After spending time in Derby and Brum with the Woodwards we embarked on the massive mission of catching up with as many people as we possibly could… whilst continuing to munch through Matt’s food wish list.

The rolling English countryside!

Saturday morning we got up and drive over to Hereford. Hereford, is where I was born and where most of my family lives.   We drove straight to my Nan and Granddad’s house and caught up with them for an hour or two.  We walked in whilst they were in the middle of decorating their living room so Matt made himself useful by taking down the blinds! They both seemed really well which is relief as Nan has had quite a few health issues this year.  The only resident of the house hold who seemed a little subdued was mad dog “Whiskey” who amusingly seems to have put on so much weight he didn’t manage to greet us in the passageway as he usually does… he can’t fit through the pet door anymore.  He also seemed far less inclined to bounce about and spin on the spot.  Other than that I’d say everyone, including Jason the cat were all good!

Uncle Nigel was also there being chief wall paper person so it was great to see him too before we headed off to catch up with other relatives.

One significant thing I had to do was visit the grave of my late Nan and Granddad.   A week after we left England my Nan passed away and I didn’t have the chance to attend her funeral and say farewell.  So, rather than grabbing chips from the college chippy and having a cup of tea with her we had to head to the cemetery to say hello.  It was very strange and sad but it was good to take some flowers to cheer up her resting place.  In fact, we ended up picking up sandwiches and eating them on the park bench a few meters away from where she rests; I reckon she’d have liked that, us having lunch with her.

After visiting Nan’s grave we headed over to my cousin’s house.  She had a little baby girl whilst we were away and we’d never met her.  It was lovely to catch up with her and her brood.  They really are awesome kids, she should be very proud of them.  We arrived at a point where he oldest son had to apologise to her because he’d managed to hit her with his toy dinosaur… His response was that “big t-rex did it” and when she replied that big T-rex better apologise then he put on a monster voice and said “sorry mummy” .  Very cute!

It was also really cute to see the traditional Lloyd style sibling personalities in evidence.  Oldest one…  noisy, confident and independent.  Youngest one… shy, clinging to mum and quiet.  Tee hee!  Even Matt said I can see you there and Kelly there!   lol  It was really cool to catch up with them all.

Now.. this is BALTI!!! YOM!

On the same day we’d booked ourselves into our favourite Brummy curry house, the  Shylhet Spice Cuisine, in Kings Heath.  I can’t tell you how amazing it was to eat a proper curry with a proper Naan! Lol  I’ve really missed an actual Balti.  Our local curry house tries hard to make them but they’re just not the same as an authentic Brummy Curry!  YOM!

The curry gang! Thanks for coming you guys! :0)

What was even more lovely was that nearly 20 people came to eat with us.  Some of them driving from North Wales just to spend a couple of hours with us!  We are really lucky to have such fabulous friends.  There was a lot of love in that room !

We graciously gave ourselves Sunday off from our mad dash and, after a very important breakfast at Beckett’s Farm (sausages)  spent most of the day at Mum’s setting up their NAS drive (NERD ALERT!) Matt, of course, made sure that he had the opportunity to drink more English Ales in the evening; I was so tired of going out that I stayed in… Unfortunately, I didn’t know that Matt had taken a house key with him and so ended up staying up until the wee hours so I could let him in…. you might have seen the Facebook status! Lol

We bounced back into the swing of things on Monday, heading to my favourite place in the whole of the UK… Stratford upon Avon. I just had to go and see the new theatre and have a yummy cream tea by the river! I know it’s a clichéd British thing but I really do love a cup of tea and a scone with proper clotted cream!  YOM!

We were joined by friends of ours so we were given another opportunity to catch up with people we hadn’t seen for a while! All good

By Tuesday lunchtime we were on the train to London so that we could spend some time with my bestieN8 and her husband – I need to invent a little name for him    It’s always awesome to catch up with her and we’d planned in a little spa day to ensure that the gossip wasn’t interrupted by smelly boys.  That meant that we left Matt to his own devices.  He ended up catching up with a friend in the pub at lunchtime… and didn’t finish drinking until late that night…  I force-fed him about 2 liters of water that night… there was no way I wanted to travel back to Adelaide with a really hung over husband!  NO no NO! I think it worked too!

On the Plane home.. Matt didn't know what I was up to

And that was that.  A plane out of Singapore down to Adelaide and we arrived home Saturday morning! A whirl wind tour of Britishness and now it’s all back to normal…. Sunshine, 20 degrees, coffee at the beach….

Hannah Grace Ruthven! There! I’ve said it! No longer Miss Davis – You’re a Mrs now!!! EXCITING!

