The Impact of Snow

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday it made international news that Great Britain received a heavy snow that created travel chaos and  brought the country to a grinding halt.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvAnFAQitq0wCPtFR2LpXeEbQILcpXiZ82mpqaHO3XHJbpGqVCg4730bMQ1o5N-Yhm8jPpvUDILgwta4WKdiiK24TEg3DkKf-5A7BCDmSbvj3qCpHoijTAuNmQbh82_nN85HMgs3En8Q/s1600/Snow4BBCNews.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvAnFAQitq0wCPtFR2LpXeEbQILcpXiZ82mpqaHO3XHJbpGqVCg4730bMQ1o5N-Yhm8jPpvUDILgwta4WKdiiK24TEg3DkKf-5A7BCDmSbvj3qCpHoijTAuNmQbh82_nN85HMgs3En8Q/s400/Snow4BBCNews.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11900122">BBC News</a>]</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Why can just a few inches of snow bring England to its knees?<br /><br /><b>Narrow Roads</b><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Most roads are narrow - slipping on a skinny two lane road does not provide much room to slide without hitting an obstacle.</div><br /><b>Cars and Drivers</b><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Many cars have rear-wheel drive, which causes cars to get stuck and slide easily. Few have snow tires; most are inexperienced drivers on snow and ice.</div><br /><b>Road Pattern</b><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1CuOA6TzzhTSLM1H_C4G1dahfn-XHXUWCVdK9GOYnnAWy_L0efk_vbG1IugUP9kyTJ82RNEi9bY48ft0T4xbxcW5oDvIzn3RgB4QQfA1QKnPvJUmaUeQhI-WhPXel7YO95qYbOMAPAE/s1600/snowBBCNews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1CuOA6TzzhTSLM1H_C4G1dahfn-XHXUWCVdK9GOYnnAWy_L0efk_vbG1IugUP9kyTJ82RNEi9bY48ft0T4xbxcW5oDvIzn3RgB4QQfA1QKnPvJUmaUeQhI-WhPXel7YO95qYbOMAPAE/s200/snowBBCNews.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-11895468">BBC News</a>]</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Many roads are set up in a spider-web pattern radiating from towns. If someone gets stuck and abandons his/her car on a two lane road, the street is impassible. Getting to your destination becomes a nightmare.</div><br /><b>Hilly Terrain</b><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">There are lots of rolling hills and mild slopes - tricky when icy.</div><br /><b>Lack of Equipment</b><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Because it snows hard infrequently, the government doesn't invest much in snow removal equipment. They have been laying down 'grit' (salt or sand/dirt) but only on major roads. 'Grit' requires large, dry storage space, which is costly. No mag chloride here.</div><br /><b>Trains</b><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The train schedules have been disrupted, delayed, and cancelled because they are unable to stop on icy rails. There is talk of creating a line of rails that is heated. </div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></div><b>Interesting Tidbits</b><br /><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">I don't expect to receive mail for a while - most letter carriers travel on bicycles</li><li style="text-align: justify;">No 'refuse collection' yesterday </li><li style="text-align: justify;">My kids may be walking to school for miles in the snow (like my grandpappy) because my fuel gauge says 'E'!  The news reports that petrol trucks haven't been able to make their usual rounds.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">My neighbor suggested everyone take a photo of their roof. If it is white with snow, your house has good insulation in the attic. If the snow has melted in spots, that will indicate where your home is leaking heat into the attic</li></ul><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiojkHSVPfA6v4ZNm47FZqIUM0nUQQXbzwY9UCrHLWiNeiwcCNKsHWfByEun-tekvzkNO1HqZDzdHc1Uaxi6dTL5j875XIU5FuhojI_eCcyINIsiVtuLqaNJsj_cdYfYOJPNDOZAMo3ME4/s1600/Snow3BBCNews.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiojkHSVPfA6v4ZNm47FZqIUM0nUQQXbzwY9UCrHLWiNeiwcCNKsHWfByEun-tekvzkNO1HqZDzdHc1Uaxi6dTL5j875XIU5FuhojI_eCcyINIsiVtuLqaNJsj_cdYfYOJPNDOZAMo3ME4/s400/Snow3BBCNews.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11900122">BBC News</a>]</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We are on to 'Snow Day' number two - the kids couldn't be happier!! Yesterday we played Boggle, read, cozied by the fire, drank chai, did a little Christmas e-shopping, and played in the snow. We will see what adventures we'll have today :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Check out this very creative 'English Shopping Cart Snowplow'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Q5Ha5POgYuRqvDLu60CzsRNbBbX2fGdBBEVZzQY4XtGjAIxzn14l4kbG8zDa7VW6Voy30oOIKsQUxoyvVw5k01ShtA9b-xEBRIRiVZcf_QnmkALUlcaCADee18FmExPE6GEiQjcEOVg/s1600/snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Q5Ha5POgYuRqvDLu60CzsRNbBbX2fGdBBEVZzQY4XtGjAIxzn14l4kbG8zDa7VW6Voy30oOIKsQUxoyvVw5k01ShtA9b-xEBRIRiVZcf_QnmkALUlcaCADee18FmExPE6GEiQjcEOVg/s400/snow.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[From a friend's Facebook Album]</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love it!</div></div><br />Happy Weekend to you!<br /><br />XO Laura

The Impact of Snow

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK Yesterday it made international news that Great Britain received a heavy snow that created travel chaos and  br...

