Sunday, 27 February 2011
My life in a box
The process is about to start again. Packing up a house. It was only 9 months ago that I was unpacking it. There were 90 boxes in all. Most of them are flatpacked in the attic.
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
Faulty Towers day in The Falklands
I have had one of those days that I am quite glad will end in an hour. It started with a phonecall from my mum this morning while I was trying to get the children ready for school. It was lovely to talk to her but not the best time. The half hour between 8am and 8.30am is very fraught. Any little thing can make me freak out and roar my head off. Not getting uniform on is a major annoyance, not being able to find school shoes, or gym kit, or swimming goggles, or a hair band or homework bag. Do not even get me started on packed lunches. On really bad days my son likes putting his pants on his head and dancing around the living room. My daughter likes to get all her art stuff out and draw pictures or make things while sitting chilling in her dressing gown?
The end came when they tried to write me notes and ask me questions while I was on the phone. We all have our limits.
We have two phones in our house, a military line and an outside line. An actual line to the outside world courtesy of Cable and Wireless at £1 per minute. One where we can talk to people who do not live in The Falklands. It is amazing. Every time I talk on the outside line I feel like an old person using a telephone for the first time looking into the receiver and wondering how it all works. I have actually forgotten how to use a mobile phone and please can someone tell me what an Ipad is. I have an Ipod but I am sick of the same songs because I cannot work out how to put new ones on and take old ones off.
I spent 3 minutes listening to some not so soothing music this morning trying to get hold of a company in the UK. They were very sorry that all lines were busy and I was on hold. They were not as sorry as I was believe me.
I then rushed to work and two hours later realised that I had the car keys that my husband needed to go on his Elephant Seal hunting trip 4 hours cross country. He did get hold of another set of keys and took 239 photos that are now clogging up my computer. I have 40 photos of a Heron.
My evening has got slightly better. The delicious joint of Falklands beef that I put in the fridge yesterday to defrost was not quite defrosted but I cooked it anyway. I just prodded the frozen bit in the middle and cooked it for hours and after two glasses of red wine I am still alive and well. Tonight we drank two bottles of expensive wine (by this I mean over my usual Chilean £2) and they tasted very good. I am almost in a good mood. Almost. I have taken to sulking. A new tactic that is quite an effort. I have to remember to not smile and look aloof and gloomy. I do not think it will last. I can't actually remember why I started doing it. I think I might just return to my old self. I like that one better.
I will try to roar less and rationalise more but with the big move back to the UK in 7 weeks I have a lot of stresses. There are forms looming everywhere and I need to find a black biro. I think we only have pink felt tips that are all dried up. I am going to have to drive on a road with traffic. I am going to have to pay full price for petrol and I am going to have to queue for things because there are a lot of people in the UK. There will be litter.
I am not sure that I am ready to be integrated back into UK society. Life on the outside out of the bubble. Shall I sulk or smile...We will have to wait and see.
The end came when they tried to write me notes and ask me questions while I was on the phone. We all have our limits.
We have two phones in our house, a military line and an outside line. An actual line to the outside world courtesy of Cable and Wireless at £1 per minute. One where we can talk to people who do not live in The Falklands. It is amazing. Every time I talk on the outside line I feel like an old person using a telephone for the first time looking into the receiver and wondering how it all works. I have actually forgotten how to use a mobile phone and please can someone tell me what an Ipad is. I have an Ipod but I am sick of the same songs because I cannot work out how to put new ones on and take old ones off.
I spent 3 minutes listening to some not so soothing music this morning trying to get hold of a company in the UK. They were very sorry that all lines were busy and I was on hold. They were not as sorry as I was believe me.
I then rushed to work and two hours later realised that I had the car keys that my husband needed to go on his Elephant Seal hunting trip 4 hours cross country. He did get hold of another set of keys and took 239 photos that are now clogging up my computer. I have 40 photos of a Heron.
I will try to roar less and rationalise more but with the big move back to the UK in 7 weeks I have a lot of stresses. There are forms looming everywhere and I need to find a black biro. I think we only have pink felt tips that are all dried up. I am going to have to drive on a road with traffic. I am going to have to pay full price for petrol and I am going to have to queue for things because there are a lot of people in the UK. There will be litter.
I am not sure that I am ready to be integrated back into UK society. Life on the outside out of the bubble. Shall I sulk or smile...We will have to wait and see.
Sunday, 20 February 2011
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Falklands Fishing
Today started early with session two with bionic woman and the weights in the gym. She had a hangover so counted the lifts for me and wrote some things down on a piece of paper. It was torture but not quite as bad as last week. I was surprised at how busy the gym was on a Sunday morning at 9am. There are other fitness freaks out there with no social life on a Saturday night.
