Never Changes...Ever

I had this huge realisation this weekend and it was re-confirmed this morning that when it comes to dating/relationships humans really do not change much from the age of 15/16.  We still discuss who we may fancy or who is cute at the bar (hopefully just us remaining single people do this). We still obsess and change outfits ten times trying to find one that looks the best. And this morning, it really struck me as a friend of mine who quite likes another friend of mine asked me to find out what that certain friend thinks (confidentailly of course).  I then walked into a Grade 10 class where the girls were talking about the exact same sort of thing.  So if you are a bit younger than me (not hard after my last birthday) and you think that one day dating or relationships gets more mature or sophisticated then I just wanted to let you know that it does not (my blog is now not only a wealth of information about my social life (with the odd tid bit about a place) but now offering real life tips...). 

Birthday Picnic Fun

The weather called for clouds and cooler temperatures than we have had recently, Suzanne claimed they were wrong and to keep our picnic plans. Suzanne was, of course, as always, right, we kept our picnic and the weather was beautiful.
A big huge thank you to all the people who went out of their way to spoil me this year. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

Drilling

Last night I was treated to a fabulous Thai meal (Boo, best I have had here) by some terrific ladies. What I did not order though was the little man drilling big holes in my head this morning!

Thanks ladies for yummy dinner, top dancing (even if dj's were pants) and a late start this morning!

Surprise!

I am so sneaky!! I even told some porkies on my blog yesterday in order to surprise Suzanne for her birthday last night. I actually started my journey home yesterday afternoon (on blog said I stayed in London) to get back for Suzanne's birthday dinner. It was a painful long trip but totally worth it..

And even managed to get a Tony Cozier inspired gift for Quito from Suzanne (special face sun block and after sun for when I foolishly forget sunblock!). A great night and even though I had a lovely trip it is sooooo good to be home :)

On the Road Again

Today me and Lola will set off home after a lovely ten days visiting with over fifty people. We are a wee bit tired but had a great time and are very excited for the long two day drive home... We spent our last night in London with my cousin Vicki and her husband Greg who are visiting the UK from Barbados for some medical reasons.
I just realised that me and Greg managed to avoid all conversations about guns, I imagine he has finally seen the light and all my anti gun arguments are correct.
I thought this picture (which has now disappeared) demonstrates one clear difference between cities in Switzerland and London, any guesses as to what that is..

Not Another One

This birthday thing seems to come around faster and faster, it is actually getting fairly annoying. Luckily, I spent it with some pretty fabulous people to make it a little more bearable.  The Hopkins all joined me for a lovely lunch and gave me some pretty special gifts.
I then went to meet Nadia Manning-Thomas, as beautiful, kind and special as ever. I do not see her nearly enough. A good day had and today I am sure I look a little bit wrinklier than yesterday.

Hopping Hopkins Fun

Me and my sister are so lucky to be honorary members of the Hopkin clan (well they did say this once and now we are holding them to it for life). Anyone would be hard pressed to find a closer, kinder more family. Easter Sunday and they opened their home to family and friends, all day adding more people to the Easter feast.


Before dinner some of the crew went for a lovely Easter walk.


Did a little geo cashing and about 8000 steps (how I judge walks now).


An amazing dinner was made.


Something for everyone, vegans, meaties and veggies were all catered for.


During the day, a raffle was created so everyone would win a prize after dinner.


Pippa, very excited after winning the prize she wanted.


David's great contribution, the cheese board and the mouse. Really a lovely day, with an even lovelier family.

Easter on the Island

After a hectic week of breakfasts, coffees, lunches, dinners and drinks (catching up with 33 different people), it is great to finally have landed at the Hopkins on Lock Island on the Thames.

Broadway Ealing

Is the new name for Ealing Broadway (well Shelly is going to apply to London council for the name change anyways), as we have decided after Quito I am moving in with her and we all know I need 'B' places.
Shelly preparing our lasagna dinner, we made the mistake of opening some bubbles though so the lasagna turned into a Thai takeaway (yummy, yummy though). Great to see Shelly, catch up and reminisce (we did our masters together, some years ago, more than I care to admit), and I hope to see her soon in Quito.

Bye Bye Bruton

What a great time I had in lovely Bruton, one of my favourite 'B' homes (funny that one of the wine ladies pointed out that Quito does not start with a 'B' and then I discovered my flat is in Batan Alto).
Some faces of my fabulous friends and growing families. Love you all and see you next time :)

Dawn and Jones

Having sworn off food for the rest of the trip, I went for a pub meal with Dawn today and then over to Emma and Steve's for supper. So basically (and sadly slightly repetitive) another grand day in the sun catching up with great friends :)  Of course all the food and drink was worth it.  It was great to catch up with Dawn and then there are Mr and Mrs Jones who I love to bits. Great to see at least half of the clan (lovingly knick named the Brady bunch) again.

