My view on 1st August 2013

Hello everyone...today I'm going to let the photo below speak for itself...

I promised I'd take a photo each month to show the changes of the view from the rear of the house.

It could be like watching paint dry, but I'm hoping that the weather, seasons plus the farmland crops will show just how changeable the landscape can be. 

So here's the 1st August entry...after most of the day being wrapped in a cloud which was so low we couldn't even see the other side of the field...it has finally lifted to reveal the blue sky above. 
It's been warm, wet and sunny over the last month so the grass has grown quite lush. 
The farmer has also been busy.

Currently I'm busy editing my castle wedding, so hopefully I'll be able to post that tomorrow. I was so near to posting it this afternoon, but suddenly it went whoosh...and disappeared. 

I can tell you the air was blue never mind the sky!!!

So what do you have for your view today?

I hope you have enjoyed both the view and the day. 

Chat again soon hopefully over a cuppa, kilts and a ceilidh 

(pronounced kay-lee,,,scottish country dancing) 

Melbourne to the UK...no problem for Muffty

Many of you have kindly been asking how Muffin got on with travelling from one side of the world to the other. Well let me tell you she did extremely well...thanks to Jet Pets.

The fact that it cost more to transport her than it has for us to ship our car across, has nothing to do with it! 

She's worth every penny and that's all there is to it! 

On the day of her departure from Melbourne, we had people all over the house...

...the air freight was being packed in one room and the furniture rental company where in another, so Muffin was having the time of her life meeting and mingling with everyone. 

Being the centre of attention is what she loves best! 

So when the Jet Pet man came through the door to collect her, she greeted him in her usual enthusiastic way. 

I ensured that I had all the paperwork organised and ready to hand over, explaining that if there was anything that needed to be done or said we'd best do it now, because I knew I'd be a complete mess when it came to handing her over. (AND I WAS)

I know some people will laugh at me saying she's just a dog...but believe me she's much more than just a dog to us. 

And so the time had come when she had to start her journey (deep breath)

She was completely oblivious as to what was about to happen...

Before she knew it...she was placed very kindly into her crate...but oh boy as you can see she wasn't happy! 

To say I was worried is an understatement...but having Jet Pets taking care of all the details, I needn't ...but then that would have been like asking me not to breathe!!! 

Their International network of offices and operation centres monitor every step of your pets journey, to and from anywhere on the planet!

Here's some of the features that their International service include: 

-  A dedicated International Pet Travel Consultant

-  Flight booking on the most direct flight to your destination

-  Comprehensive itinerary

-  Detailed information about your destinations quarantine and customs requirements

-  Boarding (if required)

-  Arranging an airline approved travel crate – including free Jetpets Stay Dry Fleece

-  Expert pet travel advice about any vaccinations your pet may require

-  Jetpets Veterinary home visit to provide necessary vaccinations (Melbourne & Sydney)

-  Collection in a Jetpets Animal Transport Vehicle (if required)

-  Access to Jetpets Transit Lounge (pre flight)

-  Health check by Jetpets Veterinarian pre flight (Melbourne & Sydney)

-  Pet priority check-in at airport

-  Delivery of your pet(s) in a Jetpets Animal Transport Vehicle (if required)

-  Convenient payment over the phone

-  24 hour, 7 days a week, 365 days a year customer service

We actually arrived in the UK the day before Muffin, but that was all part of the plan...I wanted to be there when she was delivered. 

I won't tell you how many times I checked the driveway for her arrival. 

You probably wouldn't believe me anyway! 

Finally the van chauffeur driven limo arrived...and I was like a whippet out of the traps ^..^

Oh it was so brilliant to see and hear her! 

She heard my voice and wanted OUT!!!

We were actually staying at my sister's house for that first week of our return home and she has a fantastic garden which Muffin immediately enjoyed...stretching her legs.

Here's Muffin taking it all in...her first few hours in the UK. 

She landed at 5.30am and was with us by 3pm after going through all the checks and procedures. 

You would never know that she had done that journey...and possibly had a little holiday romance along the way. Apparently I believe there had been a little Jack Russell who had accompanied her on the same flight! 

