tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35852317817231450912024-03-16T12:09:43.564+11:00SEMI EXPAT IN OZSemi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.comBlogger314125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-32271106421211340572012-09-05T21:30:00.000+10:002012-09-05T21:30:52.801+10:00Invitation to my new blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-nkZbEiSXYOVDVTeLNpJzdtWwP-photFeFbCZFzpZcrp6m-WrQ76mzryA5YDkkxwT_ELHHrugwjOuz4xzXhHjJTh3HPqFxIZuvKOHMDlyAmX-oCraMPVYeVhNiIkLh2DhdAGW2g9vUw/s400/nestienest.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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You are all very warmly invited to come over and visit me at my new blog. <br />
Oh, and please follow too if you'd like, but I understand completely if perhaps you'd rather not. A new blog is a time for simplifying things and if you've had enough of my slightly sporadic ramblings maybe this is the opportunity for you to part company with me. That's fine, and I totally understand. However those who do decide to follow I promise to come over and follow you (if I don't already). Maybe 'Semi Expat in Oz' will be resurrected later on next year but for the moment I am blogging as NEUTRAL TERRITORY.<br />
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Please click <a href="http://www.sarahnterritory.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;">HERE</a> to be taken by the wonders of technology to the new blog... See you there!<br />
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<br />Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com169tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-45239264476932397082012-09-03T01:16:00.002+10:002012-09-03T01:19:22.941+10:00Blogging from Blighty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So here I am back again in England and the first 10 days or so have gone by in rather a blur to say the least. First of all the inevitable and unavoidable jet lag. Although I do have to admit it wasn't that awful this time - dear Mr SE used a bucket full of his Frequent Flyer points to upgrade me to business class. I know, extremely lucky and I actually enjoyed every moment of the 24 hour flight. A few 'piccie's to follow of my first days in England. But firstly a big thank you to all who commented on my last post when I told you my news and the fact that I am now going to be living here for the next year - Eleanor, Jane, Janelle, Beth, Jules, Deja Pseu, Coffee Addict, Sydney Shop Girl, Mise, Susie, Pauline W, Natasha in Oz, Young @ heart, Faux Fuchsia, Ms Maple, Ida, Lilac in May, Raisa, Leeann and Belinda - really appreciated hearing from each and every one of you... And can I ask anyone how on EARTH do you put that little REPLY box after each comment so you can reply to each person individually? Sorry to sound like a bit of a technical twit but I would so love to know... Anyway, back to the photographs and they have come out in no particular order a bit jumbled....</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2g4rPxPNG247ti_yZypRsGnRM2Iuc5ff93GoOwzBVxFgykyg1D4Jk89p7p2jDbtDStMAfK0cJlCXUO6khZFnObl7OUNZ8nYq8C0h5cPD5ERMVOZvlVH3q2u39yykHije7XrVfr1ts0s/s640/blogger-image-941649159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2g4rPxPNG247ti_yZypRsGnRM2Iuc5ff93GoOwzBVxFgykyg1D4Jk89p7p2jDbtDStMAfK0cJlCXUO6khZFnObl7OUNZ8nYq8C0h5cPD5ERMVOZvlVH3q2u39yykHije7XrVfr1ts0s/s640/blogger-image-941649159.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the market in Marlborough - lots of lovely fresh veggies</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuchsias - (real, not FAUX!) my parents' garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above and below the lovely Wiltshire countryside</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging basket - planted by my Father - at their house</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvFo7EStdeiVisiGNiv_fY05pylPPXm0G1kZL4tDJFHsc96s_HOiHz8tRWjhgxTmN42ZmKvzZRaOd7mO9m72UtrgkIORqs4B6kLdGcFkLXwo4hQWxu3mpIgWPuVjYisF8G55qYwGjVn0/s640/blogger-image-715791022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvFo7EStdeiVisiGNiv_fY05pylPPXm0G1kZL4tDJFHsc96s_HOiHz8tRWjhgxTmN42ZmKvzZRaOd7mO9m72UtrgkIORqs4B6kLdGcFkLXwo4hQWxu3mpIgWPuVjYisF8G55qYwGjVn0/s640/blogger-image-715791022.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flags - patriotic style - my parents' house </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daughter on bicycle, last weekend - me walking behind!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above 2 photos - garden at my parents' home<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Look out for my next post where I will give you directions o how to reach my NEW ENGLISH blog... Meanwhile hope you are enjoying the first weekend in September - how quickly this year seems to be going.</span></td></tr>
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Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-64672472719777168982012-08-19T20:41:00.003+10:002012-08-19T22:11:10.198+10:00HUGE news and nearly the end of this blog...I have been blogging as Semi Expat in Oz for just over 3 years now - (yes, I know, how time flies when you're enjoying yourself) but soon I am not going to be in Oz any more and this is the HUGE news I am going to share with you.....<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">I AM RETURNING TO ENGLAND FOR AROUND A YEAR..</i>.</span><br />
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So please, all pack your metaphorical suitcases for some time in England. I will put up another post on this blog giving you all the details of the new "English Blog" and then if you'd like, please do come over and join me there. I am leaving next Wednesday evening on the late Cathy Pacific flight out of Melbourne. First stop - Hong Kong - a quick turn around there for a couple of hours and then I'll board the British Airways plane to London. After that I will make my way (via a night at my parents' home) down to deepest, darkest Wiltshire (towards the West of England) - to our dear little cottage. Ah, dear little cottage; I have missed you so much.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVcdeQJUE_ynZAzM7jMAc8mN7oWuWzJhE0-LESxGCe2C7kR0ilY5-7vpVSZ1Wd9KD5NO_dMn2ANYKoPMvzEq79GKh09wqAvPpdaLzfyM8RNg1lm5vj1P_F1ZNInLKysiK4exvk-Lyxng/s1600/fireplace+UK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVcdeQJUE_ynZAzM7jMAc8mN7oWuWzJhE0-LESxGCe2C7kR0ilY5-7vpVSZ1Wd9KD5NO_dMn2ANYKoPMvzEq79GKh09wqAvPpdaLzfyM8RNg1lm5vj1P_F1ZNInLKysiK4exvk-Lyxng/s320/fireplace+UK.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireplace at the cottage</td></tr>
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The decision to go back to England has been both easy and difficult at the same time.<br />
The easy part was that I really wanted to be in the same country as my daughter to support her and be there for her as she finishes her final year at Durham University. I have felt over the last couple of years that I was not being the kind of mother I wanted to be. Also I so wanted to be nearer to my family and especially my parents again. It will also be wonderful to catch up and see my friends in England.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the cottage garden</td></tr>
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The difficult part of course, is leaving Mr SE here. <br />
We have done this before, this long distance marriage business and we are pretty good at it but it is still hard. Hopefully, he will have a trip to Europe on the cards in September and he has already booked a week at the beginning of November to come to UK. And then we (my daughter and I) will visit back here for a month, coming to Melbourne over Christmas and New Year. At the moment I am not thinking further than that. It has been difficult to resign from a job I love (and I hope that there will be a position open to me on my return to Australia next July-ish time - they have said that it would not be a problem). Leaving dear friends I have made here too will be so very hard. <br />
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So, there's lots to organise here and I still have to pack - many lists to be consulted too. As I said, there will be another post here soon, maybe when I get back to UK and then I will set up the next blog and of course,keep you all in the loop...<br />
For the time being though, it's adieu from this wonderful land and the beautiful city of Melbourne.<br />
<br />Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-7124359125750541772012-08-03T10:34:00.000+10:002012-08-03T10:34:18.225+10:00Not faded awaySincere apologies<br />
My silence does not mean I have faded away completely but I do have to report that I am well on my way to conquering the extra 6.5 kgs I wanted to lose. In fact nearly 5 have gone; (around 10.5 lbs) so I am delighted and feel much better in myself. Weight Watchers has changed since I last went. Much more choice and easy to follow too with each food being assigned a certain number of "propoints" and you are given a alloted amount of daily propoints to stick to. Must be something to do with my 'make up' but if I know I'm stepping on those scales each week and am accountable I stick to what I should be eating. And I know what to do - we all do really - its just applying it daily!! For me basically it has been to cut out (well a glass at weekends) wine, cheese, nibbles etc and to check my portion size and fill up on vegetables, fruit etc. And it's working. Hooray.<br />
Anyway, enough of all that.<br />
Thought I would show you a few photographs from our time away last weekend in beautiful Byron Bay in New South Wales. It's one of our favourite get away destinations and the sun shone the whole time. Pure paradise. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionnDYCHAjCOpfIzVgsTIArweLmdGqmFPPBNCeIyakIjhtkinOj-DNI1Rue15WYHQ9RJtJ945gNHD425Dyt6yCbM3KLYQ0LUO8o02s55wEweBnFH5cjcx1JtgOOOGOfonQrQ8Fc-8GaPE/s640/blogger-image-1240357236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionnDYCHAjCOpfIzVgsTIArweLmdGqmFPPBNCeIyakIjhtkinOj-DNI1Rue15WYHQ9RJtJ945gNHD425Dyt6yCbM3KLYQ0LUO8o02s55wEweBnFH5cjcx1JtgOOOGOfonQrQ8Fc-8GaPE/s640/blogger-image-1240357236.jpg" /></a></div>Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-91259147452593520412012-06-22T16:45:00.003+10:002012-06-22T16:45:27.087+10:00Something's gotta give, or rather - GO!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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And that is to be precise the extra weight that has slowly crept on; mainly AROUND MY MIDDLE!!<br />
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This has been a gradual and stealthy creep - almost when I wasn't looking (!) and by dressing cleverly and covering up in winter layers I can look reasonable and kid myself that no, I don't have to do anything about it, and that life is for living and enjoying myself etc. etc. See photo above - layers and dressing cleverly = not too bad. (Or if all else fails place handbag in strategic position for photograph).<br />
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My father returned to UK after his wonderful visit here at the beginning of last week. We had a fabulous time with him - much eating and drinking and merry making too. Since he left the weather has been pretty miserable though with rain and plummeting temperatures which has necessitated in consoling oneself with hearty meals, red wine and cheese and meetings out with friends for coffees and cakes... OH DEAR.<br />
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Anyway, this time I am determined to do something about it and get rid of 6.5 kgs or so, which is around 14 lbs or 1 stone..... Definitely. <br />
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Next week I will post about how my plan of attack will take place and it will probably be by joining Weightwatchers. Don't laugh. I have been before - ions ago - at least 15 years or so when I lived in UK. But by writing about it on the blog it makes it all more real.<br />
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There, I have said it now. No going back.Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-84582243470315742732012-06-05T17:17:00.001+10:002012-06-05T17:18:33.828+10:00A card in the postLook at this lovely card my friend S sent us. Such a nice surprise to see something in our mail box that isn't a bill or junk mail and the fact that it was quite unexpected makes it very special. <br />
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She wanted us to be included in the Diamond Jubilee flag waving patriotic fever that has gripped our homeland even though we are far away in Australia. <br />
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You are a diamond too dear S, and thank you - so thoughtful!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4MCgJ26F75NaIm-YIFQbcAJ3OE0EzpV1mxfZFLWVFWLJwRrk2UZn7CeKrjjZBcihOGoc2lQnTGNtRGhxJbn_X8XGa6l-e0-DkMg1aGPJUHdocAKsdLge5n0yL49BAPW6GlsOy3530hA/s640/blogger-image--1582784692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4MCgJ26F75NaIm-YIFQbcAJ3OE0EzpV1mxfZFLWVFWLJwRrk2UZn7CeKrjjZBcihOGoc2lQnTGNtRGhxJbn_X8XGa6l-e0-DkMg1aGPJUHdocAKsdLge5n0yL49BAPW6GlsOy3530hA/s640/blogger-image--1582784692.jpg" /></a></div>Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-13419467016649549822012-05-22T10:11:00.000+10:002012-05-22T22:21:56.597+10:00Autumn picnicMelbourne is so beautiful at the moment and the trees are particularly lovely - golden and red hues everywhere which makes Autumn my favourite time of the year. <br />
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Over last weekend we went up to the Dandenong ranges (about 45 mins from us) and took a picnic. There is something really fun I think about a 'non summer' picnic !! The weather was cool but crisp and sunny and we also have a special visitor from England. My 80 year old father arrived on Friday evening and it's so nice to have him here staying with us. <br />
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Here he is having just arrived at Melbourne Airport. Sophie my niece on the left.</div>
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Below pics of the picnic - ham rolls and hot soup!</div>
