It is always nice to get home after a few weeks away but it is definitely tempered by the thought of the return to work. Tomorrow is return to work day... a 'cheeky Friday' return to ease myself back into it. It's not that i dont like what i do - fact is, I really like my job but the idea of 'routine' and general work related stress is not something anybody looks forward to post holiday.
And on top it all off, my first born moved out of home today. Compared to farewelling him for 5 months overseas, it should be a breeze... it's only Northcote... not NYC... and we've encouraged the whole moving out thing but it's hard not to feel a bit flat. I'll probably feel flat until the first grocery bill is halved and then i will start to celebrate his new found independence.
ah well, perhaps the post travel blues can only be cured by starting to plan for the next holiday!
In the meantime, KG is almost back in the office...
xx
Thursday 21 July 2011
Friday 15 July 2011
and is pleased to report that she danced in the CALLAS village square to YMCA on Bastille Day...
Our week in the Villa is drawing to a close and while I am very much looking forward to a couple of days in Paris, it is sad to be leaving our friends, this amazing countryside and the lovely village that is Callas behind.
Monica, Felicity and I have been friends now for more than 20 years; we are all Penguin chicks (does that make us Puffins?) from way back and as it happens, Mon and I are still Penguin chicks one way or another! We have led very different lives, in very different countries but our friendship has survived the geographical challenges and the fantastic week that we've had here with each other and our families is testament to that friendship. It was funny to think about Sam being a 14 month old baby at Monica and John's wedding and to watch them at dinner last night chatting happily about travel, books and writing.
On Bastille Day (yesterday) we booked a table at one of the little restaurants in the village square (remember it is mid 30's - so balmy nights) and with most of the town, enjoyed 'The Ball' which was a disco set up in the square around the restaurants. And despite our children's embarrassment, GG and i did get up and dance to YMCA - actions and all - and to Oh What a Night (in French of course). Dan, if you're reading this you would have been proud darl. It was a wonderful family event with lots of good local food, wine and dancing...Not quite Sam's idea of a night out with a DJ but fun nonetheless.
Paris tomorrow...
Love to ya'll
KG xx
Monica, Felicity and I have been friends now for more than 20 years; we are all Penguin chicks (does that make us Puffins?) from way back and as it happens, Mon and I are still Penguin chicks one way or another! We have led very different lives, in very different countries but our friendship has survived the geographical challenges and the fantastic week that we've had here with each other and our families is testament to that friendship. It was funny to think about Sam being a 14 month old baby at Monica and John's wedding and to watch them at dinner last night chatting happily about travel, books and writing.
On Bastille Day (yesterday) we booked a table at one of the little restaurants in the village square (remember it is mid 30's - so balmy nights) and with most of the town, enjoyed 'The Ball' which was a disco set up in the square around the restaurants. And despite our children's embarrassment, GG and i did get up and dance to YMCA - actions and all - and to Oh What a Night (in French of course). Dan, if you're reading this you would have been proud darl. It was a wonderful family event with lots of good local food, wine and dancing...Not quite Sam's idea of a night out with a DJ but fun nonetheless.
Paris tomorrow...
Love to ya'll
KG xx
Sunday 10 July 2011
and has a top travel tip for you ...
Who knew Provence would be so beautiful? Do I ever have to go back to work?? Ever?? Our stay so far has been wonderfully relaxing with good food, swimming, wandering the streets of Aix en-Provence which must surely be one of the most stunning cities in the world, and reading our books. No museums or galleries...it is the quieter end of our holiday.
We did a fantastic Taste of Provence tour which was the ideal intro to Aix, with a bit of history, food tastings through the farmers' markets, coffee in the best coffee shop and recommendations for other eateries which subsequently visited. The place is teeming with people which would otherwise send me into a spin but somehow when you're on hols, these things are easier to manage... still, i think it would be nice to visit when most of Europe aren't on holidays!
It is still hot with temperatures in the mid 30's each day so having a pool at our accomm was a real treat at the end of the day.
We have now settled into villa life with friends from Dublin and Paris... it is in a superb location; private, quiet, roomy, great views over to the olive grove and mountains and already we have eaten and drunk too much. phew, was worried about internet scams and arriving to a pile of rubble...
Now for the travel tip... who knew that when we noticed Gg putting up dental floss around the room that he was in fact, creating a washing line to hang our wet clothes on. we laughed, we scorned, we made further references to Chevy Chase but of course it was brilliant and we had to eat our words, stifle our laughter and apologise for our scorn.
Hope you're all well!
see you in Paris xxKG
We did a fantastic Taste of Provence tour which was the ideal intro to Aix, with a bit of history, food tastings through the farmers' markets, coffee in the best coffee shop and recommendations for other eateries which subsequently visited. The place is teeming with people which would otherwise send me into a spin but somehow when you're on hols, these things are easier to manage... still, i think it would be nice to visit when most of Europe aren't on holidays!
It is still hot with temperatures in the mid 30's each day so having a pool at our accomm was a real treat at the end of the day.