I'm saying nothing just in case Zac reads this post...he'd be terribly upset. 

Thankfully I'd also organised to pack some of the Aussie sunshine into our freight which made the transition that much easier. 

We had an overnight stay in Edinburgh at my daughters on the way up...which reinforced our suspicion that Muffin and cats wouldn't get on. My daughter has two (one being a rag-doll which is twice the size of Muffy) but thankfully we were able to keep them separate by the glass lounge door! 

There was spitting, arched backs and yelping but all safely from a distance. 

And so finally one week and 12,000 miles later we finally arrived home.

Here's Mufftypup on her new look out post! 

The trouble is we are on a country lane so there's not a lot happening for most of the time.

Shh...let's not disillusion her.

But look at the off leash park! :D
Can you spot her? 

I'm rather nervous about foxes, buzzards and all the other beasties, but it's great to see her enjoying the freedom. 

She was very adventurous to begin with...especially once she was on a scent! 

It's amazing just how deaf she can be if she's on a trail...forget all the training...she's oblivious.

It didn't help to alleviate my concerns when we first arrived that there were three dead rabbits dotted around the garden. Something appears to like furry little things! 

Ahh...life's good :D

Ahh...my own tree...now that's special! 

Not sure about so many things...the latest is the busy bees visiting the clover flowers 

(yes I know we need to cut the grass, but we've been knee deep in packing boxes...we'll get there)

We've now started training in 'how NOT to eat a bee'

This could take some time...

So we'll leave Muffy here enjoying the sun going down...

Finally I thought I'd post this view of a bee visiting the Delphinium in the garden. 

I actually planted them before we left the house all those years ago. 

It seems strange to see them all grown up! 

Just before I go...I'd just like to thank everyone who nipped across to see 'Little Wandering Wren's' Blog.   

I hope you have a great week.

Enjoy!

Little Wandering Wren....to the rescue

Good Morning to you all...

(or whatever time of day or night that it happens to be with you right now)

As you can imagine life has been pretty hectic over the last three weeks...so much so that I've actually lost nearly 3 kilos! 

Not misplaced like an overnight bag (containing crucial anti-wrinkle cream) or my favourite wok, which hasn't turned up yet, but really lost! 

To move half way across the planet isn't the best weight loss programme I have to say, because in fact it can work out pretty expensive per kilo but it does work! 

So before I carry on with my current adventures and get you up to speed on everything that's going on here...

I have something very important that I want to share with you. 

I realise that quite a few of my visitors enjoyed keeping up to date with what was happening in and around Melbourne...or just Australia in general and so guess what? 

I've got my stand-in or should I say my replacement ready and waiting for you.

It's Little Wandering Wren

(photo thanks to Google Earth)

Jenny Wren has been a keen follower of my blog for quite some time and so when she decided she'd like to join our merry band out here in blog-land, I couldn't resist helping her get started. 
We shared some quality time together over copious amounts of tea and snackets (it's compulsory when creating as you know) whilst I blindly led her through what I'd managed to pick up along the way.
It was a sheer delight to see her excitement when slowly each piece of her blog came to life.
Remember those days? 

Little Wandering Wren (as her name describes) has traveled extensively and would love for you to join her on her travels and adventures. She's a Brit too so what more can I say...we could be from the same egg! 

She wrote an amazingly clever post upon my departure and even managed to capture some of your blogs within the tribute...so go on make her day and pop across to see what's happening in her neck of the woods. 
I know you're going to love visiting plus she's promised to pop the kettle on for anyone who stops by... 
I'm sure she'd be even more thrilled if you just let her know that you've been there by leaving a quick message. Thank you for your support...I knew I could rely on you lovely lot :D

I'm going to be back up and running here from Monday...thank goodness we'll have full internet access from then.
Muffy has lots she'd like to tell you about and I've been clicking my camera like a mad woman!
Plus we had a fabulous day at the fairy tale wedding in the castle. 

The weather's been fantastic even though it was expensive to freight across...everyone has been very appreciative so it was well worth it!  
I can't wait to share it all with you...so come back soon

Enjoy your day and make the most of every minute...its a gift! 
xoxo

Is there anybody out there....?