When I returned home my husband was looking for blue card to make some bumble bee photo frames with the children so he had turned my craft cupboard upside down. This can only end in one way and that is complete and utter disaster and a shouting match. No-one ventures into my craft cupboard. So he was huffing and puffing, raking and rustling and I ended up wanting to stab him with a knitting needle. Problem is I am not quite sure exactly where they are in the cupboard.
Action man has been home for exactly a week and it has been a totally blissful week. There has not been a cross word. We have been calling each other Darling. I wonder what we will be calling each other this coming week. I will keep you posted.
On a normal UK Sunday afternoon if I wanted some trout I would nip to Sainsbury's or Morrisons or Tescos. In the Falklands you have to be a bit more resourceful.
So off we went this afternoon for a half hour drive on a gravel track. I was in the back of the land rover and it was quite bumpy and if I had been taller I would have bumped my head several times.
Then we had to walk a mile there and back in the battering, howling wind to find a sheltered spot to start fishing. We were spinning today which actually took a bit of effort. I thought fishing involved sitting at the side reading a book, eating sandwiches, drinking tea and waiting for a fish to come while Kingfishers flew by and the sun shone in a gentle breeze. It actually involves freezing, nearly being blown over into the water and looking at barren landscape with not a soul in sight for about 3 hours.
My daughter fell out with me because "I was not listening to her" and was "not doing it properly". My son punched me when I tried to hold his hand. I am somewhat redundant now that Granny and Auntie have arrived. They are nice to me only on the run up to mealtimes.
We have just had a starter of freshly caught Falklands brown trout that my husband rustled up. He managed to find a lime in the bottom on the fridge which is a miracle. Limes are like gold dust. I haven't been able to buy one since November. My husband is maturing to my satisfaction. Craft activities with the children, doing the dishes without being nagged and home cooking, all in one day. Maybe tomorrow I will get a Valentine's card although I hope not. I have forgotten to get him one.
I have just downed two glasses of sherry in the space of 10 minutes. This is to get over the shock of the gutting process that was going on in the kitchen. There is now a fish head in the bin.
I have that lovely Falklands glow this evening. There is a lot to be said for this simple, self sufficient life and as long as I get a lock for the craft cupboard all will be calm in our household.
When I returned home my husband was looking for blue card to make some bumble bee photo frames with the children so he had turned my craft cupboard upside down. This can only end in one way and that is complete and utter disaster and a shouting match. No-one ventures into my craft cupboard. So he was huffing and puffing, raking and rustling and I ended up wanting to stab him with a knitting needle. Problem is I am not quite sure exactly where they are in the cupboard.
Action man has been home for exactly a week and it has been a totally blissful week. There has not been a cross word. We have been calling each other Darling. I wonder what we will be calling each other this coming week. I will keep you posted.
On a normal UK Sunday afternoon if I wanted some trout I would nip to Sainsbury's or Morrisons or Tescos. In the Falklands you have to be a bit more resourceful.
So off we went this afternoon for a half hour drive on a gravel track. I was in the back of the land rover and it was quite bumpy and if I had been taller I would have bumped my head several times.
Then we had to walk a mile there and back in the battering, howling wind to find a sheltered spot to start fishing. We were spinning today which actually took a bit of effort. I thought fishing involved sitting at the side reading a book, eating sandwiches, drinking tea and waiting for a fish to come while Kingfishers flew by and the sun shone in a gentle breeze. It actually involves freezing, nearly being blown over into the water and looking at barren landscape with not a soul in sight for about 3 hours.
My daughter fell out with me because "I was not listening to her" and was "not doing it properly". My son punched me when I tried to hold his hand. I am somewhat redundant now that Granny and Auntie have arrived. They are nice to me only on the run up to mealtimes.
I have just downed two glasses of sherry in the space of 10 minutes. This is to get over the shock of the gutting process that was going on in the kitchen. There is now a fish head in the bin.
I have that lovely Falklands glow this evening. There is a lot to be said for this simple, self sufficient life and as long as I get a lock for the craft cupboard all will be calm in our household.
Friday, 11 February 2011
Well hello sailors
Yesterday I went on a school trip to HMS Gloucester. It was fascinating. I feel very lucky to have seen inside and to meet the very dashing members of the Royal Navy. How I love a man in uniform. My husband had told me not to wear a skirt. That was good advice. The steps are vertical like ladders and there are lots of them. Holding onto the rails on either side is essential.
In the afternoon the school went to visit the Meteorological Centre. One of the children asked me how to spell this. I had to look it up in the dictionary. Then they asked how many syllables were in it? I had a headache last night with all the thinking. Forecasting weather is all about Physics and Maths. I have just had to look up Physics in the dictionary.
