Back again

Back to blogging. Also back from holiday. We loved it, so much to see and do and a beautiful part of Aust. to visit. The weather was mostly around 25 – 27 degrees and just perfect. Hard coming back to the wind and cold. Lots of highlights, one being the trip out to the reef, another the train up to a village in the rain forest and then back 7.5 k’s on a sky rail (which decided to almost stop above the trees putting me into a silent panic mode!) We hired a car and drove further north; an estimated four hour trip took as six as we stopped to sight see quite often on the way. I loved the scenery, the rain forests; the sugar cane in flower looked beautiful. Loved the beaches, the cafes, the laid back surrounding. Funny – the only N Zealander we met was one of Peter’s old work mates and his wife on the train ride up in the middle of nowhere! Oh yes I gained 200 grams – was happy with that result as we were eating out every day, wine at night and the odd gelato during the day! Maybe a combination of good choices (lots of seafood) also lots of walking all helped.

Back to reality! We got hit with that rather quickly. Rachel our daughter met us at the airport and after the initial kisses and hugs (also huge hugs with Jordyn & Casey) we asked how where things at work and home. She looked a little tentative and asked what we wanted to hear first – good or bad!? The bad news was our old ex neighbour and friend had passed away. The next bad news was our phone line – again!!! I’m working on a data card for internet access (still). The initial problem we had with the phone that took six days to fix has happened again – this time we are into our seventh day! The phone is working (sort of) but the Internet connection is still down. I think we live in a third world county at times. They are getting a digger out today to dig up the cable; it appears that there was more damage caused by the power cut that took out the cable a few weeks ago. Today I’ve enquired about a satellite connection and in approx. four weeks we will have one installed, which eventually means the phone line can connect – so bye bye Telec0m – here’s hoping I never have to phone your fault service again! I spent Friday – ALL DAY - trying to phone them for help – their service is not even what you call lacking, it’s non existent. Oh we did receive a lovely letter from them apologizing for the previous fiasco and assuring us they value us as customers, blah blah… More news - Devin had lost his glasses. Lost them for over a week but Deb found them in the weekend stuck behind a photo frame on the book case?? The good news – apart from the phone issues work went smoothly – thanks Rachel! Our house sitter spoiled our dog rotten – he loved it.

Friday night the kids came up for drinks, the girls had instructed us to buy duty free Baileys. Was a lovely relaxing night and so good to see those little boys again – I had missed them!

Saturday – of to met Chris and Chris for a coffee, I’m all for the commitment to weigh weekly again, even though I only had a little gain while on holiday, I know I’m about 3-4 kilos from my lightest and I can feel every one of them stuck around my middle like a rubber tyre! We meet up with one of my aqua friends and a few others for her birthday Saturday night and went to a Turkish restaurant. Was a fun night, always is there - they quite often have belly dancers and it just has so much atmosphere. When we arrived – surprise someone came up behind us and hugged us. It was one of our what we call ‘boat people’. Years ago when we went to the UK we went by ship and this was one of the group we met and later lived with in London. So good to catch up and as you do we made promises to have an official catch up soon. The weird thing was we were asked if we had caught up with our other ‘boat person’ who also lives in Palmy and we said we hadn’t for a while. Then next morning they phoned us to see if we wanted to meet for brunch. Phew – another meal out! So we had a lovely brunch – I wasn’t even hungry as still full from the night before! Loved catching up – but received some shocking news as we were getting ready to say our goodbyes. Our friend told us he had a routine blood test before an op on his knee and they found he has cancer! It blew us away and just didn’t know what to say, it’s a waiting game now for further tests and a biopsy and all we can do is be there for him. They seem to think it has been found in early stages so fingers crossed.

So after the past few days our holiday is a distant memory. I’m sure the bank card bill will bring back a few of those memories…

I enjoyed the break from blogging for a while, but do realize it does keep me focused which I need. I had thought long and hard about how to deal with this battle I have on my hands with even removing a little bit of weight. I find it strange how I can exercise and eat really well and virtually maintain, then I can eat out and do less exercise and expect to gain – yet still maintain, I’m sure my body like being where it is – but I don’t. What bought home to me that I do really want to succeed was the fact while on holiday – I didn’t buy one item of clothing – why because even the XL size t shirts were too small – well they fitted but tightly!!

Today – well must call Telec0m again for an update – Grrrr!!! The thought of that puts my stress levels up, but to be truthful I don’t think they are going to get the Internet going any time soon and as for our phone – it echoes, hums and buzzes – sounds good for a business phone! I also plan to go to aqua, and must say as we really got into walking while on holiday – it’s something I want to keep up. Rachel and I have planned a walk tomorrow after dropping Jordyn of to kindy.

Hope you will come back and visit now I’ve decided to come back and write.