lovely eve on my boat good grub and someone to play Rumicub and cards with Brill!

I've taken up Crown a Green Bowles up at Tittensal having coaching sessions which are going well. Thanks Gill for nagging me!!!  Also back volunteering up at Trentham busy potting up and planting out.

Molly had her 6th Birthday on 12th lots of pressys which included a new bike and clothes

Looking forward to going to Thorbury (near Bristol) folk festival next week. And as writing this on Friday 15th Brighton are playing Fulham tonight to help secure a place in the Premier League. Good Luck Seagulls.

Cold months of January and Febuary

Febuary 29th 2016.

The weather coming back to boat after New Year was surprisingly mild, but have had many cold sunny days and freezing nights. Whilst writing this the Marina is frozen over.

Have been helping Kate and Jon out with child care on a Monday afternoon, looking after Connie who just loves coming on the boat even when we play the same games, Scardy Cat and Incy Wincy Spider, also watching Room on the Broom, which I now know word for word! We then collect Molly from school,  although I'm sorry to say my time keeping has not been too hot, Naughty Nanny!  Then off to Rainbows after getting tea sorted. I'm relieved at 5.30 when Kate or Jon get home, back to boat for a quiet glass of red!

The girls are wonderful, Molly's reading and writing is steadily improving, and Connie sings for England. Both go to ballet classes and I went to see their first performance at Stoke Rep Theatre on Febuary 18th as Dalmations in a Disney showcase.

Had a lovely few days up in Maltby at the end of January, with my great friends Ken and Andrea. Too cold and wet for walking so went to pictures to see The Reverant. No wonder it has since won awards it was just such a  great film.

Helped one of the share boats  - Kingfisher- take their boat up to Middlewich for maintanace work. Where so lucky with the weather it was just fab. And felt so good being out on 'The Cut' locking and chatting to all and sundry!

Febuary was nice and busy, after going to a Sunday lunchtime Jazz session with Rob from the marina. I have decided to try and learn the Ukulele, not going too well, do not practice enough. My lovely music teacher Jackie has introduced me to other musicians and I have been to a couple of Acustic nights in Stoke and Uttoxeter.

The highlight of the month was going down to London on the train doing a 'Show and Stay'. Eddie and I saw a just fantastic play called - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the night time, after great grub in China town and a browse round Fortman and Masons. The hotel was wonderfully situated in Shaftsbury Ave. After a big cooked breakie on Friday we went to John Soane's home, the architect of the houses of parliment,  which has been turned into a museum. Viewed a really interesting series of paintings by William Hogarth.  After coffee and cake in Covent Garden we wandered along the South Bank watching and listening to various  artists before having a meal at Cafe Rouge. We then collected our bags from hotel and I to Euston, Eddie to Victoria headed back home. Fantastic couple of days there's always something special about London and the company.

Ginny and I had a good Saturday night out at The Met comedy club in Stafford. I had a lovely day outing with a Staff and Volunteers of Trentham to Rode Hall Gardends to see many varieties of snowdrops.

The month finished with a trip 'Up North' to Jarrow to see my dear friend Maralyn and  Stevie. 

Stopping on the way for a cuppa and lunch with Shenna and Bob in their new home in Darlington. Friends from the Marina and it was good to see them both.

Maralyn and I had such a fab time we did not stop talking about all and everything. (Not like me to chat!) We use to play Netball together many moons ago and had so much to catch up on. 

Went to South Shields on Friday, beautiful coast line. The sun was out but it was freezing. It was Joanne's 23rd birthday (their beautiful daughter)  so we all went for a Thia meal.

Saturday went to visit St Pauls,in Jarrow, the oldest church in UK built in AD 685. St Bede was here in the Monastry as a boy working and worshipping, but his bones lie in Durham Cathedral. Brought us angels as a souvenir.

  After coffee Maralyn and I went on the Metro to Newcastle. We got off at Gateshead and walked pass The Sage theatre house, reminded me of the Opera House in Sydney. Newcastle is a beautiful city and we spent a very pleasant afternoon wandering round. Ended with tea and cake! 

Disappointed my bets Stevie had put on for me at Kempton had not produced the result I had hoped for! One finished last and the other fell just before the finish! We had a great curry in the eve. Always bigger and hotter up there!  

So after a fab weekend drove the 4 hours home in the sunshine.

Thank you to you both, I will be back!

Christmas and a New a Year 2016

Only back on the Marina on boat for 6 days before heading south for Christmas.

Had a great few days catching up with all my friends here at Aston, managing to get through a fair few bottles of vino.

Had a great drive down to Eastbourne,left at 7am all roads where reasonably quiet so made it in just over 4 hours. Although it was pouring with rain down on the sunny south coast. 

Father Christmas arrived at Faye's and Chayse was awake about 7 to start opening presents. Dinner for 10 was all set for about 3 with Ryan's family and all went well.  Although have to admit fealing a little lost and lonely, first Christmas without Baz. 