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Dad and Mr SE checking out the camera settings.</div>
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The view from our picnic table</div>
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More of that same view... Just beautiful.</div>
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Hope you are enjoying what ever season you are in according to the hemisphere! </div>
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Happy Days!</div>
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<br /></div>Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-91300693410949181482012-05-04T12:53:00.004+10:002012-05-04T12:53:35.884+10:00Loving this new cleanser<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This was my preferred cleanser of choice; that was when I bought it duty free or in Europe or when I felt like splashing out..... Worked well, very refreshing and a clear liquid. You use it straight onto a cotton wool pad and wipe gently over the face. Amazing how much grime and dirt always seem to appears on those pads! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uCjiQD4P7OadE56K7ioxyAYVcDCLpaJJTHReMB3vlfvBlGhgwY1noa8wHQAoTewYmqj7ASiqu2BzLMH5fK70wlg6Y5A-5YhH6em93nbhVIW2J54avc63f-MbeFXMZ59TecHSYE6eDbM/s1600/lancomewater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uCjiQD4P7OadE56K7ioxyAYVcDCLpaJJTHReMB3vlfvBlGhgwY1noa8wHQAoTewYmqj7ASiqu2BzLMH5fK70wlg6Y5A-5YhH6em93nbhVIW2J54avc63f-MbeFXMZ59TecHSYE6eDbM/s1600/lancomewater.jpg" /></a></div>
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Anyway, lately I have become extremely attached to this cleanser below. About a third of the price of the Lancome one and works exactly the same.... Clear cleansing liquid onto a cotton pad and then wiped gently over the face. Removes all trace of makeup including eye makeup. It has a very lovely light fragrance and makes my skin feel super smooth and clear. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSddnX9e6dzLDv1tn8W7LCPIr0guNj-NaqG9pH24sJyIb2N1Tu0woerEC4zg0CqmwVRRR1OxudDZpbJ-4kv617prla9Y6WR3NcT-3P1DVgF2ZsGuM3qewMXtDR1F0F5V5-PJo31L3O2M/s1600/avenecleanser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSddnX9e6dzLDv1tn8W7LCPIr0guNj-NaqG9pH24sJyIb2N1Tu0woerEC4zg0CqmwVRRR1OxudDZpbJ-4kv617prla9Y6WR3NcT-3P1DVgF2ZsGuM3qewMXtDR1F0F5V5-PJo31L3O2M/s320/avenecleanser.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Definitely recommend this product!! </div>
(*Best price I have found for it in Australia is in Chemist Warehouse where it's around $23). <br />
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Have you tried either product? Or do you have a favourite that you swear by?<br />
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A great weekend to everyone.Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-45694340525126136192012-04-23T15:00:00.002+10:002012-04-23T15:00:30.255+10:00Mini Makeover - my kitchen in England<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My photographs have somehow come out back to front so to see what the kitchen cabinets looked like before you will have to scroll down to the last pic. Sorry!! It's not a huge kitchen - a thin long, galley kitchen but it has some charm and now the makeover has happened I LOVE it. </div>
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And if you have done that you will see that they were a nasty sort of orange pine colour. We inherited them when we bought the cottage in England almost 5 years ago before we came to Australia. Here in Melbourne, if you recall, we rent a property.... the cottage in UK is where my heart is still, I have to admit.<br />
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Also if you remember, I went back to England for 6 weeks last September which was bliss and that was when I organised this mini makeover..... All it took was some paint (and a very talented kitchen man I have to admit -he works freelance for Smallbone and for Mark Wilkinson kitchens in England) and I was fortunate enough to find him. My lucky day. He did such a great job and put up with me prevaricating over a 1,000 different shades of Farrow and Ball whites. <br />
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To make it easier for me he painted 5 boards with different shades so I could make up my mind!! It was difficult but in the end I went for a 'Shaded White' .<br />
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The pic above shows the difference between the wall and the cabinets... very subtle but pleasing.<br />
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Pic below shows the butlers sink - porcelain - this was in the original kitchen and although a bit worn and scratched I would not change it - love it so much. Oh and the wooden work surfaces too - they are great.</div>
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As you can see from the BEFORE pic above the cabinets were all wood (which seemed too much with the wooden work surfaces) and the other change we made were the handles from those small metal ones shown in the photograph to large ceramic round knobs....<br />
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So there we are - my kitchen in England in our little cottage. Miss it very much... Oh and one more change were the stripey rugs I found at a bargain price on sale in our local carpet place.Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-54280267097089335792012-04-13T17:22:00.004+10:002012-04-13T18:14:02.451+10:00Borrowed from the boysHave always loved this casual 'boy' style. Comfortable and chic.<br /><br />So, when information from the website YOUNG BRITISH DESIGNERS popped up into my email I sat up and took notice. And the designer is question is 'Studio Nicholson' . See what you think....<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5A5h0-UxTIlEiSwWFymD8JfNmiWeO4l8t-uuDfrC-YuWhQ2P5fCFrehoK5ir9DP8vX_iEpnKEfJ2VGxKVn4cnQbl2OObGjkrnB-CE4-Z2hlVb_OuI2mLX_NA4b7UYL_VMOfD5GuHs3I/s1600/60_main.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730786155209185394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5A5h0-UxTIlEiSwWFymD8JfNmiWeO4l8t-uuDfrC-YuWhQ2P5fCFrehoK5ir9DP8vX_iEpnKEfJ2VGxKVn4cnQbl2OObGjkrnB-CE4-Z2hlVb_OuI2mLX_NA4b7UYL_VMOfD5GuHs3I/s400/60_main.png" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYci8VLsBwRa5By01qMf_4d7Ab2kbRgFGw-csHZxeyod6jBQF86s6zqs706mDvTKeFFt9UGeaDpJcAEJv16QGVr8HdbbmK8zy2JfmrmdVwMyjWImdDQEwYMKa9nD3_h-ifCxjb4YEJH0c/s1600/studion1.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 166px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730786154257350322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYci8VLsBwRa5By01qMf_4d7Ab2kbRgFGw-csHZxeyod6jBQF86s6zqs706mDvTKeFFt9UGeaDpJcAEJv16QGVr8HdbbmK8zy2JfmrmdVwMyjWImdDQEwYMKa9nD3_h-ifCxjb4YEJH0c/s400/studion1.png" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gvJXLkCBu-PV0IGRYMwfw6r5ki4_F6L8TScLHuXZcqmjz3QkdijoL0gNE1iz_uf1nt0AuhAWbTY4kDHoQy_QVurGEmHNuFkdpHp9OxLQbTsEftX43WWVurKRHZ9oD7r6amMJwU5Mfoc/s1600/studion2.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 166px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730786149370899474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gvJXLkCBu-PV0IGRYMwfw6r5ki4_F6L8TScLHuXZcqmjz3QkdijoL0gNE1iz_uf1nt0AuhAWbTY4kDHoQy_QVurGEmHNuFkdpHp9OxLQbTsEftX43WWVurKRHZ9oD7r6amMJwU5Mfoc/s400/studion2.png" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHaIyBIaAANDqCzda1fFO0VCdDOUpI1RtTD57-9cKltnIlgfIDASh7AcsKSkhFg90ygVHieFS9kq7EAje7BWJ1b14EuboA08su722et55mYRTBALOvFyufWsoGg9Z14is5dKp2oOHzb8/s1600/studion4.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 166px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730786141124431682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHaIyBIaAANDqCzda1fFO0VCdDOUpI1RtTD57-9cKltnIlgfIDASh7AcsKSkhFg90ygVHieFS9kq7EAje7BWJ1b14EuboA08su722et55mYRTBALOvFyufWsoGg9Z14is5dKp2oOHzb8/s400/studion4.png" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhvUarwCh1rkhQe4KhQaQZZtmuKPqK-NFXR_zXP7jLONyNhgysGE1ofpKDnfOQzGtdz3l2oskdEnmM-g-nDfXDsHpuXuknsg7Hg0ZLvSpcBFFnfdMJYNB1_35PEKBzF0BXLYHLp8yTFs/s1600/studion3.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 166px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730786134305821490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhvUarwCh1rkhQe4KhQaQZZtmuKPqK-NFXR_zXP7jLONyNhgysGE1ofpKDnfOQzGtdz3l2oskdEnmM-g-nDfXDsHpuXuknsg7Hg0ZLvSpcBFFnfdMJYNB1_35PEKBzF0BXLYHLp8yTFs/s400/studion3.png" /></a> Gorgeous pieces don't you think? Perfect 'boy tailoring for girls'. Reminds me of Margaret Howell's great designs.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Information regarding the clothing from the YBD website says:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Studio Nicholson's collection is once again a carefully considered range of shirts, blouses, jackets, trousers and old school jumpers in luxe cashmere. The palette is subtle and feels honest and natural with navy, feminine khakis, softest greys, a bolt of chambray blue, warm creams and textured blacks. <br /><br />For more info : <a href="http://www.youngbritishdesigners.com/">www.youngbritishdesigners.com</a><br /><br /><br />So, I suppose it goes without saying that it's only fair that the boys are allowed to 'borrow' from the girls too in a way which brings me neatly onto Mr SE's new shirt which I er, forced no, persuaded (!) him to buy....... </div><br /><div>The 'girlie' part is the floral fabric but I LOVE how he looked in it and I have always wanted him to have a Paul Smith shirt.<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsr1QeYdM5qnzmoxTDuCUqJYluEZWm7kkxyPjLcSKqW3S7ScmPKHYRjwXQSpHqQdror9tAgw9kybeYCAeUErmCkKNfaW8Y04CqwShw86HTtkIfV3SqaGRmxp6oIREor3eo_QoArdFrJY/s1600/L1030488.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730785535755857026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsr1QeYdM5qnzmoxTDuCUqJYluEZWm7kkxyPjLcSKqW3S7ScmPKHYRjwXQSpHqQdror9tAgw9kybeYCAeUErmCkKNfaW8Y04CqwShw86HTtkIfV3SqaGRmxp6oIREor3eo_QoArdFrJY/s400/L1030488.JPG" /></a><br />Absolutely 'his' colours....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_optZ0qlg48VqNtnHOcZ3OuOKGrP_uTIWMt0QJe_1y_V6Tw-g5TP7Rkyk-cgXcayWikisC7ndXwOJnA0Wisbmd6tYM6tkC5ZBxtVe5ChrcREdCriIUjqJtYYMEh79QY6_hyphenhyphen_5gbl2hM/s1600/L1030489.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730785526299140178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_optZ0qlg48VqNtnHOcZ3OuOKGrP_uTIWMt0QJe_1y_V6Tw-g5TP7Rkyk-cgXcayWikisC7ndXwOJnA0Wisbmd6tYM6tkC5ZBxtVe5ChrcREdCriIUjqJtYYMEh79QY6_hyphenhyphen_5gbl2hM/s400/L1030489.JPG" /></a><br />And look at the different fabric lining the cuffs. Gorgeous.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhromoBNRo-xQNgAG8hOhCjjIHa4inXielGa01S94Jdj1U7uvet6U36RLiJpW53F7RISjakLgrtZCPfj2dQhuoHQd-7GUaCdMS8PMyBbtNy4lJBkuj1GipaJvp-YWh9mT7HISdHTkzTfYc/s1600/L1030490.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730785522121442018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhromoBNRo-xQNgAG8hOhCjjIHa4inXielGa01S94Jdj1U7uvet6U36RLiJpW53F7RISjakLgrtZCPfj2dQhuoHQd-7GUaCdMS8PMyBbtNy4lJBkuj1GipaJvp-YWh9mT7HISdHTkzTfYc/s400/L1030490.JPG" /></a>Close up of the pattern. Think I am more excited by it than he is. Best bit of all (and this was after I had picked it up and thought he just 'had' to have it!) - it was less than half price. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So, would you wear boy tailoring? And what do you think of a man in florals? !<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-53301813867596413942012-04-09T15:59:00.013+10:002012-04-10T22:50:46.594+10:00Fontaine Antiques, UK<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5NmT1BInRxOkPQIQPL2REAyn1pFlujjLIT46KMOomBJsWLNJK9t6VCATUy2Ts_FOKltf-qQEP0xtuXrfI8CX-dockg8u97Ls3xT-NNaNnKokY7dPbfSlpG-AieYWjrxCF80xfKlv6dU/s1600/fontaine.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 192px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 145px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729297365533374738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5NmT1BInRxOkPQIQPL2REAyn1pFlujjLIT46KMOomBJsWLNJK9t6VCATUy2Ts_FOKltf-qQEP0xtuXrfI8CX-dockg8u97Ls3xT-NNaNnKokY7dPbfSlpG-AieYWjrxCF80xfKlv6dU/s400/fontaine.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I have blogged before about our friends Stuart and Kiel who own Fontaine Antiques but thought I would show you some shots of their new showroom in Margate, Kent. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>When we were back in UK at the end of last year and over New Year we managed to fit in a lightening visit to see them and to check out how their fantastic new space had emerged from a run down neglected building which started life as a school in around 1900. (See above). However, this was a special school to teach the craft of 'laundering' to those girls who wanted to learn the skill in order to enter 'service' in a large household. The kind that appeared in Downton Abbey or Upstairs Downstairs I would imagine! </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Anyway, back to the inside of the building which they have totally renovated. Smart dark walls and wooden polished original floors are the backdrop to show off their eclectic, collected wares. All in all - perfection.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2wgFWGSDG0aMDDOV-glUZiALmVUbU5b5v9JAsJxjYIeypMwjHsS8dYB8pG7dI7WUpSZuATgJb4HZlj6vT9QaGnOgI7BywrEa4Ak7shQ7Niy-N8nFdJeql0TLKtS8Ux2JAZ8U1WGootE/s1600/DSC_0086.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729284846674628178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2wgFWGSDG0aMDDOV-glUZiALmVUbU5b5v9JAsJxjYIeypMwjHsS8dYB8pG7dI7WUpSZuATgJb4HZlj6vT9QaGnOgI7BywrEa4Ak7shQ7Niy-N8nFdJeql0TLKtS8Ux2JAZ8U1WGootE/s400/DSC_0086.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSRsNahQag9tLJYdYV4sAa3-FZK3gFLANt27G400Kfs05THRHODBWpE2LyMtDXnFFUAWCpbY_X-Cpu55uG21bCClj0HqNjS7QAHMXwSuGzs5pztnK2G1yCtZl0w_FEkpwEq2pKze2ipg/s1600/DSC_0100.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729284837452948114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSRsNahQag9tLJYdYV4sAa3-FZK3gFLANt27G400Kfs05THRHODBWpE2LyMtDXnFFUAWCpbY_X-Cpu55uG21bCClj0HqNjS7QAHMXwSuGzs5pztnK2G1yCtZl0w_FEkpwEq2pKze2ipg/s400/DSC_0100.jpg" /></a> Love these old decoy ducks from the beginning of last century.