a leisurely friday

And today, my thanks go to Serena for rescuing me from a day of laundry and housework....

With Serena's brother Jonathan (currently visiting from London) and little Jack we set off for an 'expotition' to Summer Bay aka Palm Beach. It was a wonderful day - the weather went from a foggy, grey morning to a beautiful and sunny autumn day.

Good friends

Hot chocolate with lots of froth

Sandy toes

Fish and chips on the beach

Chasing seagulls

(and the ducks who had their beady eyes on our fish and chips)

Laughter

Relaxation

It really doesn't get much better than that!

It was lovely having a barefoot walk on the beach. The water was perfect for wading but probably too cold for whaling swimming (and I'd left my swimmers at home)

gorgeous photo of Jack Livingstone Seagull (courtesy of Jonathan)

And that just about sums it up.......

the world just got a little emptier

Our friend Tash (with the glasses) died yesterday after an 8 year long battle with breast cancer. She was diagnosed at the age of 26 so she had a very short innings. Peter shared a flat with Tash and Michelle (also in photo) when I met him. They were part of my introduction to Australians and Australia - this introduction also included going to see "The Castle" at the cinema and eating TimTams. I enjoyed getting to know Tash and Michelle as well as Mark who was to become Tash's husband. The Tash I got to know was vibrant and positive, generous and kind. We found about her cancer diagnosis during the lunch where we were going to tell them about us being pregnant again (Turtle). Even as her future had just become a whole lot more uncertain she was unreservedly happy for us. Although I am sure she had her down moments, Tash was not one to succumb to bitterness and self-pity. Instead Tash and Mark decided that although the cancer was something they had to live with, they were not going to let it rule their lives. They went on holidays to places they had not visited before and Tash embarked on new ventures such as developing a passion for knitting. Sadly, we left London before the Vespa era. I could picture Tash zipping around London on her scooter though and will keep that image in my mind.

I am grateful to have known you Tash and to have been even a very small part of your life!

love in my mailbox

That one thing I miss the most with the arrival of email are good old-fashioned letters. These days I go to the mailbox only to collect a wide selection of envelopes that usually never contain anything warm and fuzzy. Then every once in a while there is something special.... like today!

Tusen takk Joanna for my beautiful "Pobody's Nerfect" journal! I love it!!! LP was most envious of my special book and most put out that I wouldn't give it to her. So, now I'm in trouble because I promised I would make her a journal of her very own. Tutorial please, Joanna?