Hellooooo....remember me?

How you doing? It's great to see you again....

It's been so long since we chatted but as you may or may not know I've been living in another dimension. 

Hopefully after this weekend I'll be back on some sort of even keel. 

Well that's the plan anyway.

So basically just a quick update today...

We packed up and left Melbourne...arrived to the wonderful meet and greet from our family for a week...then on to our daughter for an overnight stay before finally arriving home (wow that sounds very surreal) 

Literally upon our arrival the 40ft container of furniture arrived on the driveway...although that's not strictly true. It couldn't make it onto the driveway so had to park up further down the lane and unload to a smaller van for that final leg of the journey. What a drama but that's for another day.

We are currently living in a sea of packing boxes which by some strange phenomenon hasn't diminished in anyway...or that's how it seems even though we've been working from dawn to dusk. 

260 boxes in total...argh...where and when did I get all this stuff. 

And to think I thought I'd downsized too!

But like most things in life there's always something to make you stop and be thankful for admist all the chaos and here's a peek at what I saw from my back window on our first day...

Yes...that is blue sky and I promise I haven't used photo shop. In fact everyday since we've arrived back in 'Good Old Blightly' the weather has been fantastic. 

I hope you're sitting down when I tell you that it even reached 30 degrees celsius one day! 

And so our first day back reacquainting ourselves with our home comes to a close...it's been an exhausting day but a good one.

I think this view might be a regular feature on my posts as the weather and seasons change...

Anyway this is a quick post this morning because today we are off to a fairy tale wedding in a Scottish castle. 

I would just like to say thank you to everyone for all our kind wishes and comments. It's been lovely to know that you are there, but I just couldn't manage to reply. 

But I hope to rectify that soon. 

In the meantime take care and I hope to see you again soon...I've got so much to show and chat about.

Toodleloo for now 

Farewell Melbourne...its been great knowing you...

I couldn't nip off without putting a quick post out to you first, but I have to emphasis that it really is a quickie!

I'm just waiting for the car to take us off to the airport! 

I wrote a great post last night and whilst I was finishing it off....it went whoosh somewhere and disappeared so I'll have to redo that one once I arrive back in the UK. It was 1.30am so I had to stop. 

It was SO annoying!

Anyway we've had our last night in Melbourne and there's no more sleeps to go (sob sob) 

so it's talleyho and away we go!

I've been sent photographic evidence by my daughter that the weather over there in the UK has taken a turn for the better. 

The sun is out! Yay! 

That's unless my daughter has used photoshop for her pics ;D

But I'm really so sad to be leaving Melbourne...we've had a fantastic five years! 

Thank you everyone for everything!

(Flinders Street Station)

I'll be revisiting Melbourne again because I've still got gazillions of photos to share with you.

Thanks again Melbourne...it's been great knowing you and who knows we may be back!

Never say never eh?

Au revoir for now

I'll catch up with you when I've clicked my glitzy red heels and arrive home!

In the meantime take care everyone 

xoxo

Whisked away for the Weekend...

It wasn't on my list to go away for a weekend so near to our departure from Melbourne, but apparently my hubby had other ideas....so with very little warning and before I thought up all the reasons why we shouldn't go...we hit the road!

We headed towards Alexandra...which is located near the Goulburn River between Yea and Eildon and surrounded by rich pastoral land, mountains and forests.
The trees en-route were spectacular and reminded me of a cathedral which is fitting as we were heading towards the Cathedral Ranges.

We arrived at Stonelea Country Estate...see here for details.

We certainly felt the difference in the temperature and woke on our first morning to frost!
It's been many years since I've seen frost twinkling in sunlight on the plants, so I had to stop off on our way to breakfast to capture this shot. 

I began to think that this weekend was a gently nudge towards our imminent arrival in the UK and although I know it's not that cold thankfully there at the moment, it just gave us a gentle reminder as to what we might expect. Hopefully once we've experienced the summer first!

Maybe with the Aussie winter temperatures that's why we discovered a new friend...
Mr Wood Burner and we became rather attached to him! 