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_J7WPH85jwhoDJ0pivFdWFah64qvHzW9SLdY9GcuXLO4uBaBwZPrJfkncE81357qM1_GKmgq8eFMaD6-5z3oQJezcJdJJslSyPWtvlaz9lb5sc1a_VEpcAYRf5V0JA-bWLqxPkh6I-U/s1600/DSC_0083.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729284828751007474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_J7WPH85jwhoDJ0pivFdWFah64qvHzW9SLdY9GcuXLO4uBaBwZPrJfkncE81357qM1_GKmgq8eFMaD6-5z3oQJezcJdJJslSyPWtvlaz9lb5sc1a_VEpcAYRf5V0JA-bWLqxPkh6I-U/s400/DSC_0083.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMukU5m35CA0moNCsUkEy7FqiKWOPoc4CHM2fQR5ZE_LngMr9-D8_shfR09A_T_YqDtkMVTrie3-S82Y1a09pidbpS8N6WXSDEf3yTylpcL2Q_Dz7tCOviN1okFrzENxoASshhHrpU5to/s1600/DSC_0085-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729283167433293442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMukU5m35CA0moNCsUkEy7FqiKWOPoc4CHM2fQR5ZE_LngMr9-D8_shfR09A_T_YqDtkMVTrie3-S82Y1a09pidbpS8N6WXSDEf3yTylpcL2Q_Dz7tCOviN1okFrzENxoASshhHrpU5to/s400/DSC_0085-2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CVNj152OdmPuSRiqyQH_NWRo4297XB3MHPIqHPeqAl8x90D3BwD-DFxfS_fo6R5oT17aukHkC80BzCHEMZsjy6rNXVrVzVT9tq9Pgi_zQ5vu7Rd158SXhn4hv8YvYNsF8VWJLhUV4MM/s1600/DSC_0105-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729283157326279122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CVNj152OdmPuSRiqyQH_NWRo4297XB3MHPIqHPeqAl8x90D3BwD-DFxfS_fo6R5oT17aukHkC80BzCHEMZsjy6rNXVrVzVT9tq9Pgi_zQ5vu7Rd158SXhn4hv8YvYNsF8VWJLhUV4MM/s400/DSC_0105-1.jpg" /></a> Fabulous French mirror above this old sign.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOsZK4_4N-je94962-kZB4It9__-vMWthYGx-_oXdQ8ZO6UVd7wtBCeztCV6P7cClre80QFhtF4viEUHlPc8D_HaSHKYlMYDxUOdaIFAc5cFxt-g9NF6VB7PTxi8ArVMH-DC9K26VacU/s1600/DSC_0088-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729282544379283938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOsZK4_4N-je94962-kZB4It9__-vMWthYGx-_oXdQ8ZO6UVd7wtBCeztCV6P7cClre80QFhtF4viEUHlPc8D_HaSHKYlMYDxUOdaIFAc5cFxt-g9NF6VB7PTxi8ArVMH-DC9K26VacU/s400/DSC_0088-2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5uWx4jV2s5MRXXy3J4znl-och7oNP4pMixYRhmhtI2A-psCSi6V-PNTELOvUpeYlufob2TQ8_klIvOAKr92hiQ1dx3_IVsXwUqA9eTIrlrq9fB9e4YpTKNei84ZZj5znnc7hgdi__vw/s1600/DSC_0094-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729282131200555074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5uWx4jV2s5MRXXy3J4znl-och7oNP4pMixYRhmhtI2A-psCSi6V-PNTELOvUpeYlufob2TQ8_klIvOAKr92hiQ1dx3_IVsXwUqA9eTIrlrq9fB9e4YpTKNei84ZZj5znnc7hgdi__vw/s400/DSC_0094-1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQ16aOjVNrpxCy_5NL5mlZWyoq7xgYKGBl60TciTOzQnyzPZGpPpDYINVFKHTFEWMk-fN8AXKXyUHemd3syGXH-BXiZET1a-WvAdQ_KPAcrpLSZ8Du37NNbVvprkcRztZJSxPbgWJS_A/s1600/DSC_0095-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729279703905877250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQ16aOjVNrpxCy_5NL5mlZWyoq7xgYKGBl60TciTOzQnyzPZGpPpDYINVFKHTFEWMk-fN8AXKXyUHemd3syGXH-BXiZET1a-WvAdQ_KPAcrpLSZ8Du37NNbVvprkcRztZJSxPbgWJS_A/s400/DSC_0095-1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvoOejo56CS9-nAhs0CV3lzFHN27qgjOT6SMOMN3gBYi8nyTV_c_xd3Xb_tIk_9N8LrqYHnkZFnWiKrX_59D43Ka52UOWzwZFodruKjai3z51sQvBoVp0JkOp3IsapDdeMoJlfNhZsDc/s1600/DSC_0096-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729279698669771042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvoOejo56CS9-nAhs0CV3lzFHN27qgjOT6SMOMN3gBYi8nyTV_c_xd3Xb_tIk_9N8LrqYHnkZFnWiKrX_59D43Ka52UOWzwZFodruKjai3z51sQvBoVp0JkOp3IsapDdeMoJlfNhZsDc/s400/DSC_0096-1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5POEaMPbjXOKdrCFstuYs3PHgPu5VqQDmsyucpPvXOt6hh7ezO7ffp7AW5OoDZuio3QEGLyS72wUHndqNeVwECDSUMSBJpae1STgzBiSQR-WQ9gVcWBSkNBF3e4IfHqDQ_9Qc76l4fPA/s1600/DSC_0099-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729279691060424050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5POEaMPbjXOKdrCFstuYs3PHgPu5VqQDmsyucpPvXOt6hh7ezO7ffp7AW5OoDZuio3QEGLyS72wUHndqNeVwECDSUMSBJpae1STgzBiSQR-WQ9gVcWBSkNBF3e4IfHqDQ_9Qc76l4fPA/s400/DSC_0099-1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlUj6uGNx-4njJW41tN0MgHSzQ44eoFv7y8LSv1cavPfm6lM5Janr6GC8QnNSAM_UZCtSL1EXqX3UHz2XmbA94EegBqL0dLfAy9izRzvs17MBIWP9fF9SKaoW7G_2dCyraabO895_bss/s1600/DSC_0108-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729279678861305170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlUj6uGNx-4njJW41tN0MgHSzQ44eoFv7y8LSv1cavPfm6lM5Janr6GC8QnNSAM_UZCtSL1EXqX3UHz2XmbA94EegBqL0dLfAy9izRzvs17MBIWP9fF9SKaoW7G_2dCyraabO895_bss/s400/DSC_0108-1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Stuart Atkinson/Kiel Shaw. Fontaine Antiques - The Old Laundry, Margate, Kent, UK </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Wholesale and Retail - call to make an appointment if you are travelling from afar. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Website : <a href="http://www.fontainedecorative.com/">http://www.fontainedecorative.com/</a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-72009122170280577392012-03-20T15:40:00.006+11:002012-03-20T18:32:22.535+11:00Melbourne's Pop Up RestaurantAt the beginning of March a pop up restaurant - 'Greenhouse' appeared on the banks of the River Yarra (in the space of 3 weeks!) in the city of Melbourne as part of this year's Food and Wine festival here. Yesterday I went along as I had heard all about the Greenhouse restaurant in Sydney as it was featured in our Masterchef television programme here in Australia last year. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcp1GZTqd4Hhf_ScVZ0NCZ8Q6q-52E41MmpNBfotFKzmXadnVwO2QekvxENZo1FkNlgvNPBPvDnBx2AwQmTntONTmNECAmwxiC0NxMeA61X_xUHtKjVzV66J7xJjpxf9b49b0tjPs5nKk/s1600/DSC_0075.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721872732760140322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcp1GZTqd4Hhf_ScVZ0NCZ8Q6q-52E41MmpNBfotFKzmXadnVwO2QekvxENZo1FkNlgvNPBPvDnBx2AwQmTntONTmNECAmwxiC0NxMeA61X_xUHtKjVzV66J7xJjpxf9b49b0tjPs5nKk/s400/DSC_0075.JPG" /></a> It's a pop up restaurant with a difference though - it has been built using only recycled or sustainable materials. The structure has been formed from mostly old shipping containers stacked four-high, the floor from old conveyor belts, the chairs from disused irrigation pipes and recycled bottles and jars are used as drinking glasses! Amazing...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorgoXDhZMKBhf7YQhCZmm2snZSU8WyjFknA8D5mvQ0-J3LHOdbmxxUlDDqk_JBYCiYLOUC4kQEpA7JT6XwXXG0nRBXGT8-Ve0syjfaLRWDUR9KQmJwemMK8bXlz5KYZ7sqNiEHzYfW6E/s1600/DSC_0072.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721872728132222674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorgoXDhZMKBhf7YQhCZmm2snZSU8WyjFknA8D5mvQ0-J3LHOdbmxxUlDDqk_JBYCiYLOUC4kQEpA7JT6XwXXG0nRBXGT8-Ve0syjfaLRWDUR9KQmJwemMK8bXlz5KYZ7sqNiEHzYfW6E/s400/DSC_0072.JPG" /></a> All the herbs are grown on site in large recycled oil drums.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSZX-ps6x8wO6uHINySJsQ25lrtiSJQEq9EGN5q6mrj6V1dsn2i7z1Go6T13NMreKFM4KP924kSS5xkSADxfWGHeOrmj8cQoQN8u5IO-ipxad3YgS1r0UztIT0l3yEIzyll-bLEI-bDk/s1600/Sarah%2527s+iPhone+143.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721872722853001058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSZX-ps6x8wO6uHINySJsQ25lrtiSJQEq9EGN5q6mrj6V1dsn2i7z1Go6T13NMreKFM4KP924kSS5xkSADxfWGHeOrmj8cQoQN8u5IO-ipxad3YgS1r0UztIT0l3yEIzyll-bLEI-bDk/s400/Sarah%2527s+iPhone+143.jpg" /></a> The roof top bar. More herbs in containers.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98Y7cgIUwv90WXHYNMhsojX5xxEFnItEsLWWmtyCViJnvVAiErHny6j08yT-j1fC-csuncDB5KnYNDfg7g7_hgLGKDQE0KW4YJIuTH0JRu1Tm06wnrXCnp2r29GV5LCMmVOY8ViuIEzM/s1600/DSC_0078.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721872714428137218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98Y7cgIUwv90WXHYNMhsojX5xxEFnItEsLWWmtyCViJnvVAiErHny6j08yT-j1fC-csuncDB5KnYNDfg7g7_hgLGKDQE0KW4YJIuTH0JRu1Tm06wnrXCnp2r29GV5LCMmVOY8ViuIEzM/s400/DSC_0078.JPG" /></a><br />Terracotta pots line the facade of the restaurant - all potted up with wild strawberry plants.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6CC8tNWHgD7kEbutjqoAPWIXXuS4FW_wx9OoibEiHcjddoSDL4FHYtiI4HtKBOWfffDg76UfvP5cTPCriZd2wAjzwm1H0ZUcoFfczNepx2YfmA2ctaLMqUBVvTKzg1ba5Ko_WkoJrUM/s1600/DSC_0079.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721872706698479586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6CC8tNWHgD7kEbutjqoAPWIXXuS4FW_wx9OoibEiHcjddoSDL4FHYtiI4HtKBOWfffDg76UfvP5cTPCriZd2wAjzwm1H0ZUcoFfczNepx2YfmA2ctaLMqUBVvTKzg1ba5Ko_WkoJrUM/s400/DSC_0079.JPG" /></a><br />Close up of the pots above and below...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihP-RPPo-wFitTna0sNGwt-xhLU2_u0O5ojlXdeEN7bItNePf7OjEMng1vKDPoXZfuq9W8X-yWb6jT26oX2v1l_n6kX-TVd-gt0GA_VINw-yWQh32cSvZDyHTiBfWsoawE3cWQ5aK0wWU/s1600/Sarah%2527s+iPhone+107.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721842905544056002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihP-RPPo-wFitTna0sNGwt-xhLU2_u0O5ojlXdeEN7bItNePf7OjEMng1vKDPoXZfuq9W8X-yWb6jT26oX2v1l_n6kX-TVd-gt0GA_VINw-yWQh32cSvZDyHTiBfWsoawE3cWQ5aK0wWU/s400/Sarah%2527s+iPhone+107.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />And look who my breakfasting companion was!!!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqt0VfkCQ4CUeiI7houNa2i6NoATk-fkGzvckWPnDeffvqD_fGkJiQ4sLB5AoR893Zu3t_YnzCU0KQS9yaoNmAM0FWX5E0fh3WZij5qhC5cjsMkl1vCMDjdowvfnGw8oobgy2jGI-TTU/s1600/Sarah%2527s+iPhone+137.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721842902961475986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqt0VfkCQ4CUeiI7houNa2i6NoATk-fkGzvckWPnDeffvqD_fGkJiQ4sLB5AoR893Zu3t_YnzCU0KQS9yaoNmAM0FWX5E0fh3WZij5qhC5cjsMkl1vCMDjdowvfnGw8oobgy2jGI-TTU/s400/Sarah%2527s+iPhone+137.jpg" /></a><br />Yup, my daughter is in town - she arrived on Sunday which of course makes me so very, very happy. She's here for 3 weeks on Easter vacation from University in UK. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOsDzU7r2quDhCkdpgQyQfNxypAAYBcr8w-IJGaZgk_x1xUXlhmZckwZ_eTFtT5mEkJVFG8N9zAsPFp2aX58wRU_xyx4ZZNKxf_aQWx092741eCk80MSXABvkHjyTbd7a27Zt-WY7Qxo/s1600/Sarah%2527s+iPhone+110.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721836728779795394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOsDzU7r2quDhCkdpgQyQfNxypAAYBcr8w-IJGaZgk_x1xUXlhmZckwZ_eTFtT5mEkJVFG8N9zAsPFp2aX58wRU_xyx4ZZNKxf_aQWx092741eCk80MSXABvkHjyTbd7a27Zt-WY7Qxo/s400/Sarah%2527s+iPhone+110.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Our own personal pot of basil on our table, above.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJB62ToxaGLOwmSYwzymmf4l5Lcu1k1jYmZl_yBpd1U-qnLk5isQkjiexAjRHu_FPCPYSdk_SEWXQPJzU4bdwkut0pBYKuvDq7Xc8Kf9-R7fOI4LGvNkXJI9cJDxydO_Fp3hhq83I6co/s1600/Sarah%2527s+iPhone+069.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721836722189512690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJB62ToxaGLOwmSYwzymmf4l5Lcu1k1jYmZl_yBpd1U-qnLk5isQkjiexAjRHu_FPCPYSdk_SEWXQPJzU4bdwkut0pBYKuvDq7Xc8Kf9-R7fOI4LGvNkXJI9cJDxydO_Fp3hhq83I6co/s400/Sarah%2527s+iPhone+069.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEgAUEZ-jxEq8XOZk-bQo89ed-bt72TAwU6l1gOzI6Tm9RUn1kw0ezDu6D8NoUnPvPp45fDdib_3BZy31R5ZrLkKK9xmfd82UPEP92MYDCJkSjdVo5ONdFWIFWB1eUvWbN1FP8esW7Ts/s1600/Sarah%2527s+iPhone+046.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721836713700054434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEgAUEZ-jxEq8XOZk-bQo89ed-bt72TAwU6l1gOzI6Tm9RUn1kw0ezDu6D8NoUnPvPp45fDdib_3BZy31R5ZrLkKK9xmfd82UPEP92MYDCJkSjdVo5ONdFWIFWB1eUvWbN1FP8esW7Ts/s400/Sarah%2527s+iPhone+046.jpg" /></a><br />The chairs !<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo04OqMZbkFbxXgrZQAtDF4RjTCGsbDrgJoU0MNDZLoWFK-O_NUC8z6C3WC2906QbVRw8AYN7SEV_XXYgB52hJ15JFCOZfN88Q4BihCf7a9emwydpdan86MF2gd2l8kUaYzMwv5K2f-wA/s1600/Sarah%2527s+iPhone+002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721836706493048770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo04OqMZbkFbxXgrZQAtDF4RjTCGsbDrgJoU0MNDZLoWFK-O_NUC8z6C3WC2906QbVRw8AYN7SEV_XXYgB52hJ15JFCOZfN88Q4BihCf7a9emwydpdan86MF2gd2l8kUaYzMwv5K2f-wA/s400/Sarah%2527s+iPhone+002.jpg" /></a><br />Our food - totally and absolutely delicious - my daughter chose the herb mushrooms on flatbread with curd cheese ....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QjkYNs-btEAuJhTtyrI1J1VZKtIx7LES33UFhDPnnOUGsJbw-b6V7zNJj8ph0ZGrRBv-13LGdLSIyppUID2SE-rorlO9XNata45RevHSi9mfWkBVPQmBVBNsULIM7HBtXStRsXUapb0/s1600/Sarah%2527s+iPhone+042.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721836697752890722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QjkYNs-btEAuJhTtyrI1J1VZKtIx7LES33UFhDPnnOUGsJbw-b6V7zNJj8ph0ZGrRBv-13LGdLSIyppUID2SE-rorlO9XNata45RevHSi9mfWkBVPQmBVBNsULIM7HBtXStRsXUapb0/s400/Sarah%2527s+iPhone+042.jpg" /></a> And I went for the scrambled eggs with mustard cress. <br /><br />A great start to the day. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So pleased we were able to go along - the pop-up restaurant disappears tomorrow! Really hope that there might be a more permanent one in the city one day. <br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-40996979124403070652012-03-15T16:09:00.005+11:002012-03-15T20:56:12.495+11:00Dearest MaToday, March 15th my glamorous and lovely Mother is 75 years young.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkrJNkBU-WN1aocD_S3dc4LPsLZYxi2Z56tgNYAmDfmZo0-3tVNYIb8c0hXmjAd5H-ofWeMJeXOD2ZuRKrbhP-_2CuGLjZqKL0F5ILiUMzW6MQxj5EiGA1YMRgbHfLdwJB7-YOUqTweo/s1600/mumvintage.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719986945357784514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkrJNkBU-WN1aocD_S3dc4LPsLZYxi2Z56tgNYAmDfmZo0-3tVNYIb8c0hXmjAd5H-ofWeMJeXOD2ZuRKrbhP-_2CuGLjZqKL0F5ILiUMzW6MQxj5EiGA1YMRgbHfLdwJB7-YOUqTweo/s400/mumvintage.jpg" /></a> Here she is above in the early 1950's with my father - don't think they were married then, perhaps just courting. Wonder if she actually went into the sea that day with him? Not something that she is all that keen on now I know, especially not swimming whilst my father is something of a 'water baby' !<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWG_CVrddLPQTyI9Op5NvJHcaGHLmgTVygFSwjxLPZEagBlDyqpXPCJlD9xtYffnsjSgohARIyPFS3_W-ZOShe0GxRn7Y6LX7P7LRqmJaIKh3I86k5WmU-Yfu-HTVpzV3G7mZiQ3ZxxA/s1600/mumbday.