Welcome to Santiago!!

Well, here I am... After a quick 2.5 hour flight to Auckland to refuel and then a long haul of 12 hours, I have arrived in Santiago. The flight was good, very good actually, even though the food, compared to recent travels in Emirates, was a bit 'light on'... Good, just could have been more!

I was told what to expect when departing Auckland, a very LONG takeoff roll, which was very much the case. It was more than a little bumpy as well as we crossed the bay and headed across the Pacific. The dinner service was delayed just over an hour until we got through the turbulance! I was also told that the approach into Santiago is quite special... Indeed it was as we took a northerly approach THROUGH a valley (snow capped Andes on the right, and another mountain range on my side). We did a quick left bank followed by a steep righthand bank which now saw us heading south and the Andes on my side. It was very glary, so I am sorry for the photos below...

Business LAN, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Economy Rear LAN, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Approach SCL, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

I finally got something good about my British Passport. Had I have come into Chile on my Aussie one, I would have had to pay for an Arrival Visa of $64USD, but as Chile and the UK have reciprocity rights, this fee is waived! I passed through immigration within 15 minutes and I had a driver waiting for me outside, you know the guys holding a placard with YOUR name on it! Cool hey! It took us nearly 40 mins to get to the hotel and it was fairly interesting sights along the way. I was dead tired, didn't think to have camera with me, and got to the hotel, checked-in and had a quick 2 hour sleep!

After dinner, I got my internet working, photo's uploaded from camera and I am now about to head off to bed, I am beat!

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POLL: - Help with colour selection please!

I am about to change the colour scheme of the house... Something I/we wanted to do, and now I think is the time to do it... Also, as the painter suggested, to do it PRIOR to having the brickwork, repointed!

So here is the house now, in the classic Green & Cream scheme (which I detest!)

HOUSE 1, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

HOUSE 1 Gabel Ends, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

HOUSE 1 Entrance, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Now here I offer you some different combinations of colour schemes, AND I want YOUR comments/suggestions, and to even discuss this amongst yourselves and debate which one I will choose (please?)!

OPTION 1

HOUSE 2, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

OPTION 2

HOUSE 3, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

NOTE: Brickwork will NOT be painted, so please refer to window frames, doors, facias etc).

OPTION 3

HOUSE 4, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

So, what will it be??? Let the discussions begin!!!

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Still remembering...

I went to the cemetery today, to place some flowers, sit and ponder, remember even, but I thought I would share with you some photo's I took. At first, I thought I was 'strange' doing this, but from the perspective that some of you are no where near here, I thought, I am not being so strange after all... It really is SUCH a nicely landscaped area!

When I got there, there was a flock of Galah's searching through the turf, trying to find some seeds or something to eat:

Visiting Lou, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Visiting Lou, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

This is the view across the little roadway to the lawn area:

Visiting Lou, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

And then from where she is:

Visiting Lou, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Now, here she is... The headstone was put up the day I arrived home from England in May and the plaque (and a photo) will be there in about 6-7 weeks:

Visiting Lou, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Here is the seat that I sit on, as it is close, I can she her, I can rest, look, think and ponder about things...

Visiting Lou, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

On my way out, I went past a couple of other really nice areas, the Mum 'n' Bub Lawn and the River Gum Reserve, both as nice as each other...

Visiting Lou, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Visiting Lou, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Looking forward to a nicer day tomorrow, a better nights sleep, and hopefully, the weather plays nice and does NOT rain!

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Remembering a life lost to soon...

Today, mark's 3 months when my world came crashing down...

3 month's ago, I lost my love, my partner my life. But in the 3 months since, I have had to come to terms with so many emotions I never thought I would have to until I was old and grey...

But, in remembering the good things in life, and putting these down on paper... well, will a blog do?, I will remember for a long time to come.

When looking through the photo's I have, I came across this one that was taken on a trip Nth, to Brisbane, to look after the nephews for a couple of weeks. It was only now, that I see WHY this is so important... The number 15 that M is holding, it is the day that it all came crashing down in April...

