We're all going on a summer holiday...

Finally back in London after a massive summer of work. OK, and a little fun as well. Here are some of the places I worked this summer:

It all started with a week in beautiful, sunny Portugal


Followed closely by a month on Sea Island in Georgia




Next stop was Washington DC



Back to London in time to enjoy a glorious sunny day in Green Park with friends


Before jumping on the Eurostar for a few days in Paris





So back to routine this week. The kids are back at school (hooray!!) and there is no more travel on the horizon...until at least October!

And summer is over, the days are getting shorter and the tan built up over 6 fantastic weeks in the sunshine is beginning to fade. Autumn is here and it's time to get out the warmer clothes. Seems a crime almost...

Marrakech

At the beginning of April, I travelled to Marrakech for 10 days for work. Here are some highlights of the trip:

Back for Good

OK. I know it's been an unforgivable three weeks since my last blog, but yes, I'm still alive. Just in case anyone was wondering!

I have all the usual excuses. Problems with my internet connection. Too busy at work. Too tired at the end of the day. The flu that lasted for two whole weeks. They are all true, but still I apologise for my absence.

Not that I've really done anything blog-worthy in the entire month of January, unless you count an endless stream of music classes, mealtime tantrums, freezing cold days, nights with no central heating, playdates (including one where 6-year-olds' friend actually did a poo right on the middle of the carpet!), school runs, ballet classes (for the kids, not for me!), swimming lessons (same!), etc, etc, etc...

I think I might have forgotten something. Oh yeah. My life. Forgot for a moment that I actually have one! There are some exciting things on the horizon though. My boss has been sorting out the family travel plans for the first half of this year. In two weeks, were off to France again (and I promise to post pictures this time!). Then in April, it's a trip to Morocco. Summer holidays is Portugal, followed by a trip to Washington DC and Georgia in the US. That should give me plenty of things to blog about.

As for my life in London, it's plodding along. I really feel like I live here now. I really need to get out and do some more touristy things in my own adopted city.

I really need the cold weather to stop.

Not as smart as my phone

OK. I haven't dropped off the face of the Earth...at least as far as I can remember! My main reason for not blogging has been that since my digital camera met its untimely death, I have bought a new phone. A smart phone. Smarter than its owner, obviously, since I can't figure out for the life of me how to get my pictures from my phone to my PC. So rather than disappoint my two faithful readers, I've decided to post this blog...without pictures. I hope to get them up soon but for now, you'll just need to use your imagination.

Since my last blog post, I have made my first trip overseas with a family I've worked for. The destination for this trip was to a house in Normandy, France. I was more than a little nervous before heading off on this particular trip as I had no idea what to expect and the thought of 5 hours in the car with three kids was not filling me with joy and happiness. In the end, I didn't need to feel nervous. The trip over was pretty uneventful, except for my excitement about my first trip in the Euro tunnel. The house (a HUGE understatement!) was in the beautiful village of Beauxville. The countryside was just gorgeous. Green fields, picturesque cottages and autumn colours everywhere. I even had my own room (no sharing with the children for me, praise God!) with exposed beams and a fireplace.

We made day trips out to Deauville and Trouville on the coast, ate crepes, crepes and more crepes, donned the wellies for wild raspberry picking, strolled along the sand on the coast of the English Channel, ate at delicious French restaurants, and shopped til we dropped. All in a day's work for me, really! On the last day, we all headed to Honfleur which, I'm sorry, but words cannot describe. I promise to get some pics up as soon as I can.

Since France, it's just been work, work, work. These past few weeks, I have truly appreciated the easy life I used to have when I worked part time. But even with the long hours, there's not a lot I would change. The 1-year-old boy has started to walk, give out kisses (of the slobbery, open-mouthed variety!) and tottering up to me for a cuddle when he sees me, so that makes starting and finishing in the dark worthwhile. The older two...well, it's a work in progress!

Last weekend, I actually did something I thought I'd never do again. I went back on The London Eye. The only difference was this time, I really enjoyed it! There is even photographic evidence to show the distinct lack of fear in my eyes.

I'd show it to you...if I was as smart as my phone!

Baby Steps

I heard this from Little Girl 3 in the backseat this morning on the school run:

"Becs...I like you...a little bit, but...I still like C (former nanny) a lot".

That's fine with me. It's a step in the right direction.

My New Life

I guess now is as good a time as any to update you on the first two and a half weeks in my new job. It's taken a while, I know, but it's taken me a while to get used to working 12 hours a day.