We have now settled into villa life with friends from Dublin and Paris... it is in a superb location; private, quiet, roomy, great views over to the olive grove and mountains and already we have eaten and drunk too much. phew, was worried about internet scams and arriving to a pile of rubble...
Now for the travel tip... who knew that when we noticed Gg putting up dental floss around the room that he was in fact, creating a washing line to hang our wet clothes on. we laughed, we scorned, we made further references to Chevy Chase but of course it was brilliant and we had to eat our words, stifle our laughter and apologise for our scorn.
Hope you're all well!
see you in Paris xxKG
Monday 4 July 2011
and pondering the 'travelling with teenagers' experience...
Barcelona... what a stunning city to walk through, eat in, observe the architectural diversity of and shop in! We have had a fabulous few days doing all of that and some. Highlights included the Sagrada Familia, the Palau Musica Catalana and the three dresses I bought in a fantastic little shop in the la Ribera district (happy birthday to me!). Loved Parc Guell, La Pedrera, the Roman Walk we took ourselves on and...the tapas.
But after a week of travelling together it was time to assess the famille dynamic. Well, lets just say it's about compromise whether you are in Box Hill South or Spain. One minute one of us will be having a meltdown over something (not me of course) and the next we'll be enjoying a huge belly laugh. I did hear Sam mutter during one particular melt down that it was "like some kind of reAlity TV show..." which led me to wonder if in fact it was more National Lampoon's Vacation than Gill Family holiday. That said, i wouldn't have had it any other way, or changed a minute... And that said i'm sure Sam was happy enough to head to Santorini for a week before meeting us again in France where he is very much looking forward to spending time with our friends as well as us!
We have loved Spain. The food, the weather, the cities, the colour and the rich cultural experiences have been constantly amazing. Our final couple of days in Spain are in Valencia which is already shaping up to be yet another fascinating city.
So, as Bonnie tries desperately to find English subtitles on the telly...
Today i finished reading Room which I loved and will now read Jonathon Franzen's Freedom.
Adios groovers
by the time we meet again i will be, gulp, 49 and in the south of France.
KG xx
But after a week of travelling together it was time to assess the famille dynamic. Well, lets just say it's about compromise whether you are in Box Hill South or Spain. One minute one of us will be having a meltdown over something (not me of course) and the next we'll be enjoying a huge belly laugh. I did hear Sam mutter during one particular melt down that it was "like some kind of reAlity TV show..." which led me to wonder if in fact it was more National Lampoon's Vacation than Gill Family holiday. That said, i wouldn't have had it any other way, or changed a minute... And that said i'm sure Sam was happy enough to head to Santorini for a week before meeting us again in France where he is very much looking forward to spending time with our friends as well as us!
We have loved Spain. The food, the weather, the cities, the colour and the rich cultural experiences have been constantly amazing. Our final couple of days in Spain are in Valencia which is already shaping up to be yet another fascinating city.
So, as Bonnie tries desperately to find English subtitles on the telly...
Today i finished reading Room which I loved and will now read Jonathon Franzen's Freedom.
Adios groovers
by the time we meet again i will be, gulp, 49 and in the south of France.
KG xx
Thursday 30 June 2011
and wonders if anyone believes in ghosts?
Our stay in Madrid has been busy and rich with cultural experiences including a meeting with a ghost for Bon. After meeting Sammy G at the Hertz counter we arrived at our apartment which is right in the heart of Madrid. Perfect. Ok 4 flights of stairs is a challenge a few times a day but they are worth it given the location and the possibility that my bum may just be a size smaller by the time i get to the south of France! Ok - maybe not given the food and wine i'm consuming.
Anyway, the thing is that on night one, Bonnie had a terrible night where she felt like this bloke was in the room with her and Sam (as if sam would wake up!) and after a while she was so distressed she had to get up and sleep in another room, after which she had a nightmare about the same bloke being in a motorbike accident and dying... It's not the first time she has retold a ghostly experience that would be hard to make up otherwise. Ghost or bad dream?
Ghosts aside, we have visited the Prado (free after 6) the Thyssen, the Reina Sofia (free after 7), the Palace Real,adopted the siesta in the middle of the day routine as it is soooooo hot ( and we lunch at the apartment to save funds) walked through beautiful parks and visted Toledo which is a wonderful medieval city just half an hour away by very fast train. We have had great food, beer and wine and have been thankful for Sam's 6 months of Spanish at uni for
translation purposes.
The view from the apartment through the roof tops to the church dome across the way is amazing and given that the sun sets around 10pm, it is lovely to watch the sky change colour and the dome light up as night falls.
Now, reading... finished and adored the new Monica McInerney due for release later in the year. Mon, you are a star...thank you for keeping me compelled with another fantastic family saga through the long haul flight. Am currently reading Room by Emma Donoghue which i am unable to out down either!
Hope you are all well!
next stop for these happy tourists...Barcelona. See you there!