Weather in the Falklands is a challenge for the Met Office. It changes day by day and even hour by hour. Freak gust winds come out of nowhere and cloud formations can look quite spectacular. I experienced quite a bumpy ride on the flight over here from the UK and a very choppy ride the last time I went in a helicopter. I had the sick bag open and ready.
Yesterday low cloud covered the hills looking like snow and there was a clear bright blue sky. The sun today is fierce, you can feel it burning your skin.
My husband scrubbed the bath last night and is in cleaning mode. He knows how to clean. He has been well trained. He polishes my shoes and has taught me all the tricks when moving out of army quarters. Toothpaste filled into the holes in the walls once you take the picture hooks out works wonders. His mother arrives soon. I better get dusting.
My son befriended a cat before school this morning. I can't wait until the dog meets it. He has also found a dead cat behind our house. He keeps poking it with a stick.
In the afternoon the school went to visit the Meteorological Centre. One of the children asked me how to spell this. I had to look it up in the dictionary. Then they asked how many syllables were in it? I had a headache last night with all the thinking. Forecasting weather is all about Physics and Maths. I have just had to look up Physics in the dictionary.
Weather in the Falklands is a challenge for the Met Office. It changes day by day and even hour by hour. Freak gust winds come out of nowhere and cloud formations can look quite spectacular. I experienced quite a bumpy ride on the flight over here from the UK and a very choppy ride the last time I went in a helicopter. I had the sick bag open and ready.
Yesterday low cloud covered the hills looking like snow and there was a clear bright blue sky. The sun today is fierce, you can feel it burning your skin.
My husband scrubbed the bath last night and is in cleaning mode. He knows how to clean. He has been well trained. He polishes my shoes and has taught me all the tricks when moving out of army quarters. Toothpaste filled into the holes in the walls once you take the picture hooks out works wonders. His mother arrives soon. I better get dusting.
My son befriended a cat before school this morning. I can't wait until the dog meets it. He has also found a dead cat behind our house. He keeps poking it with a stick.
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
The joys of the the gym
Today I spent 2 hours in the gym. I am like Madonna, becoming obessed with exercise. I hope my veins do not start sticking out. I have a friend who is like the bionic woman. She does not have an ounce of fat on her. She wears a bikini in the swimming pool. Men take a second and third look when she walks past. There are a lot of red blooded males strolling around. Their eyes sort of pop out and then back in again to their eye sockets except they don't go back in properly. I have not owned a bikini since 1990 and even then it was not a good look.
Bionic woman does weights and gave me a little lesson today. All those machines that I actually thought looked like torture instruments could apparently make me look quite defined and toned. There is one for inner thighs that I tried as well as two for the back and one for the legs and bum. I wonder if I am going to be able to walk tomorrow. I also tried to do some sit ups on one of those large rubber balls you use in labour. (Not that I did, I was straight onto the hard drugs).
I then had a lesson in abdominal exercises. They are just so unpleasant. I have quite a lot of fat to burn in that area but since moving to The Falklands I have lost a stone. I was quite fat when I first got here. I blame it all on Walkers Sensations. You can get them here but they are about £3 per packet and always out of date. The only thing that kept me going today during my ab crunches was the view of all the muscle men doing their weights. Everyone here is so fit. It is like boot camp.
I am now on a mission to clean my house. My mother-in-law flies in on the next plane. The bathrooms are in need of some bleach. My oven could do with some Mr Muscle. I have just thrown a mouldy cabbage into the bin. The ironing pile needs to be flattened out and the silver could do with a polish. Action man has been back for 2 days and the piles have started already. Piles of dishes at the kitchen sink and piles of dirty washing on the bedroom floor. He has been rearranging the cupboards.
My son has been doing some housekeeping of his own recently. Last week he put some salt in the sugar bowl. I did not really enjoy my salty cup of coffee and my daughter was not impressed with her salted bran flakes. I have just seen soggy toilet paper on the toilet brush. I have also noticed that my eyeliner has been used as cam cream, that some red nail varnish has been left open and dried up and that my favourite lipstick has been used as a crayon. A seven year old boy can do quite a lot of little tricks if not supervised 24/7.
My latest felting project is this lovely little owl. I am not sure why it has a squint beak. I might get my needle out and have another little stab.
Bionic woman does weights and gave me a little lesson today. All those machines that I actually thought looked like torture instruments could apparently make me look quite defined and toned. There is one for inner thighs that I tried as well as two for the back and one for the legs and bum. I wonder if I am going to be able to walk tomorrow. I also tried to do some sit ups on one of those large rubber balls you use in labour. (Not that I did, I was straight onto the hard drugs).
