Bridie and Steve hit the road

Snow and ice

2012-02-06T09:44:00.004Z

Well it snowed in London - and probably our last snow in 'ol blighty before we head home.

Steve and Elly headed off to the park to enjoy some fun in the snow - Elly even has a colour coordinated coat and sled!

Then of course there was the obligatory snowman....

I headed off to the National Gallery for the final day of the Leondardo Da Vinci exhibition that everyone has been talking about (it was fab) and couldn't help but notice another snowman....

And then there were the fountains in Trafalgar Square...not quite defrosted.

Day 10 - half baked

2012-02-06T07:56:00.005Z

Well it's the big day. Time for Herman the baked friendship cake to be unveiled.

Mixing, mixing, tasting, mixing...

And here he is in all his lovely cinnamony loveliness.

And then we got to eat him!

The other Herman's are off new homes to start their own journeys.

Day 9 - more feeding and some division

2012-02-04T17:52:00.002Z

Well, it's time for Herman's final feed of flour, sugar and milk.

Then a good stir.

Followed by dividing in four. We keep one and make a cake with it tomorrow and we'll pass in the other three to friends so they can grow their own Hermans.

Herman - Day 8

2012-02-03T21:21:00.001Z

While Bridie is out at the opera, Elly and daddy stir Herman.

Herman - day 7

2012-02-03T08:50:00.007Z

Well Herman is still growing and we continue to whip him into shape.

It's been a wee bit cold here which explains why Elly is still wearing her hat!

Day 6 - growth spurt!

2012-02-02T12:15:00.002Z

Herman had grown so big he was touching the towel.

Elly soon whipped him back into shape.

Day 5 - Herman is growing

2012-01-31T21:10:00.001Z

After his big feed yesterday and a good stir today, Herman is definitely getting bigger!

Elly - feeding Herman the German friendship cake

2012-01-30T23:01:00.001Z

Herman - Day 4: feeding time

2012-01-30T22:35:00.003Z

It's time to feed Herman and the whole family got into the act.

Getting ready to feed with flour, sugar and milk.

Elly giving Herman a good stir

A little help from Daddy

Herman - day 3

2012-01-30T10:42:00.001Z

Bubbly again and another stir.

Herman -the German friendship cake

2012-01-29T11:50:00.001Z

A friend of mine at work gave me Herman, a German friendship cake. It's a sourdough cake. You are given, the 'starter', and then like sourdough you feed it and stir it until it grows and then you divide it and give portions to friends. You cook your remaining portion into a cake. It's like a chain letter with cake!

Day 1 - put Herman in a bowl

Day 2 - Herman is all bubbly - give him a stir

More updates to come.

Flying back from Paris

2012-01-23T19:51:00.000Z

On our return flight from Paris, Elly was lucky enough to go on the flight deck and talk to the captain. She scored postcards of planes and even a sticker saying "I have been on the flight deck". But she was too shy to sit on the captain's chair (though Bridie would have loved to take her place).

Pyramids of Louvre

2012-01-21T10:51:00.000Z

Elly is trying to reach the inner power of the pyramid. By touching the ends, sliding down, and giggling a lot.

Dan Brown would be proud.

Elly the unicorn!

2010-10-31T14:57:00.000Z

Halloween brings many things. Witches, Warlocks and kids knocking on the door for a sugar fix. But this year we had a unicorn come and visit

Google streetview of our old flat in Galway!

2010-10-01T20:41:00.001Z

Google streetview now does Ireland. After a quick search we found our old flat in Galway - looking exactly the same as we had left it.

View Larger Map

Muppet name etymology

2010-09-02T21:15:00.000Z

see more Funny Graphs

We're in Pompeii

2010-08-28T22:51:00.002Z

And we're walking. While one of the few things the Romans did for us was roads, they didn't really do nice smooth roads. Or smooth footpaths for that matter. And so here we are walking.... without our pram.

When the day was 36 degrees, with a hot sun beating down, father and daughter became worried about sunburn. And since there aren't many roofs left in Pompeii after the volcano, then the best we could hope for was standing in the shadow of tall walls.