You looked absolutely stunning my lovely.  How relieved we all were that you  loved your dress (after months of typical daft, Davis style stressing) You really were soooo Beautiful.  Everyone was so proud of you, of both of you.

You’ve achieved so much together already and, in the 22 years (eik!) that i’ve had the pleasure of being your friend and confidant, we’ve shared a lot of “growing up” time and quite a lot of successes too

Did you know readers that, for example,  she was co-host of her own radio show (SHAK FM), that she’s starred in her own productions of several hit musicals, as well as being a joint front woman for an awesome pop band?  It had a repertoire of two songs – “Manic Monday” by the Bangles and “Together Forever” by Rick Astley – Awesome dance moves included! Thank god X-factor wasn’t around in the early 90s!

Naturally, singing songs with lyrics like “Together forever and never to part” brought about plenty of early conversations about who that “dream of a man” might be. But… it wasn’t until 4/5 years a go that we had actual grown-up conversations about what marriage might actually mean.  She hadn’t met John then and, at the time, when ever I discussed how I had found “the one” her response would usually involve the phrase “pass me a bucket” whilst she pulled a very un-bride like face and pretended to gag.

Then she met John, Things changed,  very quickly.  Now I get to laugh at her soppiness and cheesey wedding suggestions. One of these suggestions even managed to make it to the actual wedding! “I” on the left foot “Do” on the right, in blue rhinestones.  Not only had she mutilated actual shoes she did it to spell actual words of LOVE.  A very similar concept to the flip flops a friend bought which printed the words “Just Married” as she and her new husband strolled along the beach.  At the time, unsurprisingly, she laughed at that. Thought it was hilarious! See… things change when you have the right person… If you asked her now, i’m absolutely sure that she would  “move heaven and earth to be together for ever with you”, John. Even whilst wearing those flip flops! ;P

Now to you Johnny boy….  since dating you my lovely, Hannah has found much more than the dream man to be “together forever {with} and never to part”. She’s found someone with whom she can build and share new dreams. You’ve already helped each other to achieve so much and I know that your support and love means a lot to Hannah.  It’s this love and support that shows how much you really were meant for each other and.. I hope she won’t request another bucket if I say… you clearly are made for each other.  You must be “the one”!

I’m so happy for you both   I hope you’re having lots of fun in Italy – 5 weeks until I see you both again! I will look forward to dinner with Mr and Mrs Ruthven of Crouch End

Mr and Mrs Ruthven - El Far, Tamariu

So, our travels are over.  We’ve hopped to Europe and back in a week and enjoyed catching up with family and friends.  This was a our first time out of Australia since we arrived here 18 months ago. So, it was really our first opportunity to see how we felt leaving it.  I know we didn’t go all the way to the UK this time (that will happen in August though) but we did have the opportunity to see our friends and family as well as see how we felt about coming back… and leaving them.

It’s a very strange feeling.  First of all, Matt told me that he felt strangly sad leaving Adelaide in the first place.  He had to remind himself that this wasn’t a repeat trip of our “ping pong” back to the UK in ’07, that we were coming back.  I, on the other hand, was so busy thinking about the stuff I needed to get done when I got back that I wasn’t under any illusion that we wouldn’t be returning!

Spain did feel different this time though.  Obviously, having grown up in the UK, Spain was a regular holiday destination.  It always felt strange and different.  It’s dusty, dry, has terracotta roofed houses, beaches with cafes and a different atmosphere to the U.K.  Weirdly, when you go there from another, dusty, dry place with beaches and terracotta roofed houses it feels strangely familiar.  Even the plants were like the ones we have here in Adelaide.  The feeling of familiarity with the place I now call home.. from a location on the other side of the world was not something I was expecting.  It was nice though.  It also meant that leaving Spain, our holiday destination, didn’t seem as much of a wrench as it did when we were living in the UK.  I’ve left the Spanish beaches and cafes for the one’s down the road.

It’s a nice feeling knowing that you want to come back.  It’s even nicer knowing that the life you have now chosen to lead everyday is a little like the one that your friends and family back home see as a holiday.  I’m not being unrealistic, obviously I have to go to work in between but at the end of the day, the beach is at the end of the road, the sun is usually shinning and I can relax here

Of course, hanging out with your friends for the first time in 18 months is wonderful.  To be honest, I was worried about where I might fit in after all that time.. it appears I fit exactly where I used to! (yay!) which is a relief!  I did have a secret cry on the beach during the wedding because I knew that now that lovely day was over, I had to be on my way… away from my best mate again.  I soon slapped myself out of that though.  I’ll see her in 5 weeks!