I then had a lesson in abdominal exercises. They are just so unpleasant. I have quite a lot of fat to burn in that area but since moving to The Falklands I have lost a stone. I was quite fat when I first got here. I blame it all on Walkers Sensations. You can get them here but they are about £3 per packet and always out of date. The only thing that kept me going today during my ab crunches was the view of all the muscle men doing their weights. Everyone here is so fit. It is like boot camp.
I am now on a mission to clean my house. My mother-in-law flies in on the next plane. The bathrooms are in need of some bleach. My oven could do with some Mr Muscle. I have just thrown a mouldy cabbage into the bin. The ironing pile needs to be flattened out and the silver could do with a polish. Action man has been back for 2 days and the piles have started already. Piles of dishes at the kitchen sink and piles of dirty washing on the bedroom floor. He has been rearranging the cupboards.
My son has been doing some housekeeping of his own recently. Last week he put some salt in the sugar bowl. I did not really enjoy my salty cup of coffee and my daughter was not impressed with her salted bran flakes. I have just seen soggy toilet paper on the toilet brush. I have also noticed that my eyeliner has been used as cam cream, that some red nail varnish has been left open and dried up and that my favourite lipstick has been used as a crayon. A seven year old boy can do quite a lot of little tricks if not supervised 24/7.
My latest felting project is this lovely little owl. I am not sure why it has a squint beak. I might get my needle out and have another little stab.
I will have to do this though after my cleaning spree and after my action man returns from his run. He is in training. He is out in the wind that I could hardly walk in earlier so I hope he returns in one piece. He will have a lovely red rosy glow on his face and maybe some wind burn.
Sunday, 6 February 2011
Surprises at 2am
I woke up at 2am this morning to listen to the dog whining. Action man is back after 4 long weeks. The bags are in the hall, I have already tripped over his shoes. I tried to stay awake long enough to hear his plane come in but gave up. I would have been able to hear and see it quite clearly, we live on the edge of the airport.
He had quite a journey which started on Wednesday from America. He then left the UK but returned after 4 hours and then camped out in the airport for 24 hours eating junkfood. He travelled over the Atlantic three times in 4 days. My son asked him this morning what it was like to live in an airport. I do not think it is that pleasant.
I am now drinking champagne. It has been chilling in anticipation since Friday evening. I am very contented. I have a few things to celebrate. My life is a rollercoaster of downs and ups. I am at this moment at the top.
I have to go now, needs to attend to and champagne glass to refill.
He had quite a journey which started on Wednesday from America. He then left the UK but returned after 4 hours and then camped out in the airport for 24 hours eating junkfood. He travelled over the Atlantic three times in 4 days. My son asked him this morning what it was like to live in an airport. I do not think it is that pleasant.
I am now drinking champagne. It has been chilling in anticipation since Friday evening. I am very contented. I have a few things to celebrate. My life is a rollercoaster of downs and ups. I am at this moment at the top.
I have to go now, needs to attend to and champagne glass to refill.
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
Postal fights
Today after school my son and daughter had a fight over my Boden sale Parisien pumps. Our post is flown over from the UK once a week and about 4 days later (do not ask me why it takes so long to sort out) I can either collect it or my husband brings it home.
Today his friend delivered it to me and left it inside my house while I was out. My children now recognise the Amazon, Marks and Spencers and brown paper parcels that my Mum sends from Scotland. They were hitting and thumping each other trying to get my parcel unwrapped the minute they walked through the door. At least it saved me the job of opening them myself but what a racket I had to put up with.
I gave them a babybel and they settled down to watch an episode of Glee. I have found that babybels can solve quite a lot of day to day problems. Nutella sandwiches also do the trick.
We have stopped receiving free weekly black bin bags. Our rubbish is collected every Friday and Monday. I do not think I will be able to cope if I have to start buying my own binbags and even a babybel will not take the upset away. Imagine, having to pay for my own bin bags. What a liberty.
Today his friend delivered it to me and left it inside my house while I was out. My children now recognise the Amazon, Marks and Spencers and brown paper parcels that my Mum sends from Scotland. They were hitting and thumping each other trying to get my parcel unwrapped the minute they walked through the door. At least it saved me the job of opening them myself but what a racket I had to put up with.
I gave them a babybel and they settled down to watch an episode of Glee. I have found that babybels can solve quite a lot of day to day problems. Nutella sandwiches also do the trick.
We have stopped receiving free weekly black bin bags. Our rubbish is collected every Friday and Monday. I do not think I will be able to cope if I have to start buying my own binbags and even a babybel will not take the upset away. Imagine, having to pay for my own bin bags. What a liberty.
