I'm sooooooooooooo tired

S ensuous slumber
L ost to the world
E nveloped in blankets
E motionally quiet
P eace at last


Love KB
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When It's OK To Use Profanity

I couldn't resist sharing these

Love KB
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Baby Photos

Hubby recently bought a ute to tow our caravan. We decided to give her a test run and headed off to Miranda Holiday Park.

Hubby's baby

My baby

Miranda is one of our preferred parks to visit because it's close to home (50 min drive), a dog friendly place, has excellent facilities and a fabulous mineral hot pool.

We spent our couple of days soaking in the pool, eating and drinking too much and reading books.

Most relaxing!!!!

Love KB
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Oh no, I've been "ma'amed"

On leaving Vanuatu, we had two full days at sea. I was sad to be heading home but there were plenty of activities on board to keep me amused.


I don't know about you but on each of my trips away there is usually one person who sticks out in my mind. You know the kind of person who is a real character and you will never forget. On this trip it was Johno (I know hubby is going to be chuckling when he reads this). How could we ever forget young Johno!!!!!!


I'd say he's in his early twenties, very good looking and charming. The kind of boy your mum would like you to bring home. He sat himself down next to me one night and started telling me how he won the karaoke competition the previous evening. He was looking through the song book and asking me to help him pick out a song to perform. I thought, aww the wee lad has a bit of a crush on me.


Anyway, he gets up on stage and I've honestly never seen anything like it. Fantastic performer, confident, full of energy, great mover but tone deaf. Too funny.

Then he sits down next to me and says, "How was that ma'am?" Omg, the humiliation. I don't think I've ever felt so old in my life.

How Johno ever mangaged to get a place in the final, I will never know but he did. Unfortunatly, I missed the show due to sea sickness but hubby raved about it. Johno strutted his stuff to the song - I'm too sexy - his performance included much girating of the hips and I hear he actually ripped his shirt off. He didn't win the competition but apparently left the judges speechless and earned a ten out of ten for performance. I'm gutted I missed the show but I'm sure I'll never forget young Johno.

Home sweet home

Love KB
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Final Stop - Mystery Island, Vanuatu

Mystery Island is uninhabited. It's less than 1 square kilometer in area and it took hubby and I about 45 mins to walk all the way around. I remember complaining most of the way because I was too hot and I had a sore head from drinking some unusual, blue cocktails the night before.

Hubby found a shady spot for me, he went snorkeling and I read for a while. Was an enjoyable day but I enjoyed the evening back on board much more. I drank more of the unusual, blue cocktails (until I discovered I liked the pink ones even better) followed by singing and dancing. Finally to bed at 2am but I was up again shortly as I was feeling very ill. It had nothing to do with sea sickness this time...it's not a good idea to drink red wine after cocktails. First time I've ever seen purple vomit. Way too much info Karen. *giggles to self*











Here's the mix for the pink cocktail I enjoyed so much

Strawberry Cloud
Brogans, Cointreau, Strawberry Mix and Cream.

Yum,yum, yum!!!!!!!!!


Love KB

Happy Blondie

I was about to start telling you about my final cruise destination but decided to write about my weekend instead because I've really enjoyed it.

I've hardly had any sleep because I've been watching as much of the Rugby World Cup as I can. I stayed up till 4.30am Saturday morning watching the games. Up again four hours later so by Sunday evening I was exhausted. NZ's All Blacks were playing early Monday morning so I decided to have a few hours sleep before the game. Alarm went off at 3am, I thought I'd close my eyes for five more mins, next thing I know, it's 4.30 and I'm woken by a text from my friend Mutters saying something like, "What kind of fan are you, sleeping through the game." Cheeky bugger. Couldn't sleep after that so decided to get up and watch the rugby.

All Blacks beat Scotland no trouble but it wasn't a great performance. They are guaranteed a spot in the quarter finals anyway. GO THE MIGHTY BLACKS!!!!!!!!