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719986932898639650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWG_CVrddLPQTyI9Op5NvJHcaGHLmgTVygFSwjxLPZEagBlDyqpXPCJlD9xtYffnsjSgohARIyPFS3_W-ZOShe0GxRn7Y6LX7P7LRqmJaIKh3I86k5WmU-Yfu-HTVpzV3G7mZiQ3ZxxA/s400/mumbday.jpg" /></a>And here she is in a photograph taken fairly recently in January at my father's birthday celebration in London. Looking good Mother ! </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Happiest of special birthdays to you and only wish we could be there to share it too.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-21276200339231665252012-03-09T21:23:00.006+11:002012-03-09T21:49:17.300+11:00Wonderful wallpapersLast weekend we went on a 'jaunt' with MIL and SIL and ended up "noseying" around a couple of show houses in Melbourne.... In one of the houses there was a lovely study area and the walls had this wallpaper on them below... Of course I could not resist whipping out my iphone and taking a quick pic! And then doing some detective work to find out where it had come from.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yIRqxdtlj1Lhgs-HM0AXYLT1cxBHZQ-IcdR9A0n8Yb0pyTzU5ykj-28tIjzTziTemYUI6jol3VWhG_rSwlgvROppfhS-apzh2l4cba38lXJeniX_xviHjgBBm_zYVbo1MKsC5NUiYYU/s1600/libraryone.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717842316790263826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yIRqxdtlj1Lhgs-HM0AXYLT1cxBHZQ-IcdR9A0n8Yb0pyTzU5ykj-28tIjzTziTemYUI6jol3VWhG_rSwlgvROppfhS-apzh2l4cba38lXJeniX_xviHjgBBm_zYVbo1MKsC5NUiYYU/s400/libraryone.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMSKUSmdacezOLg312w4p218PFjiXF0ZdmwBJZdk_Q93zx5b40IWx3hMyD01TGZx3KpZNiKU6rgmNrwsQNUdrfxCa6CKdn8CVftpzUV3NivEopskDaysGjjdhCUgGuire2e5ofAXqYPw/s1600/debbowpaper.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 366px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717842305509158066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMSKUSmdacezOLg312w4p218PFjiXF0ZdmwBJZdk_Q93zx5b40IWx3hMyD01TGZx3KpZNiKU6rgmNrwsQNUdrfxCa6CKdn8CVftpzUV3NivEopskDaysGjjdhCUgGuire2e5ofAXqYPw/s400/debbowpaper.jpg" /></a><br />Have since found out that it is by Deborah Bowness - another image above from her website. Such a talented designer and English too ! </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>From her website : <a href="http://www.deborahbowness.com/">http://www.deborahbowness.com/</a> </div><br /><br /><div>Deborah Bowness presents an original style of decorating. Her unique and timeless designs furnish interiors spaces with an extra dimension. A bold statement made quietly. Trompe I'oeil with a twist. Beautiful and functional. Wallpapers by Deborah Bowness are hand made in England. The combination of digital printing, silk screen printed colour and hand painting, makes every drop of wallpaper unique. Working in a small factory in Yorkshire, our expert crew of printers also hand mix our colours, hand cut the paper, hand make our screens and hand package the finished pieces.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>And talking of English designers, Andrew Martin is one of my all time favourites... Just look at these images below all from his 'Inventor Collection' of wallpapers.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9Ivh_E1xC-Ky9Gc6Ku0_iLGmwR262Hy9-Jtroijf2IV7VRm1_nFof6M6l0ziOZRBi3QQQsBB5bwtZLgkv-trjV-mCgHt0dmUt23j4b53zmrr0Uhq2Ez_EKwPiSFiIInT-4DytPZAjZY/s1600/amartinbooks.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717841927228559378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9Ivh_E1xC-Ky9Gc6Ku0_iLGmwR262Hy9-Jtroijf2IV7VRm1_nFof6M6l0ziOZRBi3QQQsBB5bwtZLgkv-trjV-mCgHt0dmUt23j4b53zmrr0Uhq2Ez_EKwPiSFiIInT-4DytPZAjZY/s400/amartinbooks.jpg" /></a> Multi coloured books wallpaper above<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdDqEO5BAydvcOAhC62_5AmhayYQ8FnN9SKBP4N7lGPYnD5IPJD26SyaC1zcnWrlBORtz5MBmysbeRprxc-osJAagxcel-cMdew_QpV3_uSeQZjFD6g1GP1go5T4Vb1WirDbQ5tJNc2E/s1600/amleather.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 100px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 130px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717841923396670418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdDqEO5BAydvcOAhC62_5AmhayYQ8FnN9SKBP4N7lGPYnD5IPJD26SyaC1zcnWrlBORtz5MBmysbeRprxc-osJAagxcel-cMdew_QpV3_uSeQZjFD6g1GP1go5T4Vb1WirDbQ5tJNc2E/s400/amleather.jpg" /></a><br />And in the 'stone' (or black and white) colourway above...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30dsxcpGCXb7Ql7bGYqmTE6GNb_gKJufViz5LafNm1c4Z_mohIexCiCWA7I0oo1t9yFgWbfnK9Yfpufu0qTel8r2c60VTwKwiKS4wcdq5LqbRBN4OppP81WfRUcQsQ-VjoOVPx52DZJY/s1600/amstone.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 100px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 130px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717841921208906850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30dsxcpGCXb7Ql7bGYqmTE6GNb_gKJufViz5LafNm1c4Z_mohIexCiCWA7I0oo1t9yFgWbfnK9Yfpufu0qTel8r2c60VTwKwiKS4wcdq5LqbRBN4OppP81WfRUcQsQ-VjoOVPx52DZJY/s400/amstone.jpg" /></a> And here above in the 'Leather' version. So beautiful.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Also from the same collection this Penny stamps wallpaper... Below in the red...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rvzjSLmU4zhN574pQL8xV7iuy-Oi8Fx81akLP1fnAjQrVMIsRCWQ1N3BwTyNIkCUp_FUbk8NyrHG7D9t9JwoxdpCutNlUmdbUaAIy7JZ2cWuTxN5yJQbf3xPrUBQ6z9bcXOtf7bFFjo/s1600/amredstamp.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717841915813261554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rvzjSLmU4zhN574pQL8xV7iuy-Oi8Fx81akLP1fnAjQrVMIsRCWQ1N3BwTyNIkCUp_FUbk8NyrHG7D9t9JwoxdpCutNlUmdbUaAIy7JZ2cWuTxN5yJQbf3xPrUBQ6z9bcXOtf7bFFjo/s400/amredstamp.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLRij-4VIa3FALUK_E4ZvWtg8j81BanUfbRB8gR7FnkDmO4ymDEs6myv9iRUBvbq3GxonCSwVUyev_4dXbfKaf-zF_wEUHP8MwBtXGjFR3M8agaM9JXBJuIyfH3rz9NcUwGOmGcJW4oc/s1600/amblackstamp.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 100px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 130px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717841909453124386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLRij-4VIa3FALUK_E4ZvWtg8j81BanUfbRB8gR7FnkDmO4ymDEs6myv9iRUBvbq3GxonCSwVUyev_4dXbfKaf-zF_wEUHP8MwBtXGjFR3M8agaM9JXBJuIyfH3rz9NcUwGOmGcJW4oc/s400/amblackstamp.jpg" /></a> And here above in the original Penny Black colourway. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>For more information about Andrew Martin - website is <a href="http://www.andrewmartin.co.uk/">http://www.andrewmartin.co.uk/</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Hopefully one day I will be able to use one of these gorgeous designs. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-75980865755935525832012-03-05T20:55:00.004+11:002012-03-09T21:22:54.099+11:00Hello. I've missed you...So sorry.<br />I know I have not posted nor have I been round to 'visit' you all for a while. Truth be known this visitor lark is pretty exhausting to say the least. The MIL and the SIL have been staying with us and I have not really had any time to myself. I have either been working or on the days I have had off I have been tour guiding. Or shopping and planning meals and cooking. And no going off and on to the computer <strong><em>ON MY OWN</em></strong> - have hardly had time to even check my emails ; - "Where's Sarah gone? What's she doing?" Oh dear....<br /><br />Having said all that I did manage to escape out last weekend when MR SE took over for the tour guiding duties and met my lovely friend Ms. S for a couple of hours. She cheered me no end as only friends can.....<br /><br />Here is my set of gorgeous Vietri China - a modest 'breakfast set' (for Mr SE and myself) - 2 plates and there were also 2 mugs to match but a while back I dropped and broke one . She knew how sad I was about this and ..... <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURg4ai1dvK-qLtm-CBc1qHbzVgY3pkicYVnVVucLuF8eisT5XX0pS_zBkf0EcTJ04wzunNTP7vLbXZt8kkEmY2WyxNIBAiFAvPOFUz7s5VEn6erITu-TnC76O0jvGjHjcBqPEG8T8YXc/s1600/L1030404.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716350276884312226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURg4ai1dvK-qLtm-CBc1qHbzVgY3pkicYVnVVucLuF8eisT5XX0pS_zBkf0EcTJ04wzunNTP7vLbXZt8kkEmY2WyxNIBAiFAvPOFUz7s5VEn6erITu-TnC76O0jvGjHjcBqPEG8T8YXc/s400/L1030404.JPG" /></a> Tah Dah ! Look what she gave me ....... another matching mug!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTf4d5vls1EEGFdUv6V-p92vsh2OVxmKFzej1DlbGYAce0V3kKM12Dvm3SeDBqbUsSYNSlpOqTMu91EE_K4yHv7RLpw2SYC76Je4_2NxetCKbJRQ-4j0bphbap3ui52vielN7BAtbrnx4/s1600/L1030405.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716350275475657490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTf4d5vls1EEGFdUv6V-p92vsh2OVxmKFzej1DlbGYAce0V3kKM12Dvm3SeDBqbUsSYNSlpOqTMu91EE_K4yHv7RLpw2SYC76Je4_2NxetCKbJRQ-4j0bphbap3ui52vielN7BAtbrnx4/s400/L1030405.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDJ1LuxKhX8KJozfCXOHA7rt7eoqf1-RiSVbdm27aVTIjyG_xr7w2Ua4kVm5syXZkOvmT_2PtwWuc0_10WWqFdmlN5h1ZW9M9gfkqz0k90gdesGQKckMvcdJ_AHsopKOOXTx_Fybyloc/s1600/L1030407.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716350261926558914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDJ1LuxKhX8KJozfCXOHA7rt7eoqf1-RiSVbdm27aVTIjyG_xr7w2Ua4kVm5syXZkOvmT_2PtwWuc0_10WWqFdmlN5h1ZW9M9gfkqz0k90gdesGQKckMvcdJ_AHsopKOOXTx_Fybyloc/s400/L1030407.JPG" /></a> Here it is, close up. Lovely hand made Italian china. So pretty and tactile. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>She made my day. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>My Mother in Law and Sister in Law are off back to UK towards the end of the week and so you can rest assured that I will be round to your blogs to 'see' you all again very soon. Meanwhile, thanks for understanding.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-56698916845030801052012-02-19T20:39:00.004+11:002012-02-19T20:58:53.091+11:00In which we do a 30 minute Jamie "spesh"Mr SE and I are quite fond of watching the Jamie Oliver programmes that are on TV here in Australia at the moment.... They are his 30 minute special suppers and to quote Mr. O are prepared and served in "Well undah firty minites" <br />They are on fairly early each evening at 6.30pm so we record them and then watch them in a batch and last week we had a go at the Pizza served with a trio of salads - a mozzarella and pesto one , tomatoes with basil and balsamic dressing and rocket and lemon salad... <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lPh0nNIXXCaX9XnVLPHZwChjF4MkrsaadJqkwPeQgQuR1WevPOg1WUee4FTcUgPIZ69yEwOgYeT3l_Q8WpdsFufqbXj-GDRuHITLpGKQxsIidSeVvj__OFA2pSBcEiuh5kfU6RFGKh0/s1600/L1030382.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710779562588087010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lPh0nNIXXCaX9XnVLPHZwChjF4MkrsaadJqkwPeQgQuR1WevPOg1WUee4FTcUgPIZ69yEwOgYeT3l_Q8WpdsFufqbXj-GDRuHITLpGKQxsIidSeVvj__OFA2pSBcEiuh5kfU6RFGKh0/s400/L1030382.JPG" /></a> Here above are the fruits of our labour all together...<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DuoAN7NidG0Bn1Iu6gFA17-XHWKSqmWApASow9YF7ksKVsJkjJQwfpJn44UVSMsikCZ2zxfaR994ygQ6BiztVstD4h9M0eK9ojHtYZe4z8kmw5sddYC9cGPoFPiSmYvuVCb2Ym4qAug/s1600/L1030381.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710779561641655186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DuoAN7NidG0Bn1Iu6gFA17-XHWKSqmWApASow9YF7ksKVsJkjJQwfpJn44UVSMsikCZ2zxfaR994ygQ6BiztVstD4h9M0eK9ojHtYZe4z8kmw5sddYC9cGPoFPiSmYvuVCb2Ym4qAug/s400/L1030381.JPG" /></a><br />And here the focus on the main dish the PIZZA. Have to say this is the first time I have made one completely from scratch including the base and we were impressed - it was so easy and also very quick too. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>If you want to have a go at Jamie's pizza here is the recipe :</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>PIZZA<br />1½ mugs of self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting<br />½ mug of tepid water<br /></div><br /><div>TOPPING<br />1 x 400g tin of chopped tomatoes<br />A few sprigs of fresh basil<br />½ a clove of garlic<br />Red wine vinegar<br />½ a 125g (4½oz) ball of buffalo mozzarella<br />Parmesan cheese, for grating over<br />8 slices of salami<br />1tsp fennel seeds<br />½ a fresh red chilli<br />PIZZA: Turn the heat under the frying pan up to high and dust a clean surface with flour. Put 1½ mugs' worth of flour into a food processor, then half-fill the same mug with tepid water and add to the flour with a pinch of salt and a glug of olive oil.<br />Whizz until smooth, then tip on to the floured board. Sprinkle the top of the dough and the rolling pin with flour (the dough will be quite wet, so be generous with the flour).<br />Roll the dough to a 1cm (½in) thickness. Drizzle olive oil into the pan, then dust the dough with flour again and very lightly fold it over into a halfmoon shape.<br />Lightly fold the half-moon in half, then move the dough to the pan and unfold it, pushing it down into the sides of the pan. If you don't have a pan this big, don't cook all of the dough at once, halve it and make two pizzas.<br />TOPPING: Put a third of the tinned tomatoes into a liquidiser with a few sprigs of basil, ½ a peeled clove of garlic, a splash of red wine vinegar, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt. Whizz until smooth. Pour over the middle of the pizza base and spread out evenly.<br />Tear ½ a mozzarella ball into small pieces and dot around the base. Finely grate a layer of Parmesan over, then top with the salami slices. I like to bash the fennel seeds in a pestle and mortar and finely chop the chilli, then scatter them over the pizza.<br />Put the pan under the hot grill for 4 or 5 minutes, until golden and cooked through. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Quite DELISH and if you wanted the rest of the bits that went with the pizza -click on this link :</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/food/article-1316918/Jamie-Olivers-30-minute-meals-Cheats-pizza-delish-salads-squashed-cherries-vanilla-mascarpone-cream.html">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/food/article-1316918/Jamie-Olivers-30-minute-meals-Cheats-pizza-delish-salads-squashed-cherries-vanilla-mascarpone-cream.html</a><br /><br />On other notes to tell you. As I type my MOTHER IN LAW is winging her way over the skies to Australia to stay for a few weeks... (No, no I did not say on a broomstick!) . Those long time readers of the blog will know that she (the MIL) is rather a force to be reckoned with and is a little outspoken to say the least. Will keep you updated as we go! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Hope you all had (or are having) a wonderful weekend. </div><br /><div></div>Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-41124627106560213072012-02-15T17:35:00.006+11:002012-02-15T17:57:59.792+11:00Parka PerfectionI have totally fallen for this parka - pictured here on the right.... It looks just wonderful. Love the colour, the shape, the furry (fake I hasten to add) trim around the hood, and, - oh I could go on and on.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xhp0Nn7cpIkCfvV8JW8YHLlIAkrbGV9GBqjCIEs7MmG8yXGXbNF7zHAwtDQO5GnFn3n5ZQ17GmnuRAPONDc9b2RILI_dyn6lDJJMDlF9VnvNXfuKqCl7Zqjj-7m6mMZ3WQ4JvR38vqg/s1600/parka.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 151px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709247542732061090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xhp0Nn7cpIkCfvV8JW8YHLlIAkrbGV9GBqjCIEs7MmG8yXGXbNF7zHAwtDQO5GnFn3n5ZQ17GmnuRAPONDc9b2RILI_dyn6lDJJMDlF9VnvNXfuKqCl7Zqjj-7m6mMZ3WQ4JvR38vqg/s400/parka.jpg" /></a>It's just come out in UK - and they are saying it can be worn there now (it's still pretty chilly over in England) with lots of layers. Later on when it gets a bit warmer perhaps just thrown over a dress or jeans and a tee.<br /><br />A very trans-seasonal piece and also I feel, very 'trans-hemisphere' too....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKN7ayJt86k8vsnxhXkrPrZH_uE0T75peBTxuVwG4FI9vF2O-GsRYphxwBg28EG3kH3I-tOtwvYeNwuydlT3LTbdLmWDWlnizq5727Kxe7VIWp5ZcV1-nm7NrXJf2YKiuBiSbX2iQF3Ek/s1600/parka2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 175px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709247542118692306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKN7ayJt86k8vsnxhXkrPrZH_uE0T75peBTxuVwG4FI9vF2O-GsRYphxwBg28EG3kH3I-tOtwvYeNwuydlT3LTbdLmWDWlnizq5727Kxe7VIWp5ZcV1-nm7NrXJf2YKiuBiSbX2iQF3Ek/s400/parka2.jpg" /></a><br />Now, I could definitely see this working here in Australia too. It would fit right into my winter wardrobe in Melbourne so easily. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95LiK4JbT0pI1Bd6hHeAiE9es0bVFw8T720giWDoTc-rgb-2vyGpbUc7Q4DzkjmD2Kh_8W_33H0R5LxpfSyT24oNPv8U5HX6Ay4wHGso0fctzcJFzAbIMogf07kmTvGxNww4sD1J77yA/s1600/parka3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 80px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709247539067094194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95LiK4JbT0pI1Bd6hHeAiE9es0bVFw8T720giWDoTc-rgb-2vyGpbUc7Q4DzkjmD2Kh_8W_33H0R5LxpfSyT24oNPv8U5HX6Ay4wHGso0fctzcJFzAbIMogf07kmTvGxNww4sD1J77yA/s400/parka3.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><div>Here's the official 'blurb' :</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Dark olive green parka featuring a concealed zip fastening under press-stud flap, two flap top and two zipped pockets on front, press-studded epaulettes, gun flaps and storm flap, a drawstring at waist and hem, underarm eyelets for ventilation and a hood with press-stud tab fastening to front, drawstring and a detachable faux racoon fur trim. <strong>Burberry Brit</strong> parka has a vent at the back, press-studs to cuffs and a button detachable quilted lining. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>One small problem. It's a little pricey to say the least.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Now, what can I sell on ebay? Or maybe I might win the lottery (if I did it!) or perhaps my number will come up on the UK's premium bonds? I can but hope. I love it <strong><em>that</em></strong> much.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Any new pieces from the new season (whichever hemisphere you live in) that you've fallen for? And, will you indulge?!<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-78616329043456269822012-02-09T09:16:00.016+11:002012-02-09T11:37:25.740+11:00Tripette to Tasmania Part II - The Hotel. Shops and purchases!So, better late than never. Sorry I have procrastinated about getting this post out; so many photographs to sort out!! Here is a little more about our stay in Hobart, Tasmania. As I mentioned before, the hotel we stayed in was The Henry Jones Art Hotel. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPETV0IbtgBwaNsb7h6XVn7mWfuY6QtbQRFb6HGUwtm96Z6-mSv8KwAznib6G4-FcJjf28109xHJCxC5lRombY9eMCFv-Y3c4F9JLVYiySF_1GWPa77eQ251nbcXRTMztxiqLdBbQM_B8/s1600/L1030218.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706903159239410546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPETV0IbtgBwaNsb7h6XVn7mWfuY6QtbQRFb6HGUwtm96Z6-mSv8KwAznib6G4-FcJjf28109xHJCxC5lRombY9eMCFv-Y3c4F9JLVYiySF_1GWPa77eQ251nbcXRTMztxiqLdBbQM_B8/s400/L1030218.JPG" /></a> It is Australia's first dedicated Art Hotel and the site on which it is located dates back to 1804. A former jam factory has been transformed into this hotel but it has been converted in such a way as to keep the original features of the building.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhw3l59pPSJzuZVzFVcVmo6HcQTbATbhyphenhyphenfaxC-2oZAr66VjxyddYzzb8QL0Wk0NjTWs0w1nCE6N_U8tOODAtGNxSoSd7jxL89FJD5B3MBCOYVGBkmPxcS1XJN5mfsUyQKDHvXtGRApfus/s1600/L1030219.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPjjBbbqcOPTGp_ZrbZ62z-vSz3-iW-laJTbW8U1kmdNLmSmwmr6cxyJJnSYRfjaKUwawVZWWXYhr9wiYHzLEFIfyitAxoRlk0Z-cgvBzfenoBN_t5XNDRSYcv8Ibu_q6geKyme7PovQ/s1600/L1030267.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706902926069412882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPjjBbbqcOPTGp_ZrbZ62z-vSz3-iW-laJTbW8U1kmdNLmSmwmr6cxyJJnSYRfjaKUwawVZWWXYhr9wiYHzLEFIfyitAxoRlk0Z-cgvBzfenoBN_t5XNDRSYcv8Ibu_q6geKyme7PovQ/s400/L1030267.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkcXuqjZt91rx20Y8hpsA8CVoSygiItX1CQA8mEtHiQyE0B6QMlF5JEoIKL7bSMK1l-UYSqYw51qd1lBFDKx-rQ7KCP_X39H7qFahYXIvYA12sriUXO9hR_5PA4-ja8LqODk8putFpPw/s1600/L1030289.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706902923401720946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkcXuqjZt91rx20Y8hpsA8CVoSygiItX1CQA8mEtHiQyE0B6QMlF5JEoIKL7bSMK1l-UYSqYw51qd1lBFDKx-rQ7KCP_X39H7qFahYXIvYA12sriUXO9hR_5PA4-ja8LqODk8putFpPw/s400/L1030289.JPG" /></a> Henry Jones logo.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFj9pmanMdaEGA3hOZoyiUE4XKZZsgedpy7Q6cSbkyUNwbgR7pHqRIX2oAHFkreNU6lA2C41T7NHW5i9uUCpCsAlTmjA3FTSbIH9vlCmHq0R8DwDprsVHUmZGuWhrP-8btzxAM6OPQbg/s1600/L1030296.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706902914712499602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFj9pmanMdaEGA3hOZoyiUE4XKZZsgedpy7Q6cSbkyUNwbgR7pHqRIX2oAHFkreNU6lA2C41T7NHW5i9uUCpCsAlTmjA3FTSbIH9vlCmHq0R8DwDprsVHUmZGuWhrP-8btzxAM6OPQbg/s400/L1030296.JPG" /></a><br />Reception above and below.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT95b1ei-FZ6MuKROmiRTWZIABBUML_XRrKK-Iliz-4dVn0PwRSPww2hQHa1FGggLP58mnb08pDz_fAPu_xBolV7BWmU1fGTyhpy5tdoLG1qAf7Y8h6jksK1R-wyE81l5v4kMc6eZ00lQ/s1600/L1030273.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706902906638020370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT95b1ei-FZ6MuKROmiRTWZIABBUML_XRrKK-Iliz-4dVn0PwRSPww2hQHa1FGggLP58mnb08pDz_fAPu_xBolV7BWmU1fGTyhpy5tdoLG1qAf7Y8h6jksK1R-wyE81l5v4kMc6eZ00lQ/s400/L1030273.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The hotel houses over 300 pieces of art work from Tasmanian artists - all presented like a gallery and all for sale. It means you can experience the art in a completely new and unique way. Obviously it also means that the 'exhibitions' are continually changing as pieces are sold.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibBdlXnbQhmVy7Z3qm__2DQABttX3wMR1Mt49aQvEQp2mdjAHMTQ01bT4z0XUznjU5uArWXpq-1EYv73OM6xT32bKGqmC4KrbBulKK6pAmSY1jsv1ybZy8BWER6iOj1pbWrKtycD4XrE/s1600/L1030271.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706901863926793026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibBdlXnbQhmVy7Z3qm__2DQABttX3wMR1Mt49aQvEQp2mdjAHMTQ01bT4z0XUznjU5uArWXpq-1EYv73OM6xT32bKGqmC4KrbBulKK6pAmSY1jsv1ybZy8BWER6iOj1pbWrKtycD4XrE/s400/L1030271.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixe_VbDUK4fApEfZFJ07-2xFHt64Wcc27hQqNKxTdBbv-jFOWdHNo2PFwARwYvh7JCVZZeV2WgXgUEMWlloi3kelQ9ATEDjfix4UyQ0L-j7pXd6W5q6t12IluRDVMea2MpCR-Wg0gCoQw/s1600/L1030277.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706901861943529650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixe_VbDUK4fApEfZFJ07-2xFHt64Wcc27hQqNKxTdBbv-jFOWdHNo2PFwARwYvh7JCVZZeV2WgXgUEMWlloi3kelQ9ATEDjfix4UyQ0L-j7pXd6W5q6t12IluRDVMea2MpCR-Wg0gCoQw/s400/L1030277.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJmgiFFSVstSH4K4XGNbJPdyrL7etJr9OZNSZutDO3sXiy7rUx_YBPPtSaqY6-QPDwpEc-t44xr6NNCoO0IbJiZOeEE7qsuZiB28GYlpRx6E-99KGWOkScGH6L8XxXnGZ4Ymhc4jSGGc/s1600/L1030283.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706901847438170338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJmgiFFSVstSH4K4XGNbJPdyrL7etJr9OZNSZutDO3sXiy7rUx_YBPPtSaqY6-QPDwpEc-t44xr6NNCoO0IbJiZOeEE7qsuZiB28GYlpRx6E-99KGWOkScGH6L8XxXnGZ4Ymhc4jSGGc/s400/L1030283.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDw2ZYRXPO82hrMhVx8_aQaXhmI2NQBEbM9wZ3x4L5gTOAklyqwSAAEG0LEhT5M1oSq10I-185xXlCFbEKrQNqJiZ2GwA7cYxyPHNeMBux_K43bGZk0Ez0iYKqF-L-p9Y2T_aXaIZcVs/s1600/L1030285.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706901845069998018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDw2ZYRXPO82hrMhVx8_aQaXhmI2NQBEbM9wZ3x4L5gTOAklyqwSAAEG0LEhT5M1oSq10I-185xXlCFbEKrQNqJiZ2GwA7cYxyPHNeMBux_K43bGZk0Ez0iYKqF-L-p9Y2T_aXaIZcVs/s400/L1030285.JPG" /></a> These two above are going to a house in Surry Hills, Sydney we were told. They were sold a month or so back.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>In contrast to all the modern art the actual building has been preserved as much as possible within the conversion. I loved seeing the original beams etc. Right up my street. as they say.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vkbQoy27KNabdh6qbgETXxNncLJE2jU6njYeEnQxd3k3Eb1ezOBiOLHH4ywe6aJ7qGGTSS4nIMRP7no1ioPLugxIfPlP5HUyzqLOciLXVZRRMJzgMqs1HlFzMI1p4O5D0BDi2GcWYSY/s1600/L1030223.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706901251525973682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vkbQoy27KNabdh6qbgETXxNncLJE2jU6njYeEnQxd3k3Eb1ezOBiOLHH4ywe6aJ7qGGTSS4nIMRP7no1ioPLugxIfPlP5HUyzqLOciLXVZRRMJzgMqs1HlFzMI1p4O5D0BDi2GcWYSY/s400/L1030223.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGL1T0wAOwfwJD4EQKOe12sPMKhsnjpcxDLuWSMZN9HrHRuseCIWxvjv7mG3HI8kKzc4Th8ppEq65tiF2hLznm_U1swxVCA-mM224Q2nZyN0WOzkCdMh45FO8lrd5v9n1sHCoS2nY4QE/s1600/L1030272.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706901237675240546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGL1T0wAOwfwJD4EQKOe12sPMKhsnjpcxDLuWSMZN9HrHRuseCIWxvjv7mG3HI8kKzc4Th8ppEq65tiF2hLznm_U1swxVCA-mM224Q2nZyN0WOzkCdMh45FO8lrd5v9n1sHCoS2nY4QE/s400/L1030272.JPG" /></a> These two machines I think were the actual 'clocking on' machines from the factory floor.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQ-ALgFzuVcpTFWUkkY3yvvYHIPuu2YF2k0b4XuxJbBDU7ZPpbGbG2A1Qtz7SKJJQeHn8N2j1FgjfXdWnAOnEs0YVQM6DxOIbRFFdrnYPYrzjNtu59SQKdmxJYIjEH-6MJUBdRS5BvJM/s1600/L1030284.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706901229284919474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQ-ALgFzuVcpTFWUkkY3yvvYHIPuu2YF2k0b4XuxJbBDU7ZPpbGbG2A1Qtz7SKJJQeHn8N2j1FgjfXdWnAOnEs0YVQM6DxOIbRFFdrnYPYrzjNtu59SQKdmxJYIjEH-6MJUBdRS5BvJM/s400/L1030284.JPG" /></a> Exposed brickwork and very Australian, - the good old tin roof! </div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgSGvEwbcybpmxxTL7AVkXxwmbDMQ4t3FGCRVSmEX_r7hafyxXcamI_GRuVlraIdzVv5pSC_Ac4r3j1k71kd0Z2V0gUK0INrFeCZTbYeD-JoXycBPx3EbQy5MabB_yVvBBzmRYP4lIJw/s1600/L1030286.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706901218285925202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgSGvEwbcybpmxxTL7AVkXxwmbDMQ4t3FGCRVSmEX_r7hafyxXcamI_GRuVlraIdzVv5pSC_Ac4r3j1k71kd0Z2V0gUK0INrFeCZTbYeD-JoXycBPx3EbQy5MabB_yVvBBzmRYP4lIJw/s400/L1030286.JPG" /></a><br />The whole hotel is so different - it's an unexpected combination of the antique and the ultra modern in every room.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm20jDtD6cEEYN4ksVwUWn-MIBsX52HbjbVKdZLfnye2aUt5eJNOHQtwEJHcHMv9SkCz5s_t-YWKXKptm65L9l20gV4UUwd6KTRkbNUcT6fasbpTbMXKmenny6OEYuMgTywkeOU1YW-H0/s1600/L1030221.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706900625044616946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm20jDtD6cEEYN4ksVwUWn-MIBsX52HbjbVKdZLfnye2aUt5eJNOHQtwEJHcHMv9SkCz5s_t-YWKXKptm65L9l20gV4UUwd6KTRkbNUcT6fasbpTbMXKmenny6OEYuMgTywkeOU1YW-H0/s400/L1030221.JPG" /></a><br />Our bedroom.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCK3CPdj72h6jAF5012hjDU6SouSOSZ2yUgQ9jYtqDFRTjjRkwoXOvYMu8Kc_Y5suseaGaRKRo5NvFoVff5a32_Ccl9_-X9Hvg0e0OlJWN2zGA_RG2kvvwlIXUzjlhcu8TErQZUkwLOc/s1600/L1030228.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706900617713094578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCK3CPdj72h6jAF5012hjDU6SouSOSZ2yUgQ9jYtqDFRTjjRkwoXOvYMu8Kc_Y5suseaGaRKRo5NvFoVff5a32_Ccl9_-X9Hvg0e0OlJWN2zGA_RG2kvvwlIXUzjlhcu8TErQZUkwLOc/s400/L1030228.JPG" /></a> And the lovely bathroom.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7SiOI3vRsx-SdE3EwptRj_gJutcJryqVL5HAXZlgrQxuRqnxllYih3TeEykUK0Ed7JoBQHWn5ifVoq0PW4JZVFLhA8znemehfJDdsiGb4U6fUtRFrX7yLBuTCGqB9kfy1UoO6nlH8U4/s1600/L1030231.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706900592223583026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7SiOI3vRsx-SdE3EwptRj_gJutcJryqVL5HAXZlgrQxuRqnxllYih3TeEykUK0Ed7JoBQHWn5ifVoq0PW4JZVFLhA8znemehfJDdsiGb4U6fUtRFrX7yLBuTCGqB9kfy1UoO6nlH8U4/s400/L1030231.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmEhYkspdkQtgux1eTF80r8tUju2Y1AnEL2ExnqfZMRegtHZK0QxXrVwm2ITWMfXDRM6TniQ7zt2mHpck9NEabVLrzgh-Tckc_rOqVsLWPPd4ZKLoBUXVIvg2qKCxen74_TGusr9mPvo/s1600/L1030295.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706900590164035282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmEhYkspdkQtgux1eTF80r8tUju2Y1AnEL2ExnqfZMRegtHZK0QxXrVwm2ITWMfXDRM6TniQ7zt2mHpck9NEabVLrzgh-Tckc_rOqVsLWPPd4ZKLoBUXVIvg2qKCxen74_TGusr9mPvo/s400/L1030295.JPG" /></a> One of the original stones of the building. These stones have a dark past - see the little marks on them? The buildings were in part constructed by convicts and each convict had their own pattern on 'their' stones so at the end of the day the foreman could see how many had been laid by each convict. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>I have to say I have never enjoyed a hotel so much. Each Friday evening there is a completely free tour of the hotel which gives an insight as to how it was converted as well as about the art in the hotel and a little about Tasmania too. And you don't have to be staying at the hotel to go on the tours. Highly recommended.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Go to<br /><a href="http://www.thehenryjones.com/">http://www.thehenryjones.com/</a> for more information about the hotel if you'd like. It's fascinating. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Now for the shops.<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMeTs2yM1gpWgRNrqgZboubPaecXUfYNEIoXIxSCxh1rFBGGXVp2IAJyKuXN0ok9K2SPZYxYbNfCMafQtMeDggmn9zro63sk_RBjJAoQtwyizgB961M7o5kXhHHzm3xK2VM9Zieg7_kh8/s1600/L1030253.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706895722697381746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMeTs2yM1gpWgRNrqgZboubPaecXUfYNEIoXIxSCxh1rFBGGXVp2IAJyKuXN0ok9K2SPZYxYbNfCMafQtMeDggmn9zro63sk_RBjJAoQtwyizgB961M7o5kXhHHzm3xK2VM9Zieg7_kh8/s400/L1030253.JPG" /></a><br />Tasmania is full of craft and artists. This shop above caught my eye.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPOdU4DM00dgsqGhNViUo83GS2Dk0EyPhagybr51gyIaUdBTDmRSCb0rWL2cooMoIxzuDfzqonLgHWV0Fj0gpxCB4_X_fzpnqZMitBeSNka38L08ysL-DQ616C_rJUFelIGXWqzQRY9I/s1600/L1030254.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706895713928936626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPOdU4DM00dgsqGhNViUo83GS2Dk0EyPhagybr51gyIaUdBTDmRSCb0rWL2cooMoIxzuDfzqonLgHWV0Fj0gpxCB4_X_fzpnqZMitBeSNka38L08ysL-DQ616C_rJUFelIGXWqzQRY9I/s400/L1030254.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1dI0Yb2nTFaurZzPvU2vmVoS9db5hkXrdrYfZkNC6hhRcGNwVgo6d5ynLSwfOfiT0uOv7y66ARCDgpFegLHHs0gZg-PPFqsaJ177eQKrZELs1FLMMuO4levniU1Q7pW4trJ_XyRpguI/s1600/L1030380.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706895711394714546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1dI0Yb2nTFaurZzPvU2vmVoS9db5hkXrdrYfZkNC6hhRcGNwVgo6d5ynLSwfOfiT0uOv7y66ARCDgpFegLHHs0gZg-PPFqsaJ177eQKrZELs1FLMMuO4levniU1Q7pW4trJ_XyRpguI/s400/L1030380.JPG" /></a><br />I bought these silver earrings above. A bit unique and they appealed greatly.<br /><br /><br />The next two shops we went to were recommended by Janelle McCulloch who has a wonderful blog Library of Design. If you have not yet visited the library I highly recommend it... Click <span style="color:#cc0000;"><a href="http://janellemccullochlibraryofdesign.blogspot.com.au/">HERE.</a></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNE6LdEGpP0wZg_WaGNEzupzR9IIka5oRU6Y4jEHwlgYaTGW3EwIebwIblEsZXQjhEi-8w7nelv3QIqN67z4V3oxDAFFmQGjmLOQ1wBL8IIBTtp6rjXQHqL90hGTkg3zbmA6-eW_T1KY/s1600/L1030300.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706894332431502082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNE6LdEGpP0wZg_WaGNEzupzR9IIka5oRU6Y4jEHwlgYaTGW3EwIebwIblEsZXQjhEi-8w7nelv3QIqN67z4V3oxDAFFmQGjmLOQ1wBL8IIBTtp6rjXQHqL90hGTkg3zbmA6-eW_T1KY/s400/L1030300.JPG" /></a><br />A fabulous garden shop in Hobart called Karen Wagner Garden and Design.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslozyrkuphg_8ro-Zx9OlAhm4OyTMbg1-64AJ0oEWIr-YNpHrGKwwjh1F1j6WU1BGJr9R12LrXhpLu1xsEZZ8qx6pWCOVHQ7qE6ckhzoXszXEFcEcXMsbDoSMk03wPj7XRQPFXUurnno/s1600/L1030301.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706894325541159538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslozyrkuphg_8ro-Zx9OlAhm4OyTMbg1-64AJ0oEWIr-YNpHrGKwwjh1F1j6WU1BGJr9R12LrXhpLu1xsEZZ8qx6pWCOVHQ7qE6ckhzoXszXEFcEcXMsbDoSMk03wPj7XRQPFXUurnno/s400/L1030301.JPG" /></a><br /><br />And then joy of joys we drove about 25 minutes from Hobart to this GORGEOUS place... Again recommended by Janelle.<br /><br />The Drill Hall Emporium in New Norfolk, Tasmania.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0l2w_O1R1ZYp4_AdkbBNn3SFnOUWZNzokHY3e0ex9bi5-T9Kv_f6gJhDon7B9R2SZIQN-OLQfmUJjj9Ghofvpm8ll_-uBljGH9bn0BDZMvJTDj7cz4ivifdAcpb7gqmW5BOd4qBUAKw/s1600/L1030377.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706894018663122514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0l2w_O1R1ZYp4_AdkbBNn3SFnOUWZNzokHY3e0ex9bi5-T9Kv_f6gJhDon7B9R2SZIQN-OLQfmUJjj9Ghofvpm8ll_-uBljGH9bn0BDZMvJTDj7cz4ivifdAcpb7gqmW5BOd4qBUAKw/s400/L1030377.JPG" /></a><br />Just feast your eyes on the next few photographs.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFx2pKlkxqi0KRgyxXhqysbW01haV_is_eiTabfvkK4R80jLOgI7C9Hf_eZfu18N2ZuOuQFmcJSWxTn6l1PFIBWM7-c4FAT9k-vU55fFwCxWWnQlLloLx2nWXhoxN8Bfq98yh9Lxqb4iQ/s1600/L1030344.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706893820435447058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFx2pKlkxqi0KRgyxXhqysbW01haV_is_eiTabfvkK4R80jLOgI7C9Hf_eZfu18N2ZuOuQFmcJSWxTn6l1PFIBWM7-c4FAT9k-vU55fFwCxWWnQlLloLx2nWXhoxN8Bfq98yh9Lxqb4iQ/s400/L1030344.JPG" /></a><br />I was excited just to see the outside of the shop!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VZb7iMDI5gBjHVzMCwJW0FG8WreCJ7QwfxrZVC2OtV9LqmqLxOP_q1ztsxihZr_ZGVxKWD0w93-4iebasRDrXTz4YIFsXroRrOZRxRxopAaP7KlaAQzlfczuJkl_ScauyUWnAyqyHTA/s1600/L1030345.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706893812045234498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VZb7iMDI5gBjHVzMCwJW0FG8WreCJ7QwfxrZVC2OtV9LqmqLxOP_q1ztsxihZr_ZGVxKWD0w93-4iebasRDrXTz4YIFsXroRrOZRxRxopAaP7KlaAQzlfczuJkl_ScauyUWnAyqyHTA/s400/L1030345.JPG" /></a><br />And when I got inside I didn't know where to look first - it was filled with gorgeousness of the kind I LOVE.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYknuP3408-7jVLviqXzslAVr-gU7bIz-RU2gb_dWctYjH5PuZBPF4X49H_bPOefogM7kEtVNtP2jG8dJVgJF724G8ezDOLZVa0l3_e4ldbtaj3EuYHpr08wB2eeKuhEudSMuCh0GhplI/s1600/L1030341.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706893805529401458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYknuP3408-7jVLviqXzslAVr-gU7bIz-RU2gb_dWctYjH5PuZBPF4X49H_bPOefogM7kEtVNtP2jG8dJVgJF724G8ezDOLZVa0l3_e4ldbtaj3EuYHpr08wB2eeKuhEudSMuCh0GhplI/s400/L1030341.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuV09_AX7r3sj2Pxbyo4BfcJaJmCW1vB_QNwdQB4X1viAV6tcgWF0kg52U52Q7gaE77AK_3caZg113w_jFmP-BKxaVlRwTL5Oyl4YoJ9bJM29M3oOj5GDJwwQP3jJ22L3k2tew69Fnsws/s1600/L1030340.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706893804578987186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuV09_AX7r3sj2Pxbyo4BfcJaJmCW1vB_QNwdQB4X1viAV6tcgWF0kg52U52Q7gaE77AK_3caZg113w_jFmP-BKxaVlRwTL5Oyl4YoJ9bJM29M3oOj5GDJwwQP3jJ22L3k2tew69Fnsws/s400/L1030340.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8CAWXmkz1Ap0XcJz3Z508JJ2O5ALEqrtMxNoUX821xXnbI1L9aV3XX4GB8RkkGbbJTIHQ9h-pOdnEP7btScSbvGEKon6WVir_NtN-E5vKSxncvn1n15UCqwYinLiTVqhlrulCR179-o/s1600/L1030338.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706893799645867778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8CAWXmkz1Ap0XcJz3Z508JJ2O5ALEqrtMxNoUX821xXnbI1L9aV3XX4GB8RkkGbbJTIHQ9h-pOdnEP7btScSbvGEKon6WVir_NtN-E5vKSxncvn1n15UCqwYinLiTVqhlrulCR179-o/s400/L1030338.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivx0Eriu9BL0fizNIaUtD_Ro7MtZni2E_eXjjyiOsE9zbYcCUDRwIfwSxGm9Cha96-0_f0pUsZ5FMj4cRktwd6guCtP7mG25j_mf0ebwWJAivtfTrcdf6DPpr5tdImDZDUJVQWWnZ7JiM/s1600/L1030336.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706893328304193650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivx0Eriu9BL0fizNIaUtD_Ro7MtZni2E_eXjjyiOsE9zbYcCUDRwIfwSxGm9Cha96-0_f0pUsZ5FMj4cRktwd6guCtP7mG25j_mf0ebwWJAivtfTrcdf6DPpr5tdImDZDUJVQWWnZ7JiM/s400/L1030336.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVHR-EP2lYmGX4gzy0CSa5CLNiiV1EO5y8aW_nyfmMTQy1xyx-McMXceRsQ9ScTHW9dD2jY_tCuYycwOkKil4Y1kMpHGvS1I8HW3jezNKlr9XCJcMnkuTRAt27Uv4434VSFNgnXw11dY/s1600/L1030335.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706893323387841826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVHR-EP2lYmGX4gzy0CSa5CLNiiV1EO5y8aW_nyfmMTQy1xyx-McMXceRsQ9ScTHW9dD2jY_tCuYycwOkKil4Y1kMpHGvS1I8HW3jezNKlr9XCJcMnkuTRAt27Uv4434VSFNgnXw11dY/s400/L1030335.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkPma9fzPcXEflEYH6ex4SCrE2xxhSru0Hr8Ck83wTPZlbd1z7d1Vh5asdmWst5siy6118uWRW_Fh89JX9hSy_2dBBd4aYU_jHzhJcNxH8eXVxtED1C-tcWumclryyaeJtfEn6DdG7lw/s1600/L1030334.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706893314920052098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkPma9fzPcXEflEYH6ex4SCrE2xxhSru0Hr8Ck83wTPZlbd1z7d1Vh5asdmWst5siy6118uWRW_Fh89JX9hSy_2dBBd4aYU_jHzhJcNxH8eXVxtED1C-tcWumclryyaeJtfEn6DdG7lw/s400/L1030334.JPG" /></a><br />I was fairly controlled (!) and managed to constrain myself coming away with 3 purchases only....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2STkb32dZLm_wy-WWOG-lZ8GFYl63hC98x2mKZCEcH1f8jOPcwLZ_u4H6mV8e2BY78hTFftMteF7WvbMJdXHsB84YFW4yjCRsut03FGiLycNTW-UOGqqNcHTOGdeNDIjdMUP0ZsLdYo/s1600/L1030374.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706893310358468722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2STkb32dZLm_wy-WWOG-lZ8GFYl63hC98x2mKZCEcH1f8jOPcwLZ_u4H6mV8e2BY78hTFftMteF7WvbMJdXHsB84YFW4yjCRsut03FGiLycNTW-UOGqqNcHTOGdeNDIjdMUP0ZsLdYo/s400/L1030374.JPG" /></a><br />A gorgeous thick linen French red and white table cloth, a French white china heart shaped cheese mould and 3 old terracotta flowerpots. Am going to plant these 3 up with little rosemary plants. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEHnXOvHgS5GhHTvbBhvrtvZRMs49PgFscaWZXC_fPScKlJ7z_rk_swucURvwLAjn1W9OXGt6xYeWAXqZ7kr6lm6U7zK-TbZqTF9mCk72Tu7xVw3kvcXykg7wfLc2ltG1xmgFIeoaRdQ/s1600/L1030375.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706893305998090674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEHnXOvHgS5GhHTvbBhvrtvZRMs49PgFscaWZXC_fPScKlJ7z_rk_swucURvwLAjn1W9OXGt6xYeWAXqZ7kr6lm6U7zK-TbZqTF9mCk72Tu7xVw3kvcXykg7wfLc2ltG1xmgFIeoaRdQ/s400/L1030375.JPG" /></a><br /><br />And I leave you with another look at the goodies. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>For more information about this wonderful antique store (and they have a blog) the link is :</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.thedrillhall.com.au/">http://www.thedrillhall.com.au/</a> </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>It was such a fabulous tripette to Tasmania... I want to return again, and soon!<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-55736637380456028862012-01-31T19:52:00.004+11:002012-01-31T20:09:17.751+11:00Jumping on the orange bandwagon - new Orla Kiely towelsAlthough I said that I was going to do a further "Tasmanian" post I thought I would just show you my orange towels. (Hotel post to follow soon though).<br /><br /><br />Orange seems to be the new colour I thought it would be quite appropriate.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVL_lPyvRVpoX2Cs5Je1pi5SVcMp8CPNueW-rnXs2g7gz6lmeBLpshW7s7q2p1mNZiMvDCEpKiXT2WrmRBUbVVM9swvoVEnp-Hm79CpjhK_sFgW5J46V_LMRcUwQVvaB4Tbf8CezvFo-Y/s1600/L1030366.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703717475605961538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVL_lPyvRVpoX2Cs5Je1pi5SVcMp8CPNueW-rnXs2g7gz6lmeBLpshW7s7q2p1mNZiMvDCEpKiXT2WrmRBUbVVM9swvoVEnp-Hm79CpjhK_sFgW5J46V_LMRcUwQVvaB4Tbf8CezvFo-Y/s400/L1030366.JPG" /></a> I bought this whilst in UK at Christmas, and in the sale too. Love Orla Kiely and especially her homewares. I thought these taxi motif towels were really gorgeous.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovEXFfajVHYT2r8fwIXKB70wAoztyCn2R0Xrr6oL3rgpimmpSkNSJN03NsEqdgUiYmiGDzWkfddKTRfqvpEEmaVo4Q9h7v3tgrC9W-4jFxnl5CnmwvzLYB_9eiV08FVGaO3r3sz4ly7Y/s1600/L1030364.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703717465653231586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovEXFfajVHYT2r8fwIXKB70wAoztyCn2R0Xrr6oL3rgpimmpSkNSJN03NsEqdgUiYmiGDzWkfddKTRfqvpEEmaVo4Q9h7v3tgrC9W-4jFxnl5CnmwvzLYB_9eiV08FVGaO3r3sz4ly7Y/s400/L1030364.JPG" /></a> Whilst in UK my friend Stuart of FONTAINE Antiques (<a href="http://www.fontainedecorative.com/">http://www.fontainedecorative.com/</a>) told me that I was pronouncing Kiely ALL WRONG.... I was saying KEELEY well apparently it is KYLIE (like our Australian homegrown Kylie). You learn something new every day. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8CCPg2VfeC3dJU14yHPE42h6DJvdfm8t5Bn9lQ1x1-i3XcOxz0iIbhPdKZOa_QdDYzT2uoUdzlW64zE76pol1Qsp-gkJGWj9dVMkq_61JQL3V9pRf4FyCekUNNo988ZHfqsqi2oISi8/s1600/L1030359.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703717455486306770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8CCPg2VfeC3dJU14yHPE42h6DJvdfm8t5Bn9lQ1x1-i3XcOxz0iIbhPdKZOa_QdDYzT2uoUdzlW64zE76pol1Qsp-gkJGWj9dVMkq_61JQL3V9pRf4FyCekUNNo988ZHfqsqi2oISi8/s400/L1030359.JPG" /></a><br />Above here they are in all their orange cheeriness! </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Wonderful.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>For more information about Orla's wonderful bits and pieces go here <a href="http://www.orlakielylcom/">http://www.orlakielylcom/</a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-50171754909198588562012-01-26T16:48:00.010+11:002012-01-28T20:40:00.704+11:00Tasmanian weekend (Part I) and Happy Australia Day!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-pdskeanNKqvs00nKEzg-eREWE-nfrdyrui4LOMTq3lR8BsCCfCemP7zZjs-oMEXpyoGvKAmJ_lv5ZxnGXEdgrZs9FhzaL3jae2WCMi49NWDWiCWjlQCDrLS_XHyh8nbXJVx0oeZuds/s1600/ozmapandact.gif"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 333px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702615094374320146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-pdskeanNKqvs00nKEzg-eREWE-nfrdyrui4LOMTq3lR8BsCCfCemP7zZjs-oMEXpyoGvKAmJ_lv5ZxnGXEdgrZs9FhzaL3jae2WCMi49NWDWiCWjlQCDrLS_XHyh8nbXJVx0oeZuds/s400/ozmapandact.gif" /></a><br /><br /><div>Today in beautiful Australia it's a national holiday to celebrate all that is good about this fair land. And there is much to celebrate - the only negative thing I can think of about living here is that it's such a long way from anywhere - certainly from family and friends in UK . Anyway, I thought it fitting to post about Tasmania today - there's quite a bit to tell about our weekend away - so this is the first post.<br /><br /><br />The map above shows where Tasmania is exactly. I have to admit that before I came to live in Melbourne (Victoria) I didn't really know where Tasmania fitted in. As you can see it's an island to the south of Victoria.