While mum flitted around snapping photos, we had to dash from one shadow to another to keep cool. Which involved dad carrying both 4 kg of water + 12kg of wriggly tired child. And you can see from the photo above how successful we were at keeping Elly's hat on.

My poor widdle finger!

2010-08-07T07:37:00.000Z

It turns out stoves are hot as Elly learnt today. She now has a little burn on her finger, but it's not too bad and hasn't stopped her from enjoying her breakfast.

I can play the piano now...move over Mozart!

2010-08-06T14:41:00.000Z

Elly and Thomas the Tank Engine

2010-07-06T14:44:00.000Z

Fathers day

2010-06-20T19:46:00.000Z

I got a cute present today.
And this glass is definitely half full.

Happiness of cat over time

2010-05-25T21:02:00.003Z

see more Funny Graphs

I can drive now!

2010-05-14T19:08:00.001Z

Spring! And Elly is in the park

2010-04-01T21:40:00.003Z

We took Elly and her little pram to the local park for a bit of a run-around. So young and she already has the urge to follow the ice cream van.

At the Parthenon

2010-03-15T21:29:00.000Z

After climbing the steps and carrying Elly all the way, we managed to talk some lovely Japanese tourists into taking a photo for us. Unfortunately Elly wasn't so keen on the photo...

Overall we were very impressed with the Parthenon and the new museum. Ironically the museum is finished and the Parthenon is still being rebuilt, but there you go. Bridie was so impressed that she has changed her stance on the Parthenon Marbles - they should go back home.

We're now planning a trip to the British Museum. Steve will need to keep an eye on Bridie just in case she starts dragging large and heavy bags out of the museum.

Of course the fun part was climbing down again, while Elly slept on daddy's shoulder.

On the plane to Athens

2010-03-13T15:46:00.000Z

How gorgeous!

2010-03-11T11:08:00.000Z

Chicken Girl

2010-03-07T19:10:00.002Z

Here is a cute photo taken at Elly's nursery.
You can see a mixture of impatience for being forced to wear a hat, while enjoying posing for the camera.

Elly drawing

2010-01-24T22:42:00.003Z

Elly the musician

2010-01-24T12:38:00.001Z

Elly learns that Xylophones are for music and crayons are for pictures

Outside Elly's window

2010-01-13T16:19:00.001Z

Fun in the snow

2010-01-13T15:59:00.000Z

Merry Christmas

2009-12-21T09:47:00.001Z

and a Happy New Year.

Love from us.

xxx

Waiting in the queue for Santa

2009-12-19T09:46:00.000Z

Sunset at the Tate Modern

2009-12-12T09:45:00.002Z

Elly cruising to the fridge

2009-12-03T11:30:00.000Z

Look who's close to walking by herself!

Look what Mummy made

2009-11-29T09:45:00.000Z

Not me....the hat! Mummy did a crochet course recently and has been having some fun with what she can now do!

Look what I made

2009-11-15T19:20:00.000Z

Elly celebrated her birthday with her UK friends today (somewhat
belated) and I made her a Dolly Varden (or for some, a Barbie) cake.

She had a lovely day and more photos will follow.

Having a swinging good time!

2009-10-08T14:59:00.000Z

Cheeky!

2009-08-04T18:17:00.001Z

Hospital incident #3

2009-07-12T13:56:00.003Z

This is now my third rollerblading incident.

The first two were in Australia a long long time ago (ie. before getting married). The first was a literal head-on collision with a fellow skater, breaking my cheek bone, and the second was a manhole cover that caused an abrupt stop and a ripped-up elbow. And each time we skated off to Melbourne's finest trauma hospital, the Alfred Hospital for a patchup. We were hard-core back then.

But now I'm older, though apparently not wiser. Should I still be doing this?

Friday night and I was out skating with the London Friday Night Skate team. Perhaps 10 meters short of the final junction I took the right side of the road to get to the front of the stationary traffic. Not sure how, but I ended up on the median strip where little round stones are embedded in the concrete. I landed on my right arm and one of the stones opened up a fairly big hole, perhaps the size of a 50 pence (or 50 cent) piece. Couldn't really see the wound that well due to the angle, but I could see underlying muscle... and blood, though not that much (dripping rather than spurting)

Hmmm... time for hospital and stitches again. Damn.