Let’s see how I cope with it after August!

Here’s some more piccies of the event!

I’ve pinched this one off Facebook. THE SMILE! with a comment under it from the man himself saying “Who’s that handsome man with the gorgeous beard?”

Sometimes life shocks you in a way that leaves you stunned and quiet.

A very old friend of mine died at a very young age almost a week ago and so far I haven’t been able to say too much.  Nothing I had to say seemed to even come close to trying to express how I felt about either the situation or him.  Noj did better. He wrote a lovely post about how he’ll remember our mutual friend.

Dunk never let himself get bogged down in it all.. he always focused on what he had now and all the good things that had already happened.  So, inspired by him, instead of focusing on what I don’t / won’t have in my life anymore, just like Noj, I’m going to focus on all the things I had.  Because my life really is a much happier place because Dunk was around.  Let me share a few things with you…

They say that if you smile the whole world will smile with you. Dunk really was the guy with the biggest, cheekiest smile that really did give you no option to grin back – no matter what mood you were in.  A smile that was warm and welcoming.  At school,He was the “cool” dude and I was the over emotional one. When I was doing my A levels and being my usual stress head self he taught me the phrase Take it Easy Ya Azizi -  I think it was Arabic? Who knows but it cropped up a fair bit and was a funny little phrase we’ve repeated at each other over the years to ease tension or worry.

Dunk, Ross, Noj and Ant at the pub

Sixth form madness

In my leavers book from St Augustines he told me  to “remember not to take things too seriously” and then later, probably after a pint at the “Star and Garter” (now a very fetching block of flats) wrote “You love it you slag!” in the corner in big blue pen.  Apparently, that was a phrase he wanted us to remember for ever!! LOL.  “stoopid dunk”  Level Headed with a little bit of mad enthusiasm and craziness on the side!

Kel and Ant try to be the grown ups whilst Dunk's being told off and Mark stifles the horror! The Horror of being forced to be on the Cabra right

His lust for life with a little bit of craziness in it was always very obvious. When, one grey and boring Bank Holiday Monday, we decided to go to Cadbury World, Dunk not only got AS excited as me about the new Cabra ride,, he got over excited and just HAD to touch one.   Resulting in a stern voice shouting “Would the gentleman please keep his hand inside the car!”  (he was 26!) I still have this picture on my wall today!  Fun, fun , fun.

Reaching out of things was nothing compared to his love for jumping into and out of things.  He took me up in a plane once.  It was a mini with wings really.  I never would jump out of one though.  Despite all of his “encouragement” to do so.

He did used to be a bit scared of scuba diving.  We did a deal (i thought I’d be safe) that I would jump out of an airplane if he did a scuba dive.  When he moved to Egypt (and subsequently met the lovely Nini) he did go for a dive.  Then he got all of his diving qualifications.  All of them – night, wreck the works. I’m still at the “first dive” stage . That’s just the way he did things.  He never did anything by halves.  Every thing was done properly and every moment lived to the full.

He didn’t even stop when he was asleep.  I can remember one time (shortly after he broke his leg after trying Rugby) I called him at uni and had an almost coherent conversation with him.  Until the conversation didn’t make sense anymore and I realised he wasn’t actually responding to me… He was asleep, had answered the phone and was chatting away to someone in a dream.   We teased him about that for a while.

The thing with Dunk was that he never let fear get in the way.  He was a very clever man , as we all know, and standing back and watching him, I think he really loved a challenge. If it felt a little uncomfortable or scary and it was safe enough (after thorough research usually   ) then he’d do it anyway.  That’s something massive I’ve learnt from my friend.  He has inspired me in so many ways to just relax and see what happens. It might be awesome! Moving outside of your comfort zone really is a good thing.  It pushes you to be better and learn more.

Thank you Dunk.  Thank you for being your fabulous self I will miss you.  Take it easy ya azizi!

Old posts on Dunky:

A poem I wrote when he went to Egypt in 2006

Ross’s wedding when someone asked if Noj and Dunk were “together” – LMAO

The day at Cadbury World and Alton Towers where Dunk was convinced there was a 4th dimension in the queue.

Other Blog’s with Dunk posts:

N8 girl - Eat more Cake

Tarquin Sheen : Dunk

This week Matt’s been off work – well he actually quit work and so didn’t really have any work to go to, as such! He starts his new job on Monday though and hopefully he’ll be much. much happier in his newer surroundings ( Cue funky annoying music).  He is, as we speak, organising and copying across his research materials onto his mobile phone – remembering how he used to like his job

As a result of this impromptu holiday and the fact that it’s the beginning of term we’ve ended up spending all week together – which is lovely He’s also spent some time in the garden making new friends (as you can see in the post below) and I got to go out for a curry (first one since we got here) and meet the friends he had made at his old job as they toasted him farewell. He has some pretty cool pals from RB who will miss him (and his matrix puppets) This can be found on Matt’s face book wall.

