Journal Day

One of my favourite blogs Sometimes Sweet posted this idea about journal day. She'd provide a prompt and then her readers could write a post from there and then add some/all of the post as a comment on her blog. I love the idea so thought I would join in... even if I don't always post it on her blog.

Describe a "first" (first date, first lie, the first time you experienced something, first time in a particular setting, etc). Include as many details as possible to paint a picture.

I had pretty much decided on the morning after the night we got together that I was in love with Richard. I just knew it, it was all so easy and we had a good laugh and I knew instinctually that he would do his best to always be good to me. Of course, you can't say "I love you" to a man that you have just started dating, scares them off apparently. So as the women's mag advice goes I decided to wait for him to say it first.

Three months in and still no "I love you". I am not known in my family for patience so that I hadn't cracked and said it first is quite the achievement let me tell you. One night we were at Richard's snuggled in bed and I was trying to get him to say it (don't judge). He knew what I was trying to do but he wouldn't bite. Eventually I looked up at him and said "I like you, more than just as a friend", he looked at me smiled and said "I love you Alys". I don't think I had ever been happier, my face hurt from smiling so much.

When eventually I finished smiling he explained to me that the walk we were planning for the next day down through the park he was going to walk me to a pretty spot and tell me that he loved me for the first time. Trust me to ruin something! Still its a wonderful memory of the first time we told each other we were in love.

Our NZ Adventure - Day 3: Tuesday May 24

We spent the day in the car driving to Napier. Started out miserable weather leaving Welly but cleared up.


Although a long day it was nice to be together and talk. Oh and be incredibly silly.




We swear we haven’t touched this up … does anyone else think this is the original image for the hill desktop image on Microsoft?



The Crown Hotel Napier where we are staying is gorgeous. This beautiful old building from the 1930s is glamorous inside and out.


There is something so mesmerizing about watching a fire burn.

Life is good

Our NZ Adventure - Day 2: Monday May 23

It's 8:07am and I am up. I was woken by Richard’s snoring and for the first time ever it wasn't so bad. Because you see our room has an incredible view and this morning I discovered that we can lie in bed and watch the sun rise over Wellington. Got a great deal on a room at the Amora on the ninth floor


No sign of our stuff but that is probably a good thing. Yes my friends we snuck in Maccas run. It's sad but last night after such a long day it was just what the doctor ordered.

The only real down side to our stuff missing its flight really is the missing tooth brush for you see no amount of gum is getting the onion off my breath this morning. Yuck!

Today we are wondering the streets of Wellywood* to see what the city has for us, but first to breakfast (my tummy is grumbling so must feed it). Our room has access to the executive lounge including breakfast so hope its good.

11:11am and we are back in the room after breakfast. Great food and even better coffee. Our bag has finally found us! We are both so excited to see our stuff safely here - thanks Air NZ. Quick phone charge before heading out to explore the city.

11:33pm nearly bed time. We had a lovely day wandering around the city. It's a lovely city and it's nice to just chat. We found a great little restaurant where I got soup for NZ$7 tucked around a little corner in the city.

Quiet night in. We decided yesterday that Wellington was about getting into the groove of being on holidays. Mission accomplished!

Tomorrow late check out before making our way to Napier. Good night everyone

* whilst we are here the drama around the Wellywood sign at Wellington airport was making the news everyday. I have to agree I think the sign is ridiculous, its iconic to Hollywood and you just make yourself look lame trying to copy that

Our NZ Adventure - Day 1: Sunday 22 May

Here they finally are, this is the first of the series of posts about our holiday!

Last night I was so excited about the trip we didn't get to bed until midnight. V. early start this morning (5:30 for a 9:30 flight, I really hate the 3 hour international flight rule). At that hour I can't handle the bathroom light instead I used the hall light and little Rory sat on the bathroom mat watching out for danger. Either that or he wasn’t letting me out of his sight until he knew what the plan was.

Cabbie was on time - quite the surprise. Very quick run to Kingsford Smith International airport since it was so early on a Sunday. Turned out to be a great time to fly in the end despite the early start.


Yes we duty free shopped. 3 bottles of Vodka (the max we could take into NZ) and some perfume and we were out of there.

Flying Air New Zealand we definitely recommend works deluxe. You get to use the priority check in and the priority custom clearance cue, awesome. You also get access to the lounge. As it was so early they had breakfast out, but the coffee machine was broken (WTF?).


All aboard! At the moment the way the seats work are you get three seats for two. No extra leg room but the extra space to spread your stuff is brilliant. In the picture above you can sort of see the cute sign they put on the middle seat. Definitely a great way to fly at a really good price.


How crazy is it that these photos were taken out the window of the plane. I choose ones with bits of the plane in them just so you'd believe me!


So after a great flight we were disappointed, after patiently waiting, to discover our bag didn’t leave Sydney on the same plane. The guy was lovely and gave some great advice* but it really sucks. Just have to hope it makes it to Wellington before we leave.

Mental note: next time make sure the phone charger is in the carry on luggage!

Grabbed the hire car and we were out of there. The drive into the city was hilarious. Yes we took wrong turns and ended up going around the block our hotel is on a few times but we got here (laughing the whole way) and that’s what counts.

I am exhausted. There is a 2-hour time difference between here and home so it's been a very long day indeed. Great to hang with Richard though, he really is my very best friend.

*tell your hotel you have lost your bag and ask them their policy for when the airline delivers it to the hotel. Apparently, sometimes the airline drops it off but the hotel stores it at reception rather than taking it to the room, so the bag sits there waiting for its owner who thinks it hasn't arrived.

16 June 2011

My darling niece Charlotte is a very grown up two today.

The year she was born my aunt and uncle (both siblings of my Mum) passed away. It was a hard year but out of it came this amazing little person. She really was the best thing to happen in 2009 and we are so glad we know you Charlotte.

In the background are her Dad's ankles and her little puppy Ralphy! They were all going for a walk but Char's mummy was too busy taking photos

15 June 2011

This is Rory's foot print on Richards iPad case - he walked through the dust left by the tradies doing our bathroom. So cute!

5 June 2011