Our first aid team decided that I wasn't worth cleaning up, and did a fantastic job of wrapping me up instead. They (rightly) refused to let me skate to St Thomas' hospital, and got me into a reluctant taxi instead - for some reason he didn't want blood everywhere. Neither did I - I also preferred it to stay inside me.

Seven hours of NHS sponsored waiting later and I emerged - 9 stitches and an armful of bandage. Whilst on the 5:30am train home, I realised the really painful part was still yet to come - explaining it to Elly that daddy can't lift her or bathe her. And explaining to mummy just how dangerous skating can be...

Having lunch at the Teddy Bear's picnic

2009-07-01T11:18:00.001Z

In the play pool

2009-06-30T17:35:00.001Z

It's 30 degrees outside and Elly loves her play pool.

Waiting for the train with Daddy

2009-06-28T11:38:00.000Z

Playing in the park

2009-06-27T14:15:00.001Z

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T20:49:00.001Z

Father's day in the UK is in June - that means Steve will be celebrating the Aussie Father's Day while we're in Oz.

There are Wombles on Wimbledon Common

2009-06-21T18:44:00.002Z

After seven years of searching we finally found a Womble on Wimbledon Common.

Uncle Bulgaria (pictured with Elly and Steve) came out of his hole for the annual Wimbledon Village summer fair this year. Naturally we had to stop and grab a photo.

...having a ball

2009-06-02T17:00:00.001Z

Having fun at Gymboree

2009-05-28T19:48:00.004Z

Glastonbury

2009-05-24T20:20:00.000Z

It was May Bank Holiday weekend and we packed up the family (our first trip) and headed off to the West Country to check out the home of everything new age, the heart of mystical Britain and where unicorns abound - Glastonbury.

In the middle of town there is an oasis of green hidden behind medieval gates - Glastonbury Abbey; now only ruins, the grounds were alive with tourists from all over the world wandering through amazing structures that merely hint at the grandeur that used to create awe and inspire people throughout hundreds of years.

Also on the grounds, though destroyed/mislaid during the dissolution of the Abbey, the reputed graves of King Arthur and Queen Gwenhwyfar.

Also in Glastonbury, on the way to the Tor is Chalice Well - a small garden paradise that surrounds an ancient well - we drank deep of the cool waters (it was a warm day) and bathed our feet in the healing pool.

And finally the Tor - we staggered up to the bottom of the Tor - there was no pram access, so we had to take turns climbing it. It's a long way up.

But we made it...

...and what a view!

On Glastonbury Tor...

2009-05-24T20:18:00.004Z

...in a field of buttercups.
And wearing a cape...

Elly's new travel cot/tent???

2009-05-23T20:11:00.003Z

We bought a new travel cot for Elly that looks a little like a tent - very cool and very comfortable! Though not sound-proof.

Pub meal

2009-05-23T19:51:00.001Z

Elly enjoyed a lovely pub meal at The Star Inn (near Newbury) on the way to Somerset.

...the best baby in the world

2009-05-20T19:59:00.002Z

Probably?

Someone is sitting up

2009-05-18T20:01:00.003Z

...and she has her first tooth!

Bacon Vodka

2009-05-03T21:26:00.003Z

In these days of swine-flu frenzy, it probably inappropriate to post links to various Bacon Vodka web pages.

This appears to be a legitimate product: Bakon Vodka

But these are home made versions: here, here and here

Is it wrong?
Does joining two good things make a super good thing?
(Actually we already have an answer to that: No, as proven by the creation of the Nachos Margarita on a ski holiday. And the immediate creation of a cardinal rule - No Margarita should contain cheese)

Picnic

2009-05-01T20:03:00.001Z

"Wait a minute - these aren't chips!"

Playing with Dad

2009-04-27T20:04:00.003Z

The chances of Elly throwing up in this position are much higher than toast landing butter-side down. The nice fluffy rug will not be the only victim...

Happy Easter

2009-04-13T11:07:00.002Z

Someone likes spaghetti

2009-04-10T22:47:00.001Z

They're my feet!

2009-04-06T17:21:00.003Z

Ye Old Operating Theatre

2009-04-05T20:00:00.003Z

Down a little lane behind London Bridge train station is a little known attraction; an old operating theatre from the early 19th century - build into a church roof.

