From here to....

Long time no speak, oh well no matter!  Am keen to get going again - and in so many more ways than one.  After a year of being in our little cottage, we've decided to start moving with some of the transformation.  Its a long process though, aside from remodelling the inside, we've got some major work to do to prevent it from sliding down the hill when it rains...

Phase one inside will be a new staircase, removal of the asbestos walls in the lower regions, a bit of re-jigging of walls to create a proper bathroom out of a small shower room and a dodgy old 50's kitchen.  We've also drawn up a master plan for the rest of the house and garden, so we know what we're aiming for as we re-jig the walls.  I've had a lovely time drawing up the plans on graph paper and now I'm having an even more lovely time thinking about the fixtures and fittings.

The kitchen from the original house which was probably good for a weekend cottage, then!

The stairs which are only good for thin people who like asbestos.

The staircase with a very strange looking shelf on the end and butt up next to the front door.

The original bathroom that changes colour each time you shower.

Emery et Cie tiles

I love High Road House in Chiswick for lots of reasons. It was close to where I used to work, and also close to where my brother lives so I've had the chance to visit on many occasions. The interior, like many of the others in the group was designed by Ilse Crawford, whom I think is wonderful. And the best bit of all is the tiled floor in the restaurant that is like a patchwork quilt.

I've spent a long time trying to find the creators of the tiles and I've cracked it! They are the work of Emery et Cie, and, amazingly for those of us who live in different climes, you can choose your own colour ways from a brilliant range.

They also have a wild range of tiles called 'Zelliges' which are made from clay only from Fez. They are rough and ready with lots of colour variations and imperfections which make them so beautiful. I'm also lusting after some gorgeous paint which I won't be able to get and some excellent wallpapers.

So, that's the bathrooms and the kitchens sorted then!

This lady loved them so much she's covered her whole house (and her outfit!)

Today is a breather.  A bit of time to myself, lazing around in the sunshine under palm trees, reading books provided by my sister.  Total heaven!

Highlight of my day

I've become a little forgetful of late and today, drove off without M's petrol cap.  He brought me these beautiful flowers to make me feel better.  Blue hydranga and peonies in possibly my most favourite colours.

Highlights of my day

Took myself for a walk this morning along our local beach to shake off a slightly grumpy mood.  After the past few steamy days the southern change with its' blustery winds was very welcome.  Frothy sea horses swept over the beach, dumping pretty teal-coloured blue bottles jellyfish onto the sand.  Really good belly laugh with a friend whilst sitting in the changing room at the end is the cure for everything!

Christmas is coming!

My first Christmas down under was a non-event.  I couldn't get into the turquoise and pink decorations, which felt all wrong in the sunshine, so I didn't really bother.  And whilst I miss the lights and the excited build up to the festivities in a cold climate, there are many, many other benefits of not being in one.

Rather bizarrely though, we do keep some of the traditions, mostly to do with food.  Today I made the Xmas pudding, following the recipe I used last year, and its now boiling away merrily on the hob for 3.5 hours.  Also today, the postman brought a big stash of wide mouth preserve jars which I managed to find on ebay as cheap as chips.  These will soon be filled with M's rather potent piccalilli to be handed out at Christmas parties.  And tonight, I drove past a fully-illuminated house at the end of the street.  I guess it won't be long then!

Hammock heaven

I've always wanted a hammock.  I remember being jealous of our neighbour Ruth's hammock, under the weeping willow as a little girl.  I'm not quite sure why I left it so long either... something to do with lack of hanging spots or maybe sunshine.  Anyway here's our new charcoal one, strung outside the bedroom window.  It's rained since it arrived but I'm looking forward to many hours languishing on it, devouring books.