Boxing Day went down to David Lloyd Health centre for swim,sauna and steam, then meet up with all my family over at Brighton Marina for a meal. Great to see everybody.

Seem to spend the next couple of weeks visiting friends and family. Eating and drinking and having some great nights out. Special thanks to Alan for taking me to see Jonny Cash tribute act in Brighton fab eve. A good New Years Eve with Gill and Brian,even though the lead singer of the band had buggered off on a cruise ship they put on a great gig. Taking Chayse to Panto didn't go quite to plan but I will try again next year!

Decided to have a few high lights put in at my best hairdresser in Worthing, it made me feel good, trying to knock a few years off! Stayed at my good friends Kay and Simon. Thanks for putting me up and organising a wonderful get together with all my old work pals from Guild Care. 

Eddie for cooking me his first Jamie Oliver dinner, booking a Folk Festival down at Bristol in April and agreeing to crew for me again this year. Gill and Mick for giving me a bed for a few nights and just being great friends. Good luck with the house sale,it will happen.

Finishing with a lovely meal with Mum, Dad, Anne and John at the Fish Factory always good grub

Now back on the boat for  a week, coal, water and diesel all stocked up and having coffee, tea and a glass of red stuff with all on the Marina. Wow price of diesel has dropped hurrah.

Already booked a holiday on The Rhine- Germany to Switzerland - in July with my lovely friend Sue. And a villa booked in Portugal for September, all girlie week!

The weather here over the last couple of days has been just beautiful I'm sitting in back of boat writing this with a cuppa. But the Marina freezes over at night. We did have a few flakes of snow last week but it did not last.

Keeping busy and planning more trips!

Last Week - Gold Coast

Monday 7th

Took the train from Bendigo to Sunbury then the coach to Melbourne airport. Getting quite the expert at checking in, explaining to others!!! Good flight but Queensland do not have daylight saving so gained an hour. Picked up and safely checked in to my hotel on Chevron Island. Have an appartment so lots of space. Heated pool like a warm bath so went in for a dip. Then explored exactly where I was. 15 mins from beach. Stopped in a  good pub and had the special - Chicken Parmigiana, yummy.

Popped in Coles (Supermarket) on way bac for breaki supplies. Got back thinking only 9pm too early for bed so went back to Pub for another beer and listened to live band and people watching.

Tuesday 8th 

Went to the Day Trip shop and booked a trip for Wednesday and a river cruise in the afternoon. Did some shopping,found out where my boat went from, then headed down to the surf beautifully warm. Then headed back to river. A whole crowd of Rotary ladies and gents who I had seen going on for a Christmas lunch special  where coming off and stopped to chat. The President, Derrick, asked if he could take me for lunch while I was here. He was originally from Birmingham and really interested in my boat. So I have a date for Thursday!

River cruise was gorgeous weather beautiful, got back 5pm to have a swim and get ready to go out with Karen.- Sue's best friend. Had a Rib dinner in a swanky resturant up in the harbour surrounded by posh white Tupperware boats. Excellent company,we laughed lots.

Wednesday 9th

Up early for my tour pick up. started at an Alpaca farm for coffee stop. Then O'Reilly's,where we did a rainforest Tree Top walk, great fun although when it came to going up the tree,bit knackering for an old girl! But made it. 

Feed all the Rosellas and Parrots. On then to Tambourine Mountain for Wine tasting, lunch and a wander around pretty shops. Big German influence, the  Cuckoo Clock shop was fantastic. Back on coach for a hike down to Curtis Fall, unfortunately there has not been a great deal of rain here lately so not very dramatic.

Back on our little bus to hotel for swim.

Whether it was the thought of going home or just being on my own had a wobbly moment and talked to my good friend Gill who really knows how I would be feeling. Big breaths and took myself off to the Pub ended up a fun night with a girl? Construction worker down from centre of Queensland for her birthday so joined her friends ,beers and cocktails got in at 12.30.

Thursday 10th

 Had lunch with Derrick- President of the Rotary. Very pleasant sitting  in a cafe overlooking the surf. My Guild Care experience was a bonus. An experience civil airline pilot very interesting.

After an afternoon swim had booked myself a GlowWorm evening meal and tour . The clouds had become very very dark so I walked down early to my pick up hotel. It absolutely fell down and the thunder and lightening where something else. Had dinner with a lovely young couple from Perth who were on honeymoon, Jessica and Troy thanks for your company.

Went up the mountains to the caves to see the little glow worms,thank God the rain had passed as we had to walk through rain forest to get to caves. Moved onto the observatory for some star gazing but the clouds where coming in again so not a brilliant display. But great evening.

Friday 11th

Had a lazy morning round the pool,but it got hot so went down the beach for a swim, we'll play in the surf. Rips are very strong kept losing my bikini bottom! Time for new swim ware!

