Pack your bag...we're off to the Maldives....

Okay so we're in the middle of winter here and I know quite a few of you out there haven't had the summer you would wish for ~ well not so far anyway.

So how about we just nip to the Maldives for a little warm? Are you free to join me? 

Come on then....

I hope you like flying because once you land in Malé then you downsize air transportation...which was great fun. My son was so excited as this was the smallest plane he'd ever flown in. 

We were virtually sitting on the pilots lap...I mean what you have to put up with to get a holiday! ;D

I made sure that all was in correct working order and also did my pre-flight checks...even down to the shopping lists on the 'yokes' or 'joysticks'...see I know my stuff. 

The pilot asked if I wanted to fly the plane but I declined...I mean I was supposed to be on holiday and having no stress after all....

Apologies for the quality of this photo but the window wasn't the cleanest...but you can see the luxury accommodation stretching out into the ocean....Ahhh.....

I took quite a few photo's of all the different islands which shows the rebuilding after the tragic 2004 tsunami.

Can you believe it's been that long since that tragedy?

The water was an incredible cobalt blue which unfortunately this photo doesn't show. 

The Maldives nestle in the middle of the Indian Ocean....just paradise.

Here's my son after leaving the sea plane ready to embrace the island. 

Bring it on....

And here comes out island right on cue....

As soon as you land on the island life is stripped down to simplicity. You can kick off your shoes...quite literally and not put them back on until you're ready to leave the island.

They comb (yes comb) all the floors including the dining area. I've never felt such a relief at not having to pack all my eight pairs of holiday footwear (for all occasions because you never know if you need heels, flats, runners, etc etc) and I'm sure my OH gave a cheer to.

Approaching the beach.....and the welcoming party!

Again I apologise for the quality of this photo because I think I may have just brought the camera outside from the air conditioned room. It gives you the idea of what the beach was like...although this doesn't really do it justice.

Other than a leisurely wander around the whole island ~ which took about 40 mins at a really slow relaxed pace ~ there were other activities for the more active! Phew....I'll have another cocktail please and could you just pass me that book...it's just out of my reach!

Here are some of the local residents.....

I think he's hot footing it off to the restaurant....because the meals were unbelievable. 

One special thing that I remember other than all the wonderful food made available all day long...was after one meal I folded my napkin into a flower and left it on the table...our waiter from then on at every meal would have a different folded napkin waiting for us. I was amazed by how many different designs he could do. The elephant was extraordinary!

Here's another little chap that needs to book into the spa for a manicure/pedicure. 

I did and had a wonderful pampered afternoon. I think it was compulsory!?!?!

Here's a local that unfortunately washed ashore many years previously.

 Obviously there's diving and fishing which lets face it you have to try...those waters are unbelievable.

Here's lunch just coming aboard...

And I have to tell you on one night time fishing trip, I caught the largest fish of the whole crew...on a hand line!!! 

I've cropped this photo but yes it is me and that's MY fish. I have to admit I did need help hauling him in because the line cuts into your hand when you have a big dude like that on the end of it. 

Also I thought it best that you didn't see the sea monster up close and personal...after all we had been out on the boat a few hours in the sea breeze and it was a tough job hauling him onboard, so it's best I cropped myself off. I don't want to frighten the kids!

Talking of kids here's my son suffering our pre-dinner drinks but dinner is about to be served! 

No wonder he grew to six foot!

There's always something to focus on whilst lounging...it was tough but someone had to do it!

 

Unfortunately I think I hear the sea plane circling...so we better find our shoes and head back....

 

Maybe we will manage a trip to the Mauritius before winters over? 

Would you be free again? 

I hope so....it's more fun taking friends along!

I'll leave you in peace to watch the sun set....ahh...

Have a wonderful weekend ~ relax, have fun and smile :D

Confused...you will be?

So how did your holiday weekend go? I could tell you all about mine, but because I was so busy enjoying myself I didn't get around to taking any photos of all the goodies, meals, friends, and company so you'll just have to believe me. My visitor arrived safely and we're having fun so my posts may be sporadic for a time.
But I'm so confused at the moment but then I'm not alone....nature seems to be completely topsy tervy. Because I'm originally from the UK I have preconceived notions of what month depicts what kind of weather you can expect....not any more though. When arriving in Australia I obviously had to completely flip all my ideas over....spring came in September and not April, Christmas is during summer months, day was night on the other side of the world when calculating phone calls....so you get the idea, but all of that seems to be changing...at least in relation to the weather.
Last week we had temperatures up to nearly 30 degrees Celsius (for autumn) and this week the temperature has dropped...but last night we even had hail stones!
Is it any wonder that nature is confused....
On our walk last week I came across this tree which is obviously completely confused! Is it spring or autumn?

 

 I must dash...things to do...places to go...people to see....

Have a great day and whatever the weather in your part of the world I hope it's smiling :D

Weekend Shinannakins....

Muffin should be getting a little excited around now, but she actually doesn't know yet that she's going to spend the weekend with Zac.
Its a surprise! I've just started to round up some of her things and realise what a lot of stuff she needs, even for a few days. There's also her bed, coat and ball to include with this pile.

And here's my packing.....hmmm....you can see who has priority here.

By the way, I'm not staying with Zac - I'm heading off to New Zealand  : o)

I really do need to get on, so only a brief post today. I'll tell you all about the weekend soon.

Whatever you get up over the weekend....enjoy!

Pooches in Paradise

Muffin is in her element at the moment, due to Zac coming to stay for a holiday.
There's been high jinx, lots of playing, walks and a couple of fracas, which I suppose is to be expected when you're a Diva and used to having almost everything your way.