Monday, 31 January 2011
Birds
I have just got back from swimming and the fence on the left hand side of my house is covered with birds. They keep chirping. It is quite annoying. They are not on anyone else's house. I am finding this all a bit strange and remember that when I lived in Canada on the prairie 4 large grey owls perched daily on top of my house, then they would keep me awake at night with their jumping on the roof. They used to leave dead half eaten animals in my garden. Usually it was just the heads.
One day I was sitting in the garden, and an owl swopped right over my head nearly messing up my hair. Those owls were the most beautiful birds I had ever seen. They were huge. I loved the way they could turn their heads all the way around - like the girl in that horror film. The one that is so famous I have forgotten the name of.
What is it about me that attracts birds. It was not long ago that the Turkey Vulture was stalking me. I will have to google it and will report back with my findings. A bird flew into one of the plane's engines this weekend.
This is a chicken I felted earlier.
Well I have had quite a lot on my mind this past weekend. It has been quite exhausting. I am too tired to start to think about it again never mind try to explain. I may collapse it is so draining and I have to go to the polytunnel in a minute and water my courgettes and spring onions.
I went to an excellent Burns night on Saturday and was in great company. I started the evening with two large glasses of sherry and the haggis was delicious. I have increased my exercise routine in preparation for action man's return and I can hardly keep my eyes open.
Must go and feed the birds - like the lady in Mary Poppins. Feed the birds, tuppence a bag la la la la la ....
I have just remembered the name of the film - The Exorcist. I do not recommend it.
One day I was sitting in the garden, and an owl swopped right over my head nearly messing up my hair. Those owls were the most beautiful birds I had ever seen. They were huge. I loved the way they could turn their heads all the way around - like the girl in that horror film. The one that is so famous I have forgotten the name of.
What is it about me that attracts birds. It was not long ago that the Turkey Vulture was stalking me. I will have to google it and will report back with my findings. A bird flew into one of the plane's engines this weekend.
This is a chicken I felted earlier.
Well I have had quite a lot on my mind this past weekend. It has been quite exhausting. I am too tired to start to think about it again never mind try to explain. I may collapse it is so draining and I have to go to the polytunnel in a minute and water my courgettes and spring onions.
I went to an excellent Burns night on Saturday and was in great company. I started the evening with two large glasses of sherry and the haggis was delicious. I have increased my exercise routine in preparation for action man's return and I can hardly keep my eyes open.
Must go and feed the birds - like the lady in Mary Poppins. Feed the birds, tuppence a bag la la la la la ....
I have just remembered the name of the film - The Exorcist. I do not recommend it.
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
Fed up with FI
Well today I walked the dog and got caught in a horrible rain and wind storm. My face was red and hair dripped by the time I got back home. Now the sun is shining and I have just watched the last ever episode of Sex in the City. Very very good ending. I love happy endings.
In 9 days my husband will be home. I am fed up without him. I have made a chart and pinned it to the wall scoring out the days every morning.
In 9 days my husband will be home. I am fed up without him. I have made a chart and pinned it to the wall scoring out the days every morning.
Saturday, 22 January 2011
Familes shop fiasco
Well today nerves are fraying. The weekly planes that bring in fruit and vegetables into MPA were delayed for nearly a day due to thick fog in The Falklands. This means that the usual delivery in the familes shop was not there this morning. It was not there this afternoon, the shop was not open. There will be an uproar in some households this evening.
This means that on Monday the shop will be open and it will be a fiasco. I think I might have to give it a miss and go on Tuesday. By then there will not be much left but I will have my sanity and will not have fallen out with anyone and given or received any menacing looks.
Up to 20 minutes before the shop opens, up to 15 people (mostly women) queue. The conversation is always tense. There is pushing and use of elbows to get to the precious cucumbers, bananas, grapes, kiwi fruit, potatoes, carrots, pears, peppers, mushrooms and spring onions. There is sometimes only one poor stressed out person on the till catching all the negative vibes so you can queue for up to an 40 minutes - just to get a bunch on bananas. I am sighing and drinking wine just thinking about it.
Before you feel very sorry for me, I can drive 50 minutes on the pot-holed road to Stanley. I can get 4 bananas for £4 there and you can get good potatoes. We did have 3 cucumbers from the school polytunnel last week and the tomatoes are nearly ready. I can also eat in the mess and we are allowed to take two pieces of fruit out per person. My husband's mess bill is going to be quite large this month. There are a few gin and tonics on his bill from happy hour on Friday evenings but they do not count, they are only 50p each.
