Process of Leaving

I never remember it being difficult to leave Canada, Barbados or England, emotionally yes, but not procedural wise. Leaving Switzerland is a whole different ball game. Yesterday and today I had a load of tasks to complete, and every time I started doing one it just added more tasks. Trying to sort out final payments has been a nightmare, no one seems to want to bill me and due to the operation insurance is a disaster to sort out. I woke up to a rainy day and was immediately grumpy thinking about the day a head (how I wish I knew German, my fault, but still) but then this evening things started to look up. This wonderful man can to buy my car, which was my biggest worry, and was so lovely letting me keep it till next week as he knew it would be difficult to move with out. He even insisted on paying me up front, it just made everything seem so much better as I was sure this process would cause me the most grief.

The flat is looking empty empty. The walls are bare (not all floors yet) and with no Suzanne it is pretty lonely (Lola is completely depressed). It is a weird feeling, cannot believe in two weeks we will be starting out on a whole new adventure.

Far too Fast

Ever since my sister got engaged and the family booked to come to the UK I have been so excited for this trip. It seemed to take ages to come and then of course once it started it just flew by. I really cannot believe that I am now sitting in the airport waiting to go back to Basel. It was just such an amazing two weeks, great time in Bristol, lovely wedding, fun times in London, beautiful weather and of course spending it with what I think is a pretty amazing family. Two weeks together, three Aunties, 2 kids, one teenager, a new boyfriend (of an Auntie) and two half adults (me and Nats do not really count yet), sharing space, hanging out and we all loved it. Last night the grown ups took some friends for supper and the two half adults took Danielle, Jodi and Kailee for sushi.

After a yummy dinner and a stop for gelato we returned home to play games in the garden. I am really going to miss them and cannot wait till the next time. Nats, sorry I did not get to say a proper goodbye this morning and please let all know I did not cry all the way to the airport, almost but not quite!

Princess Diana's Memorial Playpark

Yesterday we met up with more Bajans living in London and took all the kiddies to Princess Diana's memorial Playpark. It was a pretty amazing Playpark and the kiddies just loved it. I especially loved meeting up with Nadia Manning-Thomas and her beautiful daughter Saba.

We had a fabulous morning and afternoon with the kids and then me and Nadia hit Oxford Circus for a tiny bit of shopping, some wine and a lot of laughter. It was great to see her and hope she is busy planning her trip to Quito this morning!

Whipsnad Zoo

Usually I am a bit of a zoo sceptic, I know they do a lot for conservation but I do feel horrible to see animals in cages and in a different climate (polar bears in boiling hot weather) but today at Whipsnad Zoo in Bedfordshire was great. Sort of a safari like zoo where the animals had ample space to roam and you could see they were very well cared for.

We were the literally the first in the queue and almost the last to leave. What a great summers day out. I can easily recommend!

London Bus Tour

It is so great to be in London showing the girls all the sights. Today we did the big bus tour with a little shopping on the side. We had a lovely day taking in loads of sights.

A great day and looking forward to our next adventure tomorrow.

Jessica

After a yummy veggie breakfast, put on by the newest Richardson couple, I rushed off to London to attend the Christening of my newest God daughter, Jessica. We were blessed with another beautiful day and the Weir's held a lovely garden party to celebrate the day.

 The God mummies, and Jessica.

My newest God daughter, Jessica. She was looking lovely and behaved impeccably as usual. After the wind down of the party she is looking a little more relaxed here enjoying some apricot and mushy rice. I am so honoured and lucky to have two beautiful God daughters now.

More from Wedding

Here are a few more pictures from the wedding. It was just perfect, after the afternoon at Coulston Hall with a steel drum band we then hoarded up the guests to go enjoy the bristol Harbour festival. It could really not have better.

She threw her bouquet from a stage at the festival and then had an amazing firework show to end off the evening. I cannot believe my little sis is all grown up!

My Little Sister is Married!

What a fabulous, beautiful, special day! It started a bit rainy and stormy, but it actually just added to what was a fantastic day. I was/am so proud of my sister and choked back tears (well mostly, sometimes they came) all day. She looked beautiful in my mother's wedding dress, it fit perfectly and I know my mum would have been so proud.

She planned an amazing wedding week and we all had such a lovely time. Nicola I am so proud of you and love you so much! (pictures of evening part to come)

Hotter Than Barbados

Was the headline of the local newspaper this morning, but as we went on our boat cruise this morning I wondered if the Bristol newspaper knew where Barbados was actually located...

 it was freezing!! But we all cuddled and stayed warm.

That evening everyone went out to dinner to celebrate Nicola's last night as a single lady!

Bajan Crew

The festivities have properly kicked off with the arrival of de Bajan crew yesterday. Nicola and Paddy hosted a drinks and nibbles night to welcome everyone here and get things started.

