42 Years Later

I am not sure I have ever mentioned my parents wedding anniversary before.  I remember it every year, but this year it is certainly more on my mind.  I suspect that this is because they are both gone now.  They were married 42 years ago today, in the same church I was in 2016.  

Thankfully, much like me or me like them, they  were big on taking pictures.  We must have had close to a million pictures to sort through, and this really is only a slight exaggeration.  I love photos and albums but we could only keep so many or would have needed to buy a pretty large house just to store them all.  But I did take a few albums, some are in Canada waiting to be shipped and some here with me.  This morning I went through a few albums, looking at pictures of them just starting out (well a few years in as I am in the photos).  

 This dress was featured back in this blog back in 2014 as my sister wore it for her wedding.  They both looked amazing.  

I think of them both everyday in one way or another.  It was nice to look back on these photos, I just wish that I could remember these times.  Missing them today, missing them everyday.

Finally Weekend

After a wonderful time away, I returned to a crazy busy week at work.  In fact the work week felt a few hours long.  I think, very unlike, my return after winter break, I was ready to be at work and realised how much I had not done in the last few months.  I actually find it hard to believe I was back at work at the beginning of January, looking back I think I was probably not the most ineffective teacher ever.  But I came back after half term ready and this made the week pretty full on.

Before I knew it the weekend was here and I had made no plans. Luis calls me his social butterfly and was pretty amazed I had not to tried to line up something for us to do Saturday.  Instead I surprised him by planning a relaxing day with my L's by the pool and then out for some dinner.

This pretty much sums up our entire Saturday afternoon.  I even went in the pool for a while, something that rarely happens.  I read my book, took in a little sun, the perfect afternoon.

 We also want to stay pretty close to Lola Cola, who looks pretty happy here but is sick again.  The blood parasite was not ever killed off and this week she got very ill (another sleepless night).  Poor thing is back on all her meds, and hoping now she makes a full recovery.

We ate in our favourite Tatonka.  Lola enjoys it there too, the staff all treat her wonderfully and she always gets some snacks.  A wonderful, relaxing Saturday.  So now I am thinking, what can I get up to today after a Friday and Saturday night of not doing much?!

Proud Moment

These are one of those times I just want to write or call my Dad.  Yesterday I left my car lights on, and obviously the battery drained and the car would not start.  This morning I was up early running around getting cables etc.  I wanted Luis to come and help me, but he had a rough night and really was less than keen.   And then it came to me, why in the world am I hunting down a man to help me, I can do it on my own!  And I did, the car started and battery is recharged.  

When I was 17 I had a flat tire when I went to Acton, against my parents advice to collect a pay cheque.  As a little punishment my Dad made me stay outside with him until I could change a tire properly.  This has certainly helped me over the years, as well look at my cars!  I think he would be pretty proud of my car skills today.

Champs... Again

It has been a while, but we finally got together with Kim and Sean to catch up and play some curentha.   It was a lovely, long over due night with some super yummy Indian food, moonshine and some cards.

 When we have not had Indian for an entire week it seems like a very long time.  Kim and Sean are so lucky to have a super Indian next door to them that walks over the food.  Luis and myself totally pigged out on far too many dishes but to be fair it had been at least eight or nine days.

 Kim and Sean brought back some proper moonshine from their travels in Tennessee this past summer.  I could not believe how good they were, one was apple pie flavoured and the other salted caramel.  I am not into whiskey, or derivatives of whiskey but these ones I could seriously get into. 

 We finished the evening with our usual curentha match.  It is just such a great game and we love that Kim and Sean have grown to love it as much as have.

 Within minutes Kim and I had the first game.  For those who follow my blog, this is not really a surprise.

All our matches have to be two out of three and although the guys gave us a run for our money in game two, it is just too hard to beat us. I do think they are learning a lot from us though, and the next time we play will decrease the wide point gap between the two teams.  It was a great night and great end to end our holidays as Luis went back to work this morning and me tomorrow.

How the Top Percent Live

Last night Luis organised a night out at a local beach club, Catch.  It was branded a Cirque event, with performance artist and also DJ's but it really was just DJ's and super rich people.   It was actually really strange to be amongst them, felt kinda out of place but thoroughly enjoyed the people watching.

 First we went to dinner at a near by restaurant, Luis and his 8 ladies.

 We then headed to Catch, to see the Cirque that did not really exist bar some ladies dressed as animals dancing on stuff.

We had a good night though, dancing, people watching and just hanging out.  I honestly do not think I have seen so much plastic surgery in one place (not a judgement just fact!).

Love Love Lanta

We have found our new much closer Bali.  Bali is fantastic and some of the places we went (the less visited areas) were amazing.  We will certainly go back.  However, it is not right around the corner and takes some time to get too.  Koh Lanta we just loved and is just hours away, I really cannot wait to go back.  

First of all, the food, we were spoilt for choice and everything was delicious.  Not only were there several veggie/vegan establishments but every restaurant had loads of purely veggie meals on it.  I have never seen menus so veggie friendly before.  And even if you are a meat eater, the veggie restaurants were packed out with them as the food was unique and a must eat.  Happy Veggie, Kunda, Kaya, just to name a couple were all out of this world.

 I kept meaning to take photos and then would eat my meal way too quickly and forget!

Next the beaches, we cannot comment too much on the very popular Northern beaches but the Southern ones are spectacular.  The water is crystal clear, warm and the beaches almost empty.  There are small bungalows to stay at in most of the bays and we just loved it.  The beaches we did visit in the middle of the island had great bars and restaurants on the beach and a lively happy vibe going on.

It was also perfect for Lola.  The Animal welfare centre has done an amazing job looking after the animals on the island, which means you very rarely see a stray dog anywhere.  This meant the beaches were safe for Lola to run free chasing her crabs.

We enjoyed our last night on the island with our summer house sitters, Steve and Julie, another lovely evening.  We are now back in Phuket, it is boiling hot and I am finally feeling a bit more refreshed and certainly more ready to return to school then I was in January.

Lanta Beaches

Koh Lanta has some amazing beaches, everyone we have been to thus far has had crystal clear water, beautiful sand and best of all has been empty.

We have woken up early every morning to start our adventures and have had a brilliant time.  One of the best things has been seeing Lola back to her old self and loving her holiday.   She has been so happy, we have not seen her like this for months.  It is just lovely.

Lanta Animal Welfare Center

We have had a another fabulous night and day.  Last night we did a little kayak with Lola, not sure it was really her thing and this morning we got up early to go to Lanta Animal Welfare Centre.  They do such a fabulous job there, Julie took Lola for us so that we could join Steve's tour of the place.  How we got out of there without a new dog I am not sure.  In the last 17 years this centre has saved and improved the lives of thousands of dogs and cats, some of the stories are really horrific.   Many of these dogs get adopted by holiday makers and these animals get a second chance at life, it is an amazing place.

 Another amazing veggie/vegan restaurant for breakfast.

A love lock that pays for spading an animal (it should say Lola, I did a poor job!).

Me and Steve pointing at Lola.