Gorgeous red gum wood roasting away to keep any chills at bay...a glass of red and cosy toes are just a great way to have the day come to a close. In fact it was just perfect to load up the stove and then let it carry on burning as we drifted off to snoozeyland. Its glow lighting the room with dancing shadows all around. A fantastic way to finish off after a brilliant day out exploring, in the crisp, fresh, winter sun filled countryside!  

Talking of which...look what we found....

Can you guess what made these footprints?

Here's the culprit below....or maybe one of its mob.

I think the one that left this mark must have been a big dude because I measured 17 of my footsteps (toe to heel) from one print to the next. You try that and see what distances these critters can hop in one go. 

I never realised....it's quite a shock!

Yes...they spotted me from quite away off...but still let me approach to take their photo.

But unfortunately I wasn't always quick enough with my camera. 

We did see some brilliant things and on one of our cycle rides we came across this hideaway!

Let's go in a little nearer shall we?
Hellooooooooo is there anybody there?

Looking at all the evidence around we came to the conclusion that it wasn't where Alice in Wonderland had her adventure...but probably a wombats abode. Now if you're like me you wouldn't have appreciated that wombat's can reach quite a size. This hole could well have hidden a small child. I suppose I should have stood nearby so that you could appreciate just how big it was...there is also a lot of evidence that this creature doesn't like to stray far from the nest in this weather even for the call of nature!
We had to watch our step very carefully! 

This photo was thalen of the lake that was virtually 20 steps from our country cottage....as the sun began to say farewell for the day. There are masses of birds here and I have even seen tiny finches which really were a treat along with huge flocks of cockatoos, kookaburras, galah parrots, sparrowhawks, water fowl, wrens, blackbirds....you name it ...the list goes on and on....

It's such a peaceful place here...it's a real break from all the madness.

The only trouble is that I don't want to leave because I know that this last week is going to be really tough!

But there's nothing for it...it's got to be done...

I'll just have to keep that kettle boiling...a good cuppa always helps don't you think?

When we are off exploring we like nothing better than a pit stop for a cuppa and sugar boost...

Ahhh.....

Now where was I....oh yes walking around the lake...

This is the view right outside of our cottage and there are lots of birds even in this photo, but they are well disguised...and very camera shy. 

I thought the tree below was fascinating...it looks like it has tattoo's don't you think?

Or could it be a zentangle? 

It certainly caught my attention but then you know how much I love trees!

We had a fabulous meal in a place called  Tea Rooms of Yarck. 

I'm not sure of the origin of the name, but really this is a very good restaurant and not just a tea room as the name suggests! It's more an Italian restaurant. Their cuisine is based on provincial Italian food with a focus on seasonal local and home-grown produce.

I had the most divine beef cheeks (apologies to any vegetarians reading this...but what can I say...I'm a meatetarian!) and my hubby had the trout. 

Of course we also had entrees, starters, and desserts plus tea and coffee. 

(Oops and a glass of wine) 
Oh there goes my waistband again!  :(

We couldn't fault the meal so if you're ever in the area give them a call and try it for yourself. 
Here's the details...click here

They also sell products and apparently their homemade bread is something rather special. 

Unfortunately for us the bread basket was empty!

That's just a snippet of the weekend's activities but I thought I'd just have a quick natter as once I arrive back home I've no idea what this next week will bring...

But before I sign off I thought I'd let you see what the car was reading on the drive back from the restaurant. 

If you look right at the centre of the dials...it shows the reading of 0⁰ celcius!

I didn't even know that this car could register that low...as it's never been out of Australia! 

So it's toodleloo from me...until next time.

I hope you had a fabulous weekend too and are ready for a fun pack week ahead. 

Bye for now and thanks for stopping by...I'm always thrilled to see you.

p.s. I know I haven't visited anyone since I said I would, but then I wasn't aware I was going away for the weekend. 

Will you forgive me?
I don't have a Doctor's note, but it was our wedding anniversary after all! 

Art Journaling Giveaway Prize arrives....whoohoo..

I've a confession today everyone...I've been very naughty! 

What have I been up to you may wonder? 