I started on a Friday, and moved out of my old job that morning, carting the rest of my not-so-light stuff by bus and train to West Hampstead. The rest of the day, I spent getting settled into my room. Saturday was my first official day of work, which included the baby's 1st birthday party in the afternoon, so I got to meet most of the extended family. And there are a lot of them!

The first week was very long and very challenging as it was the week the kids started back at school, having been overseas for most of the summer. Most nights after work, I just crashed into bed, too exhausted to even think. This nanny thing is tough! But since then, we have all sort of settled into a routine and the kids are getting to know me and even answer me when I talk to them! It's a good start.

The highlight has definitely been spending the days with the 1 year old boy. He is absolutely adorable, even though this brother has taught him to scream, which Little Boy 1 does at a very high pitch! Pushing the buggy down the street, on our way to Gymboree or music classes, is the part of nannying I always imagined. I had one particular moment this week...the sun was shining, the sky was blue, I was pushing Little Boy 1 in his buggy, choosing to forget that just that very morning, I had changed the wet sheets on Little Girl 3's bed, washed the bedding of Little Boy 1, who had thrown up in the night and cleaned up the trail of poo on the kitchen floor from Little Boy 1's leaking nappy (he had a very bad tummy bug). All that faded into a distant memory in the light of the sunny morning stroll.

I have also had to get used to driving the foreign streets of West Hampstead. As all navigationally-challenged people understand, this filled me with dread. But, my bosses car has Sat Nav. Yes, Sat Nav! I have never driven a car with this before and it has to be one of the best inventions ever. Today, the kids decided to name the Sat Nav lady Star, and we spent the journey home from school mocking her voice and giving crazy instructions.

I've done some exploring around West Hampstead and I have to say it is a whole new world. I love it though. I love having transport options too. I can pretty much get a bus to anywhere from here...if I manage to concentrate and get on the bus going in the right direction! Note to self: never catch public transport when over-tired.

So this is my new life. It's a lot busier than my last one.

The End of Chapter One

Last Saturday was my last day at work. Since then, I've been packing, getting lost at Heathrow, looking after my little cousins and trying to get some quality sleep on an air mattress!

Now, as I am getting ready to start my new job tomorrow, I've been looking back on the past 16 months. It has been an amazing experience and I was truly fortunate to be welcomed into the home and lives of such a great family. I will miss the kids a lot but I will still get to see them. It was certainly one of the best decisions I made to get out of the whole Monday to Friday 9-5.

So, on the eve of the next chapter, I am excited. I am definitely looking forward to seeing more of the world and also the chance to be part of a new family. It's not like I'm moving to a new country. I think I'll like living in NW London.

The Week That Was

I know I haven't been around for a while but I've been a little busy. Here's some pics from what I've been up to this week:


Last week, I took the kids back to Ham House, somewhere I haven't been since I first arrived. We had a great day exploring the gardens.


On Monday, I had my little cousin who's two with us so we all headed into Kensington Gardens and The Princess Diana Memorial Playground. What an awesome place! It was packed to the rafters with kids, but the sun was out, so that made everything OK!


Wednesday, we headed to Bushy Park for a picnic, clown show and a play on the huge playground there. Bushy Park is a lovely place and I don't know why I waited so long to get there!


And yesterday, I took the kids into the city for a Great Bus Adventure (as they called it!), starting with the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace (which turned out to not be on that day!), then on the no. 11 bus to Trafalgar Square where we then hopped on an old Routemaster bus, the no. 15, to The Tower of London. We found a little patch of green and a playground to have lunch at and then headed home on the train.

Graduations and Goodbyes

Yesterday, the youngest boy I look after graduated from his nursery, all ready to start "big" school in September. It was such a great day. He did so well in his performance and I couldn't help but shed a few tears.

It hit me that I have just two months left with them, and even though I will see them from time to time, the close relationship we have built over the past 18 months will not be the same. They'll have a new nanny and I'll have new kids to look after and we'll move on. I really hate goodbyes. I'm no good at them and I've had too many of them. I always start to cry and never really get to say exactly how I feel.

After the performance, I took both of the kids to our favourite playground and I watched as little-boy-four balanced on the balance beam by himself. I taught him that. I watched him swing himself on the swings, stretching his legs out as he went forward, tucking them in as he swung back. I taught him that. I watched his six-year-old sister take her first one-handed swing on the monkey bars. I taught her that. I realised then that I have made a difference in their lives and even though I won't be there day to day, they'll remember me.

No one told me about this side of the job when I signed up!

The Next Chapter

There's a reason I've been so quiet on this blog of late. For once, it hasn't been because I've done been doing nothing. Quite the opposite. There has been so much going on, I didn't know where to start and what was going on, I couldn't even tell you about.