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Living On An Island

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEial6-W0Hrk5uBd5DIepWiwrtGYQXFtlZZ6KPeGuMHDCMLDkEa1lNzAzJJ9b7rm8FPoosWPims32FP92IFGektOjbD9Bm9gS5ILopZLPI_PZnCcR7E0UTT_iU4D0IcBkK7iH8WR1prleTQ/s1600/listomania-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEial6-W0Hrk5uBd5DIepWiwrtGYQXFtlZZ6KPeGuMHDCMLDkEa1lNzAzJJ9b7rm8FPoosWPims32FP92IFGektOjbD9Bm9gS5ILopZLPI_PZnCcR7E0UTT_iU4D0IcBkK7iH8WR1prleTQ/s400/listomania-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[<a href="http://listropolis.com/">source</a>]</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">When we toured schools around London, I was surprised that all the schools seemed to have swimming as part of their curriculum. They go to great effort to rent buses to transport students to local pools as a part of the physical education, beginning at an early age. At first it seemed strange, but then it hit me - of course, it is an island surrounded by water.<br /><br />England is wildly more safety conscious than the US in most areas. An English journalist recently wrote that he was appalled that Americans don't teach all their children to swim. Now come to think of it, in the US if you don't have money to pay for lessons, access to a pool, and a parent who has time to transport their children to and from lessons, their kiddos don't learn how to swim. Maybe the English are on to something?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Day6BJmv-cs74KLr_kTFhf8ccwfXnXcXmpT0xHR874vGziyDRHcOxYXpKLIQXGUa6MA4UKbqkRNV1otFzqFic_4GI1MFMFuKkJzIYFF_Fo_MEmRVDKdY-J1hvCFwKQ3mzJ39TDIvhb8/s1600/Strait_of_Dover_map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Day6BJmv-cs74KLr_kTFhf8ccwfXnXcXmpT0xHR874vGziyDRHcOxYXpKLIQXGUa6MA4UKbqkRNV1otFzqFic_4GI1MFMFuKkJzIYFF_Fo_MEmRVDKdY-J1hvCFwKQ3mzJ39TDIvhb8/s320/Strait_of_Dover_map.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[<a href="http://www.wikipedia.org/">source</a>]</td></tr></tbody></table><br />This led me to think about English Channel swimmers tackling the wet equivalent of climbing Mt Everest. Swimmers need to be mentally and physically prepared for huge challenges:<br /><br />- Busiest international seaway in the world (400 commercial vessels moving daily in 4 directions)<br />- Mental and physical exhaustion (10 - 20 hours of swimming)<br />- Hypothermia (water 15-18 degrees C)<br />- Unpredictable weather and swells<br />- Eating/drinking while swimming<br />- Strong tides<br />- Seaweed and trash as obstacles<br />- <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anticyclone">Anticyclones</a> (causes thick fog)<br />- Occasional jellyfish<br />- Sunburn<br /><br />With a £2300 escort boat fee (paid at least 2 yrs in advance), 6 hour ratified swim in temperatures below 62 degrees F, completed medical forms, and lots of training, you can be on your way to the short list of successful swimmers crossing the Strait of Dover.<br /><br />However, your swim will not be officially recorded if you use a wetsuit or anything else that may aid your speed, buoyancy, heat retention, or endurance. Nose clips, goggles and earplugs are permitted however. Your buddy in the escort boat is allowed to hand you <i>light sticks</i> for safety, as well as food and water. S/he can jump in and swim beside you, too, for encouragement. Isn't that good news?<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtmwF_QyuUyZHr43_IZurshYO-viBeuInmR8tu9qivYa_paWfTFd7cIDfbuBB-2b6fPQO_D-f3FCN-YniTyD0gIr8vkokQ0oEN-mFFJKWy6Tc13DMUo17TiABOCGIhe9XRO2kVDwJ8eI/s1600/faqs.org.