KGxx
Anyway, the thing is that on night one, Bonnie had a terrible night where she felt like this bloke was in the room with her and Sam (as if sam would wake up!) and after a while she was so distressed she had to get up and sleep in another room, after which she had a nightmare about the same bloke being in a motorbike accident and dying... It's not the first time she has retold a ghostly experience that would be hard to make up otherwise. Ghost or bad dream?
Ghosts aside, we have visited the Prado (free after 6) the Thyssen, the Reina Sofia (free after 7), the Palace Real,adopted the siesta in the middle of the day routine as it is soooooo hot ( and we lunch at the apartment to save funds) walked through beautiful parks and visted Toledo which is a wonderful medieval city just half an hour away by very fast train. We have had great food, beer and wine and have been thankful for Sam's 6 months of Spanish at uni for
translation purposes.
The view from the apartment through the roof tops to the church dome across the way is amazing and given that the sun sets around 10pm, it is lovely to watch the sky change colour and the dome light up as night falls.
Now, reading... finished and adored the new Monica McInerney due for release later in the year. Mon, you are a star...thank you for keeping me compelled with another fantastic family saga through the long haul flight. Am currently reading Room by Emma Donoghue which i am unable to out down either!
Hope you are all well!
next stop for these happy tourists...Barcelona. See you there!
KGxx
Monday 27 June 2011
and having a fab holiday so far.....
The flight was bearable and there was lovely GG at Heathrow ro meet us... tired and badly in need of a shower, we reached our hotel at Imperial Wharf in time to shower quickly and head off to meet Rebecca, Paul, Ann and Geoff for dinner...it was lovely to see them all but Bon and i started to flag pretty quickly and we were home by 9 ish. By this stage it was cold and wet...eek. Saturday turned out to be a much more pleasant day and after a great sleep, we walked Kings Road through Chelsea etc to Buck Palace where the Queen was happy to receive us. (well so said the flag). In fact she had put on a fine display of guards changing, music playing and general pomp and ceremony. It was no royal wedding but it pleased us nonetheless. Onto Covent Garden, still on foot, to a Photographers Gallery which turns out, is no longer there :(. Never mind.. great lunch in a little Greek cafe. and onto the museum of Sir John Soane. This was recommended to us by Susie G and was fantastic... check it out:www.soane.org. Bonnie enjoyed herself despite the fact it was a museum! Onto Portabello Road for a browse through the market before heading home and out for a fantastic chargrilled seafood platter at Megan's (Kings Road)...tired, bed, good sleep...
Sunday was hot! we hit the Camden Markets but in the end were all a bit disappointed. More fun in the op shops along the High Street. and disappointingly, the Jewish Museum that Bon was keen to visit in Camden because she missed the trip to Melb's Holocaust museum, was closed as the power had gone off in the street. (she's studying Elie Wiesel's, Night). Bummer but we enjoyed another lovely lunch of organic vegie food before escaping the crowds and heading to the Kensington High st to visit the rooftop gardens i had read about... closed! :( oh well walked home and headed to the pub on the river for a vino on what was now a lovely balmy evening. home to bed before an early start... Departing for Madrid at 9.35am.
photos will follow when i work out how to upload them from the iPad!
Sunday was hot! we hit the Camden Markets but in the end were all a bit disappointed. More fun in the op shops along the High Street. and disappointingly, the Jewish Museum that Bon was keen to visit in Camden because she missed the trip to Melb's Holocaust museum, was closed as the power had gone off in the street. (she's studying Elie Wiesel's, Night). Bummer but we enjoyed another lovely lunch of organic vegie food before escaping the crowds and heading to the Kensington High st to visit the rooftop gardens i had read about... closed! :( oh well walked home and headed to the pub on the river for a vino on what was now a lovely balmy evening. home to bed before an early start... Departing for Madrid at 9.35am.
photos will follow when i work out how to upload them from the iPad!
Wednesday 22 June 2011
because today is DEPARTURE day!
I think I have ticked all the things on the list:
Had a chat to GG this morning. He is currently in the UK climbing mountains and fording streams and seems unimpressed by my constant singing of Aint No Mountain High Enough - sadly.We are looking forward to seeing him in London tomorrow.
So Qatar airlines, we are on our way and looking forward to take off!
See y'all in London
xx
- finished packing
- waxed (sorry if that's too much info for some... they were talking about Warren Zevon at work the other day and the thought of Werewolves of London reminded me!)
- checked in
- printed boarding passes
- filled out the green cards
- charged the iPad
- made sure there is food for Liv (who is house and cat sitting) and that she knows bin night is Thursday night
- selected reading matter (this is not an easy task and has been under consideration for some time.)
Had a chat to GG this morning. He is currently in the UK climbing mountains and fording streams and seems unimpressed by my constant singing of Aint No Mountain High Enough - sadly.We are looking forward to seeing him in London tomorrow.
So Qatar airlines, we are on our way and looking forward to take off!
See y'all in London
xx
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