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXeoHEY4JpRLzzkxkGbt3_2wUtbv5h_-h_aO0btz3m5w42oyN95J6QvdiVYHY1lu7wCi8iMtkXX-KRQ0W_JGg-85ODpNyLc1F0vsqaKyGems8XE31MgBQP3_xyFS2wWoK3IS5G7IW4KI/s1600/L1030348.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701817773166576258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXeoHEY4JpRLzzkxkGbt3_2wUtbv5h_-h_aO0btz3m5w42oyN95J6QvdiVYHY1lu7wCi8iMtkXX-KRQ0W_JGg-85ODpNyLc1F0vsqaKyGems8XE31MgBQP3_xyFS2wWoK3IS5G7IW4KI/s400/L1030348.JPG" /></a> Very beautiful countryside - this was about half an hour out of Hobart and Hobart is situated on the southern tip of Tasmania.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Bg06XjNFvPOlGs3pXC0_P_usi6fsL25BLAKZZwR6Kt1sB8SdHuRphNqSer4c6vVAWuvOdf8olT57ne00MkVwrbmwRkW_2Wfebsxi7LSYcxUCFGMjdzwAAXMs-ToksNttzx4fJw07Mr8/s1600/L1030347.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701817775794702930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Bg06XjNFvPOlGs3pXC0_P_usi6fsL25BLAKZZwR6Kt1sB8SdHuRphNqSer4c6vVAWuvOdf8olT57ne00MkVwrbmwRkW_2Wfebsxi7LSYcxUCFGMjdzwAAXMs-ToksNttzx4fJw07Mr8/s400/L1030347.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLp5BRkDmH7Nx8JPEAJkhGCqTAw__QXWmrYazptIh9-OwVvMDPJwB5OVpkuCEKPdacNcMGRX74nZEqd0g_bf4GQEO0mkyjv0lb3xpdcxvXjQ1OGoIxIf-Ew9UL3UR8gw1LCi6ivR9Zh8/s1600/L1030233.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701817770529432050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLp5BRkDmH7Nx8JPEAJkhGCqTAw__QXWmrYazptIh9-OwVvMDPJwB5OVpkuCEKPdacNcMGRX74nZEqd0g_bf4GQEO0mkyjv0lb3xpdcxvXjQ1OGoIxIf-Ew9UL3UR8gw1LCi6ivR9Zh8/s400/L1030233.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Photographs above and below show the top of Mount Wellington.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwPusx6G24CpGKusOgK3oiQGZcT7WPtNPUq4AjIDe4cb1u9cowlvnxPU09zd1AXSPBVq36IwER6d6peP-cZndg9GtZSt1hv5R1-zLLokcvwOpbIqUHTRMAbQ-oeEYKe73nc6hCwe4WM0/s1600/L1030235.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701817766839289554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwPusx6G24CpGKusOgK3oiQGZcT7WPtNPUq4AjIDe4cb1u9cowlvnxPU09zd1AXSPBVq36IwER6d6peP-cZndg9GtZSt1hv5R1-zLLokcvwOpbIqUHTRMAbQ-oeEYKe73nc6hCwe4WM0/s400/L1030235.JPG" /></a><br /><br />If the day had been clearer (we were above cloud level here) we could have looked down onto the city of Hobart from here.<br /><br /><br />And what a beautiful city it is....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvCAPsYEftqpSzK471UP5euiKhvftB6K1CBLwlpgllthJEcl0H_CUf4D3ezuA9UwqMrs4bLx4vITEMHmHcZCxF6lWo206P5POll6NH5H1Xz2btUqNmnta-e0Av7zpSsQtFqG4iTfuxIQ/s1600/L1030245.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701816599305901890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvCAPsYEftqpSzK471UP5euiKhvftB6K1CBLwlpgllthJEcl0H_CUf4D3ezuA9UwqMrs4bLx4vITEMHmHcZCxF6lWo206P5POll6NH5H1Xz2btUqNmnta-e0Av7zpSsQtFqG4iTfuxIQ/s400/L1030245.JPG" /></a> There's a market held every Saturday with much local produce..... Just look at those beautiful Georgian buildings behind - my most favourite style of building ever...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiE9Haa-M0_va_KWoDgb_5za1gz9XyoZ49sGbuOfQTOrthHFtLZ_aH4Kt2JHFFQmNsA7awSQinG3JAruejv1A9YeIjDqfbKNtHV3UFF6x8GYojqbA5TcyCGi5hU7ytht2s65hUbj0ZU1M/s1600/L1030262.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701816594631122994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiE9Haa-M0_va_KWoDgb_5za1gz9XyoZ49sGbuOfQTOrthHFtLZ_aH4Kt2JHFFQmNsA7awSQinG3JAruejv1A9YeIjDqfbKNtHV3UFF6x8GYojqbA5TcyCGi5hU7ytht2s65hUbj0ZU1M/s400/L1030262.JPG" /></a><br />Lots of lovely garden plant stalls.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14tnqZS8uhkBcT6YmevcMNh8hyphenhyphenrKOzbaaXrXiGV9wvK9SrPWeTMbAVLykt4EJX0WCCO2F2pF-p6JXLrmBPtFjOg2gxcWr2d54wo_UfO3-osP4QOknRVxShHJ3_ezkl0fgMAnhqdVgotc/s1600/L1030263.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701816590440140370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14tnqZS8uhkBcT6YmevcMNh8hyphenhyphenrKOzbaaXrXiGV9wvK9SrPWeTMbAVLykt4EJX0WCCO2F2pF-p6JXLrmBPtFjOg2gxcWr2d54wo_UfO3-osP4QOknRVxShHJ3_ezkl0fgMAnhqdVgotc/s400/L1030263.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-TJjDuaYUADhLkenuuxsnVtbhAN7wZAVRYqeQlXBndPGOyIGacTgz2y43hjALwQwxfZBYLrBOxlWcYl7kDDMLvKvudvpUzTCbFVwY1IFx4NNKuWwCi49NJZYoBN7YyyLauGqdFa21HA/s1600/L1030243.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701816587083878882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-TJjDuaYUADhLkenuuxsnVtbhAN7wZAVRYqeQlXBndPGOyIGacTgz2y43hjALwQwxfZBYLrBOxlWcYl7kDDMLvKvudvpUzTCbFVwY1IFx4NNKuWwCi49NJZYoBN7YyyLauGqdFa21HA/s400/L1030243.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Fresh vegetables artfully and neatly arranged. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Next few photographs show the beautiful houses I came across whilst wandering round Hobart.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27oQcpYgpzAgFqmRc1J_EXYSLMc7nXBmDPcdRRsGnsI4TcIUq-rbkArRDQPUSFregoCwPEeevxtplDrabiJcT8Md0tKB6z1VgWH9b1CwuxgXQnYAsMU8ARsiXb8InvDhv6orgLyqVs8I/s1600/L1030259.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701815697877706802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27oQcpYgpzAgFqmRc1J_EXYSLMc7nXBmDPcdRRsGnsI4TcIUq-rbkArRDQPUSFregoCwPEeevxtplDrabiJcT8Md0tKB6z1VgWH9b1CwuxgXQnYAsMU8ARsiXb8InvDhv6orgLyqVs8I/s400/L1030259.JPG" /></a><br />Pretty as a picture. Sweet fence and cascading roses.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAW5CoTe9gz0Ly76m3Hcp-RdenDKAEhsWFAyK5wwJLgO8vSUgTcFPwdkd77QaSQm2XqvHo46Vfu3Udms39Cm0KtkZ3IYDnIuhdUYfyJCGn_HFMsPp68ZJyM3QQ09CMg2t5MchS1HBrQw/s1600/L1030260.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701815693738292418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAW5CoTe9gz0Ly76m3Hcp-RdenDKAEhsWFAyK5wwJLgO8vSUgTcFPwdkd77QaSQm2XqvHo46Vfu3Udms39Cm0KtkZ3IYDnIuhdUYfyJCGn_HFMsPp68ZJyM3QQ09CMg2t5MchS1HBrQw/s400/L1030260.JPG" /></a><br />Black and white Georgian number for all the lovers of this colour combination and there are a few of you out there in blogland, I know - me included.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0rLlIfA1YlYZ9M7vKGLMQ8pkMctSUCX6rHUZDA7hkWhgZoigUd7nusrIhIIGAkxPs1OBJdW1ERJ4chyphenhyphenoNzNyls_R_WovW2hLsFFRz7OAgr9uAidjI9TR4m7Qv46fy60km1ldojtVnVA/s1600/L1030217.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701815679199368642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0rLlIfA1YlYZ9M7vKGLMQ8pkMctSUCX6rHUZDA7hkWhgZoigUd7nusrIhIIGAkxPs1OBJdW1ERJ4chyphenhyphenoNzNyls_R_WovW2hLsFFRz7OAgr9uAidjI9TR4m7Qv46fy60km1ldojtVnVA/s400/L1030217.JPG" /></a><br />Smart grey front door and again, lots of white roses. A winning combination.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXL7tYseHWPHHG3JWIC-MG70Imo-dBUqIhCKmV90eRk_yx2pgFNrf7o8LPJosKkT7PI-kqVYVgOgxGDDzgSbByhMWiwEW1qB0pFThMLpTUQ-mEZH09AV-A_Q1OriHK8i49J0-IgDF_QQ/s1600/L1030256.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701815674682595314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXL7tYseHWPHHG3JWIC-MG70Imo-dBUqIhCKmV90eRk_yx2pgFNrf7o8LPJosKkT7PI-kqVYVgOgxGDDzgSbByhMWiwEW1qB0pFThMLpTUQ-mEZH09AV-A_Q1OriHK8i49J0-IgDF_QQ/s400/L1030256.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88-nB-Iin0vOdWTUsIhJcw_W2cai4-znQbbZy5q1dmoKIQCW5wkzrheUcuWx8egDLbnj8zZZ79KFxh9qh4741f41oKO3VRdXDm061F6b_1AITa7Bm33v_6JPBazx4xo5mgntu_Oj8FI8/s1600/L1030220.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701814995064172098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88-nB-Iin0vOdWTUsIhJcw_W2cai4-znQbbZy5q1dmoKIQCW5wkzrheUcuWx8egDLbnj8zZZ79KFxh9qh4741f41oKO3VRdXDm061F6b_1AITa7Bm33v_6JPBazx4xo5mgntu_Oj8FI8/s400/L1030220.JPG" /></a><br />And lastly part of the building that our hotel was in. Our room was beneath the "'S" in the word Jams. I'll begin the next post starting with the hotel because it was quite probably one of the most interesting and intriguing places I have ever stayed in. Think I told you before that it was a converted jam factory it really was amazing and quite unique.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>"Happy 'Straya day" to all my fellow countrymen (and women, of course!)<br />Enjoy....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-72493447600638527692012-01-19T21:01:00.005+11:002012-01-19T21:12:51.684+11:00Birthday - and our weekend destinationToday is my birthday and this morning Mr SE surprised me with a number of lovely and thoughtful gifts including a book about Hobart.... He also gave me a card with an itinerary for the next 48 hours or so and tomorrow morning we are off for a little 'tripette' to Tasmania.... Such a nice surprise. I had no idea he had been plotting and planning.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UoqJLz-MsOsCI6_dY5urAdIX5uglz1HbKy_Wr8r0MV6pGJmFWupH0b8whf-20RKwBZrwq3rL2VW_nQdotL2P03HcDpQil1KEOj853Dm2fkTkC7Ibm-I1yfgDsPhuTXPknzGy_pfsOIE/s1600/hobart.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699281566323542530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UoqJLz-MsOsCI6_dY5urAdIX5uglz1HbKy_Wr8r0MV6pGJmFWupH0b8whf-20RKwBZrwq3rL2VW_nQdotL2P03HcDpQil1KEOj853Dm2fkTkC7Ibm-I1yfgDsPhuTXPknzGy_pfsOIE/s400/hobart.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowPTS9gKfzhKIouXhTmX4nDxkmPY4pnTVXGJsBdMWIY0o9v_AJSUbHQJMmu2fxtKTMuG4xT5kWH_LcAroWTEkJQtHHb1GlHj0gam0Zc_f7kNYG5p-wbepOVO72z1r4G7zz_5EKvaIBAg/s1600/henryjoneshotel.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 168px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699281567525329026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowPTS9gKfzhKIouXhTmX4nDxkmPY4pnTVXGJsBdMWIY0o9v_AJSUbHQJMmu2fxtKTMuG4xT5kWH_LcAroWTEkJQtHHb1GlHj0gam0Zc_f7kNYG5p-wbepOVO72z1r4G7zz_5EKvaIBAg/s400/henryjoneshotel.jpg" /></a> And, we are staying here... </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>The Henry Jones Art Hotel. By all accounts it looks rather wonderful and I am so looking forward to it. </div><br /><br /><div>Promise to take lots of photos and let you know all about it. Anyone that has been to Hobart I would welcome places that you think we shouldn't miss!! (The MONA gallery is already on my list).... </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Happy weekends to all .........<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div>Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-57179754138798788332012-01-16T17:38:00.015+11:002012-01-17T18:13:21.594+11:00Favourite paint colours<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9bSQcGS7LEta3F-8X2TtGW6btcdQFFWuaoKQBXqj3suMqAabYFjXww2fwdSvxQGYGrLWswXtsqz0IjlrKOwJIrA1ty1mxygN6mKyFhfZIG775Ju_mWwVQC8syRZXqKKsGuidqgCqfVk/s1600/davidoliver.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 242px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698122837714288626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9bSQcGS7LEta3F-8X2TtGW6btcdQFFWuaoKQBXqj3suMqAabYFjXww2fwdSvxQGYGrLWswXtsqz0IjlrKOwJIrA1ty1mxygN6mKyFhfZIG775Ju_mWwVQC8syRZXqKKsGuidqgCqfVk/s320/davidoliver.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div>I really love the colours from the Paint and Paper Library range. They are perhaps not so universally well known as say Farrow and Ball but their colours are just gorgeous and the quality of the paint is second to none. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnca9Y0xVBMOLI3bSDiitJ2DCKMWb2XpkfLvgZEd8MYRAFqRsRDehQA6jkRrWz5-EyhJtCXsceV3dt_tv4xt0azKK_U7nQYkX4koZfTZoxvubSoJNgR48oHLDC2yPv7JjF9vd42fmXnc/s1600/logopaintand.gif"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 163px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 45px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698116736005595058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnca9Y0xVBMOLI3bSDiitJ2DCKMWb2XpkfLvgZEd8MYRAFqRsRDehQA6jkRrWz5-EyhJtCXsceV3dt_tv4xt0azKK_U7nQYkX4koZfTZoxvubSoJNgR48oHLDC2yPv7JjF9vd42fmXnc/s400/logopaintand.gif" /></a> David Oliver (photograph to the left) is Design Director of Paint & Paper Library based in Chelsea, London. He studied Fine Art, sculpture, painting, printmaking, photography and life drawing at the National Art School in Sydney where he developed his knowledge of twentieth century art. His work has been exhibited in Dublin, Madrid, New York, Sydney, Stockholm and London. Collections include the V&A Museum and the British Craft Council. In 2007 he completed his first book <a href="http://www.paintlibrary.co.uk/shop_publications.asp?section_id=613">PAINT & PAPER</a><a href="http://www.paintlibrary.co.uk/shop_publications.asp?section_id=613"> A Masterclass in Colour and Light</a>, published by Conran Octopus UK and Rizzoli USA. David unique sense of colour, demonstrated by his innovate architectural colours shades, has earned him the nickname the "Rock Star of Colour" or "The Prince of Paint" ..... </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Hmmm, quite a dish too (maybe because he's an Aussie?!!) which is of course nothing to do whatsoever with my decision to reproduce his photograph here on the blog for you all to see !<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyq_pliX4749rt-0cx5clJ0ICENaGa0WUQDyPZ9VqpnSJO_eRBe0V8Xt4GPD3YYCfhyFtsBQkKTZElA1RXvbx0FmhBDOUOn0LLYyNu36dd6Wv7J5jj3cMYyTBth_f9KtpbP-cEOYmM2jo/s1600/L1030034.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698115952019341890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyq_pliX4749rt-0cx5clJ0ICENaGa0WUQDyPZ9VqpnSJO_eRBe0V8Xt4GPD3YYCfhyFtsBQkKTZElA1RXvbx0FmhBDOUOn0LLYyNu36dd6Wv7J5jj3cMYyTBth_f9KtpbP-cEOYmM2jo/s400/L1030034.JPG" /></a><br />Anyway, back to the paint! A photograph above showing one of my all time FAVOURITE colours from the range - namely TARLATAN. It's on the wall on the right in our teeny little galley kitchen in our cottage in England. It's a sort of grey-taupe colour and looks amazing with white china as above. Yes, those are the very same gorgeous bowls that I coveted ever since I went (last October - see <a href="http://semiexpat.blogspot.com/search/label/Daylesford%20Organic"><span style="color:#006600;">THIS POST</span></a>) to Daylesford Organic shop in the Cotswolds. My dear friend J read that blog post and gave them to me for Christmas! What a lovely surprise. I know, - very lucky.<br /><br /><br />Should you wish to learn more about Paint and Paper Library - just go here <a href="http://www.paintlibrary.co.uk/">http://www.paintlibrary.co.uk/</a> and you will also find that this month TARLATAN is featured as colour of the month.