I think I may have found the secret to improving my swimming- buy some new goggles!! I lost my pair which were ok and after a few rather expensive trial and errors have been sold a pair of kids goggles that fit perfectly and don't let in even a micromillilitre of moisture. In fact they stay on my face without the straps! A rather fetching look! Anyway, my swimming this morning was considerably improved- yah!!! Foot is improving too so everything is on the up and up.

This may look like the latest object of torture but hopefully it will be my key to getting back to running! A night splint! What a glamorous item of clothing this will be! Apparently it helps to keep the tendons and muscles stretched and this is going to help! I know it is!!!!!

Had a work out on Monday ( ouch) followed by a spin class ( ouch ouch) and today did lots of walking lunges with a client ( ouch ouch ouch!) Tomorrow I'm opting for the steam bath and a nice cuppa!!!

Blogger has been extremely co operative tonight and I've managed to post several pictures!! The setting out is awful but that's my fault and I have no idea how to do it any better!!

One of my rare running moments in Wales- found this gorgeous ridge which had views , paddocks and horses- just meant for running











Onto Vienna now! The inside of the Spanish Riding School where all the action was about to happen. A most glorious show of dressage - I just loved it. We had 3 days of horsey things here. A tour of the stables, a presentation of training methods and then the grand show. I have a very patient husband!!











And now to Port Douglas!!! This is me running through Mossman Gorge. I always run here and sore foot or not I was determined to run. It hurt like hell afterwards but was definitely well worth the pain!!

It was really hard to choose which pictures to put on here- however here is a small selection with plenty more to follow!
On the left- a cottage in Cambridge area. Lots of these everywhere! 10 mins outside a big industrial town and you come across these really quaint villages







Below- the park where we scattered half of our parents ashes. We grew up in Wales ( I was only 5 when we left) and apparently we used to go to this beautiful park. Mum's wish was to be scattered here so this prompted the trip. Both parents died within 8 days of each other over Christmas 2005 and so it seemed fitting to scatter both their ashes here. ( still got half of them in Australia) A very moving event and a feeling of completion to some extent.







Can't resist the horses can I? This is the post being delivered daily to Buckingham Palace. All this pomp and ceremony!!!

Hiya folkses- I'm baaaaaaaack!!!

greetings from vienna!!!! the onlz problem i have is the kezboard has the z in the spot where the y should be! and all the directions on blogger are in german! so hopefullz this will get to zou all! having a lovelz time seeing heaps of spanish riding school stuff- just yummy yummy horsey stuff- i love it!!!

Helloooooooo all from London!!!!!

Bags are packed, toenails are painted and I'm ready to roll!!! Leaving tomorrow at 10.50pm- ahhhh all those 23 hours of SLEEP!!! See ya all when I return!!

4 more sleeps to go!!! or 4 more proper sleeps and 8 'nana naps'!! It's starting to feel more real now and I'm starting to count down on my list of things to do. Tomorrow it's pedicure and waxing- lol- obviously the most important thing to do when going O/S!!

It looks as though the old lady ( No 1 cat- aka as 'bad cat') has a bladder infection again. Poor pussy- it antibiotics again for her. We're away next week for 6 weeks so hopefully it will clear before then. That's the problem with ageing animals- visits to the vets and then decisions on what's best for them. Boots is 17 years old and this may be more serious than a bladder infection.

Oh dear- just been fighting with Norton anti virus- why do they always make it so hard. Looking for the product number for ages! Nowhere to be seen. Finally....finally ( after much cursing and abusing of this product) I find it hidden away as part of the wrapping- grrrrr Now its 11.45pm, I'm beyond tired and I have to get up early grrrrrrr I think I'm too tired to go to bed.

I get all the help I need- constantly!!!

Guess I've been forgiven for this morning's task of administering the worm tablets!

Well things are on the move!
1. Mother- in - law is now out of hospital
2. Dog has been vaccinated for his trip to the kennels ( and he was SUCH a good boy:)))
3. We have our 'Return Entry Visas' so us aliens can actually come back to Aus!
4. I've had a haircut
5. My phone is now on international roaming
6. I've requested a new credit card as my old one looks as though it is about to die

phew....there are still heaps of things to do though- wax, pedicure (lol- we are baring out toes at the end of the trip in sunny Port Douglas), car hire, insurance etc etc etc.
Sometimes the list looks endless!

3 weeks to go- mother -in-law in hospital, lists that start at 4 weeks to go and a sore neck/back. Hmmmmm- guess we'll make it! We board the plane to britain on Oct 4th and there seems to be heaps to do. While I was lounging in the bath ( as you do when there's lots and lots and lots to do) I realised that this trip is really a pilgrimage back to our home town. It will be 50 years since I was there with my sisters. It really struck me for some reason and made me realise how significant this will be ( all right I'm not really known for being 'quick'!!) We're going to see our old home and look through it. I can hardly imagine how that will be- I'm guessing fairly emotional and prob not at all like I imagined it to be.

Apart from feeling rather delicate all w/e had a really good one. My friend ( yes... I do have ONE) who headed northward has been heading back south lately so we could meet for our usual Saturday and Sunday walk PLUS a swim a week ago and the intention of a walk and SWIM this week. Ahhhh...this is more like my usual life. Aren't we creatures of habit? I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds real comfort in the sameness of life. Father's Day was great! Caught up with both our kids and grandchildren and daughter in law. Lots of fun. Did a bit of shopping with Catherine ( daughter) and made a date to go shopping with her in a couple of weeks for her birthday which she reminds me- we will be away for like we were for her 21st!!! Oh dear.... what bad parents we are!!!!

Last night I got struck down with that dreaded gastro bug. Spent a lot of time gazing into the porcelein! I hate hate hate being sick like that!! I'm a real baby and whinge and groan a lot. Hubby asked if the groans were important ( as in....was I dying or in great distress) Well no I wasn't but they still play an important part of my 'recovery'! lol I am such a princess sometimes!!

Isn't this a beautiful time of year. This is the view I get everytime I go up and down our drive-now captured for eternity ( well almost). The first pic shows our rather run down chook shed that is currently having an overhaul. Maybe when we get back from our holiday we'll get some more chooks! Today is rainy, wild and windy so it's just as well I took these photos before cos I think after today there won't be much left!

Friday now and my delight at seeing the inside of my house for a change has quickly evaporated with this being the second day of viewing! I decided to tackle the pantry!. It's now 9pm and I've well and truly lost my motivation. Where am I going to put the 19 boxes of fancy tea? Yep- you're right! Back on the top shelves where I found them. And there they will stay for the next 6-12months until I decide a pantry cleanout is necessary. And....while I'm on the subject of pantrys- how come what comes out of them def doesn't fit back in them????? My kitchen bench full of 'stuff' is evidence of that!!