These were the days before anaesthetic or even the concept of antiseptic. This is the sort of surgery you only took if you were going to die anyway. As a result the doctors needed to be skilled in the speed of their surgery - to get it over with as quick as possible.

That box on the floor is full of sawdust to soak up blood. The floor is actually a false floor, stuffed with more sawdust to prevent the blood seeping into the church below. Would certainly liven up holy communion...

I'm sure it wasn't a pleasant place at the time, but it laid the groundwork for medicine today. So I guess we have to be thankful. (Bridie was especially thankful after looking through the metal instruments used for assisting childbirth)

Poohsticks Bridge

2009-03-30T20:30:00.006Z

"...the game called Poohsticks, which Pooh invented, and which he and his friends used to play on the edge of the Forest."

And we found the bridge, on the edge of Ashdown Forest and we played Poohsticks - Elly won!

Steve tried to find his stick, but we think it either sank or got caught somewhere.

Steve and Elly on the bridge...nice day.

Hever Castle

2009-03-29T20:01:00.005Z

Out of a random desire to go places and see stuff, we hired a car and headed off to Hever Castle.

This was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn - known for her poor choice in husbands - King Henry VIII.

But it also has a fantastic garden surrounding it; three types of mazes, rose and other flower beds, and a huge Italian garden. Perfect for picnics and getting away from the hustle of London life.

Elly on the other hand was learning new skills...

Kew Gardens again

2009-03-17T20:22:00.003Z

We took Elly to Kew Gardens for our wedding anniversary. Where we had a lovely picnic.

Below is some of the disguised wildlife in one of the glasshouses - the Temperate House - can you spot them?

Here's some more wildlife hiding....still managed to catch them on camera!

Elly's 6 month birthday

2009-03-14T20:37:00.003Z

On Saturday 14 March Elly turned 6 months old and we had a little family celebration!

Opening her presents was lots of fun, though playing with the wrapping was probably the highlight for Elly. But neither were as much fun as eating her cake!

Red Nose Day

2009-03-13T17:45:00.001Z

Wearing Stella McCartney t-shirt for Red Nose Day. It sounds more posh than it is. :)

Sitting up

2009-03-09T07:48:00.000Z

Tummy time

2009-03-09T07:44:00.000Z

Cheeky girl

2009-03-09T07:40:00.000Z

Coffee time

2009-03-09T07:38:00.000Z

Elly looking happy and alert despite almost no sleep for a couple of
nights at a local coffee shop.

Trying out the new sun hat

2009-02-16T08:48:00.001Z

...is that pink I see before me.

Another gorgeous outfit Nanny knitted for me

2009-02-16T08:45:00.000Z

I have joined Google Latitude

2009-02-15T00:00:00.002Z

Google have released an upgrade to their maps software that can show the location of your friends. It's called Latitude

Now you and Google can spy on me...

Happy Valentines and Happy 5th month

2009-02-14T08:51:00.000Z

Loving the new high chair

2009-02-12T08:47:00.000Z

Little hoodie

2009-02-11T09:17:00.000Z

Still working on the 'tude.

Hanging out with Leandro

2009-02-11T08:46:00.000Z

Checking out Wimbledon Common in the snow

2009-02-03T08:16:00.000Z

...still no Wombles.

Dressing warmly for the big snow

2009-02-02T15:14:00.000Z

The big snow

2009-02-02T15:13:00.000Z

Snow Day

2009-02-02T13:17:00.001Z

We're having a snow day. Steve can't get into work and neither can
most of London.

Our front yard is more than a foot deep - it was hell pushing the pram
through to go to the pool. But the pool was warm and fun and Steve got
to share Elly's swimming lessons...photos and video coming soon.

And it's still snowing; normally the snow disappears pretty quickly,
but not today...nor tomorrow at the rate it's falling - what fun.

Celebrating Steve's birthday and Chinese New Year

2009-01-31T08:12:00.000Z

Our little teddy bear

2009-01-30T08:08:00.000Z

Loving her toys

2009-01-26T13:24:00.001Z

Elly is starting to laugh and play more as she gets older and this is the look we are seeing more often these days. How lucky are we!