<br /><br />Any paint ranges and/or colours you find yourselves using again and again...? Please do share.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-27449866556413798912012-01-12T10:03:00.020+11:002012-01-12T17:09:29.264+11:00A celebration for the Octogenarian of the family, or Dad's 80th Birthday party !As I'm sure you all know, one of the main reasons why I went back to England over Christmas and New Year was because my dear Daddy reached the grand age of 80. So, here are a few of the many photographs that were taken during his celebration evening in London.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />As you can see it was quite a large family gathering.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LNjQK6m7a2CJPRGyx1_imHa7A0MZfkYmSG4UU-Kbb8tSdGguSez89CWId2p0k4ZRVLDeUxn-zQIN88c4dwSvAzD_mL_ojWYZPwkJlmc3EMKmu1HwkA8L5YSl1fzsNUujTgagQxvYUMs/s1600/dad80table.jpg"> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696519478691529122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LNjQK6m7a2CJPRGyx1_imHa7A0MZfkYmSG4UU-Kbb8tSdGguSez89CWId2p0k4ZRVLDeUxn-zQIN88c4dwSvAzD_mL_ojWYZPwkJlmc3EMKmu1HwkA8L5YSl1fzsNUujTgagQxvYUMs/s400/dad80table.jpg" /></a> It was a fabulous occasion....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhQfjB55xT3EBePqe1x7PZQwiLA-le1QeHP9gs-iJN_T2pNIcpmXZEGf9dlRri8HA8g0p1Q2asdXqYYKmmNXpiE3BwgxsU1htYWQnDisopMbsVzpeLHOb3v-L0qfgtdZIhEb4SZ-Idxk/s1600/dad80soph.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696519244185198306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhQfjB55xT3EBePqe1x7PZQwiLA-le1QeHP9gs-iJN_T2pNIcpmXZEGf9dlRri8HA8g0p1Q2asdXqYYKmmNXpiE3BwgxsU1htYWQnDisopMbsVzpeLHOb3v-L0qfgtdZIhEb4SZ-Idxk/s200/dad80soph.jpg" /></a><br /><br />There were speeches (of course) - left is my eldest niece during hers and to the right a photograph of my father replying. Needless to say there weren't many dry eyes whilst this was going on. I was the worst offender and unfortunately immediately had to repair my carefully applied (courtesy of my DD) makeup.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7i3PHHrYyiJm0k331ro57q1MCV7UicS0-esDQ0IhJ1SzkWRoGPdzJp9NAdytOU7fqRdXB6h7OvstXCLUCzEu3Ry_nRf-uTjvDsZmWKwPzNd2DgqIcLN9-uEDoaqYQ0xawbsySAHYxC0/s1600/dad80speech.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696519021057400722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7i3PHHrYyiJm0k331ro57q1MCV7UicS0-esDQ0IhJ1SzkWRoGPdzJp9NAdytOU7fqRdXB6h7OvstXCLUCzEu3Ry_nRf-uTjvDsZmWKwPzNd2DgqIcLN9-uEDoaqYQ0xawbsySAHYxC0/s200/dad80speech.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtqutLErhiJaxiBB1-KzFeWyhKHyGeb6F8Y-F-P-3F2V0H-Liy_9-V64Cd_MuzAFvbKwzCfUDPpgnYkgi1n5jCtZ4LoePxNQ4wO5aW6dPmI_2rczyuUl5A20kwG9LpiiW1rUpKj33-VM/s1600/dad80south.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696518742451613106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtqutLErhiJaxiBB1-KzFeWyhKHyGeb6F8Y-F-P-3F2V0H-Liy_9-V64Cd_MuzAFvbKwzCfUDPpgnYkgi1n5jCtZ4LoePxNQ4wO5aW6dPmI_2rczyuUl5A20kwG9LpiiW1rUpKj33-VM/s400/dad80south.jpg" /></a> Dad's eleven grandchildren above all spelled out the name of his favourite footie team!! (Very lucky that he has 11 grandchildren, his own little football team!) Do you remember I have written about mini niece before? That's her on the right at the end, holding the 'N' - she is now 4!! My DD is number 3 in the line up holding the 'U' - she's wearing the dress we found in Singapore if you remember that post.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gfEaPmDowGGQbSlVokRz3_pbjLrE6KcGgpFYanQZsUfksLaI3yubfYskxcZnjislYDBcO1qvTFWmNPXBan2idUGY7Y1VfAutkjyg8QtFoW2zHaCUvJgDMPPwjr1ZHtQITtvhilr42SM/s1600/dad80withgrands.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696518739928143730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gfEaPmDowGGQbSlVokRz3_pbjLrE6KcGgpFYanQZsUfksLaI3yubfYskxcZnjislYDBcO1qvTFWmNPXBan2idUGY7Y1VfAutkjyg8QtFoW2zHaCUvJgDMPPwjr1ZHtQITtvhilr42SM/s400/dad80withgrands.jpg" /></a> And here they all are, the grandchildren again with my parents.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcjlLHjd9FGBvW0tSERrTYHdk0hwgCamp9bWjaS6FwztogYvpFNgHb1ZRJqDB5ZLTTS2TMVnfeyDlKVryqYbGf0AcTGO5ByXstT4rGdxqAjCBDXliKjLsIWhWLlioEoneDUn58G7d0jA/s1600/L1030143.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696518233489848434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcjlLHjd9FGBvW0tSERrTYHdk0hwgCamp9bWjaS6FwztogYvpFNgHb1ZRJqDB5ZLTTS2TMVnfeyDlKVryqYbGf0AcTGO5ByXstT4rGdxqAjCBDXliKjLsIWhWLlioEoneDUn58G7d0jA/s200/L1030143.JPG" /></a> Mini niece, Daisy with Mr SE. She was an absolute angel all evening - really enjoyed the whole time - no tears or whines even when it became way past her bedtime!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIpqUc9NhC1XyB0UduV9NWh2LAy9HOeuKDY75lNjwTml4WFWVJMLOKieIPS39vnWV1smnNSsBLPOdgNDrUbwOSoX70aHJT5FLp0hdg63NcGFKNtSfyxzTh93Chw8mUznAXJRLEmkuImM/s1600/dad80sophandme.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696514609084063826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIpqUc9NhC1XyB0UduV9NWh2LAy9HOeuKDY75lNjwTml4WFWVJMLOKieIPS39vnWV1smnNSsBLPOdgNDrUbwOSoX70aHJT5FLp0hdg63NcGFKNtSfyxzTh93Chw8mUznAXJRLEmkuImM/s400/dad80sophandme.jpg" /></a> Myself, (yup, that lace dress has been rolled out again, - reckon it has done its cost per wear duty many times!) my father and my niece / goddaughter who lives in Melbourne too.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTG1w28Id-JKmalc1PqWnD88CvK6VCbT2jOwVaWOl3goy0HfoGodakJXEqc7xDzI4lEf0jHIgcwj-aICJ-PkQR1ky2y-0ZKf5LttLlOO-QV4P9t2O7-NmFWdcNwj9ij2h5HDo-jwwZWxU/s1600/dad80mumanddad.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696514383912441234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTG1w28Id-JKmalc1PqWnD88CvK6VCbT2jOwVaWOl3goy0HfoGodakJXEqc7xDzI4lEf0jHIgcwj-aICJ-PkQR1ky2y-0ZKf5LttLlOO-QV4P9t2O7-NmFWdcNwj9ij2h5HDo-jwwZWxU/s400/dad80mumanddad.jpg" /></a><br />And lastly, the birthday King with his Queen, my Mother..... </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Such a great evening and a wonderful celebration - a very happy occasion indeed.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-29098426840039570442012-01-05T03:57:00.004+11:002012-01-05T04:23:34.113+11:00Fireworks from London and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!Sorry that my New Year greetings to you all are rather late, nevertheless they come with my best wishes to everyone for a happy and healthy 2012. <div><br /></div><div>We saw in the New Year in London with my parents so we were ready and in place for the celebration of my father's 80th Birthday on January 1st 2012.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwFB4agjuwpzCMBbp8ts0XdoZu0RkssT0l1sqXv9Ps6Ed5dZJbHUTVZ8zHr8jFQy9PaCXwHUC8rNKeHeiCaqoO5MtxBp5WP-5icqus26CAMWcFYoHoJyFQl0xjYzGPL1F9WDAmEMgGJA/s1600/L1030128.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwFB4agjuwpzCMBbp8ts0XdoZu0RkssT0l1sqXv9Ps6Ed5dZJbHUTVZ8zHr8jFQy9PaCXwHUC8rNKeHeiCaqoO5MtxBp5WP-5icqus26CAMWcFYoHoJyFQl0xjYzGPL1F9WDAmEMgGJA/s400/L1030128.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693825035277094450" /></a>Mr SE and I went outside and watched the fireworks which were absolutely amazing...... I took loads of photographs and this one above is one of my favourites.</div><div><br /></div><div>Will post about Dad's birthday next time as again in rather a rush getting ready to fly back to Australia once again. How quickly the time has gone. Next post from Oz.</div><div><br /></div><div>With thanks and huge appreciation to everyone - those who follow, those who read and maybe don't ever comment and those who have wonderful blogs that I follow. You all, as they say, "Rock my blogging world". </div><div><br /></div><div>Lets hope it's a good one.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div></div>Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585231781723145091.post-15665421653901602092011-12-29T02:00:00.008+11:002011-12-29T05:48:39.418+11:00Christmas round upWelcome to the cottage. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEI6MNX4GV5sxLMf6Tqf_TIoXUIwxvqTPQjsPZxbk704Y0wizBYpD77d_MOgaf0oBjS9Wl_7bYAPuQYZOWgMXQ-xyZLLGSTzWFhSq_RH30BYc_TaPmTCZuckXwGV9qps4g-GEOFsXSXG8/s1600/xmasfrontdoor.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691201003639816322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEI6MNX4GV5sxLMf6Tqf_TIoXUIwxvqTPQjsPZxbk704Y0wizBYpD77d_MOgaf0oBjS9Wl_7bYAPuQYZOWgMXQ-xyZLLGSTzWFhSq_RH30BYc_TaPmTCZuckXwGV9qps4g-GEOFsXSXG8/s400/xmasfrontdoor.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwi8T1MT3Nf6vKsNiLkPEnmJN8tAtKY-hP5gF29gG1wwz-8vGlr72YLF9SYRuJKPinMQZN5Cm7YqLz8O3HOllcFWFBcK9iq6oeXT9XDdNLFIRCeXGJD9LUemwLSzx4ffgRRdmtiebEA38/s1600/xmaseve1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691200977353173026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwi8T1MT3Nf6vKsNiLkPEnmJN8tAtKY-hP5gF29gG1wwz-8vGlr72YLF9SYRuJKPinMQZN5Cm7YqLz8O3HOllcFWFBcK9iq6oeXT9XDdNLFIRCeXGJD9LUemwLSzx4ffgRRdmtiebEA38/s400/xmaseve1.jpg" /></a><br />My parents joined us for Christmas and arrived on 24th. This is us above just before lunch - glasses of Prosecco for celebration.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwrQdfpbSlCCdn2xkkfySo-M3NgiKbyv5tquyGZZvE7U3JNZF9kXsKaIOXGwMsMhMWdLeq9OdrcjxKwnwpwB1lb-uFpy7NICnxLsd8PThimzRpNfSNdLRKj3sOMWDAEbINSEJcbE9FnU/s1600/xmaseve1.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHmaN-oNUcAlo9QIEt8fgbh_4d6ELBQdXu6WKFRBB37NnAb07HPFamKNFMbt-rRwUAL5m7-H23BKbzWnMV8oeyZ0SqjoV85s34yicjOZE0PH14o8oGF9-CKZNzRdxh6IhU_RzAwZ2CQA/s1600/L1030027.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691200344840864690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHmaN-oNUcAlo9QIEt8fgbh_4d6ELBQdXu6WKFRBB37NnAb07HPFamKNFMbt-rRwUAL5m7-H23BKbzWnMV8oeyZ0SqjoV85s34yicjOZE0PH14o8oGF9-CKZNzRdxh6IhU_RzAwZ2CQA/s400/L1030027.JPG" /></a><br />After lunch we walked along the canal tow path - Poppy, (DD) came too and in fact all these photographs except the one above were taken with the new 'fancy pants' Nikon camera she received for her birthday.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnwR22vprdZLgTSl2cDN0af-tcoLyf35DCrATqdLNEzy4vN_QNPJ4pc1JR9cGf03x8ArdshSZ2xSQ-V1jH30bh3tqc_6F0OEW4MTiLRb1UMfcMhzYVUvtu8_ekPjIMS_TgN9lYEyEkvI/s1600/xmasevewalk.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691200339074779298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnwR22vprdZLgTSl2cDN0af-tcoLyf35DCrATqdLNEzy4vN_QNPJ4pc1JR9cGf03x8ArdshSZ2xSQ-V1jH30bh3tqc_6F0OEW4MTiLRb1UMfcMhzYVUvtu8_ekPjIMS_TgN9lYEyEkvI/s400/xmasevewalk.jpg" /></a><br />I rather like this 'arty' shot of my mother and I, - we were deep in conversation, I seem to remember ....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4scv-g3PVr_73xrTGOMx0zl2fTPbIlhTJQeP1Pcd6dQTYlaxVG9BPtVbQ86Xye1CnzJmgYqze_kVSmaBkYEafsOGv7fId1dREdsPE1mAQiaCDQ6E4mostYzSFDpngI2Du52RdeU2sc8/s1600/xmaswalktree.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691200338446372962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4scv-g3PVr_73xrTGOMx0zl2fTPbIlhTJQeP1Pcd6dQTYlaxVG9BPtVbQ86Xye1CnzJmgYqze_kVSmaBkYEafsOGv7fId1dREdsPE1mAQiaCDQ6E4mostYzSFDpngI2Du52RdeU2sc8/s400/xmaswalktree.jpg" /></a><br />Another good photograph from DD. Looking very wintery here in UK.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL63LeOybvuNT6ndxeP4DIETK_SR1BWr2Rke65JQdKxbmBFP-l1j9z9mKmid6uHuYkOV8M7OewNCdm5csm7D2oXEPZ4YQ3vschd6tAiatRreHRY7NkRWuOpPVr_MWg7tvjW_aaQ-b6WcU/s1600/xmasdadandmum.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691199607679165618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL63LeOybvuNT6ndxeP4DIETK_SR1BWr2Rke65JQdKxbmBFP-l1j9z9mKmid6uHuYkOV8M7OewNCdm5csm7D2oXEPZ4YQ3vschd6tAiatRreHRY7NkRWuOpPVr_MWg7tvjW_aaQ-b6WcU/s400/xmasdadandmum.jpg" /></a> But at least the sun was shining. My parents above. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwL-wtlHcgONVk5GhNkz1xHmPmcc7xmW1RG1Ny_DR0WeVziazZ5DA16gsxchPicRn1lPwclJrx2p23AG4A-IR96AeFuwfrfS9BlAi5RjGFXg7Tk5PV13BGLy8srF_lMOXXyJZNCSxXjow/s1600/xmaspress.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691199599753970178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwL-wtlHcgONVk5GhNkz1xHmPmcc7xmW1RG1Ny_DR0WeVziazZ5DA16gsxchPicRn1lPwclJrx2p23AG4A-IR96AeFuwfrfS9BlAi5RjGFXg7Tk5PV13BGLy8srF_lMOXXyJZNCSxXjow/s400/xmaspress.jpg" /></a><br />25th December. Many gifts under and around our little tree.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCB-RNyVXYz6uThwbYCq-MvRvdtQGVuKwJEsxE0Vfr4ACpA70ODPG5xTwqPhBv9ljXgfiIa5iMkXwGI6qYH0ObI1o3lhgmK7Jjt5M2uYhgGN-VrYKKDbEtVOrQuT6niwCnemInn1jr7x4/s1600/xmastable.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691199584134250130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCB-RNyVXYz6uThwbYCq-MvRvdtQGVuKwJEsxE0Vfr4ACpA70ODPG5xTwqPhBv9ljXgfiIa5iMkXwGI6qYH0ObI1o3lhgmK7Jjt5M2uYhgGN-VrYKKDbEtVOrQuT6niwCnemInn1jr7x4/s400/xmastable.jpg" /></a><br />The Christmas table.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcjXc0b6cVwxzPQPS-z8fikaOcQu_7SEqn7Sov_wUbUSFg0Wbob2kSHnQugsJdCiad-NN8Fg1-lU0QExC1gpvUd1XJHX1mUn4iAhrohf45ik-m6pVbCAaoKJr6gk5qJIhyphenhyphen0tL5zWCi-A/s1600/xmaspud2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691199579982357202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcjXc0b6cVwxzPQPS-z8fikaOcQu_7SEqn7Sov_wUbUSFg0Wbob2kSHnQugsJdCiad-NN8Fg1-lU0QExC1gpvUd1XJHX1mUn4iAhrohf45ik-m6pVbCAaoKJr6gk5qJIhyphenhyphen0tL5zWCi-A/s400/xmaspud2.jpg" /></a><br />And the pudding...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPlbH2igN5RwBnpIP2379DLBrCgXUZbnZZDwx_93lOavqkke8goItNEdKn4S9gB6vWkmMTfRJ5SX9CaAexHf1MzN8zUsZnI3nYo7LsYsk5IVKlKDV1xuW7w0NQyZU8SoGBHGXwkAbiKY/s1600/xmaspud1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691199579377930386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPlbH2igN5RwBnpIP2379DLBrCgXUZbnZZDwx_93lOavqkke8goItNEdKn4S9gB6vWkmMTfRJ5SX9CaAexHf1MzN8zUsZnI3nYo7LsYsk5IVKlKDV1xuW7w0NQyZU8SoGBHGXwkAbiKY/s400/xmaspud1.jpg" /></a><br />This photo makes me smile. The pudding up in brandy flames and my father. </div><br /><div>(Oh, and that wasn't my Christmas outfit dress, - just my favourite apron with fish on it - 'Old Trouts' apparently... hmmmm , and it was given to me by my ex-husband too!). </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Happy days.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Semi Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.com17