Five years of new beginnings and wedded bliss

If someone had told me at my birthday party in October 2006, that I was about to bump into my long lost love, realise we had never fallen out of love, get married and move with my girls to China I would have laughed my head off. I was a happily divorced single mother, enjoying raising my two daughters, working and slowly renovating my house. I had the support of great friends, we all had lots of fun times and they also helped me through some tough times. You never know what is around the corner!

That is exactly what happened, I bumped into a mutual friend I hadn't seen in years, in a shop I rarely go to, he was in town for a visit, his first in 18 years. She said 'he is single...you are single', I said 'That's crazy, he lives in China and I'm in Perth with my two girls! To cut a long, fairy tale story short, we met up with our friends, we reconnected. After many trips back and forth between Perth and Shanghai, where he was based, many emails and Skype calls, family holidays and a 'test' period with the girls in China, That is exactly what happened and on 18 April 2008, we married, 23 years after he proposed the first time!

We married on my Mum's birthday, sent some balloons up to heaven so she was part of our special day. I wore red, the colour of weddings in China. It signifies love, joy and prosperity. My husband married the three of us, promised the girls he would always be there for them and protect them.

Our first anniversary was spent in Shanghai, we had lunch with the girls at our favourite Aussie restaurant, Kakadu, went back to our apartment and sent some balloons up to Mum on her birthday.

In the evening we had a lovely, romantic dinner, just my husband and me with this fabulous view of what had become my favourite city, my new home, the incredible Shanghai.

Our second anniversary was very romantic...a bus trip out to the Shanghai Formula 1 race, my husband's favourite sport. Was a different way to celebrate but we had so much fun together!

Our third anniversary was even less romantic...My husband stayed home with the girls while I went on a ladies weekend trip out to Guizhou Province for the Miao minority Sisters' Meal festival. A festival of courtship, which was somewhat fitting, even if we weren't physically together.

I did dress in traditional wedding attire for the occasion though!

Our fourth anniversary was spent in the lovely garden city of Suzhou for the weekend. We wandered the Lingering garden and had a relaxing, magical weekend together, our little family of four.

We now mark five years of wedded bliss, here in rural England...who would have thought. Looking forward to a nice dinner tonight and an evening to celebrate our lives together and plan for many more years, full of love and adventure together.

Happy Anniversary Honey xxx

Shanghai....A morning on the street

I really enjoy my daily walks around our English village with the dog, lots of fields to run in, fresh air to breathe and a whole lot of peace and quiet. Locals now stop to say hello...some even say G'day to make me feel at home. We walk through fields with sheep and cows and it's not unusual for a horse or two to pass by on the street.

It is now nearly ten months since we left Shanghai and I still miss my daily strolls through my local streets, a totally different experience to rural England. The weird and the wonderful, even after four years I still saw something every day that made me smile, most things became 'normal'! Here are some photos I took on a short stroll one morning when I visited Shanghai in December 2012.

Ladies practising fan dances in parks 

Guy cleaning a gate with a feather duster...as you do!

Ummm...you missed a spot!!!

Don't have any pedestrian safety barriers...no problem, just use some fire extinguishers and some coloured bunting!

You don't get held up at road works, no barriers here, you just drive around them!

Need a Sponge Bob, Angry Birds or Hello Kitty balloon at short notice, never fear, nearly every road has someone selling them off a scooter!

In fact, you can buy just about anything you can imagine off a scooter or electric bike!

Adidas seems to be the sport wear of choice for the pooches in this neighbourhood.

It's nice to be part of the 'in crowd'

Though there are many fashionable doggy outfits at the local canine couture boutique.

Love the fashion, not to mention to comfort and warmth, of 'going out' Pyjamas.

Nothing quite like getting your morning shop done, the winter chills kept at bay by your quilted or fleecy PJ's! I admit to owning a pair. I admit to wearing them to take the girls to the school bus on freezing mornings in Shanghai. Maybe I could get away with wearing them on my morning dog walks in my village. If Spring doesn't arrive soon I may just give it a go!

The Seven Stars

I am always happy to get a good pub restaurant recommendation from our local friends. There are so many places in and around our village that we are spoilt for choice. Some of the places I have picked at random have been amazing, though some haven't been the best. The financial climate has resulted in many places being sadly, forced to close. I was intrigued when a friend told me about The Seven Stars in the village of Dinton. Faced with the possibility of closure, which would leave the village without a pub, some locals rallied together, bought the freehold and saved The Seven Stars. The managers who run the pub have created a lovely setting to either sit at the bar and have a quiet ale or have a meal in a simple but elegant dining room. It will be very pleasant in the beer garden if and when the weather finally warms up!

Staff were friendly and attentive, knowledgeable about the menu and the specials. The Fizz and Chips special of two serves of Fish and Chips with two glasses of Prosecco (available on Tuesdays and Fridays) looked popular with other diners in the light and airy restaurant.

I chose the King Prawn and Chorizo linguine with peppers and chilli. It was no problem to serve without the peppers, which I cannot eat, as everything is made to order. This is available as a starter £7.50 or a main £12.95...I got the main though the starter would have been plenty. The dish was delicious, chock full of big prawns and chorizo with just the right amount of kick from the chilli.

