Feeling Loved

Very sadly, yesterday I had to have a bit of an emergency operation, which was a bit of a shock to my system and also means I can also not travel to Canada this weekend.  Luis is also away getting his work Visa in Singapore, so was altogether not the best timing (not that it ever would have been a good time).  But lucky for me I have my Phuket family looking after me and they have been fabulous.  They have not left me alone for a minute and I have had so many visitors and treats.  Even the kids sent my posters from school.  I feel so lucky to have them, they have really made a very hard time a little bit easier.

And also loads and loads of nurses.  I am feeling much better today and tomorrow should be going home.  It is a sad and painful time but all these people are making it that much better and tomorrow I will be back with my two L's, so that is bound to help the recovery.

Long Rainy Weekend

This is possibly the only long weekend where I have gone away and not been bothered one bit that it poured with rain the entire time.  The places we stayed were so nice that I was quite happy to chill and not worry with the weather.  On Thursday night we stayed in a hotel in Kata, South of the island and then Friday we drove off the island to a place about an hour and a half North of Phuket, Khao Lak.

 The place we stayed in Kata, I had won at a charity event back in March.  It was a lovely hotel, with the best pillows I have ever slept on (I kinda wished I had brought my own pillows and made a switch, how awful!).  I also cashed in one of my Christmas presents, dinner at a place called Kata Rocks.

 Luis had birthday cake number three, quite the wife he has I would say..

 So Kata Rocks, is meant to be one of the nicest restaurants on the island.. Nope, it was quite horrible, especially for the price.  So we will stick to our non posh favourites and never again spend a crazy amount on food (not crazy in other places, but for Phuket, yes).

 Then we drove North, picking up Lola Cola on route to what is now our favourite place ever.  The place we stayed in Kata was about seven times the price (had we paid for it), and not even on the beach.  The place I found in Khao Lak, was just amazing at $30 a night.  The restaurant food was amazing, about one tenth the price of Kata Rocks and about ten times the quality.  

 Even in the rain we enjoyed the huge empty beach.  It went on for miles and miles with no other hostel/hotels in sight.

This was our little home.  Huge patio, kitchen, lovely room, downstairs seating, the value for money was ridiculous, we will definitely be back.  We then came home to a home theatre night.  It was a pretty perfect weekend despite the monsoon conditions, now hoping for some sun today, as I cannot go to Canada next week with no tan at all!

Birthday Celebrations

Last night was birthday celebration night, we went to dinner with loads of friends and then Luis hit the town and I went home for some much needed sleep.  We went to our favourite restaurant with some of our favourite people.  

 I was so excited about his cake, but so disappointed when I picked it up.  It was meant to be of Lola and the flag of Ecuador.  Somehow that translated into a picture of me (I sent loads of pictures of Lola from different angles) and no Ecuador flag.  Luis loved it, so I guess that is what matters, but I hated the picture of me on his cake.

It was a lovely celebration and I think he had a pretty good birthday.  Next in line for birthday treats is Lola Cola.

Happiest of Birthdays

Yesterday was Luis' birthday and also parents evening so I had not a minute to post happy birthday wishes to my fabulous husband.  But actually his birthday is two days long this year (actually it is at least this long every year) as he had to work in boarding last night.  However, we did manage a lovely morning celebration and he made it a special night for the boys in the boarding house.

 Birthday breakfast and presents

 I wen to boarding after parents evening.  Luis is amazing with the boys and they clearly love him.  It was so nice to watch him in action, I think I would love to live there too. Seems like a lot of fun!  But no Lola allowed, so no boarding for me.

The muffin cake. Luis also bought all the kids snacks and dips and they were all so happy and excited.

 So that was birthday number one, tonight we have a great group coming out to celebrate at our favourite restaurant.  I cannot wait to properly celebrate this wonderful man.  Luis, I hope you had the best birthday yet and I promise they will only get better! Love you :)

Lunch, Sun and Almost Vegan

What a wonderful Sunday, lunch with friends and then a beautiful beach day with empty beach and super warm water.  It is only October 8th and we have had more sunny days then the whole of October last year which is definitely a relief.  There is still rain but nothing like last year and Phuket is just a wonderful place to be in the sunshine.

 One of my favourites.  I was aiming to be vegan from today, was so careful and did not even realise what I was doing when I put  tzatziki on my vegan burger.  So will try again tomorrow!

 We had a such a lovely walk and swim together.  Lola is just the happiest at the beach, well I guess I am too.  We of course missed Luis, who was with the boarders in the shopping centre.  I could not bring myself to miss this sunny day!

Tennis Star in the Making

Another day, another thing checked off my list of forty.  I am super excited about this one, finally getting back into tennis.  Last night was my first lesson (after my art lesson, so a busy day) and I just loved it.  In fact, I think if I had this coach as a child I may have won an Olympic medal.  In one short hour, she corrected some bad habits and I felt like a whole new player.  I think I have probably played four times in 20 years and it just felt great to get back into it.  I am super excited about these lessons, even though I am having trouble typing as my arm is still shaking from the intense work out it had last night!

 The school tennis courts are amazing, blinking hot but amazing.  My coach is great, next time I will take some photos but I did not want her to realise I am slightly mad just yet!

Oh and before art class I went to the pottery place to collect my first little pot!  I have miles to go, but still love my first attempt!

Two Tulips in a Vase

I love my art class, and after a few months off it was great to get back to it.  It is so relaxing, even though I spend most of my time erasing what I have done, i do enjoy it loads.  Last lesson I drew my first proper sketch that was not of a shape.  I must say I am pretty proud of it.  Who knows what is next for me, possibly I will have an exhibition in Phuket soon, then Bangkok and then probably London (I will keep you posted).  

I call this 'two tulips and a vase'.  

 And how better to celebrate my first piece of art, then with a nice lunch with Leica and Lola (another two L's!).