I am looking out of my window just now, beautiful sunny evening, not too much wind, no traffic, no hustle-bustle, no annoying people (well apart from the ones I will see in the families shop) and if I close my eyes I can still imagine what bananas, cherries and strawberries are like.
Must go and defrost some frozen berries.
This means that on Monday the shop will be open and it will be a fiasco. I think I might have to give it a miss and go on Tuesday. By then there will not be much left but I will have my sanity and will not have fallen out with anyone and given or received any menacing looks.
Up to 20 minutes before the shop opens, up to 15 people (mostly women) queue. The conversation is always tense. There is pushing and use of elbows to get to the precious cucumbers, bananas, grapes, kiwi fruit, potatoes, carrots, pears, peppers, mushrooms and spring onions. There is sometimes only one poor stressed out person on the till catching all the negative vibes so you can queue for up to an 40 minutes - just to get a bunch on bananas. I am sighing and drinking wine just thinking about it.
Before you feel very sorry for me, I can drive 50 minutes on the pot-holed road to Stanley. I can get 4 bananas for £4 there and you can get good potatoes. We did have 3 cucumbers from the school polytunnel last week and the tomatoes are nearly ready. I can also eat in the mess and we are allowed to take two pieces of fruit out per person. My husband's mess bill is going to be quite large this month. There are a few gin and tonics on his bill from happy hour on Friday evenings but they do not count, they are only 50p each.
I am looking out of my window just now, beautiful sunny evening, not too much wind, no traffic, no hustle-bustle, no annoying people (well apart from the ones I will see in the families shop) and if I close my eyes I can still imagine what bananas, cherries and strawberries are like.
Must go and defrost some frozen berries.
Friday, 21 January 2011
Salsa
I have started salsa lessons. Today we learned the basics of the Cuban mambo. I might need to buy some of those very colouring dancing shoes with the straps and buckles.
Very strange dancing with men other than my husband and ones that are the same height or only slightly taller than me. Is my husband a giant or am I just very small? Face to face with a strange man it is hard to know where to look, apart from staring straight into his face and giggling stupidly. I am hoping my self-consciousness will go by lesson number 2 and I really have to try and concentrate.
Last night I went to Bunco (crazy dice game). I got tipsy on two glasses of wine because I had no dinner and woke up this morning cringing at my conversation. I was talking about the full moon and how it was making me do all kinds of crazy things. Today I tried to put on my daughter's coat to wear - she is nine and I am not that small. On Monday I thought it was Friday.
Fog in the Falklands tonight but the full moon is still there hiding playing havoc with my sanity. Or maybe I have been in The Falklands to long and I am going a bit dippy......I might dye my hair brown.
Very strange dancing with men other than my husband and ones that are the same height or only slightly taller than me. Is my husband a giant or am I just very small? Face to face with a strange man it is hard to know where to look, apart from staring straight into his face and giggling stupidly. I am hoping my self-consciousness will go by lesson number 2 and I really have to try and concentrate.
Last night I went to Bunco (crazy dice game). I got tipsy on two glasses of wine because I had no dinner and woke up this morning cringing at my conversation. I was talking about the full moon and how it was making me do all kinds of crazy things. Today I tried to put on my daughter's coat to wear - she is nine and I am not that small. On Monday I thought it was Friday.
Fog in the Falklands tonight but the full moon is still there hiding playing havoc with my sanity. Or maybe I have been in The Falklands to long and I am going a bit dippy......I might dye my hair brown.
Friday, 14 January 2011
Intense sadness that creeps up without warning
Yesterday I was very brave and nochalant, so what if my friend was moving back to Scotland tonight. I joked with her and said I had a new friend to take her place but today I am not being brave. I am not telling any lies. My face says it all. I have been crying since 6pm. I hope it burns up calories.
I went to happy hour and had to hide with the children in another room pretending I was looking after them. The tears were just flowing. Every time I looked at her I started weeping. How awful military life can be on days like this. I have said so many goodbyes over the years and this has been as hard as saying goodbye to my Mum 8 months ago. Your heart literally aches. You make close friendships very quickly because you live very close to each other and see each other every day. Living in a goldfish bowl means that you form very strong bonds and know just about everything about each other, warts and all.
ps - I am premenstrual but I do not think this has anything to do with the way I am feeling....my children have just told me to get a grip.
I went to happy hour and had to hide with the children in another room pretending I was looking after them. The tears were just flowing. Every time I looked at her I started weeping. How awful military life can be on days like this. I have said so many goodbyes over the years and this has been as hard as saying goodbye to my Mum 8 months ago. Your heart literally aches. You make close friendships very quickly because you live very close to each other and see each other every day. Living in a goldfish bowl means that you form very strong bonds and know just about everything about each other, warts and all.
ps - I am premenstrual but I do not think this has anything to do with the way I am feeling....my children have just told me to get a grip.