Well, I received a wonderful package that arrived in the post...all the way from America last week and I never got to thank two special people who instigated its arrival.

Firstly, Dion Dior who if you don't know her already is an amazingly talented artist that just blows me away with her incredible art every time I look at her work. She paints fantastic vibrant colours which remind me a little of my silk painting days.
Dion's creative blog specializes in art journaling, watercolour, acrylic and water soluble medium workshops, tutorials and online classes. There's something for everyone...trust me you will not be disappointed if you visit her blog. I'm wanting to join her online mastering twinks class but unfortunately it's crazy here with our move back to the UK, so I think I'll have to wait until I'm settled in my new studio before I start. 
But you could enroll and possibly win fantastic prizes too!
All you have to do is enroll for her class but you'll have to be quick because the enrollment closes at the end of June! 
Dion is a fantastic teacher and is so inspiring...just click on one of her tutorials to see her at work. 

Anyway, back to my prize package....
Once again Dion very generously had a giveaway and I was the lucky winner! YAY!
Here's the link if you want to read about the giveaway details.

My prize was a fabulous DVD from Gina Rossi Armfield.
'The No Excuses Approach to mixed-media collage.

I love the No Excuses Approach from Gina because that's just what I need...no excuses just do it!

If you would like to see Gina at work then click here  

If you don't know Gina then here's a little information:

Gina Rossi Armfield is a painter, photographer, wife and mother.  She lives in Southern California with her husband, Mark, two sons, Grayson and Payton, and a herd of furry critters. Gina started painting when she was six years old and was lucky enough to find many mentors along the way that encouraged her to pursue her talents. She grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and in addition to painting spent most of her time riding and showing horses. A passion for the four leggeds endures to this day and can be seen in much of her work. Gina received her degrees in Fine Art as well as Education. She has taught people of all ages and continues to enrich her life by sharing her gifts with others. She has always had an interest in combining her love of photography and the written word with painting–exploring this aspect in all facets of her work. Gina can be found teaching around the country and through her online workshops. You can find her on her website www.ginarossiarmfield.com and her art blog noexcusesjournaling.com.

Thank you so much Gina for my prize but also for your time and talent which you so generously pass on to aspiring artists. 

Check out Gina talking in an interview plus watch her work here.

I know I'm going to have such fun when I can use some of her techniques and advice...I can't wait. 

My mojo hasn't disappeared as I feared...he's just collecting ideas for when he can be unleashed! 

At least with having all of these projects lining up waiting....my move to the UK looks better and better. 

Roll on getting my new studio up and running asap...I can't wait! 

Enjoy seeing these artists at work and I hope to see you again soon.

Thanks again Gina and Dion I'm just sorry it took me so long to thank you both.

 

xoxo

What's on Your Work Desk Wednesday...WOYWW

I'm just nipping in quickly today to show a break down of my Mandala.

I've been asked could I show how it came about and I'm not one to disappoint...

...so here it is....

I simply started with a book (which is a constant in my life since I first started to read) and then I added patterns and shapes as I progressed outwards to make the circle. 

In the close up picture you can see (hopefully) some of the things that are important to me or things that I like. It's as simple as that.

I completed the whole thing in three sessions (or was it four)...not only to give my eyes a rest but to think about what should be added.

I should explain that the 'neesie natters' isn't actually written on the original design (other than on the little laptop in the mandala).

I added that before posting. 

And here's the finished design. 

There are about 40+ items contained within...can you count them all? 
I made some cards with the design to accompany leaving pressies and they were well received.

As you can imagine things are pretty hectic around here at the moment, with moving from one part of the planet to the other...plus my hubby had 'man flu' over the weekend and has kindly passed it to me! 

Maybe I should have been more sympathetic! It's now come back to bite me :(
Oops nearly forgot to show my desk...or should that read dining table!
Yes I'm back into the dining room again...or sort of...as you can see there's not much here. 
Just the rental table and chairs as our furniture has just passed through the Suez Canal on its way to the UK.
The few bits that are sitting on the window ledge are my entire art supplies for now. 
Is it any wonder that my mojo has decided to take a break! 