 Me and my glamorous God Mother

 Jodi and her Glamorous God Mother

 My God Mother and her man

 Aunty Jillian looking ready to laugh!

A great night and looking forward to the rest of the week. I love my family!

Sister Lunch and Bruton

I have been in good old blighty for about 36 hours and it has been fairly action packed so far. Yesterday me and Nicola had a great sisters day out where we got all caught up and then I ran off to Bruton for a quick hello.

Bruton is always great, but this time extra special as have not seen these beautiful ladies since Martina's wedding. Love the first and possibly greatest wine club!  Great to see them and all of course!

Bye Bye Suzanna

Well it is a sad sad day, I am trying my best to keep a brave face on but it is not easy (my large glass of bubbles is hardly helping at all).  I have just come back from a meal in France with Dad, Karen and Suzanna which was not only lovely but also the last one I will have one with Suzanna for a long while.  Tomorrow she is setting off to London, and next weekend she will be beginning a huge adventure on the London to Mongolia rally with a questionable van and a team of people she has yet to meet.  While I am very excited for her and this amazing venture I am so sad to see the end of an era.  I am actually not sure how I functioned for so many years without her, she has been so many things to me I am not sure where to begin.  I have learnt how to be tidy (well tidier), to clean as I go (well not my bedroom so much), how to organise and pay bills (well 80% of them at least), how to see the positive in everything (although I am always battling this one), plus many other things that I am hoping I will continue in Quito.  But as helpful as these things are, it is nothing compared to the friendship she has shown me over the years, she always goes out of her way for me (well all her friends in fact) she is, kind, helpful, caring, fun, funny, just to name a few of her great qualities, and Lola and I will miss her tremendously. 

 Although she has had many fare wells recently to me it really started to hit me on Friday night with her 'leaving drinks' night.

 Lola will also feel the tremendous loss, who is going to hunt with her now?

 She had masses of people come to wish her well, old friends and new ones.

 And all will miss her, but...

 ...I am sure, none...

...as much as me.  Suzanna thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such a tremendous friend over the years.  I know you prefer a 'firm handshake' send off but sorry I am sending loads of love, hugs and yep even kisses! xoxoxoxox

Rain Rain go Away

Since the beginning of April Basel has had summer like weather, hot and sunny with little to no rain, until of course the day my Dad and Karen flew in and then it started to pour and it will continue until the day we leave then of course back to big sunshine.  Luckily,  I do not things like weather affect me (much), and we have had a grand time regardless.  Yesterday after a visit to a medieval castle in Germany and an ice cream lunch in Germany, I had my second dinner with Dad with friends.

 Canadian cow boy (from Toronto, he is probably the only one, well half one as he does not have boots or a ranch).

 Mother and daughter.

 One of two items I can actually cook, and not bad if I do say so myself.

 Me and my God baby.

 Dad and Pia

 Suzanna popped in for a drink, she is one busy girl in her final days in Basel.

This must be for the supper and definitely not for all the nonsense he thinks I come up with ;)



Me and my Dad

What a great day- finally after almost three years my Dad has arrived in Basel!!! Him and his lovely girlfriend, Karen, flew into Zurich this afternoon and have been troopers ever since. Instead of letting them rest, I organised a small dinner party to help them get over the jet lag (or really to show my Dad off).



Lovely Auntie Em, David, Asa, Karen and Dad :)


Almost two years since I have seen this brilliant man - never again will I let this happen.





Two girls that have my heart and Lola's- not sure how either of us will cope!


And lovely David- he does love me and Lola deep (probably really deep) down. Great night, Dad was on fine form, he really is amazing, and I do miss him desperately.

Monday Roomie Night

Every Monday for the last two years, me and Suzanna have stayed and hung out on our sofa watching TV. Pretty much every other night one or both of us would be busy with work or other friends. With Suzanna moving on to big new adventures this weekend, last night was our last sofa night together (at least for a while anyways).

Spoilt by A&M

After what felt like a very long journey back I went to collect Lola from Asa and Mats in Germany.  They really are the loveliest people ever (which I think I have made pretty clear over the years), but honestly they do me a huge favour and then I arrive there to a delicious BBQ.

 Not only did Asa look after Lola and prepare a BBQ she is also on her way over to help me clean and pack up the flat.  Really one in a million, and I will have to search long and far in Quito to find anyone quite like her..

 Mats, equally as lovely, and has helped me loads over the years.  When I first arrived he was given two tasks, one he has done very well with, one not so much.  He travels a lot with work and has been checking my blog all over the world and has put it on the map in many new countries.  But he was also meant to find me a husband along the way, not as successful.

BBQ was delicious and very filling and these delicious chocolates were definitely not needed.  But still I somehow managed to have more than one.