But now I can. I have found a new job. Yes, I am still a nanny, but now I'll offically have the job title of "nanny", be working full time, travelling the world and moving from SW London to NW London, close to Hampstead Heath and full of brand new places for me to explore.

As excited as I am to start this new experience (I start in September, by the way!), it hasn't been an easy thing to think of leaving my current family. No one prepared me for this when I chose to become a nanny. It's going to break my heart to leave those two kids who have been such a huge part of my life here. My bosses have been brilliant too. I really hate goodbyes!

Sunday Snapshot (and a little bit more!)

This shot is of The Albert Memorial in Hyde Park, opposite the Royal Albert Hall. I just love the colour of the storm clouds and the way the gold of the spire stands out. The clouds do remind me a bit of Queensland summer afternoons, spent on the deck watching the storms roll in.

The reason I was at the Royal Albert Hall was for Hillsong's Colour Conference last Friday and Saturday. This was an awesome weekend, spent with thousands of women from all over the globe.

The rest of this week has been pretty normal, except we did have a power blackout on Sunday, lasting for a couple of days (due mostly to it being a bank holiday weekend and no parts available). My first here, but something that again reminded me of home.

The next few weeks are going to be busy. My boss starts his new job this week, which is awesome as he has been looking for a long time, so that means that I get to work some longer hours. It works out good all round.

Also, you'll be pleased to know (!!) that my birthday parcel finally arrived from home last Saturday after all the disruptions caused by the volcanic ash from the Eyjafjallajokull glacier (don't be too impressed - I copied and pasted that name from Google!!).

This present weekend marks my departure from home one year ago. Wow. Where has the time gone?

A Day on the Farm

This week has turned on some gorgeous sunshine, so on Thursday I ventured out to Bocketts Farm in Surrey with my cousin and her two kids and the kids I look after. It was such a beautiful day and we got to see all the new lambs and even had a tractor ride.

The farm has amazing children's play areas and the kids were happy to spend most of the day on the super slides and making a huge sandcastle in the sand pit.

Here are some pics:

Sunday Snapshot

I had to work this afternoon so, after church, I took the kids to Kew Bridge Steam Museum...which, to my surprise, actually turned out to be a fun day out for all!

Not your average day at the office

OK. So I am determined to write more often, even if it's about nothing. Apologies in advance.

I have been thinking lately that all I seem to say about my new career makes it sound like a walk in the park (no pun intended!). But it's actually exhausting and sometimes draining work.

The average day might consist of a 7.30am start to help get the kids ready for school, making sure that smocks are on, sports bags contain sports gear and not a princess dress, teeth are cleaned, shoes are on (and on the right feet), kitchen is cleaned up after the breakfast chaos and coats put on and zipped up. Then it's out the door, remembering to lock up behind us and into the car, making sure that all items actually get from the front door to the car, both kids are strapped in and have sufficient reading material for the journey to school. Trust me, searching for just the right tractor book is not something I want to do at the last minute!

Next comes the actual journey to school which can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 1 hour, depending on London traffic, the whole time being filled with the eternal "why ?" questions and "What does that sign say? The one with the thing? We just drove past it! What did it SAY??", while trying to concentrate on the road.

Arriving at the first school, it's out of the car for both, trying to keep an eye on 4-year-old, while his sister runs screaming around the yard with all her fellow 6 year old classmates and me chatting politely to the other mums and nannies at the gate. Then it's 8.45am, the eldest is safely in her classroom, then it's back in the car for me and 4-year-old, in the mad dash to his school...in the total opposite direction!

Ding-ding: round two, with more screaming and chatting (by the kids and nannies, respectively...although sometimes this can be the other way around!) and then both kids are in class and I have some peace until lunch time.

The first school pick up I usually do on foot, which is a good 30 minutes from home, but it's a nice walk...if it's not raining! The walk home is usually through the woods, where we can collect anything from sticks to bunches of wild chives. Back home for a hot lunch, possibly a playdate, a walk/scooter ride to the park or to feed the ducks or just trains, trains and more trains! Not forgetting to clean up the kitchen, load the dishwasher or empty the rubbish, as required.

Before I know it, it's time for School Pick Up #2, in the car this time. 4-year-old usually falls asleep straight away and I use the time waiting for the school gate to open as my lunch break and the chance to read a few pages of a book. 6-year-old collected, it's time to head home, to the library or to ballet, depending on the day (and the mood!), afternoon snack is served and then it's play until dinner time (after I've cleaned up the kitchen, loaded yet more stuff into the dishwasher, tidied away the contents of the school bags and helped with any homework).