I had a wonderful surprise later in the day. Own of my dearest friends who I thought I had lost contact with visited my blog. *waves to Polli*. She is truly a kind, generous, wonderful woman and the mother of...wait for it...SIX kids. Don't know how she does it. I'll add her to my blog friends list so please pay her a visit. She goes by the name of polliwog.

We have had terrible thunder storms in Auckland today so I decided to go on the treadmill instead of walking outside. Was good to get back on there...haven't been on in too long. Coco is always fascinated by the process, she stares at me as if she is wondering why I am walking but not going anywhere...hehe.

Cooked myself an ostrich steak for dinner. Wasn't sure how ostrich would taste, seasoned it with Cajun spices, fried it a little, warmed it in the oven and served with veggies and a glass of Shiraz. Find it hard to cook myself a decent meal when hubby is away but I'm glad I did. Yum, yum!!

After dinner, I soaked my feet in my foot spa. Wasn't as relaxing as I'd hoped because Coco was barking at the bubbles. Very amusing. Painted my toes and now I'm tucked up in bed and about to read.

A lovely weekend. Hope yours was too. Will update the last of my holiday photos tomorrow.

GO THE MIGHTY BLACKS!!!!

Love KB
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Port Vila, Vanuatu

This cruise stop would be my third visit to the beautiful Island of Vanuata. The place has special meaning for hubby and I as it was our honeymoon destination.

A funny thing happened during our first time there. We booked a day trip to Tana to visit the Island's active volcano. The island is remote with a few villages and basic accommodation.

We travelled to Tana on a small plane, the pilot assuring us he would return for us later.

The day was amazing. We were provided with a small meal then taken by four wheel drive to the volcano. I've never seen anything like it - magnificent.

The following hour was spent visiting a local village. The men joined the chief in a Kava drinking ceremony (no women allowed). Kava is a narcotic root with anaesthetic properties. It tastes like dirt, often leaving the drinker with little feeling in the tongue and weakness in the legs. Hubby returned with a huge grin on his face...hehe.

We were dropped back at the airport (I use this term loosely as it resembled a small barn)to wait for our plane. An hour later... we were still waiting.

Luckily, there was a Kiwi bloke at the shack...I mean airport..., he took us under his wing and back to his hotel(I also use this term loosely - the barn springs to mind again). All we had with us were the clothes on our backs, half a packet of cigarettes and a credit card. Our Kiwi friend wined and dined us and gave us a room for the evening. The room didn't have power of any kind. I'm quite thankful actually because if the lights had been on, I would have seen the size of the bugs responsible for the strange clicking and scurrying noises during the night...ewwww. I didn't dare visit the loo. I hate to think what could have been living in there...double ewwwww.

Our pilot came for us the next day. It was nice to get back to running water, electricity and a cumfy bed but I did enjoy our little adventure. Be warned, don't ever go on a trip with me...things like this happen to me all the time.

Anyway, this time around, everything went like clock work. Hubby went diving in the morning, we enjoyed a yummy lunch followed by shopping in Vila. Most pleasant.

Love KB
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Coco would like to say a few words

I've been trying (unsuccesfully) to add a video of Coco to this post. Not sure what I'm doing wrong but have finally managed to place it on my blog sidebar. Click on the pic of my wee girl to hear a message. She's over there on the right *points*, just below the hit counter.

P.S. I'd turn the sound down a bit first if I were you.

Love KB

Ouvea, New Caledonia

Ouvea, translates to 'the closest island to paradise'.

This island was the most enjoyable stop for me on the cruise. Beautiful beach, warm ocean, peace and quiet. Ahh...heaven!!!!

Earlier, during breakfast, I was listening to a middle aged couple describe their trip ashore. The older gentleman was quite put out by the whole experience. He told a tale of hiking quite a distance to find nothing but a beach for his trouble, I chuckled quietly to myself. What was he expecting to find in a tropical paradise...a casino!!!. I also made a mental note to change my shoes for the hike.

