A little delayed

So this week is finally over and the post is a little late. We had a lovely weekend, celebrating Lee's birthday on Saturday night and spending a nice Sunday soaking up the sunshine with friends. Some of our friends were running in a charity event at Buckingham Palace. Ben and I ventured out a little bit weary after our big night of birthday celebrations and loosing an hour as the clocks were wound forward. Our two friends ran well, one even ran another 6 miles after the short 3 mile initial race. People were wearing funny outfits, one person even dressed in a cow outfit. Elise and I headed out just before the race ended in the search for a pub with a beer garden. We never thought it would be so difficult but we were in central London. We called a few places and had no luck at all. Finally after about 45 minutes of walking we tracked down a pub called The Barley Mow. The pub was great, it didn't have a beer garden but it did have a great spot beside the road. I found out this week that a friend of mine used to visit there a lot when he worked over here. It was so good to eat outside and really appreciate the sun, something I think we take for granted back home.

We were lucky enough that the weather continued after such a great weekend. I've noticed that since the sunshine has arrived people's moods have changed. There is more smiling and lots of bare legs out. We are still finding it chilly but ladies are pulling out the summer dresses and sandals and the blokes have their shorts on. Windows in people's houses are opened to get the fresh air. People are out in the streets washing their cars and cleaning up the gardens. The meaning of Spring Cleaning can really be seen here at the moment. The cheery blossoms are lined down the streets gradually becoming in bloom. It is gorgeous. I am just waiting for more leaves to be on the trees. I have enjoyed it so much not having to leave work in the dark.

Sadly, I was so sick on Wednesday and Thursday this week. It really wasn't good. I had to take two days off work. Ben looked after me so much. I think there are a lot of bugs over here we just don't have at home or I'm not used to. I went back to work today (Friday) as the work was piling up. Ben is on a train to Newcastle for a boy's weekend to watch the football. I'm having a quiet weekend and tomorrow I am having a ladies day outside London with Melissa. The destination to be confirmed.

This Thursday we head to Spain for twelve days which is going to be excellent.

Back in the swing

So London is feeling like home again. We have spent the week being squished on the tube, working hard, getting used to walking rather than a car and wearing jackets again. The weather is slowly becoming more pleasant. The is more sunny and warmer days. I have even been able to go outside once or twice at lunch without a jacket. People have started planting flowers and daffodils are popping up everywhere. I am just loving all the flowers in bloom.

On Friday Ben's dad and Julie arrived for a short visit. We went out to one of our favourite places Hudson's for dinner on Friday. Julie even tried my favourite fish pie. On Saturday we decided to visit the Geffrye Museum in East London. The museum had textiles, furniture, paintings and objects from 1600 until today. It was actually an old hospital. The grounds were beautiful and in the summer the garden is open with herbs and fresh flowers. It had a lovely coffee shop where we had scones, cake, coffee and tea. Oh so very English.

After the museum we were off to the Broadway Market to explore a few shops and markets. So much great smelling food. It is always nice visiting East London it is not as prim and proper like the South West of the river. On Saturday night we were even lucky enough to secure a table at the great Vietnamese place in Lavender Hill. It has gone slightly upmarket since our last visit but the prices haven't changed. We treated ourselves to a great wine from the Clare Valley. Very, very yummy indeed.

On Sunday we went to Greenwich markets. People at work had recommended it and they won't wrong. It was a lovely market, filled with arts and crafts and great market food such as Japanese, Persian and Thai. Ben and I will go back again to explore some more. There are some nice parks and ships that we want to go and see.

It was so great to see Keith and Julie, we really loved having them. I had never spent so much time with Keith and Ben together. It was scary how similar they are. Julie and I did a lot of giggling together observing all their similarities, including the matching crease on their left ear. Ben really enjoyed spending time with his dad. They left us really early on Tuesday to visit Keith's sister who lives near Bristol.  Ben's catching up with them for a coffee on Friday.

Also this week we have been planning Nanna and Pop's trip to come and visit us. The arrive at the end of April and we have so far booked a trip to Cornwall and a weekend in Brussels. We can't wait for them to visit.

Two weeks back home

Yesterday we arrived safely home from Perth. It was a great flight on Emirates especially on the new A380. We touched down to magnificent London weather of 15 degrees. It was so great, we never had to get our jackets out of our suitcases.

The two weeks at home was amazing. It was good to catch up with everyone. The main reason of visiting was Dianne and Rick's wedding in Perth, where I was playing bridesmaid. It was a great day, Dianne looked beautiful and Rick looked very handsome. I spent the week before in Perth helping with the final preparations for the wedding. I couldn't believe how much was involved  in the wedding. I had the pleasure of attending lots of family things with Dianne and Rick as most of the guests had travelled from Queensland. The wedding was held in the Swan Valley just outside Perth. It was a beautiful venue for the ceremony and reception.