Bath and Bull

Yesterday I took Suzanna to see beautiful, historic Bath which looked glorious in the sunshine. We had a lovely day, and then came back to Bruton to stuff our faces at one of my favourite local pubs, The Bull.
In the evening we were treated to dinner by Suzanna, but not before I forced all on a walk to King Alfred's Tower.

Great meal at the Bull, as always rolled out of there feeling stuffed to the rim and I am possibly not eating for the rest of the trip!

The Originals

Another great sunny day full of catching up with friends, sun shine, food and wine.  We had a five hour lunch at the Chapel (a lovely restaurant in Bruton, but looks like it should be in London), with some of my dearest original wine club members and of course Scott (he comes with Babs).

Babs, Pennie, Juliet, Elisabeth and myself - also very famous calender girls :)  We had a perfect afternoon, a bunch of exceptional ladies.

 Then pizza with the Butler kiddies (sadly missing one, as she is in Slovakia with mummy), they are even more gorgeous then the last time I saw them.

 And then to make the day perfect, Emma and Steve came to the pub!  Now I am finally taking Suzanna out of Bruton or more accurately out of the pub to do some exploring-

Super Sunday

My favourite day..  Starting with a delicious lunch prepared by Ben, which was fantastic and done on minimal sleep.  Followed by an afternoon in the local pubs.  And as an extra special treat Babs and Scott surprised me from Cornwall.  A perfect day and night, how I miss Super Sundays..

In Brugge

Is not only the title of a great film, but actually happens to be a beautiful city as well.  Suzanna, Lola and I can certainly confirm this after spending 14 hours there on the way to Bruton...

Definitely worth a visit :) Now is Bruton, preparing for my favourite day..

Hard Act to Follow

Since deciding to move to Quito I have certainly had many days  where I have thought what the hell am I doing.  Yesterday was one of those days, and in fact today has started this way too.  The weather, as for the last month, is beautiful, grade 8 and grade 10 had an early birthday party for me, I had a great night at the grade 12 leaving disco and this morning grade 11 surprised me with birthday cupcakes.

 Two of the grade 8 girls bought us all matching best friend rings, never ever taking off!

Grade 10, clearly have learnt something in my class, Happy early 22nd to me!

 Clearly a fancy dress party.

 My fabulous grade 12's, I am going to miss these girls!

 Grade 12, have a great test team

 

 

Me and Mr. Weir, waving them off.

 

 

And then this morning, grade 11 sang happy birthday and gave me homemade cup cakes (and yes I cried, a bit). 
Quito, you have a hard act to follow.

In preparation...

... for my Easter holiday road trip, I thought I would get a service to make sure I keep all my passengers and myself safe. Upon picking up the car my second thought was to do my annual car clean as my reaction to this was the mechanic had to put the plastic down to protect his clothes possibly not the case, but still thought I would get it all cleaned up.
So washed, cleaned inside and out, which by the way is very stressful when you cannot speak the lingo, just for Lola to jump right back in (ignoring her blanket in the back) and nuzzle with every unprotected piece of fabric. Well, at least the outside looks okay for the trip :)

A Sunday Feast

I tend to think I am a good hostess and produce a decent selection for my guests but then I go for lunch at someone else's and realise I am deluding myself. Yesterday, Tulun treated a very lucky bunch to the most amazing lunch ever in honour of Lily and Pia's birthdays (longest birthdays ever!).

A fantastic super Sunday.

Winding Down

We are now winding down at school for Easter break, after what is always the longest most demanding term and there is no better way to do this than a wee little party. So well done Clint for being brave enough to host us and face what could only be a total disaster this morning.

I remember when I was in high school I thought all the teachers must be dull and have no lives beyond the classroom, if I only knew then what I know now..

Freiburg, DE

Better late than never, Asa finally took me to her and Mats new flat in Freiburg Germany for our postponed Valentines Date. They have a gorgeous new flat (cannot wait to tan on the balcony in the summer while Mats serves the cocktails), and Asa made a delicious meal in their new steam oven (new one for me).

We took a small tour around the lovely city before heading back to Basel. Looking forward to exploring soon in the sunshine :)

250km

I have been wearing my fitbit for two weeks and one morning, and received this badge this morning by email.  How motivational is that!  As I am a terribly competitive person it has completely inspried me :)

Whoa! You've walked 250 kilometers!

You and your Fitbit Tracker are going places. Keep it up.

 

The Drei Eiben

Last night was our first evening of the year back where it all began. Upon arrival our 'cohort' started meeting up this local pub on a summers night for a beverage and a debrief. This year our patio season has started much earlier than last year but then who are we to argue with Mother Nature.

As usual a nice evening with good friends (although there was an uninvited guest, Mr. Hay fever who annoyingly seems to have become very attached to me).