My husband, being a fan of a good pie, ordered the Steak and Kidney Pie £13.95, which he got stuck into before I could take a photo. He reluctantly put down his fork and snapped a quick pic before devouring it. The pie top was a light and crispy rectangle placed on top and the filling was divine. He let me have a tiny morsel and the meat melted in my mouth. He declared it to be a magnificent pie! The veggies that came with it were good too!

We had a lovely, relaxed lunch and were served top quality food. The menu has something for everyone and is very reasonably priced, especially when you consider the quality of the produce used and the skill of the chef in the kitchen. We had a nice chat with the Manageress, Stephanie as we left. She is French and the French flair certainly shows in the restaurant and in the menu. We will be back, I am looking forward to trying the Crayfish, lime and spring onion risotto I spied at another table.

The Seven Stars
Stars Lane
Dinton
Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire
HP17 8UL
01296 749000
http://www.sevenstarsdinton.com

Taste of Oxford

My girls and I popped over to Oxford for a few hours recently...to go to the Chinese supermarket and shop for a Chinese feast. We took some time out and went for a stroll to soak up the atmosphere. Love the cycling culture of Oxford and all the bikes lined up remind me of Shanghai.

Love the history and the buildings of Oxford. The Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford's first classical building and the first large building by Christopher Wren built 1664-1668.

Love the literary atmosphere. Grab a book and read, wherever you are. Copies of all the world's books are held in vaults under the streets. You can feel the history seeping through.

If only the walls could talk, the stories they could tell.

Oxford's version of 'The Bridge of Sighs'...actually a bridge over New College lane linking two parts of Hertford college. It's graceful arch making it's own statement amongst the stunning buildings.

The Covered Markets, built in 1774 is home to many stalls. You can buy anything from fresh flowers, souvenirs, stop for a coffee or a meal, visit a greengrocer, butcher or fishmonger. A fabulous cake shop. Cool market with lots of variety and a great atmosphere!

A short stroll from the hustle and bustle you have the added beauty of the canals, complete with long boats. I can't wait to spend more time exploring Oxford and surrounds!

What a difference a year makes

A year ago today, my little family landed at Heathrow for a look into our new lives. A busy week of looking into locations, houses and schools. Time to decide where we would set up home and establish a new life in a foreign country. It looked pretty bright...we were greeted by sunshine and daffodils.

25 March 2012

A year later, the daffodils are struggling to push through the cold earth. Some brave, bright faces are taking on the snow, though some of the winter berries hold on, tough and proud, not yet ready to change seasons. We are a bit of both, those first daffodils, taking on a challenging environment and coming up smiling. The winter berries, boldly embracing the changes thrown at us.

25 March 2013

We shook off our jetlag and wandered around some of the villages that we had researched. Excited at the new beginnings. Gorgeous buildings, fresh air, quiet roads...vastly different to our life in China.

25 March 2012

Those same villages and roads are no longer the unknown, they are our villages. Maps no longer required. What was different and new is now our familiar surroundings. We have become established in the school and village communities. We have weathered the seasons and come through with flying colours.

25 March 2013

We went hunting for a house, a place that we could call home, welcome new friends, start our new life. We looked at so many places, none of which felt like 'home'.

25 March 2012

The last house we looked at was 'the one' the icing on the cake of our 'look see' trip. We signed the lease...we had an address, visas and schools could be applied for. Plans could be confirmed. A year later,we are established in our new home, in our village, our school and our new life. Settled!

25 March 2013

A year ago the skies were bright and blue, new growth was beginning to show.

25 March 2012

The sky is still bright, just a little different than we expected. A year ago today we started preparing for our new life in a new country. We have been through so much in that year, moving countries and cultures, farewells and welcomes, laughter and tears.

25 March 2013

 Oh what a difference a year makes!

International Women's Day

I am fortunate to have many amazing women in my life. Friend's I started school with ... just a few years ago, those friends and a few more, who finished school with me, 30 years ago this year.  Friends from Pharmacy days, Protective Service days and Immigration days. Friends from all walks of life, women that got me through divorce, the loss of both parents, single parenthood....oh how I love those friends who bought over and shared a bottle of wine and friendship in those days. Mum's group and O'Connor friends. Friends who stood by when I met the man of my dreams and respected my decision to move to China with my girls. My Mother and Sisters in law who welcomed me into the family. Friends I made, and who I had many adventures with in my amazing Shanghai life... new friends I have made since arriving in the United Kingdom. Friends who joined my life journey along the way. Some have left my side, most have not. My life has been enriched by many fabulous women. The two most important women in my life, my beautiful girls. Women from every corner of the globe. I value each and every one of you...and those women friends I haven't met yet. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

I am strong, I am invincible, I Am Woman

Happy International Women's day to all women!

Spring is on the way!

Look what I saw today...

The Daffodils are coming out! 

I  have survived my first UK Winter ... and I actually quite enjoyed it!

Now I can't wait for some Spring Adventures!