Straight after breakfast play started early this morning, but then I suppose you have to make the most of every minute.

Such fun trying to gain the upper hand....but what can you do with behaviour like this?

(Little Minx)

Then its off for the daily constitution...a good long walk with lots to see, sniff and squirt! But not necessarily in that order.
Wait for me....

Nothing goes unchecked...you just never know what's out there?

Then Muffy spots an ideal location for a sit and contemplation.

"Come on Zac join me and lets talk...."

Off again....

Freshly cut grass, sun, the great outdoors...ahh this is the life....come on Zac, leave that - this is sheer bliss

"Whoops I kind of got carried away....wait for me..."

And now for a quick snooze before the next episode of fun, or better still dinner.....

That is if she'll let me?

Australia Day

Its Australia Day here today.....
On Australia Day the nation comes together to celebrate what's great about Australia and being Australian. It's the day to reflect on what's been achieved and what Australian's can be proud of. Its the day for people to re-commit to making Australia an even better place for the future.

(Kangaroos belong to a group of marsupials called macropods, which means 'great footed animals'. Macropods have strong back legs with long feet. They hop on their back legs when travelling, using the muscular tail as a balance. Hopping in this way is an energy-efficient way of travelling long distances. Their front legs are small. When moving slowly, usually as they graze or to change position, the tail and front legs prop up the animal, and the back legs move forward.. this is called 'crawl walking'.
Kangaroos are good swimmers, and will sometimes escape a threat by going into water if it is nearby.
Kangaroos feed in the late afternoon and early morning, spending the day resting in shade. In hot weather they scrape the ground with their front paws and lie in the cooler earth they have exposed. Kangaroos do not sweat, so in the heat they lick their front paws and rub the moisture onto their chests to cool down).

(The koala gets its name from an ancient Aboriginal word meaning "no drink" because it receives over 90% of its hydration from the Eucalyptus leaves (also known as gum leaves) it eats, and only drinks when ill or times when there is not enough moisture in the leaves. ie during droughts etc.
The koala is the only mammal, other than the Greater Glider and Ringtail Possum, which can survive on a diet of eucalyptus leaves).

Australia Day, 26 January, is the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet of 11 convict ships from Great Britain, and the raising of the Union Jack at Sydney Cove by its commander Captain Arthur Phillip, in 1788.

(Echidnas also known as spiny anteaters, belong to the family Tachyglossidae in the monotreme order of egg-laying mammals )

Though 26 January marks this specific event, today Australia Day celebrations reflect contemporary Australia: the diverse society and landscape, remarkable achievements and bright future. It also is an opportunity to reflect on the nation's history, and to consider how to make Australia an even better place in future.

(Mitchell's Cockertoo - Cacatua leadbeateri. 35-40cm
One of the most beautiful Australian cockatoos, plumaged in delicate tints of pink and white with a display of fiery colour when the crest is raised; colour most effective in flight, showing pink underwings, or at landing, when the wings are lifted and the crest is spread to show the colour bands. Shallow, quick, erratic wingbeat action is interrupted by brief glides. Usually travels by brief low flights, often landing in trees to break the journey into shorter stages. In pairs, small family parties, rarely large flocks; at times intermingles with Galahs or Little Corellas).

On Australia Day, over half of the nation’s population of 21 million attend either an organised community event, or get together with family and friends with the intention of celebrating their national day. Many more spend the public holiday relaxing with family and friends.

(Tawny Frogmouth Scientific name: Podargus strigoides
An Australian variety of frogmouth, a type of bird found throughout the Australian mainland, Tasmania and southern New Guinea. The Tawny Frogmouth is often thought to be an owl but its neither an Owl or a Frogmouth, the Australian Owlet is in acutal fact a " Nightjar")

So whatever you are doing today.....have a great time.

(Kookaburras (genus Dacelo) are large to very large (total length 28–42 cm/11–17 in) terrestrial kingfishers native to Australia Kookaburras are best known for their unmistakable call, which sounds uncannily like loud, echoing human laughter — good-natured, but rather hysterical, merriment in the case of the renowned Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae); and maniacal cackling in the case of the slightly smaller Blue-winged Kookaburra (D. leachii). They are generally not closely associated with water, and can be found in habitats ranging from humid forest to arid savanna, but also in suburban and residential areas near running water and where food can be searched for easily).

I'm away to enjoy the day, and this evening we're off to the Australian Tennis Open!
How cool is that?

Girlie Getaway...

When I received an invitation to join my friend at her beach house at Point Leo, I couldn't resist. Before the guilt and excuses as to why I shouldn't go set in, I just packed a bag and set off.

The drive was perfect and it was so great to get out of the city to the open countryside.

As soon as I arrived my friend and another girlfriend were standing out to greet me. I was flattered that they were so excited to see me until I realised it wasn't just me arriving. They pointed up into the tree above my car and look who was there.....

Snoozing in the afternoon sun....a beautiful Koala.

Its the first time that I've seen one out in the wild.

There was also a kookaburra laughing nearby....what a welcome.

This was all within the first five minutes of arriving and was worth the drive alone....

Fantastic weather, beautiful beaches, clear cool water, good company - what more could you want?

With hindsight maybe I shouldn't have told you where this beach was situated.....

Muffin's Merry Christmas

I feel I have been neglecting my blog time recently, so I apologise, but with being up to my ears in pastry, pavlova, prawns and Christmas Puds to name but a few, then its not surprising.

So to help me out Muffin has stepped in with a little Christmas Greeting....

"Wishing you all a Sensational Christmas, Health, Wealth and Happiness with Family and Friends and Every Best Wish for the New Year".

I'll be back as and when I can or when inspiration strikes....