 Sparse looking isn't it? 
Hey...but see that sun and light? That's winter peeps I kid you not!
Not bad eh? 

Anyway before I pass on any germs to you, maybe you should scoot and check out what's going on over at Julia's Stamping Ground and see more desks that hopefully won't be full of germs. 
It's a lot of fun and everyone is so friendly and supportive.  

I'll try to visit as many people as I can this week without passing on my germs but I'm not promising.   

Have fun everyone and enjoy your Wednesday! 

A Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY ~ Friday 14th June 2013

Outside my window...thankfully it looks so much better outside my window today than it did yesterday. If I'd have sneaked enough time to write my Day book yesterday, then I'd have been very negative because it was a complete washout! Dark and wet...in fact you'd possibly have thought that I'd already moved back to the UK! 

Thankfully the three days of virtual none stop rain seem to have emptied the clouds for now, although they are still hanging around. There is the odd little peek of sun but it's rather weak. 

The swimming pool is looking exceedingly full and I'm just wondering what will happen if we get more rain...eek! The grape vine is stripped of all its leaves and now looking very bare but the main stem always appeals to me...it's so twisted and full of character. 

I've found a few stray strawberries that were hiding on the plant which I have to say were a total surprise. I thought they'd be finished by now. But I don't think these few brave beauties will ripen...it would be a miracle if they do...but never say never! 

The wisteria is completely naked now which is quite sad as I've had to clear every last leaf but won't have the pleasure of seeing it bloom again! But I've just remembered that I have a wisteria waiting for me back in the UK and so I'll have that to look forward to so all is not lost! 

My orchids have been adopted and are settling into their new home. I know they will be very happy. Their new owner doesn't even know how spectacular they are or even what colour. So that will be a real treat. ;D

There's one last rose of summer sitting looking so pretty. It's a gorgeous yellow and the perfume is incredible and wafts as people come to the door. I'm so tempted to cut this last one and bring it in the house to enjoy. So far I've resisted but I don't think that'll last. It's like a burst of sunlight.

I am thinking...that I really have been a bad blogger recently because I haven't visited many other blogs. It's not that I don't want to...in fact I'm bothered what I maybe missing. Okay yes I know...I'm nosy and don't want to miss anything. But I find once you miss a few posts from your favourite bloggers it's really quite a task to play catch up! But if nothing else I'm determined, so I'll strive to pop into a comment box near you soon...I just ask that you be patient with me. It really is quite a task to move from one part of the planet to the other and unfortunately time gets swallowed up in huge chunks! 

I am thankful...for such much that it really is too hard a task to just pinpoint one....so today I'm not going to. I am an incredibly privileged and lucky person...but don't get me wrong, I don't take that lightly. Sometimes I don't feel it but it only takes a few seconds to be reminded. There is so much to be thankful and I intend to keep reminding myself of even the smallest thing daily! ;D 
Just to prove my point as I've been sitting here chatting with you...this has happened...life's full of surprises.

No matter what is going on in your life...it may not be going where you thought it might...but there's always something to be thankful for. Just take the time to appreciate it. 

In the kitchen...there's a gorgeous pan of homemade soup warming. My hubby has 'man flu' at the moment so I'm suffering! Yes you read that right...I'm suffering! There's nothing like a good homemade chicken and veggie soup to warm the cockles of your heart when you're not feeling 100%. 

The cupboards are getting slimmer (pity I'm not!) as I try to work my way through my store cupboard. I think a few friends might be getting odd provision pressies soon. 

I am wearing...no thermals. LOL but that's because the heating is gently wafting through the house. Starting at my feet I'm wearing trainers (only because I nipped out earlier and just haven't got around to taking them off yet ~ naughty I know but hey who cares?) Jean's and a long-sleeved t-shirt under a white cotton jumper. There's a white, blue and black patterned pashmina cuddling my neck just in case I feel the heating isn't sufficient enough ;D

I am creating...nothing at the moment. I think my creative juices have dried up for this week which isn't surprising with what's been happening here. It's been rather hectic as we enter the last few weeks of our Aussie life, but I'm hoping that my mojo hasn't abandon me but just taking a little break. 