A eulogy for the departed employee.

We haven’t done much this week really. A lot of making decisions about NAS drives and Ethernet over power adaptors (not something I think I should be encouraged to blog about) but it has been nice to chill out (and spend a fortune on Nas drives and Power line adaptors).

We did start our College course on Monday.  We decided that in order to make new pals we should go and learn something new.  We’ve signed up for “Therapeutic Massage for couples”.  Every single person we’ve told about this (without question) and both raised an eyebrow and giggled whilst making some kind of leud comment.  Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time!  Free massage every Monday – awesome!  And… it isn’t even remotley kinky.  There are 10 couples studying together.  (We only work on our own partners by the way) over half of them are over 50 and the other remaining couples are about our age.

Last Monday we worked on facial massage during which Matt almost started snoring (lol) and decided that the best way to end a relaxing facial massage was to tweak my nose and make a honking noise. It’s actually ok and not strange at all!  We’re all crammed into the room and have tables we have to dress with pillows, sheets, towels etc before we start but it was good fun and very tasteful. lol

Next Monday we’re doing back massage and how to “drape” in order to preserve dignity.  We’ve had to purchase massage oils and everything – oooh exciting!  I’m glad we’re doing it though!  We need to get out more… On that note.. I’m off to dinner with some new pals in a mo at a lovely pub called the Oxford in North Adelaide.  We seem to be actually getting a life these days   It’s all very promising!

Below is something called a “voicethread” it allows you to leave messages about something for others to read. I use it in teaching to get pupils to discuss… stuff. Now.. .I thought we could use it to say happy Birthday to an old man. The advantage of using sound and webcams being that he won’t have to find his binoculars to read the messages

All you have to do is:

1. Go to voicethread.com and create an account. ( or use User: selena clarke at gmail dot com (but as an actual email address if you catch my drift!)  Pass: party1980 amd skip to point 2!)
2. Come back here and click on the comment button at the bottom of the “voice thread”
4.Choose your weapon! How do you want to comment? Select your option
3. Put in your user name and password ( or the one i mentioned in point 1)

5. Record your message

So far… well done Ciaran! This may be too much and I might be being silly.. But I thought it was worth a try as we’re so far away! lol if all else fails there’s always Faceache or leave a comment here

This came on in a book shop today.  I was suddenly back in the garage. Han and I at the front.  Chris slightly behind us with the dodgy guitar, John playing invisible drums and Kel + Aimee either on “keys” or backing singers somewhere lol Be warbed the webcam mic couldn’t quite handle my enthusiasm.. No.. no wine involved either! lol

Just imagine how full this site’s servers might have been in 1992!

Look what’s standing in the middle of “Globalize” Adelaide… I only went in to look for some jeans!

Cor Blimey! It's only a flipping giraffe!

I hope you have a fab day. I’m celebrating already

Us in Selly Oak / Weoley Castle 2000

2010 - Red Poles

The picture on the left was taken in the year 2000 when Matt and I started seeing each other. I can’t believe that this picture on the right was taken in 2010 (10 years later!) Time has flown and when you think back ten years an awful lot has happened.  Nice things of course There’s no way that in the year 2000 whilst sat in Weoley Castle in my ground floor bedroom I’d have thought that in 2010 I’d be living in Australia.  No way at all!

But, we are and so we can go to lovely places  We decided to go to Red Poles for lunch today.  It’s in one of my favourite locations.  Right in the middle of all those yummy vineyards My memories of the place had not done it justice.  It’s so beautiful and calm; perfect for a Sunday afternoon.

YOM! I NEED one of those tea cosies!!! AWESOME

There are moments in your life when you feel a bit overwhelmed by loveliness. Red Poles does that to me.  We were sat under the veranda which is draped in a beautiful grape vine and fairy lights, looking out across a vineyard, lawns and a pool full of long grass (no water i don’t think!).  There’s someone playing guitar and singing lovely, soothing soft live music about 100 yards behind you and food and drink is brought to you on request.  The food is amazing.  Fresh, tasty, homecooked.  YOM!  Being the Brit I am I even managed to finish my luncheon with  a cream tea   Perfection.

ooohh… and I nipped to Foggos to get some of last years Cincaut Rose   Double YOM!!