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Here we remember our first trip to New Zealand, in the cable car (gondola) to the top of Rotorua. This was such a great trip, as it really was our first REAL holiday. Not a trip that was combined with a conference or a meeting of some sort for either one of us.

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

And lastly, remembering some of the things the was enjoyable... Macc still misses his momma. He knew his place in the pack; there was me at the top, and then him and it was up to him to protect his momma. He did this on a couple of occasions as well!

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

It is now just over a week until I head off, overseas again, and this trip has been 4 years in the making. I am really looking forward to it, the conference, and I have added in a few extra destinations as well. After Chile, I am then off to Spain for a couple of days, the UK for about a week (and maybe a trip across the pond to Paris) before heading back to the real world called home. I can't wait to tell you of my travels.

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Please, do NOT hide your stuff!!!!

OK, I know it's a bit of an 'odd' title, but this has been, and still is, bugging the heck out of me! We all know that we don't want a burglar to take all of our precious things... BUT, hiding them ALL over the house is just wrong! Since that fateful day back in April, I have been trying to find 'L's iPod, all to no avail. I have looked in the strangest places trying to find it, and finally yesterday, I found it!!!! Now I am not going to say where it was (I think it is a good hiding spot, and just stupid) as I don't want the burglar to find it!!

Also, after a very sleepless night the night before last, I made a decision to get a good nights sleep last night... So, with camera in hand, I went into Sydney's Hyde Park to get a few snaps:

Hyde Park Sitting, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Hyde Park Fountain, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Baby Possum, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Baby Possum, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

I then headed over to Fleet Steps to get a couple more of the Skyline and the Sydney Opera House:

Sydney Opera House, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Sydney Night Time Skyline, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

I hope you enjoyed these shots. After taking them, I then headed down to a Sydney 'Nightlife' institution, 'Harry's Cafe de Wheels' for a pie, Chicken with cheese and tomato sauces... YUMM!

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A few visits...

On Saturday, I was on my way into Darling Harbour to a trade show for photographers and the like (seen many times in adds on TV, heard on the radio, so it had to be good...) and I was glad that I registered and got free entry! I called into A&S on the way to see if they wanted to come along as well. After a couple of hours (A had a 'hang-over') of hanging with the kids, and lunch, we headed in. NOT to mention, I decided to do this rather than attend to the forgotten garden, as rain was forecast. TIP: NEVER rely on the weather forecasters, it didn't rain!

Sunday, I went to the Cemetery to visit L. Nothing much has changed there, it is still a very peaceful location and all you can hear is the creek running a mere couple of meters away... The wording for her plaque is finished, all I have to do is send it to them to have it cast and installed. We have also decided in placing a photo of her as well. This will take some 6-8 weeks as it has to go to Italy to get done!

Today, I went and visited my friend, F, and her daughter in hospital. Poor little 2yo T is in as they try to clear a blockage... She has been in a fair bit of pain, understandably, for a while, and it was picked up in a sleep study done a few months ago. She was blocked up all the way through her bowel, colon and through her intestines! Any wonder she was in pain! They were admitted LAST Monday, with a 'probable discharge by Thursday. Well, now it is 'hopefully tomorrow', but lets wait and see...

SO, tomorrow WILL be a day of catching up on the garden, at least, I hope so!

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A short trip to Melb & more travels afoot...

I have been meaning to post about my recent trip to Melbourne for the Awards where 'L' (and her work) were nominated for her Annual Report! Whilst they did not win, they got two Silver Awards though and lost to the overall winner on the night! It was a fabulous night all the same! Whilst I was 'down south' I got to go out to St Kilda, caught a few good shots, shopped along Acland St (well know for it's bakeries... YUMM!) and visited Uncle P & K!

St Kilda Jetty, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

St Kilda Bench, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

There was even a fantastic 'Pirate Ship' too!!!