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtmwF_QyuUyZHr43_IZurshYO-viBeuInmR8tu9qivYa_paWfTFd7cIDfbuBB-2b6fPQO_D-f3FCN-YniTyD0gIr8vkokQ0oEN-mFFJKWy6Tc13DMUo17TiABOCGIhe9XRO2kVDwJ8eI/s200/faqs.org.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[<a href="http://www.faqs.org/">source</a>]</td></tr></tbody></table>Most swim from England to France (not as often the other direction). The success rate of solo swims is approximately 50% (which is actually higher than the UK <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/2010/10/nervous-nellie-gets-drivers-license_06.html">driving test</a> pass rate, I might add).<br /><br />And because French law bans many unconventional vessels, you may have to leave from the UK if you want to cross in your bathtub, hot air balloon, amphibious vehicle, jet pack, kayak, or most recently in 2010, on water skis - all of which have been attempted.<br /><br />How would you choose to cross The Channel?<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">[Sources: <a href="http://www.wikipedia.org/">Wikipedia</a>, <a href="http://www.channelswimming.net/">CS&PF</a>]</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>XO Laura<br /><div style="text-align: justify;">P.S. The kids are having their first 'snow day' - no school! Did you hear the kids whoop and holler across the globe? </div>

Living On An Island

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK [ source ] When we toured schools around London, I was surprised that all the schools seemed to have swimming a...

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21 today......

...actually, that should read 21 <i>years ago</i> today, as today is my wedding anniversary.<br /><br />On a hot and humid Saturday afternoon, all those years ago (and it goes without saying that I was <i>very</i> young when I was married, some might say a child bride!) the adventure began. And it has been an adventure, which I should have guessed, judging from how the day panned out.<br /><br />To give you some background info, Sydney was in the middle of a heat wave, and temperatures had been in the mid to high 30's all week (Celsius, that is). We'd chosen one of Sydney's oldest churches, the Garrison Church at The Rocks as our venue, and it really is such a beautiful place:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYTo2hxuhnbf247TUQGDBpa5xDGpqE0HX7TaloBIqkD1wV93_rJGj6psynmtjLmVVl6boEcHFtSjgQ8Q2dJ8eAJjYC3n8GIfAfRK247wa1yxo7Q_c7rUeHRPvghsJ5iWDf8IOXtL3k-E/s1600/anniversary+work.1748005.2.flat%252C550x550%252C075%252Cf.convict-stone-the-garrison-church-the-rocks-the-hdr-series.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYTo2hxuhnbf247TUQGDBpa5xDGpqE0HX7TaloBIqkD1wV93_rJGj6psynmtjLmVVl6boEcHFtSjgQ8Q2dJ8eAJjYC3n8GIfAfRK247wa1yxo7Q_c7rUeHRPvghsJ5iWDf8IOXtL3k-E/s640/anniversary+work.1748005.2.flat%252C550x550%252C075%252Cf.convict-stone-the-garrison-church-the-rocks-the-hdr-series.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://redbubble.com.au/">source</a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZtFGf4ql0C4dc5DdODC7bKZYTYykcMY35i6dNMTWRcwSPlNyda5ImAEa62PKe35FObQb0gYufTO4jo5RCByOpbPZyoE1lck-gzBkiSD85Xl7nHcrjgF8H4eHDTN5UdjYP0_imO7K_DY/s1600/holy-trinity-church-sydney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZtFGf4ql0C4dc5DdODC7bKZYTYykcMY35i6dNMTWRcwSPlNyda5ImAEa62PKe35FObQb0gYufTO4jo5RCByOpbPZyoE1lck-gzBkiSD85Xl7nHcrjgF8H4eHDTN5UdjYP0_imO7K_DY/s400/holy-trinity-church-sydney.jpg" width="307" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>As we girls prepared early for the big day, starting with at the crack of dawn with a hairdressing appointment, the boys were still in bed. Of course.