Ahh it’s new years day and I’ve got to say so far it’s a pretty good start to the year. The sun is shining through our lounge room window and I’ve got a nice hot cup of tea in my hands. It’s amazing, like the world knows it’s the first day of the new year. Do I have any resolutions? Yep for sure! Besides the usual eg getting fit and drinking less, I’m going to try and make better use of my time. Less time day dreaming and thinking about what could happen, and more time getting out there, enjoying life and just ‘being’.

Bri and I had a pretty quiet night last night (must be getting old). We both felt really tired from Amsterdam and the weather was dreadful so we stayed in. I cooked a huge stir fry and we drank Baileys on ice and watched DVDs and the countdown on TV. I’ve got to say that London’s fireworks display, which was rigged to fire from the London Eye, beats Sydney’s hands down. It was spectacular! not only were there loads of explosions, they were all colour coordinated too! I’m sure there’ll be a few vids on YouTube for those of you who are interested overseas.

We still don’t have internet at home, which is one of the reasons my posts have been so few and far between. The other reason, is because we’ve been EXTREMELY busy. In the last few weeks, Bri’s been to Rome and back, and we’ve both been to Amsterdam and Wales. I’ve taken Bri to all my fave places in London, including Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Camden and bars Café Cairo and Gigalum.

Xmas was spent in Wales with Sian’s family and served as a nice relaxing break. We were completely mothered by Sian’s mum and got fed every couple of hours. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so much in my whole life – turkey, roast beef, ice cream cakes, cheese platters, Heinz tomato soup, chocolates, welsh cakes, pork pies, and quiches.
Got lots of cool presents this year – a large coffee table book on the BBC series, Planet Earth (one of my fave documentaries ever), a mini world globe (which I’m going to put on my desk at work and use to plan holidays when I get bored), a cocktail shaker, make up kit, candles and bath soaps.

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me, bri and alex in a bar in wales on xmas eve

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And as we were in 1988! (dad sent me this old pic recently)

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alex and sian in front of the castle they're going to get married in, in 2008

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that's one big turkey

It was my 4th time to Amsterdam, but I still had a fantastic time. Bri, Alex, Sian and I stayed in a 4* hotel a little out of the city centre called The Bastian Deluxe. In the 3 days we were there we did loads of shopping, saw Anne Frank’s house, checked out the markets and did a boat cruise down the Amstel. We also ate lots of junk food. I had chips for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The chips in Amsterdam are amazing. There’s this chain called Vlaamse Frites and I swear they are the best chips I’ve ever had – and trust me, I’ve had a lot of chips! I think they double fry them or something. If you go to Amsterdam you HAVE to try them. Make sure you add lots of creamy mayonnaise and cheese sauce. Yummmm.

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the best chips in the WORLD!