That time of year again

Birthday time. Go off and do something different time. My last few years of birthdays have been different. I got the bug after spending one in a cave hotel in Turkey, 10 year ago now, drinking raki, eating white cheese and watermelon with the hotel owner. Then the cake arrived courtesy of the lovely Hayden who had organised our trip. Celebrations shared.

Then there were a few at home followed by one that started in Al Ain, progressed to Dubai business class lounge with a bubbly breakfast and ended in Cardiff via a road trip from London. Other highlights have been Italian with friends on a tropical island, dining on trout fresh from Lake Titikaka after visiting the reed islands and New Orleans adventures. This years highlight tops all, breakfast with our newest addition and her dad and mum in Melbourne. Getting to know the gorgeous Frankie.

Next year will have to be pretty special to top that. So begins a new year for me, one that takes some reflection after all the changes of the past year. Its been exactly a year since I set sail from Cayman and began my long way round back to home. A year of new friends and old friends, sixteen airports (many of them multiple times), adventures and learning, family time with an increased family, finding my way around a new job, a new home with new furniture and old treasures. Not a bad year really.

Aotearoa

Melbourne

Sometimes I'm just too busy to do this space justice. The last three weekends have been hectic, this one is the same. I'm in Melbourne getting some Frankie time. And Nick and Liberty time of course, although the small girl demands a bit of time. She is so gorgeous, at such a lovely age with smiles and chats as she kicks on her new NZ sheepskin rug.

Tonight I get to babysit as her mum and dad have a much needed night out. She's just gone off to sleep, the house seems so quiet. It's disconcerting looking at her sometimes as Nick looks back at me. She looks like her dad, that brings back memories. She's a much more settled baby than he was thankfully.

Melbourne is showing me her winter face. Windy and cold with a helping of hail as I walked back from the shops this afternoon. I always enjoy Melbourne. So much to do and so easy to get around. Tomorrow promises some sunshine and a wander around the markets. I'm looking forward to that.

I was in Brisbane last weekend for Sasi's hens party and to get some Aria and Eve time. Such a great weekend, not long enough really. It was warm too, much needed sunshine after the recent bleakness of Wellington. Roll on summer, it can't come soon enough for this hot house flower.