Wednesday, September 24, 2008


Where's the time going?!!!
It's Thursday already!! Eek!!! It hardly feels as if I've just arrived and already we're more than halfway through the week! Even though you really dont do that much whilst you're here (or at least, I don't really ever seem to!) time just slips away and seems to accelerate as you near the end of your visit...

So, having a really lovely time so far. Rachel's all loved up with new bloke Jim, Loopy and Sniper are very excited about Peanut (only 5 and a half months to go!) and its actually been really nice to get to know Sniper a bit better too this trip. Its so great to see them together, taking the piss out of one another and just making each other laugh all the time, although we had a bit of a scare yesterday when Loopy got a call from the school to say that Thomsk had been taken to A and E. Clumsy bugger had fallen off the swing at school and first we'd thought he'd cracked his skull open but fortunately, when Loopy got to the hospital, he was fine but was just winded and had landed with a thump on his back. The X-Rays were all OK, so no harm done but dyspraxia strikes again, I think!!!

Yesterday, we checked out the local market (lots of fresh nuts, fruit, local cheeses and SPECTACULARLY bad fashion) and - after the Thomas drama was safely resolved - Rach, Jim and I went up to Bellapais Abbey to have a wander round and grab a late tapas lunch. Its really beautiful up there, with stunning views over the island and out into the sea. The Abbey itself is also really impressive, very well preserved and complete with the world's own cutest ever stray puppy who kept following us around - so sweet!!

Back from the Abbey around 6pm - enough time to shower, change and head down to China Garden with everyone (including Thomas who was fully recovered!) to listen to Brian sing. Was a fun night - poor Rach and Jim were fading fast, though, so left at half time with Loopy and Thomsk, so Mum and I stayed til the end. Was great to sit and chat and listen (even though I was getting eaten alive by mossies!) - finally got home around 11.30pm.

So today, a nice quiet one, I think. Am just pootling around the villa this morning, tidying up a bit before going for a bit of tanning by the pool. Taking Mum and Loops for lunch later - maybe sushi?

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Only in Northern Cyprus..... watch out for giant killer toads!!
So Mum, Loopy and I were out doing a spot of shopping this morning in Lemar, after a very nice coffee and lunch in Dukkan. As well as refamiliarizing myself with all the new variants of Cadburys that seem to have sprouted up whilst I wasnt looking, Louise and I were also amusing ourselves greatly with looking at all the crap English labelling on the kids toys. You would think that in the whole of the island, they could afford to employ just ONE person who spoke fluent English! Or maybe they do, and that person has a whale of a time coming up with such classics as
"A Pleasant Welcome Gift for Children" and "Best Manufactured Contents For Stimulation".

However, the one that really did have us both in danger of wetting ourselves, was the deluxe Police and Traffic cop set - there, in the midst of the fierce looking plastic policeman, cop cars and traffic lights, proudly sat 2 barriers that defiantly proclaimed "TOAD BLOCK"!!! Absolutely bloody priceless. Cue plenty of mental images of Turkish Cyp policeman nervously manning road barricades, gripping the barrels of their automatic rifles whilst they strain to hear for the sound of giant killer toads approaching....

If, however, you hear on the news that I have, indeed, been devoured by a hungry amphibian, Ill guess it wasnt an entertaining typo after all and the Northern Cyps will have got the last laugh!!!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Very happy bunny

Yey!! So, after the whole year planning, my Fibro Forum has finally come to a close and its been an absolutely stunning success! Am really, really pleased - especially since my boss was there! Am absolutely knackered cos its been 3 days of full-on stuff, but i'm extremely happy and so now can really enjoy my holiday with the folks and some serious chilling out!! Yey!! Cyprus, here I come!!!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

WHY, oh WHY????
Does housekeeping ALWAYS knock when you're sitting on the loo???? Literally, within seconds of my arse hitting the seat, invariably there's a tap-tap-tap at the door and the cleaner instantly appears, as I'm still shouting a panicked "hold on, just a minute!!". I'm beginning to think I'm the unsuspecting victim of some international private joke amongst housekeeping staff....
Greetings from Athens!

Its a tough life sometimes. Am now in Athens for my big meeting that I've been working on all year (eek - fingers crossed all goes well!) and about to head into a 6 hour slide review meeting. Thats the bad news (or a necessary evil!). The good news is that the hotel is lovely (thank goodness - a little bit Eighties but charmingly so!), with a stunning view of the Acropolis and *drum roll, please* I have a suite!! Whooo-hooo! Usually doesn't happen (despite me being the one signing the cheque!!) but this time, Eileen came through for me so I have an big suite with separate living room, dining room and an enormous outside terrace facing the Acropolis. Just the job for sitting outside, with a gin and tonic and watching the sun set over Athens. Which basically is what Rachel is doing right now, whilst I'm stuck in slide review - relaxing in the sunshine by the rooftop pool with a dacquiri!

Friday, September 05, 2008

Life ain't so bad!
So I guess one consequence of my appalling weekend at Club Getaway last weekend is that its really led to a renewed appreciation of New York City life and its people.  OK - the men here might universally be completely crap (for one reason or another) but at least most of them are reasonably intelligent and crap, rather than the knuckle-dragging neanderthals and meatheads I met last weekend!  So, I'm smiling easier over the last few days and really relishing where I am, what I'm doing and the freedom I have to be who and what I choose and do whatever I like.  I'm so fortunate in my life and very grateful for what I have - and I'm re-energized to absolutely make the most out of living in Manhattan, whilst I'm here.  Rachel and I went out to a comedy club tonight which was great fun (one of the comedians gave me his number after the show!), and tomorrow night Niz and I are off out to Bargemusic for a bit of culchah!  A little light Mozart whilst bobbing around on a barge in Brooklyn - game on!!!  Beats Beer-Pong at CG anyday of the week!!!

Monday, September 01, 2008

Only 2 hrs to go..
..before I can get out of here and go back home! So, obviously discovered that summer camp just isnt my thing - I think it would have been different if I'dve come with someone. I also cracked and had some wine last night at dinner (this place is driving me to drink!), so have a sore head to add to the general misery! Ah well, at least I gave it a try!!