Friday, 7 January 2011
Shooting stars
My husband got me a telescope for Christmas. I am obsessed with stars. I have been outside watching the night sky. I saw 3 shooting stars and an unidentified moving light. I am going to become an expert on astronomy. The only problem is that it gets fully dark at 11.30pm onwards so you have to stay up late.
The last two weeks here in The Falklands weatherwise have been amazing. I feel lucky to live here even if it is for a short time. This is definitely my favourite posting and I have had 8 so far. I will remember my year here for many years to come.
I am on my own now for a month or so. Plenty of time to look at the stars, read books, clean the house and cook and wash less. No shoes to trip over, less adventures to go on. My action man never stops. January is going to be a lovely rest for me and I will be recharged for his return in February.
My only annoyance here at the moment are the flies. There are no proper bugs - no bees, only lazy slow flies. They are in my greenhouse and are too stupid to find out where the door is. The plants in the polytunnel are also getting a bit singed with the sun and there are no insects to pollinate them. This is the problem with living in a bug free island.
The last two weeks here in The Falklands weatherwise have been amazing. I feel lucky to live here even if it is for a short time. This is definitely my favourite posting and I have had 8 so far. I will remember my year here for many years to come.
I am on my own now for a month or so. Plenty of time to look at the stars, read books, clean the house and cook and wash less. No shoes to trip over, less adventures to go on. My action man never stops. January is going to be a lovely rest for me and I will be recharged for his return in February.
My only annoyance here at the moment are the flies. There are no proper bugs - no bees, only lazy slow flies. They are in my greenhouse and are too stupid to find out where the door is. The plants in the polytunnel are also getting a bit singed with the sun and there are no insects to pollinate them. This is the problem with living in a bug free island.
Thursday, 6 January 2011
Saunders Island
Truly magnificent.
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
An estate agent with a heart
I have just been watching an episode of Location Location Location. Kirstie and Phil are actually quite nice. It is hard for me to say this because I have met some really horrible estate agents. They genuinely seemed to care about the three service couples they were finding houses for and when Kirstie had a little cry about a very brave man, well she has gone right up in my estimations. She is way up there with the Albatross on New Island and you do not get much higher than that. She is a warm heart in the cold hard world of property buying and selling.
I might go on Amazon and buy Kirstie's homemade home. Stained glass windows here I come.
We are off to Saunders Island tomorrow. My husband has packed the bags and put them by the front door. We have to be ready to go by 8.30am. He is nervous about that already. There will be the usual huffing and puffing. My son will be up at 5.30am. These bright sunny mornings in the Southern hemisphere are a nightmare. I have not been out all day due to my sun burnt feet.
I have resorted to eating Quorn pieces instead of chicken. There is no chicken available. Even Iceland have let me down. My Quorn, spinach and ricotta lasagne was delicious. Makes a change from beige scampi and oven chips.
I might go on Amazon and buy Kirstie's homemade home. Stained glass windows here I come.
We are off to Saunders Island tomorrow. My husband has packed the bags and put them by the front door. We have to be ready to go by 8.30am. He is nervous about that already. There will be the usual huffing and puffing. My son will be up at 5.30am. These bright sunny mornings in the Southern hemisphere are a nightmare. I have not been out all day due to my sun burnt feet.
I have resorted to eating Quorn pieces instead of chicken. There is no chicken available. Even Iceland have let me down. My Quorn, spinach and ricotta lasagne was delicious. Makes a change from beige scampi and oven chips.
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
Evening at the beach
Just had an evening picnic at the beach. Penguins made an appearance out of the waves but no Dolphins to be seen. I was drinking lager out of a can and eating a Christmas Indian platter from Iceland. The beach was deserted which is probably just as well. Drinking lager out of a can is not really a good look although it seemed to come quite naturally.
I have finally given in and buy Iceland food without a second thought. So far today I have had Iceland chicken fajita pizza £1, Indian platter £4 (between 4 adults). Tomorrow I am going to try Iceland scampi £2 and vegetarian curry £1.50. The chicken breasts that you can cook from frozen amaze me.
My freezer is jam packed with Iceland frozen food. I could start up my own freezer shop. There is no Tesco finest or Marks and Spencer but when I feel like splashing out there are some frozen Birds Eye products I can buy. Vegetable fingers to try tomorrow.
There is always The West Store in Stanley where I could buy a frozen Waitrose fish pie for £14 . My husband bought me some Whittards hot chocolate for Christmas for £12.99. If Stanley was not 50 minutes drive away I would have taken it back by now. The big plus about Iceland food is that it is not out of date. Frozen food lasts for years.
