Two Drifters

  Sunset in the Douro Valley We loved the A-ROSA cruise.  The lack of organised excursions (because they were German-speaking) was a blessing in some ways as we were able to use the ship as a floating hotel and do our own thing during the day. The weather was cool and wet a few days in the first week but hot in the second so we spent some time happily lolling on the Sun Deck. Our time in England was terrific. It was wonderful to see M & A and share their excitement at becoming parents. We had a mixed bag of weather – rain and cool in York and Chester but pretty good in Oxford and amazing in London.  We had two stints of a couple of days each in Oxford and did different things to what we did last year. This time, we concentrated on literary topics so we toured the Oxford University Press Museum (free but you need to book ahead online), the Bodleian Library, the Ashmolean Museum (free) and we did a private, literary-focused walking tour. We also wandered through Jericho...

After Easter, we had some work done at home. Double bonus – our concrete floor which was cracked and horrible is now a beautiful oak herringbone pattern and, whilst the work was done and we had no access to our kitchen and laundry, we lived at Rye. I had a special afternoon in early May being a 40 year school reunion. Any girl who went to my old high school, Kildara, to line up with HSC (Year 12) in 1985 was invited. Our school closed in about 1992, sold off for a high rise development so there is no Past Students or Alumni.  We had just over 30 women there. Our HSC year was only 60 odd so I was pretty happy with that turnout. Some women had flown from interstate to be there. Turns out that, so many years later, we were all happy just to be there and see each other. No more cliques, no more “brains” or “cool” girls. Just women who shared formative years together and who were delighted to see each other again.  It was truly lovely. Mid May we headed off on a 7 week trip so ther...

  Another great month with some AMAZING family news!! M & A are having a baby in early November so I am going to be a Grannie!!!!!!!!!!!! M & A actually told us last month when we were in Kangaroo Island (cue – shock!!) but we needed to keep it a secret for a little while. I can’t believe my baby is going to have a baby. Not sure I will believe it until I see it 😂 Very, very happy.  Combined with becoming a Grannie, our younger son, N, and his partner, K, have announced their engagement! K has been part of our family for 4 years and we are thrilled for her to be an “official” part of our family. It will take a while (ever???) to top this month for wonderful family news. Cup. FULL 😊 🙏 Aside from babies and engagements (!!), this month has been punctuated by some mini-holidays. Oh, and my 57th birthday!  The mini holidays were with my girls to Hepburn Springs and with Andrew to Palm Cove. Then we spent Easter at Rye where the Endless Summer rolled into the Endles...

Well, let me start by saying that our motorhome trip to the Sunshine Coast never happened. But, I’ll get to that! The 1st of March (a Saturday) was spent by me, L and G at a brand new culinary experience in Main Ridge on the Mornington Peninsula. Owner, Ciara, hails from Ireland. Her gorgeous property includes ten acres of vines (currently looked after by Foxey’s Hangout and, when we visited, on the cusp of harvest) and a house formerly occupied by the property manager. Last year, Ciara decided to renovate that house and she has created a bespoke kitchen with a dining space around a huge, curved stone bench plus tables inside and out. Ciara’s cooking is home-style, seasonal Mediterranean and she uses as much produce from her garden as possible. A real farm-to-fork experience. Ciara demonstrates what she is cooking, all the while giving cooking and entertaining tips to the group.  At the end of the demonstration, the group all ate lunch together. It was a lovely day and, if you’re l...