<br /><br />In spite of organising a trial run, my hair looked more like this....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbksKzEaR6YENhx7mVlEugIyt-sdyp0ifTyknONdPu5We40Uc-CyzuwEX0AEgYB-sicD0cH264rarvEChjjGEq-YxuEQtwcZt1r2GpfEmrayFcEH1FiARitXBBM6_U2gxh-ZwFAsPAFXU/s1600/Shirley-Temple-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbksKzEaR6YENhx7mVlEugIyt-sdyp0ifTyknONdPu5We40Uc-CyzuwEX0AEgYB-sicD0cH264rarvEChjjGEq-YxuEQtwcZt1r2GpfEmrayFcEH1FiARitXBBM6_U2gxh-ZwFAsPAFXU/s400/Shirley-Temple-1.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://onaired.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Shirley-Temple-1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://onaired.com/2010/07/shirley-temple/&usg=__DogB06uoKZ7pvkONPD7VJt-jVoA=&h=450&w=349&sz=34&hl=en&start=0&sig2=l8DLvWJAn6ZgnYu_ejDSwA&zoom=1&tbnid=DEwX_bAiH9O1QM:&tbnh=151&tbnw=113&ei=6cT2TPrjI4-qcZOyjMoE&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dshirley%2Btemple%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D642%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=126&vpy=91&dur=930&hovh=255&hovw=198&tx=86&ty=141&oei=6cT2TPrjI4-qcZOyjMoE&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=23&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0">source</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...than this:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFnqEBARX31f90Vts5dCzU1BVEBBbIuJxtgslYF6p13KVgp3NIeKoFxly-R32MVg-SOdGCaf2HI1gUqgPWttY6ZxjgSj4uZCxDeajLHjqR31-_oMLr2O17vEGaUSDITllgvblia9qA9c/s1600/WEDDING+HAIR+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFnqEBARX31f90Vts5dCzU1BVEBBbIuJxtgslYF6p13KVgp3NIeKoFxly-R32MVg-SOdGCaf2HI1gUqgPWttY6ZxjgSj4uZCxDeajLHjqR31-_oMLr2O17vEGaUSDITllgvblia9qA9c/s640/WEDDING+HAIR+1.jpg" width="361" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOl0E-kJYLT8yR7iidT85GClEDaG1BwaLQoXFljEzTqRaBWVO4ve5Nl1pLkLciUnbBSeniv4CQBCejP8yNLUGTftpaDcCIpSj42n-O_bw17gKs7Q2z6KYeLlp2kDeZsMPkNGlWW9NLYJ1/s1600/WEDDING+HAIR+1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://liparazzi.blogspot.com/2010/06/hair-extensions-update-wedding-makeup.html&usg=__ElbrTlK6JhXz71432L9CTfF4w9Q=&h=600&w=341&sz=59&hl=en&start=50&sig2=jBhRw2kilUm_OgRJ8g3sgw&zoom=1&tbnid=uQvHcZzRU1yw9M:&tbnh=146&tbnw=88&ei=LsX2TIamJY-6vwOqx8XjBg&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsoft%2Bwavy%2Bhair%2Bfor%2Bwedding%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D642%26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=756&vpy=84&dur=10218&hovh=298&hovw=169&tx=96&ty=168&oei=EMX2TLHMOoSXcfPZtckE&esq=3&page=3&ndsp=22&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:50">source</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">..so after much angst, it was back to the hairdresser for a second attempt. Meanwhile, the boys were swimming in the best man's pool, eating pizza, and generally having a wow of a time, without an ounce of stress or worry.