After lunch had booked a Chinese full body and feet massage. Really good felt so relaxed. The back to hotel to change and go out with Karen to the street markets, where I had a henna painted on my hand, remember that Kate! a good meal at a Greek resturant. So delieghtful sitting out in the evening over looking the ocean,good food and great company. Feel so fortunate to have done this trip, Karen is a star.

We had just about finished the evening when the clouds gathered and yes another very big storm the lightening across the sea was spectacular.. Karen managed to get back home before the rain turned to hail!

Saturday 12th 

Was picked up from hotel at 8.45, onto the airport,bus then the tran back to M & E.about 4.30. Long day travelling but everything ran to time and I feel quite the expert at getting in out of customs,getting myself all over the place,funny how I thought it was going to be such a problem 3 months ago!

Sunday 13th 

Washing all done and one bag packed started on the big case should get all in! Elli's dog walking and Mick mowing the yard. Typical Sunday.

Well tomorrow the 14th December will be going home have had the best time ever and my sincere thanks for M & E for putting up with me even if I don't wash or wipe up properly, close cupboards and draws,  drink warm beer from a glass and don't wash all my clothes all the time!

Such wonderful people and feels so blessed to have them as friends. I know Barry would have embrassed Mick's big undertaking in building this lovely new house, don't work too hard Mick life is for living too, and who knows I may be back to see it completed.

Thanks Guys.

,

Ayres Rock - Uluru

Tuesday1st December  - First day of summer out here!

Mick dropped me at Castlemaine at 6.45 am to get the Airport Coach to Melbourne airport for the 9.30.am flight to Uluru. Our flight was three hours but with time difference arrived at 11.30. Booked into The Pioneer Outback hostile. I am in a 20 bed female dorm. A little anxious due to the fact I do snore a little so my daughters tell me! The complex is fab we have a pool which I immediately went for a dip whilst waiting for room to be ready.  Walked up to viewing point with Keria one of the girls from the dorm, surprise surprise we all got chatting to Eric from San Diego, and Justin from Vancover and had a night in the bar comparing travel stories.

I

Wednesday 2nd 

Most of the girls all got up early to do sunrise tour. I went on Desert Garden tour learning nag about Women's work gathering berries and seeds he was a very knowledgeable  and funny Aboriginal, then a demonstration on boomerangs. Had lunch the went to my Dot Dot lesson and produced a masterpiece!

Back at the bar chatting to a very nice lady Sam from Hawaii. She had a car so went off to see the sun set again from a different view point. It is quite breathtaking how the rock changes colour as the sun hits it turning bright red. Back at the bar for another beer! She is doing a 7 month trip and will be in UK next May so another visitor on my boat.

Thursday 3rd

My turn to be up early alarm went ar 3.50 to get bus out to The Red Rock. Viewed Sunrise absolutely fabulous again the rock just changes. 

Dropped off at 7am at the Cultural Centre then walked across bush for one of the young fellers to give us a guided tour around base point.  Zoe he reminded me of your Ian very kind and gentle, and long hair!

Really interesting he told of his story from creation and the learnings he has had from his Grandfather. Men's work and women's work (which he claimed he knew nothing about!).  Australia is trying real hard to give back land to the indigenous folk but I feel the Western ways have already taking over many old way. The past is the past, future?

Then joined a nice German couple to walk round part of the rock. Got back at 12am knackered and nearly out of water. Saw some wonderful rock formations all with stories to be told.

Back at hostel had nice lunch the flacked out round the pool. 

Catching up with blog before going on a Camal Safari tonight, at Sunset. We first fed the babies they drink up to 15/20 litres of calves milk really sweet. 

The camels, mine was called Saxiifrage  he chewed his cud well and he was a good ride,slowly we plodded up the sandy paths to watch the sunset then headed back for our tucker of damper bread with oil and  Dukka. Fresh dates as many glasses of red wine  as we wanted, strangely enough two is enough of in the heat. Back to the hostel for a shower, get rid of camel spit and smell, then a beer at the bar with a great American couple, from New York, who had been the on the Camel Safari.

When they left Sam and Laura found me to have a beer with so got to bed late. Never mind. The only big problem staying in the backpackers dorms is that the toilet block was bloody miles away, so as soon as anyone disturbed my kip I was up and away!! But all in all a wonderful way to meet people and  make and enjoy new friendships.

Our flight left at 11 am so up, had a good breakie and a walk into The Market Place for some more souvenirs! Bags pretty full.

Back at Bendigo after a short coach trip and a longer train ride, joined M & E in The Queens Head for a beer. Back at The Shed someone has turned the sun up it was really warm 35 or so. Even as tired as I was just could not sleep. Lots on my mind. Should I pop down to Wagga Wagga in the Snowies to meet a friend. Another fishy tail!

Saturday 5th

Woke about  8am very hot and breeze less, as Mick says 'Welcome to Australia' having a really quiet one drinking plenty of water and lemon.