Progress...

I've just discovered Picasa Web Albums, so I've managed to insert the photos into my draft - talk about longwinded!  Anyway, here is today's original post, in it's full glory...

I'm delighted to report that the kitchen is coming along nicely.  Every last cupboard and work surface were cleared on Monday so that the frames could be sprayed.  So last night, the dining table looked like this...

But the kitchen looked like this...

Needless to say, we went out for breakfast this morning (Betsy was especially pleased, as that only happens at the weekend, if at all).  The doors are going on later, and then it's all systems go trying to get everything back in, but hopefully in a more logical way this time.

Fingers crossed, I'll be able to show you the finished result on Friday.  Until then x

Trouble in blogger land...

Today's post is all ready to go, in draft form, but unfortunately I can't upload photos from my computer, even though I'm in blogger as opposed to draft blogger.  I've trawled the internet to no avail and have now run out of time, so will have to put it on the back burner until tomorrow.  Very frustrating, but what can I do?  Any help would be gratefully received.

Hope your day's been less frustrating! x

Breakfast table views...

This was the view from our breakfast table yesterday (please excuse the picture quality, it was taken on my phone).  When we first arrived in Singapore, I really struggled with the view because of the ships - their very presence/size/number.  You see, I'm used to the saily boats in Salcombe.  But now, I really quite like them.  It was nice to see them again when we came back from Bali.

Am hoping to be able to show some new improved kitchen photos later this week.  Until then, have a lovely week everyone. xx

PS Had my first comment the other day.  Caused much excitement, as I mainly assume I'm talking to myself on this blog - thank you x

I've done it!

 You might have spotted that my blog has been experiencing turbulent times over the last few days.  In my eagerness to embellish the sidebars, I discovered draft blogger, pushed the wrong button, et viola, a completely different, utterly unintentional look!  Oh dear, oh dear, what was I thinking?  I sometimes wonder why I decided to entertain this whole blog idea.  It seems to take up so much time and be SO frustrating.  However, I've done it, with a lot of help from fellow bloggers and Blog Doctor .  Well, when I say I've done it, what I really mean is that I've added just the one bookcover to my sidebar.  Hopefully over the next few days, I will be able to add a few more, I just need to draw breath...

So, having used all my time and energy on my blog, I have completely ignored the state of my workroom.  That has now become next week's project, or perhaps more realistically, the week after that even.  We're having our kitchen cupboards repainted - they're currently a horrible brown which makes it feel small, dirty, dark and not very nice to work in...

So, all the doors have been removed, which has already made it look bigger...

On Monday I need to empty all the cupboards in anticipation of the frames being painted on Tuesday.  Of course, having been surrounded by boxes a few weeks ago, I am now completely without and so am not quite sure what we're going to do, especially as we're expecting visitors tomorrow, so the spare room isn't going to be able to step into the breach.  Oh well, I'm sure we'll find a way, and it's definitely going to be worth it.

Have a lovely weekend xx

Frustrating times...

So, it's not going so well here. As you can see, there is the teeniest tiniest weeniest bit of the workroom that is looking slightly respectable, however the rest remains shambolic...

And as for the layout of my blog, I just can't do it! I have spent about 4 hours trying to insert images of the books I'm reading into my sidebar to no avail (as you can see). I have however managed finally managed to link it to Amazon, so I a very small mountain has been overcome. If anyone out there can help (assuming of course that anyone is actually reading this), I'd really appreciate it....please.

xx

Back to usual...

It's quiet here today.  The girls have gone back to school, the house has stayed tidy for more than 5 minutes (helped by the lovely Lisa), and I've finished my book, "Home" by Julie Myerson.  It's quite an old one I think - published 2004 - but very enjoyable.  As it says on the cover, 'part memoir, part historical fiction'.  I read it in less than a week, which is unusual for me.

This week, I'm going to try to achieve two things.  Firstly, tidy up my workroom, and secondly add sidebars - I think that's what they're called - to my blog.  I would really like to have a go adding flickr pictures (if only so that I have access to photos for my blog) and a list of books, amongst other things.  I suspect both will lead to huge amounts of frustration, not to mention a lot of prevaricating, but fingers crossed progress will be made.

Have a lovely week x

Travelogue Part I: Bali

So, we're back from Bali having had the most wonderful time (the girls produced this artwork, together with lots more, upon their return). The first 3 nights we stayed in Sanur with friends who are living there for a year or so. Easter Sunday, we went to Ku de Ta. Beautiful panoramic views out to sea...

delicious food and a very distinctive interpretation of the Easter Bunny - best we leave it there I think! Pickle & Betsy had fun with their friends doing various craft activities and having cartoon sketches of themselves done.

Monday, we went to Waterbom. Brilliant fun was had by all. Pickle surprised everyone, especially herself, by going on both the Boomerang and SuperBowl rides and loving them. I think Mr W was delighted to have a partner in crime. I tried the Macaroni - not nice - dark, fast and more dark - aaah! In the end, Betsy and I settled on Raft River as our favourite. A little bit of speed, lots of splashing and a big woosh at the end - very genteel in comparison to the others.

Afterwards, we all went out for a delicious supper in one of the cafes in the side streets just behind the beach. I can't remember exactly how much it cost, but it was less than £20 for 8 of us, including beer - amazing!

On Tuesday, we left our friends and went up to Ubud. We stayed in the most beautiful place De Ubud Vilas & Spa and were truly pampered. Bliss. Whilst there, we explored the covered market, the breathtaking rice terraces at Tegallangtang...

the Monkey Forest (we took an executive decision not to go in because the monkeys are so used to people that they can be quite intimidating - see the chap in the red shorts)...

a traditional Balinese dance - our favourite was the Legong Trance, literally mesmeric...

And, in what appears to be the continuation of a developing pattern, we found the most divine restaurant ever. (I'm sure I made a note of the name, but for the life of me I can't find it - if I do, I'll let you know, sorry).Found it - it's called the Bibianu Cafe.  Over looking rice fields at the back (the perfect backdrop to a mojito or 2 I found), we had the most delicious food yet, for about £10 a head.  Beautifully presented, I think you'll agree...

Followed by some absolutely delicious puddings...

Throughout the whole meal, we were accompanied by this chap - no idea what he is, but the noise he makes is very distinctive, and sounds remarkably like a kazoo - initially, we thought it was someone messing around!

And then on Friday morning, Mr W got up very early to climb Mount Batur with a friend, something he did 17 years ago! Once again, the views were spectacular...

We all had a fabulous time, but it was good to come back to Singapore, our home from home, with all it's efficiency and order. We were out of the airport within 40 minutes of landing - can't recall that happening back home!

Have a lovely week everyone. xx

On holiday...

Just popped in to let you know that I'm on holiday this week - will check in at the beginning of next week.

xx