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once my hair was somewhat presentable, and our makeup done, it was time to get dressed and wait for our cars to arrive. As I had four bridesmaids, I'd organised to have two vintage Rolls Royce, like this:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCQ4zjTPX0-ypa9ExcjJnKis8RNANi00KtBEZnoEpG07VtNLSoEb3-YPbVp91rxycooaVrab1WTAGw7ld1auD6MDDfs1cq2YKWth9_e3jKD0KIXgmD5ZZfRD_J647X1-Fs-CEnCEwic4/s1600/anniversary5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCQ4zjTPX0-ypa9ExcjJnKis8RNANi00KtBEZnoEpG07VtNLSoEb3-YPbVp91rxycooaVrab1WTAGw7ld1auD6MDDfs1cq2YKWth9_e3jKD0KIXgmD5ZZfRD_J647X1-Fs-CEnCEwic4/s640/anniversary5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...but as the weather was so hot and humid, one of the cars - the perfectly colour-coordinated black and white car, broke down five minutes from my house. We had but one option - the girls had to drive themselves in a hot pink, 1964 VW station wagon...very similar to this one:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_WQMUoaX-nvaZdF7LqAEU1XtxreK9Jcz1Dfnr3zphVUgTrYRvTtDy5ZTIf-evd_P0ShIzmL4Krf4uqD8YyN2U5wBln8OR0HBF16lcpm9KLDZzqa_e0XBi-93z7CGVDCS__DmRyChX8o/s1600/anniversary7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_WQMUoaX-nvaZdF7LqAEU1XtxreK9Jcz1Dfnr3zphVUgTrYRvTtDy5ZTIf-evd_P0ShIzmL4Krf4uqD8YyN2U5wBln8OR0HBF16lcpm9KLDZzqa_e0XBi-93z7CGVDCS__DmRyChX8o/s320/anniversary7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.philseed.com/images/vwvariant64-jr.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.philseed.com/taxonomy/term/39&usg=__SkpVCDhAuPSqMK81W02WtU6luu4=&h=247&w=350&sz=20&hl=en&start=50&sig2=C8EGixWD9Ex5DkImjNWi1w&zoom=1&tbnid=u9oGl0g2OCfMXM:&tbnh=154&tbnw=208&ei=fb_2TOSKFYG8vwObnMTjBg&prev=/images%3Fq%3D1964%2Bvw%2Bstation%2Bwagon%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D642%26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=337&vpy=239&dur=432&hovh=162&hovw=230&tx=147&ty=101&oei=Z7_2TPesEJz9cPqUrboE&esq=4&page=4&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:11,s:50">source</a></div><br />I'll set the scene for you:  four girls, dressed entirely in black (which was very daring for 1989 and quite unheard of), complete with Ray Bans, running to the car so we could make the 45 minute trip to the church on time. I'll never forget the look on the guests faces as they screamed around the corner, looking like four Penelope Pitstops. Priceless.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3RGdaKloN2vwm7Ee1TMphRwFuAC7SDZnos9x79W1e_CjNTx9e7rk-IwFmr_YAnKB-80OMtxdYF6_ks-Sr8psDRvSnHQZOZiFFkaERNksobBHfY4bBYpYt_agosPGrEAnlfI8Hj6u-oQ/s1600/anniversary11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3RGdaKloN2vwm7Ee1TMphRwFuAC7SDZnos9x79W1e_CjNTx9e7rk-IwFmr_YAnKB-80OMtxdYF6_ks-Sr8psDRvSnHQZOZiFFkaERNksobBHfY4bBYpYt_agosPGrEAnlfI8Hj6u-oQ/s400/anniversary11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/2736660/.html?image=9">source</a></div><br /><br />Meanwhile, let's check back in on the boys......<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MMSrgzQMlLW0rbbkAAVDiisDxy8kzrEm8yldT1DcUb-0nXxOO_wad137F2Hy7JW7jT1quTzR75Czgv5KgIHk2WWT2BavqqdUV6u3DNt40hP9LSFGoqFZluPIMRw0fTV3dtijsKPmP9g/s1600/anniversary9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MMSrgzQMlLW0rbbkAAVDiisDxy8kzrEm8yldT1DcUb-0nXxOO_wad137F2Hy7JW7jT1quTzR75Czgv5KgIHk2WWT2BavqqdUV6u3DNt40hP9LSFGoqFZluPIMRw0fTV3dtijsKPmP9g/s640/anniversary9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mRHah54NlCE/SgTmEOaUb2I/AAAAAAAAAZc/vDL_sBmgPqg/100_1463.jpg&imgrefurl=http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XtwCC0k4qVQ_d08FOUyW3A&usg=__p0tkAiNTrorPc97JUpXKKZkpmhk=&h=1199&w=1600&sz=400&hl=en&start=0&sig2=jk2qQ4jKlGUbSkfEUt15RA&zoom=1&tbnid=2F0IecsFUu9IzM:&tbnh=162&tbnw=216&ei=fr72TMG6JcLMcJyGjLoE&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dthe%2Blord%2Bnelson%2Bhotel%2Bsydney%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D642%26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=546&vpy=359&dur=709&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=144&ty=190&oei=fr72TMG6JcLMcJyGjLoE&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:12,s:0">source</a> </div><br />...oh look, here they are, having a few drinks at The Lord Nelson. And I have it on good authority (relayed with great relish by a few of the grand dames in attendance) there were a few last minute wardrobe changes, which took place out of the back of our campervan. Apparently in full view of said grand dames. Secretly, I think it was the biggest thrill I think they'd had in a long time.<br /><br />After a lovely, (and thankfully non-eventful) ceremony, we finally made it to our reception venue - Dunbar House at Watson's Bay, on beautiful Sydney Harbour:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QJO_7cxEx0Oqpw2dMzP-lABn_QHW34LK4y-M_qB3JaIMh-50oU6-N1ieRWXTCwssyC6en5Yl7bZJW8Z4iaBJZXHS-zte-ah310iAfTupfD5V9HC-_EZZrtNL0S6-lR3xlfhTKl6kbks/s1600/anniversary+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QJO_7cxEx0Oqpw2dMzP-lABn_QHW34LK4y-M_qB3JaIMh-50oU6-N1ieRWXTCwssyC6en5Yl7bZJW8Z4iaBJZXHS-zte-ah310iAfTupfD5V9HC-_EZZrtNL0S6-lR3xlfhTKl6kbks/s640/anniversary+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://sydneywebcam.smugmug.com/photos/89070407-M.jpg&imgrefurl=http://sydneywebcam.blogspot.com/2006_08_01_archive.html&usg=__vTQyNwq5HiGcmAZv48w3wmdDUNs=&h=399&w=600&sz=129&hl=en&start=0&sig2=Dx4xHH6qVvTQzUM7ntLfGg&zoom=1&tbnid=CDQz52GPJ4d82M:&tbnh=120&tbnw=167&ei=L7z2TLuDDYjtcLK7vLYE&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddunbar%2Bhouse%2Bwatsons%2Bbay%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D685%26tbs%3Disch:1%26prmd%3Divm&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=831&vpy=76&dur=325&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=116&ty=99&oei=L7z2TLuDDYjtcLK7vLYE&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=27&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0">source</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxqta_E6jqDMcx1abkN-4YX2oOYR1Rwl2mZ2DEG-Rp0YhlYzV9RTTdmOlzav-FRs8PTLAZ2BZyZN3LyxzpQU19gi_AvYgJzqdlK5wx1xq-Thft-xNcjH3SYhdB3a17i31IRBhFh64vJo/s1600/anniversary3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxqta_E6jqDMcx1abkN-4YX2oOYR1Rwl2mZ2DEG-Rp0YhlYzV9RTTdmOlzav-FRs8PTLAZ2BZyZN3LyxzpQU19gi_AvYgJzqdlK5wx1xq-Thft-xNcjH3SYhdB3a17i31IRBhFh64vJo/s400/anniversary3.jpg" width="357" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.alannahrose.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/watsons-bay.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.alannahrose.com.au/blog/sunday-find-new-venue-the-tearoom-dunbar-house/&usg=__n4clf9x6Y2HkMAhwnSwq_jkrfAs=&h=473&w=423&sz=116&hl=en&start=0&sig2=tyC9FEqYGEhHxiHjEgavGA&zoom=1&tbnid=1ce4ss-7BGmnpM:&tbnh=132&tbnw=106&ei=L7z2TLuDDYjtcLK7vLYE&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddunbar%2Bhouse%2Bwatsons%2Bbay%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D685%26tbs%3Disch:1%26prmd%3Divm&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=1027&vpy=187&dur=1242&hovh=237&hovw=212&tx=149&ty=114&oei=L7z2TLuDDYjtcLK7vLYE&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=27&ved=1t:429,r:12,s:0">view from the entry foyer</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...where we did enjoy a great night, in spite of the soaring temperatures. I'm told my wedding cake was delicious:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvz9788FzvY39vIcpg566Y6YO4eX0eRzatZERGGpPCfRnL6yhyzpcfGoRuz29BPUN2H8m1Iatdm0ApPZ_9jl6lqhQrkcvxMm-WG4O3P6J4QF__6aMD9sGU2G72YCQsbKb_7Hl46ixTHnM/s1600/anniversary10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvz9788FzvY39vIcpg566Y6YO4eX0eRzatZERGGpPCfRnL6yhyzpcfGoRuz29BPUN2H8m1Iatdm0ApPZ_9jl6lqhQrkcvxMm-WG4O3P6J4QF__6aMD9sGU2G72YCQsbKb_7Hl46ixTHnM/s640/anniversary10.