The sun today was glorious and there was no wind. I forgot to put sun cream on my feet and they are now bright red and burning. I will be wearing socks tomorrow with my sandals. This sun is getting past a joke. Every day at 7am the sun shines through the curtains waking me up. I might have to start sleeping with my sunglasses on. The house is boiling, the dog can't stand it. The washing dries in 10 minutes.
I have finally given in and buy Iceland food without a second thought. So far today I have had Iceland chicken fajita pizza £1, Indian platter £4 (between 4 adults). Tomorrow I am going to try Iceland scampi £2 and vegetarian curry £1.50. The chicken breasts that you can cook from frozen amaze me.
My freezer is jam packed with Iceland frozen food. I could start up my own freezer shop. There is no Tesco finest or Marks and Spencer but when I feel like splashing out there are some frozen Birds Eye products I can buy. Vegetable fingers to try tomorrow.
There is always The West Store in Stanley where I could buy a frozen Waitrose fish pie for £14 . My husband bought me some Whittards hot chocolate for Christmas for £12.99. If Stanley was not 50 minutes drive away I would have taken it back by now. The big plus about Iceland food is that it is not out of date. Frozen food lasts for years.
The sun today was glorious and there was no wind. I forgot to put sun cream on my feet and they are now bright red and burning. I will be wearing socks tomorrow with my sandals. This sun is getting past a joke. Every day at 7am the sun shines through the curtains waking me up. I might have to start sleeping with my sunglasses on. The house is boiling, the dog can't stand it. The washing dries in 10 minutes.
Wind is back
Yesterday my dog spent the day pacing around the house panting and then hid under the car when I needed to go out in it. She is scared of the wind. It does make the house rattle. She spent the evening yesterday sitting with her face towards the wall. Very strange. I had a sense of doom all day but here I am today and nothing bad has happened.
Another bright day. We are off to swim with the Dolphins and Penguins today at a nearby beach. I went there last week down the off-road track and broke the car handbrake. Must remember the factor 50 suncream. The sun's rays are fierce.
I am still hoping to see the mating seals on the beach. The female apparently looked very squashed and the male was a big boy.
Another bright day. We are off to swim with the Dolphins and Penguins today at a nearby beach. I went there last week down the off-road track and broke the car handbrake. Must remember the factor 50 suncream. The sun's rays are fierce.
I am still hoping to see the mating seals on the beach. The female apparently looked very squashed and the male was a big boy.
Sunday, 2 January 2011
Gin and tonic in the evening sunshine
It has been another warm Summer's day in The Falklands. My face was nipping in the shower this morning. I had forgotten to put on factor 50 suncream during yesterday. The sun here really burns your skin and you do not feel it because of the wind. There is sand all over the house. It blocks the drains.
I have had about 5 gin and tonics this evening and I am feeling quite merry. I am getting old though because I now have a big glass of water beside me. I no longer like the feeling of "being out of control". I am officially becoming old and sensible. I did not even make it up to see 2011 in. I fell asleep at 11.30pm and I could not have cared less. My husband went out partying without me and my daughter cried because she missed out on the fun because of my sleepiness.
I have read two books in the last week. Love of my life by Louise Douglas - very romantic and hard to put down and The Other Hand by Chris Cleeve. A book that stays with you when you are washing the dishes, driving, drinking gin, walking the dog. I am going to start on The Poisonwood Bible. My husband thinks I am too much of a bookworm. I have so many books I want to read.
We are moving to a village near Blackpool in the Spring. Apparently it rains a lot there. I am looking forward to playing bingo, eating candy floss and playing those money slot machines where the 10 pences line up and fall down but you never seem to win much money.
I have had about 5 gin and tonics this evening and I am feeling quite merry. I am getting old though because I now have a big glass of water beside me. I no longer like the feeling of "being out of control". I am officially becoming old and sensible. I did not even make it up to see 2011 in. I fell asleep at 11.30pm and I could not have cared less. My husband went out partying without me and my daughter cried because she missed out on the fun because of my sleepiness.
I have read two books in the last week. Love of my life by Louise Douglas - very romantic and hard to put down and The Other Hand by Chris Cleeve. A book that stays with you when you are washing the dishes, driving, drinking gin, walking the dog. I am going to start on The Poisonwood Bible. My husband thinks I am too much of a bookworm. I have so many books I want to read.
We are moving to a village near Blackpool in the Spring. Apparently it rains a lot there. I am looking forward to playing bingo, eating candy floss and playing those money slot machines where the 10 pences line up and fall down but you never seem to win much money.
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