While I'm cooking dinner, the kids usually play or might watch a bit of TV. The eating of dinner can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 1 hour, depending on what it is and the mood...again! Then it's time for bath, pyjamas to be put on, teeth cleaned, clothes for tomorrow sorted out, water for the bedside table refreshed, stories chosen and read and finally cuddles and tucking the kids into bed.

While they slip off into dreamland, I'm back down in the kitchen, loading the rest of the dishes into the dishwasher, cleaning the kitchen and emptying the rubbish, as required.

It makes me tired just reading all of that. My full appreciation goes out to all the mums and nannies who have been doing this for a lot longer than I have.

But with all the running around and constant questions, you have the moments that make it all worth while. Yesterday, 4-year-old said to me, after finishing his dinner: "I really like you. I think I'm going to keep you forever".

No one ever said that to me at the office!

Cherry Cola Splits

I'm just enjoying the peace and quiet of 5.30pm...something that almost NEVER happens! And it's all thanks to a playdate. You've gotta love 'em!

I have the afternoon off and on a typical day, this is usually the noisiest time of day (a.k.a Supper Time), so I am enjoying it while it lasts.

This week did not have the best start, but that was all self-inflicted thanks to the Superbowl and my lack of sleep as a result, so I have no one to blame but myself. I can, however blame my youngest charge who this week decided to share his runny nose, cough and sore throat with me AGAIN. Such a generous little lad!

Today was probably the most eventful day. After arriving half an hour early for the school pick up, I decided to walk around to the shops down the road from the school and treat myself to a Diet Coke (woo-hoo...I am the last of the big-spenders!), something I haven't had for a while now. As I had the youngest with me, I must have been very distracted when I chose what I thought was a Diet Coke, paid for it, opened it up to take a swig...only to then discover that it was indeed Diet Coke, but with a truly horrible cherry flavour! Who makes this stuff? And more to the point, why?? Note to self: always read the labels!

Then, to cap off the day, I split my jeans getting out of the car! True, they are so old and I knew it was going to happen soon, but still, I could have done without it after the whole cherry coke fiasco.

But the good news is, it's pay day tomorrow and I can go and buy a brand new pair!

It's just another Manic Monday...I wish it were Sunday

This has been a very long week. The only thing that has kept me going is Sunday. My one day off each week and the only kid-free day. Aahh, Sunday!

The week started off pretty ordinary, then got progressively worse. One day on the way to school pick up in the afternoon, I stopped off at the supermarket with 4-year-old in tow, and I thought I would be nice and buy him a magazine of his favourite character, Thomas the Tank Engine. He was so excited and even helped me pick one out for his sister. I had a moment of thinking I must be the nicest, most generous nanny in the world...how wrong I was.

The very next day, 4-year-old could not stop asking for another magazine and, after trying to explain that the magazine only comes out once a month and that he couldn't have a magazine every day as it was a special treat, this turned into a full-volume screaming tantrum, complete with tears (mostly of the crocodile kind!).

Meanwhile, 5-year-old girl has been demonstrating an attitude worthy of a Hollywood diva, answering back, hands on hips, "I'm right, you're wrong!" - the whole bit. I have been at the limit of my patience all week, which as you may remember is not that patient at all!

Add to that, there were copious amounts of snot, endless "Why?" questions, playdates, and trains, trains, trains!

So you can see why I may be looking forward to Sunday. It will most likely rain, so I think I'll find some nice, quiet gallery to spend the afternoon in. Sounds like heaven!

On a better note, on Thursday, I was walking back from the library, feeling sad and missing my friends and family, when I bumped into a fellow nanny I know and we had a really nice chat and then, just around the corner, I ran into a lady from the WI (Women's Institute) and she remembered me from the whole two times I had been to the meetings. It honestly made my day. It just felt so nice to see people I knew and have a conversation with someone over the age of 5!

And finally on Friday, I was without a car and had to do the school run on foot, an hour round trip, morning and afternoon, which was fine as I really enjoyed walking along in the rain. I arrived at the school, thinking how nice the rain was and how great it was to be able to be outside for work and not stuck in the office all day, when the first mum to arrive says, "Isn't this weather grim?".

I smiled to myself and thought it's all just how you look at it, I guess.

Skype and the 'office' Christmas Party

I seem to always be behind the times when it comes to technology.

I bought my first mobile phone in 2002, my first digital camera in 2004, only joined facebook 12 months ago and have finally downloaded Skype...yesterday! Why I waited so long, I'll never know.