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.alons.geomerx.com/grfx/MediaVault/croquembouche_web.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.alons.geomerx.com/index.cfm%3Ffuseaction%3Dproduct%26productID%3D188&usg=__sGYHw4ymsfxrFHWshEc3xflqr2M=&h=500&w=500&sz=164&hl=en&start=0&sig2=poHORdZ7va88CXr34k77GQ&zoom=1&tbnid=N0MODL4_eSb_VM:&tbnh=152&tbnw=156&ei=98z2TMGuC4uKvQPA59njBg&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcroquembouche%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D642%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=142&vpy=117&dur=349&hovh=156&hovw=156&tx=110&ty=91&oei=6Mz2TOL4FcKdcezypccE&esq=3&page=1&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0">source</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...it's just a pity I didn't get to have any. It was very popular, so I'm glad all those many months, searching for the perfect sweet confection to round off the perfect day didn't go unappreciated.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After so much madness, drama and mayhem, wrapping up our big day was very bittersweet - for the very next day, we packed up all our worldly belongings and headed off to Queensland. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0URJnJb7EmvmcqX1Yy0ajYs62dwFWdm3hOMG5b3V_wKeOxWvgPN1M3VpJEcTPnIhlRAs_zfA3hHEXVhR9CRgWWcccymr48OZDy40NqAPgdRyZzPbtFO1CA0ww0z-KS5nLZOlSDpUvWA/s1600/anniversary8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0URJnJb7EmvmcqX1Yy0ajYs62dwFWdm3hOMG5b3V_wKeOxWvgPN1M3VpJEcTPnIhlRAs_zfA3hHEXVhR9CRgWWcccymr48OZDy40NqAPgdRyZzPbtFO1CA0ww0z-KS5nLZOlSDpUvWA/s640/anniversary8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnFR_z7zMnjWR0sEUl435y_KAaX4NQmMBV2s2IMkG-uxXnNP5viE9OmqQ_HBOWzccFcIwyrk2gr_LlL18Dm7ii3smDGb_Kmnv1TXX2GM3cVzG57aBXsZj50ucsaeXpeT27f2mHn3dqJ0/s1600/day-time-view-sydney-observatory-hill.jpg&imgrefurl=http://blog.shabbyapple.com/2010_05_01_archive.html&usg=__ub32valkjLmBx4hKHlZW3dUTThg=&h=270&w=450&sz=47&hl=en&start=0&sig2=XP9HvH81ubcAcKQlfj2_7w&zoom=1&tbnid=wFckh6c-bOMuDM:&tbnh=163&tbnw=253&ei=isD2TNq4HsSPcb7-7boE&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dobservatory%2Bhill%2Bsteps%2Bsydney%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D642%26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=141&vpy=97&dur=352&hovh=174&hovw=290&tx=139&ty=110&oei=isD2TNq4HsSPcb7-7boE&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:10,s:0">source</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. Those little mishaps, dramas and things that didn't go quite according to plan made the day so memorable, and we still laugh over them today. A bit like married life really - all those twists and turns usually turn out to be the things you remember the most. It's been a fabulous 21 years, with lots more 'adventures' along the way, and I'm looking forward to many more to come. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hope you all have a great day, and as it's our anniversary (and my birthday too in a couple of days) we've got a big weekend ahead. What have you got planned?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>

21 today......

...actually, that should read 21 years ago today, as today is my wedding anniversary. On a hot and humid Saturday afternoon, all those year...

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