I am going...to get fat with the way I'm eating at the moment. Seriously with so many meals and lovely leaving events lately my waistband feels in serious threat of pinging! And there's still so many more to go...I'm seriously clocking up the calories! 

I am wondering...who opened that new bar of chocolate in the fridge? I think we may have a serious choco-goblin that visits at night! It wouldn't be me would it? Not with all of those calories lining up (as she pops yet another square into her mouth....Mmmm)! 

I'm reading...The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

(Details taken from Booktopia)

Don Tillman, professor of genetics, has never been on a second date. Then a chance encounter gives him an idea. He will design a questionnaire—a sixteen-page, scientifically researched document—to find the perfect partner. She will most definitely not be a barmaid, a smoker, a drinker or a late-arriver. 

Rosie Jarman is all these things. She is strangely beguiling, fiery and intelligent. And she is also on a quest of her own. She’s looking for her biological father, a search that a certain DNA expert might just be able to help her with—even if he does wear quick-dry clothes and eat lobster every single Tuesday night. 

When rights to a debut novel are sold in more than thirty countries, you know a book is generating serious buzz. I am glad to say that this feel-good debut delivers what the hype promises.

I'm really enjoying reading this charming and amusing book and recommend it.

About the Author:

Graeme Simsion was born in 1956. He is an IT consultant and data analyst with an international reputation. He has taught at four Australian universities and is currently a Senior Research Fellow at Melbourne University. He is a founder of Pinot Now, a wine importer and distributor, and is married to Anne, a professor of psychiatry who writes erotic fiction. They have two children. 

In 2007, Graeme completed his PhD in information systems and enrolled in the professional screenwriting course at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. He has made a number of short films and his screenplay, The Rosie Project, won the Australian Writers Guild / Inception Award for Best Romantic Comedy Script in 2010. While waiting for The Rosie Project to be produced, he turned it into a novel which in June 2012 won the Victorian Premier’s award for an unpublished fiction manuscript.
Readers of The Rosie Project will know that Graeme Simsion has a first-class sense of humour. At professional conferences he has given addresses from on top of a ladder, dressed as a duck, and he once engaged a group of spellbound chartered accountants in community singing.

I am hoping...you didn't see me nip back to the fridge for a few more squares of choccy! ;D

I am looking forward to...starting a whole new veggie plot with raised beds in my new garden. I think I might be up with a fight to keep the wildlife away from my produce but hopefully I'll be able to grow enough that we can share...I'm keeping my options open. My hubby is suggesting I get a rabbit recipe on hand but I don't think  I like that thought! I'm thinking that Muffy won't be much good as a guard dog but you never know. She may think it's a whole new circle of friends! ^..^

Around the house...All ship-shape Sir! Even though we aren't open for a house inspection this weekend. With having so little of our furniture and belongs with us now, it's easy to keep clean and tidy. My hubby is getting into this minimalism but I'm afraid I like all my belongs. I can't wait to be re-antiqued with them all.

A favourite quote for today...(an image courtesy of Google Quote of the Day)

One of my favourite things...obviously chocolate by the look of this post but I've mentioned that before possible numerous times so I'll say something new...if only I could think of something...mmmm...

I love to hear the wind and rain lashing and bashing the house when I can snuggle further down under the duvet (dunna) where it's all cosy and snug. It's probably just as well because come next winter that may well be how I will spend most of my days LOL 

I'm looking up how to survive hibernation...well I'm doing well on storing up with the excess fat already, so I'm half-way there already! 

    

A few plans for the rest of the week: Well thankfully we're just heading into the weekend. But I don't think they'll be much resting time...we're trying to make the most of each day until we leave :D 

A peek into my day...well maybe that should read a peek into last night. 

This photo was taken as the seafood bomb arrived at our table.  

But then there was so much more....

 So that's it for this week; I hope you enjoyed your visit and if it's your first time reading my day book entry, I hope you enjoyed it.

Don't forget to pop over to The Simple Woman's Daybook and check out the other day book entries.

 I hope to see you again soon...Have a wonderful weekend.

Have fun and hopefully the sun will shine!!!