Clearing the mind!

The last month has been a whirlwind. Our first school year in England finished, awards nights, end of year parties to ferry the girls to. Some work was thrown my way which I had to schedule into my days. Changes are on the horizon, uncertainty as to where and when my little family is headed next.

Plans had to be made for our summer holiday. Family meetings were held. South of France? Turkey, one of my favourite places? Possibly a cruise? My husband had to return to Shanghai for work, the decision was made, us girls were going too. We miss our Shanghai life, our friends, the food! After my solo trip back last December I felt more settled when I came home to the UK, the girls needed the same closure so we thought.

So we have just returned from our amazing two week holiday in Shanghai. We caught up with incredible, nurturing friends. We ate our bodyweight in dumplings and returned to our favourite restaurants, hit the markets with a vengeance, leapt into taxis, confident in our Chinese skills again. It felt as if we had come home, the last year in England was just a dream, like a bizarre time warp. We fitted right back into life in our old neighbourhood, the plan of putting Shanghai behind us didn't quite work. The day we left was the first time it rained on our holiday. The taxi ride to the airport sombre with the rain falling, like Shanghai was as sad as we were that we were leaving.

Time to clear my mind, sit back and refocus, move on and make the most of our life in England. We head to the beach from land locked Buckinghamshire at the beginning of the bank holiday weekend...for the day! Neighbours warn of traffic, delays but we forge on, enjoy the drive. We re plan our destination when traffic starts crawling, turn off into the New Forest and head to Christchurch in Dorset, sister city to Christchurch, New Zealand, home town of my kiwi husband.

A local wishing well! How many hopes, dreams, plans and ideas have sprung from this well? I wait for the pirate and princess to make their wish then take my turn, this peaceful and beautiful place embracing me.

Such a wonderful place to spend the day, brilliant spur of the moment decision to head to the ocean, a family day at the beach. We found our way to Avon beach in Christchurch.

We had thrown some beach towels into our car and leapt in, drove for three hours and hit the nearest beach. Grabbed some Fish and Chips for lunch, spontaneous, free and easy! Not as organised as this family with kettles and teapots, picnics and games.

Surrounded by other families, eating ice creams, playing ball games, splashing in the water, creating memories. Enjoying life!

Sandcastles lovingly built and then abandoned for other beach side pursuits.

Life at the beach is free and easy, refreshing.

A place for reflection.

The ocean cleanses my mind and my soul. The minute I can smell the salt in the air, worries evaporate. I am home. The movement of the water washes the tangled thoughts in my mind away. Clarity returns. I am now free to take things as they come, enjoy all that England has to offer and take on as many adventures as I can. You are welcome to join me!

The Gold goes to....Australia!!!

There aren't too many Australians in my village, the locals were delighted with the British & Irish Lions win over the Australian Wallabies in the Rugby Union first test and they let me know. I breathed a sigh of relief when the Wallabies narrowly beat the Lions in the second test. When the Lions clinched their first series win in sixteen years when they trampled the Wallabies in the third and deciding test I became the village target for some good natured ribbing. Neighbours would just happen to pop out while I was walking by their homes to mention the win. My postman took great delight in knocking on my front door and handing me my mail, just so he could discuss the Lions win.

I can barely go out without someone mentioning the Ashes and our Australian teams abysmal performance in the Test Cricket so far. I may have to start walking the dog under the cover of darkness and remove the Aussie flag from our front garden, at least for a while.

I am consoled with the fact, that the Best in Show, Gold medal winner of  the Chelsea Flower Show in its centenary year 2013, was The Australian Garden designed by Phillip Johnson. This garden was a showcase of Australia's natural beauty and sustainability. I loved the design, with the billabong, waterfall and all the familiar plants of home. The grass trees, everlastings and kangaroo paws made me homesick and judging by the amount of expat Aussies surrounding me I wasn't the only one!

The personal touches made it very special. The studio was modelled on the Waratah, the flower that Phillip Johnson's father presented to his mother after her return from a lengthy trip, soon after they were engaged. The sound of frogs that were heard, were recorded in Johnson's own Australian backyard. The input of many Australian craftsmen and women, the use of iconic Australian elements and design principles made our Aussie garden stand out. A well deserved winner, they did us proud! 

Time flies! Happy Anniversary England!

It is hard to believe that my little family has been in England for a year now. We flew in to Heathrow full of excitement and anticipation of living in a new country. Keys to our new home tucked in our bags ready for the adventure to begin. A year on, we have adapted to our new home. Settled into our village routine. Discovered so much history. Welcomed a dog into our family. Navigated many roundabouts on the road of life. We look forward to more travel, adventure, family time and the odd pub lunch! Now if the Aussies could win just one Test Match that would top off our year!

We spent the weekend reflecting on our year. We popped into London for the day on Saturday.

Had a lovely time at the National Portrait Gallery.

Love the free museums and galleries of London!

We couldn't help but stop by China Town.

Reminisce our Shanghai life with a dumpling... 

Or two...

Well ok...we may have partaken in a hot and tasty Szechuan feast as well....

Then we went for a walk, soaked up the spirit of London.

