It's The Final Countdown..

DAH DAH DAH DAHHH!!! DADDLE AH DA DAHHH!

The dream....

Only a measly 12 working days go until the big off! Unusually panic has not yet set in due to packing related anxiety; that should turn up about 3 days before we fly out.


 I am currently praying to God/ Buddha/ Satan/ The Prophet/ Great A'Tuin/ Ra/ Hailie Sellasie/ Dave Grohl , that I have no Kindle related horrors this time. It wouldn't be as bad as in Portugal; I gather that some Americans can read and actually enjoy books.

The horrible reality

I do feel like I am entering the lion's den though with only Charles Dickens and Mark Twain to protect me.  The Kindle is bulging at the seams with lots of lovely classics; Sherlock Holmes, Shakespeare, Poe and a slew of steampunky goodness. 


All this preparation of books is only to ensure that I have something to do on the flight there and back. Husband snorts in disbelief, reminding me that I only have to pass a hairdressers shop and the sound of the dryers makes me fall asleep. I can think of worse ways of passing the time, but then I would miss out on complimentary drinkees and checking where we are on the Indiana Jones style map (there had better be on).


I wish flying was more like you see in the movies - people having "travelling outfits" as opposed to tracksuit bottoms and nasty gold earrings. Eurch. I may be sporting a natty cloche hat and suit, and have a little man to carry my matching luggage. In my dreams (cue rumbling engine noises...)

These aren't the sewing notions you're looking for

Holy crap. 


I love buttons.


I love Darth Vader.


All Christmas's come at once - JOY!

Houston, we have a problem...

Oh dear, too soon? 

Never mind world,  we shall just have to muddle along in our normal chaotic way, where footballers can cause riots by failing to observe common courtesy, normal news is stopped by the news that a rather over-rated Hollywood actress loses a highly inappropriately heeled shoe, and 5cm of snow stops the UK from doing much of anything.

Only 4 weeks until we jet off to America, where strangely weird behaviour seems somehow more normal? I shall be documenting all occasions of strangeness by our colonial cousins and reporting back of course

Whilst I am away, I suggest some kind person does a touch of Oxfam bin diving and creates this magnificent piece of uncomfortable and yet superb furniture...

Don't Move!

Don't worry - no need with this THING...possibly the greatest thing ever to be invented in the history of civilisation as we know it. I would literally never have to go anywhere except to the kitchen and bathroom...I could live in this!


And after a while of minimal trips to the kitchen it may actually be able to bear my weight without being propped up with books..

When the wind is in the east

It's bloody chilly to say the least!

Welcome to the powder room!

Another day started by walking to work and feeling like my skin had been flayed off my face (or what small part of my face was exposed to the elements - half a nose and cheeks). THEY are talking of snow, so a weekend of cuddling the cat on the sofa with the fire on and a good book sounds like heaven. I may be tempted to the pub but only if I can be winkled out of the house - fat chance!


Only now am I realising why ceramic floor tiles are not such a bright idea in an unheated bathroom which sits over an unheated kitchen. This does rather make it sound like we live in a slightly glorified cave, which I can assure you we do not. All other rooms are heated and toasty, i.e. all the other rooms where you can avoid being naked with really no problems at all - damn it! I wonder how long I could go without a shower before people started to complain......