I just about wet my pants from laughing when I reached the beach. The 'hike' took all of ten minutes and involved walking along a straight, flat, road. OMG, some people will complain about anything.

Love KB

Author: Karen Boddey
Photo Source: Karen and Steve Boddey
Revised post to Bubblews 11/12/2013

Next Stop - Isle of Pines, New Caledonia

The Isle of Pines was discovered in 1774 by Captain Cook. As the name implies, the island has a distinctive pine tree skyline, offset against white sandy beaches and blue lagoons. Truely breathtaking.

Love KB

I'm such a lazy blogger!!!

The usual has happened - spent ten days on my own, hardly seeing a soul but as soon as hubby arrives home, every man and his dog wants to see us.

Had some nice visits with the family, spent a few days ute shopping with hubby and I've been watching as much rugby world cup as I can.

Yikes, I haven't even finished updated my photos from the cruise and now we're heading off on our next trip.

I intend to update more regularly when I return. If I don't - feel free to slap me.

Misbehave while I'm gone.

Love KB
xxxooo





Go The Mighty All BLacks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

World Cup Rugby

I can think of only one reason to be up at 5.30am - rugby. Set my alarm last night, cursed alarm when it went off this morning and dragged myself out of bed. Yikes, I'm never up before the birds. I'm glad I was though.

The Rugby World Cup started this morning. The opening match was a beaut and I was surprised by the result. I expected the French to win as they have been playing well and had the home advantage, in front of a huge crowd. Argentina worked hard for the win - they outplayed the French, played with passion and their defence was outstanding. Woohoo!

New Zealand's team (All Blacks) are playing later on tonight. I can't wait!!! I'm sitting here wearing my All Black jersey, dressed head to toe in black, wine bottle uncorked. Still three hours to go. Hmmm, what am I going to do now?

GO THE MIGHTY ALL BLACKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love KB

Thinking Of Mum

I've been thinking a lot about my Mum since her birthday last week. I still can't believe she's 60.

My parents married when they were youngsters, spending most of my early years working. Mum worked the evening shift at a factory and Dad worked during the day. I was practically raised by my Grandmother who was a wonderful lady, but I missed Mum heaps.

This is one of my favourite photos of the two of us. I obviously wasn't enjoying myself at the time but I love the expression on Mum's face. She looks so happy to be spending time with me.

PHOTO NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Awww, you've gotta love Mums.

Love KB
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New Caledonia. First stop - Noumea

Noumea was founded in 1854, the name Noumea is derived from a combination of Melanesian words meaning 'island' and 'a small tropical fish'. Initially established as a trading post and then a French fortress. Often described as 'The Soul of France in the South Pacific. Here endeth the history lesson.

This was my second visit to Noumea, I enjoyed my first visit much more, probably because we stayed further out of the city. The inner city was dirty and the people not especially friendly.

I did however, enjoy the tour we took part in later on in the afternoon. I'm sure it will be no surprise to you that we decided to take the 'Wine and Cheese Tour'. Our guide was a funny chap, telling us many stories as we made our way around the city via bus.

We concluded the tour at a small restaurant, guzzled a few wines, dined on french bread and cheese and merrily made our way back to the bus.

Family Celebrations

I spent an enjoyable weekend with my family.

Friday was a double celebration; Mum and hubby share the same birthday. The day was extra special because it's was Mum's 60th. We had a wonderful evening dining at a restaurant by the beach. A good time was had by all. I haven't laughed so much in ages. I felt strange being at a family dinner without my girls though. They are both away from home at the moment. If you are reading this one girls....I miss you very much!!!!!!

Birthday girl, me and Lizzie

Dad, Mum and Me

Birthday Cake - Mum's friend baked the cake, it was so cool - a runner for Mum and a plane for hubby.

The boys - my brother-in-law doesn't usually look like an idiot (well sometimes he does)... he was pulling a funny face.

I'd like to add a note for my Dad today too.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD. Love you heaps xxxxxxx