We watched the cranes move and slowly change the skyline of this fabulous city, new buildings going up next to old. Moving forward, just as we are, our lives evolving as we continue our UK adventure. 

We rounded off the weekend with a traditional Sunday roast, sitting out in our backyard in the glorious sunshine. We raised our glasses "Cheers England, thanks for a great year".

Fly with the angels courageous little lion

I have had numerous posts in my draft folder, including parts of this one, over the last few weeks but I just have not been able to touch that 'Publish' button. It feels too frivolous to be posting adventures of castles, wondrous English spring gardens and great pub meals when friends from all corners of the globe have experienced heartbreaking tragedy. A great friend from Shanghai was diagnosed with a brain tumour, had to have surgery, far from home before being transported to his home country. The chef at our local cafe has suffered a brain haemorrhage and remains in hospital. These men and their families have a long road ahead.

The most terrible news of all, was the loss of my friend's beautiful and very courageous son Harvey, aged just 3 years and 10 months after a very long and brave fight against a brain tumour on 8 June 2013. Harvey's story is not mine to tell, you can read about Harvey - The Cureageous Lion here:
http://harveythecourageouslion.blogspot.com.au

A grey and cloudy day, transformed into blue sky as we went the duck pond to send lion coloured
balloons to Harvey in Heaven

As his family comes to terms with life without Harvey and his cuddles, no more chemo, needles and scans to endure, I reflect on what a small place Perth, Western Australia is. Where the "six degrees of separation" is more like three degrees. My cousin's beautiful young daughter Olivia lost her long and brave battle with a brain tumour in December 2010. Olivia spent too many heart wrenching days on ward 3B, the children's Cancer ward at Princess Margaret hospital in Perth. Harvey began the battle for his life in January 2011 and also spent far too many days on 3B. In February 2011, my friend's cousin and her family lost their precious son Elliot to a brain tumour. Elliot and his family were also, all too familiar with ward 3B. Three young children in three short months, within my circle, connected to a ward with not enough beds, not enough equipment. A ward that needs more when we would all like it to be completely unnecessary. These children should have met at playgrounds, schools, maybe a trip to the zoo. They should not have been sharing facilities on a kid's cancer ward. Tragically there are many more of these kid's cancer wards all over the world.

For Harvey

Three families, devastated to the core, many lives altered by one disease. No parent should have to support their child through the awful symptoms, cruel yet necessary hospital stays and treatments, the loss of bright young lives far too early. Tragically there are many many more parents that have already walked that road, more who are currently living it and more that don't yet know it is on their horizon. Families torn apart, dreams dissolved, siblings lost forever.

Fly free with the other tiny angels.

We all need to join forces, raise awareness and join the fight to stop childhood cancer. Support research to halt this terrible disease and to help those suffering now and in the future. Support Harvey's family in their efforts: http://harveythecourageouslion.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/harveys-cureageous-pride.html. Elliot's family founded The Telethon Adventurers...take a look at the amazing things they have done: http://www.theadventurers.com.au/.

Cast a warm glow over your family forever more

Wherever you are in the world, make a difference. Donate what you can, say a prayer, give a hug. Make the world a brighter place, heaven has enough tiny angels.

England. Here are a few of my favourite things.

England has so much to offer, a wealth of things to discover and culture to unearth. Here are some of my favourites so far!

Traditions

Celebrations that have been handed down the generations adding colour and music to local history. Not put on for tourists, part of everyday village life.

The Morris dancers.

Skills handed down from generation to generation

Maypole dancing heralds the beginning of Summer, village greens come alive.

Adding colour and laughter to villages across the country.

History

The land is steeped in history. There is so much to explore, to learn, to absorb.

From London's Big Ben and Westminster Abbey

To Stonehenge

Hampton Court Palace and beyond.

Flowers

Spring brings a rolling avalanche of colour and fragrance to brighten the days after a long Winter. 

The pretty, cheeky faced Daffodil.

The fragrant Wisteria Walks

The Laburnum, dripping golden trails of yellow.

The woodlands of bluebells in dappled sunlight brighten the soul.

A year ago today...

One year ago today, my family had an emotional drive out to the airport in Shanghai. Our last trip as residents, we were leaving our Shanghai life behind, our apartment stripped bare, heart wrenching farewells were over. We took in the skyline, knowing that with the speed of progress, it would never look the same again. We savoured every last minute of the amazing city that had been our home for the last four years. A place where we all grew and blossomed. Made wonderful, life long friends. Adventures were had. A year on, we have embraced our new life, enjoy new adventures. But we still miss our Shanghai life, the simple everyday street life. What had started out as a novelty had become our normal.

The shops on wheels..you could buy just about anything off a trike.

The life on the street, the pyjamas, the washing.

The street vendors, who could fix just about anything, for next to nothing.

The fruit....ahh the delicious fruit!

The wet markets and the characters within.

The smiles from labourers, happy with their lot.

The cute kids.

The split pants and baby butts.

Mostly I miss the nappers....

The ability to sleep anywhere, balanced precariously...

They still manage to look comfortable!

Thanks for the memories Shanghai!