St Kilda Pirate Ship, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

In other news, I finally finished organising my trip to the Turf Conference in Santiago today. It is going to be a much bigger trip than originally planned as I am now going to Auckland, Santiago, (12 nights), Madrid (5 nights), London (5 nights) and then home via Bangkok. I have sent across my registration details, and as it will be winter in Santiago, the Conference Tour I have booked myself onto, is up into the Andes Ski Fields!!! I can't wait to go, it is a mear 3 weeks away!!!

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Thank you...

Firstly, I have to say 'Thank You' to McDonalds for providing the free 'hot-spot' so as I can do this blog...

Secondly, I also have to say a big 'THANK YOU' to my lovely neighbours, D&L, whom presented me with dinner last night, Spaghetti Bolognaise.

A special 'Thank you' (not) for the weather... You see, I finally had the energy/inclination to do something in the yard today, in an effort to make it look as though someone cared for/lived in the house... No sooner had I started, and then it started to rain... Since getting back from the UK last month, I think I could count on one hand the amount of days that we have had sunshine, is it no wonder I am depressed?! So, I went back inside... After scanning some documents for insurance purposes, I got a very good email from my Tax Accountant, our returns (last year, and there is only 6 days left of this fiscal year...) were complete and ready for signing... So 'Thank You'!

After signing the paperwork, I headed to see L, and against the signage at the entrance, shhhh, I took Mr M along for the ride! He was such a good fellow in the back of the car, always wanting his head out the window. So from Mr M to me, he says 'Thank You' for the car trip!

And finally, 'Thank You' goes to the SIL for inviting me over for dinner and to watch the State of Origin football... The regular interstate rivalry continues tonight... Shucks, is that the time, I had better scoot along!

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What's Happening??

What's happening I hear you ask... Well, a lot!

Firstly, with regards to my last post, it did not last long... On Wednesday, I had a 'moment' which meant I had to leave, there and then at lunch time. I simply could not stay any longer, I was not really in the right frame of mind to be at work, but more so, I had to be at home, in bed, and I found myself just looking at some photo's... I have ow booked myself in to speak with someone, and talk about how I am feeling, desperately lost, no enthusiasm and barely sleeping or eating.

A return to more regular blogging WILL return shortly, and I will let you know what happens after my visit this afternoon...

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Back to work I go...

Well, its happened... I have gone back to work!

I went to work yesterday, although it was incredibly hard, and it was as though it was only the day before I had left! There was nothing changed on my desk, no pile of stuff to do but the only problem I had was that whilst I was away, they had updated the PABX phone lines and I had to reset my password & Welcome message!

It was hard to get out of bed, not so much that I didn't want to go, but that it was a cold morning... Truth be know, I didn't really want to go, but it was something that had to be done... Everyone was great, and whilst there was only a couple of people 'dancing around' the issue (and I reminded them that it was not necessary), all went well.

I had to drop off my car to the mechanic to have some work done on it yesterday afternoon, which meant, for the first time in ages, that I had to get a train to work. I did not pick a very good day to do this, as it was the first day of a really cold snap, which made it even harder to get out of bed, out of the house and walk to the station. The walk was good, fresh VERY fresh, but pleasant enough. There was this old chap on the platform who I noticed he seemed to know everyone who walked past. That was until I noticed a young lady leave him rolling her eyes and shaking her head; but still had a smile about the conversation they had just had. He went from discussing the safety of upcoming planned track work (to the young lady), to his non event fishing day (he would rather go to the station and talk to strangers???...) where he knows of this little spot where no one else knows... Sounds a bit fishy to me (pardon the pun).

First thing I noticed when stepping onto the train was the fact that there were seats available... This was almost never the case when I was commuting by train before! The only thing I did notice, and was not overly impressed with, was as the train filled up on its city bound trip, was a guy in a couple of rows ahead of me sitting in the middle of a seat not moving to let anyone else sit there... A bit rude I think, do you?

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