Snow cute!

2009-01-05T10:58:00.000Z

Snow gone!

2009-01-05T10:50:00.000Z

Snow!

2009-01-05T08:22:00.000Z

Splashing

2008-12-30T00:18:00.002Z

Following Australian tradition, we're keen to teach Elly to swim. Maybe not an Olympic swimmer just yet, but she'll have to learn to out-swim all those killer Australian aquatic animals - with all the teeth, tentacles and spines. And that's just in the backyard pool.

So we went to the local pool for the first time today. It was a nice quiet day, and was a great chance to introduce her to the new sights and smells without too much chaos.

Things we learnt today:
- Elly is just fine in the water. There was wiggling and kicking and a determined look on her face.
- Her parents are also fine in the water, though ultra paranoid.
- The pram is too wide and doesn't fit in the change rooms.
- Then the pram then has to be parked in another part of the gym completely.
- It is a two person operation to juggle everything.

An interesting side-effect is that Elly now splashes a lot more in her bath, coating the floor. It is like she has discovered her swimming legs and wants to use them in small confined spaces.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-23T18:15:00.001Z

Merry Christmas from Bridie, Steve, Elly and... Santa.

We introduced Elly to Santa today. She was clearly aware that she was in the company of someone who would be bringing her presents, and was on her best behaviour. After all, it is important to give a good first impression.

Santa Skate 2008

2008-12-16T23:07:00.005Z

Once a year the London skate community have their special Santa Skate. Hundreds of skaters donate some money to the skate, get a Santa outfit and go on a tour of the major sites of London. But this year was different - I went along too!

The weather threatened icy rain, the roads threatened slippery surfaces, and Santa threatened never to visit me again. Still I braved the elements and put on my big one-size-fits-all Santa suit, complete with white fluffy beard. Fully dressed I felt as warm as Santa, especially after he drinks the sherry.

It was a great skate - mainly for attracting onlookers and bemused motorists. Good clean fun was had by all. Though it is a pity I'm going to be getting coal this year in my stocking.

Shakin' a Tailfeather - part 2

2008-12-06T23:59:00.001Z

Well, since Elly was all dressed up and it was the first Friday of the month, we actually watched the Blues Brothers movie. There should be no surprise that we have it on DVD.

Elly watched on bemused as her parents got up and danced the Tailfeather together, it has been a while but the moves are still there.

Shakin' a Tailfeather

2008-12-05T10:23:00.002Z

It's the first Friday of the month and Elly is ready to shake her tailfeather.

Are you my mummy?

2008-11-29T16:47:00.005Z

That's right, we have been to the Dr Who exhibit at Earls Court. Steve had a day off, so we prepared for a big day out with scary monsters and special effects. Prepare to be amazed!

The exhibit focuses on the latest series with Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant - with their sets, costumes and creatures. For example the gas mask from possibly the spookiest episode ever, where a child follows people around asking "Are you my Mummy?"

The exhibit has been on for a while.... and it shows. The moving parts of the exhibit just seemed to creak, if they moved at all. But it was good to be there on a weekday - there were only 3 other people and we barely saw them. So we had K9, Cybermen and Daleks to ourselves.

Along the way we made some buff new friends. Here's Bridie up on stage with some metallic gogo dancers:

Even Elly got to meet a Dalek. Though clearly she is immune to the terror associated with the Supreme Commanders of the Universe...

Hoodie

2008-11-14T12:02:00.000Z

...and Dad's been teaching me to poke my tongue out!

Look what my Nanny knitted for me

2008-11-12T17:38:00.003Z

Don't I look pretty - Nanny Shirley knitted this for me and it arrived yesterday - I couldn't wait to try it on!

Check out my groovy tights

2008-11-10T17:45:00.000Z

Sounds like...

2008-11-09T17:44:00.000Z

Happy Halloween

2008-10-31T15:30:00.004Z

Wishing everyone a Happy Halloween - hope you like my outfit - what you can't see are the cute socks that look like orange cowboy boots - Mum's crap with a camera sometimes.

Love Elly xxx

Look who's smiling

2008-10-28T19:26:00.003Z

Despite the rumours of grumbles and grizzles, Elly is starting to smile - and it is no longer wind!