So that means this Christmas, I'll be able to open my presents 'with' my family in Brisbane. The wonders of technology.

But that will also mean no more phone calls when I've just gotten out of bed, hair sticking out in all directions!

Today, I am starting my second round of Christmas shopping for the people I know here, since my first lot are winging their way to Australia as we speak...I hope. This round of present shopping is late, I know, with just over two weeks until Christmas, but I am armed with my list and hope to get in, buy everything on my list, within my budget, and get out before the crowds get worse. Yes, I am delusional!

On the work front, the past couple of weeks have been pretty standard, and the kids both finish school for the Christmas holidays next Wednesday at 12noon. Which should be very interesting since their schools are about a half hour drive between them. Then they have just over three weeks of holidays, and it's down to me to entertain them rain, hail, (snow??) and shine.

I was thinking about my past life as a receptionist the other day and this would have been the time of the Christmas Party that was usually down to me to help organise. Oh, how I do not miss the office Christmas Party! No matter what you planned, someone wouldn't be happy, people would never confirm or decide to bring guests at the last minute. There would be the one obnoxious drunk (or seven!) and the person who falls down and seriously injures themselves. The only thing I am organising this year is the making of a snowman out of cardboard and cotton wool. Hmm, let's see...what do I prefer?

A Week or Two in the Life

Sorry I haven't been on here for a couple of weeks, but I haven't really had anything interesting to blog about.

The kids have been off school for half-term and I have been working lots. The weather has turned colder, wetter and it's now darker thanks to the end of British Summer Time. We have been rugged up in wellies and rain jackets and hitting the playgrounds and feeding the ducks.

As for exploring London, there hasn't been much of that happening, I'm afraid. I did get into the city one day, but that was with two kids under five in tow, so not my idea of ideal sightseeing circumstances.

I am also on day 6 of a 10 day detox, which means I haven't had anything to eat since last Monday. After feeling shocking for the first three days, I am now feeling really good. I never thought I would make it this far and I am determined to see it through to the end. The good news is that my cold has completely gone. There were a few nights that I had dreams of Quarter Pounders and roast chicken, but other than that, I'm hanging in there.

In other news, my friend Hannah arrives tomorrow and I am driving to Heathrow to pick her up. Yes, driving to Heathrow. I am slightly terrified, but I'm hoping that I'll get there OK, without getting too lost! While she is here, I haven't made too many plans, but we'll get out and do lots of things that I haven't done yet, like The London Eye, an open-top bus tour (weather permitting), a live recording of BBC TV's My Family and just see more of this great city. There is also the trip to Paris to look forward to.

Last night was Halloween and due to being on this detox thing I had no candy in the house, so I spent the evening inside, babysitting, with all the lights turned off to avoid all the little spooks and their trick-or-treating. On my way downstairs, in the dark of course, I managed to miss the last step and fell on my arm which is now really sore and developing a very large bruise. I guess it does serve me right! Today I spent pumping up a double air mattress with a foot pump that kept sticking, only to discover it has a slow leak so, sorry Hannah, it will have to be the single. At least I got a good leg and bum workout!

So watch this space! I'll be back out exploring next week and have some new pictures to post.

Be Cool to Your School

School is back today and with it came drama and tears over breakfast cereal, threats to send me back to the airport (because according to Little Boy 3, that is where I come from!), one crazy traffic jam and a mad sprint to the school gate as a result.

Let the good times begin.

I, for one, am glad that school is back. My routine is back with it, I am working more hours and will be earning more money. The last two days of summer holidays have been exhausting. On Tuesday, I took the kids out on the bus, then on the tube into London and a boat ride to Greenwich for a picnic in the Park. It was a great day out, everyone was well behaved (including me!) and after the trip back home, we were all worn out. Wednesday was a wet day and I had planned to spend the day at home so we could all have some down time before school started.

Imagine my horror when their dad mentioned that we could go the London Transport Museum...in the city...on a wet day...with two kids under five! After trying to convince them that a whole day inside playing "Farmyards" would be much more fun, we all got our rain jackets on and headed once again into London. The weather could not make up its mind what it wanted to do, so it was rainy, windy, cold, warm, sunny and the jackets were on and off more times than I could count.

Our first stop was to visit their dad in his office and pretty much as soon as I arrived, I wanted to leave. I hadn't been in an office since I left Australia and I realised that I didn't miss it at all. In fact, I was sure that if I stayed there too long, they would make me start answering the phones! It was enough to make me want to run screaming from the place!

Anyway, we did leave without answering a single phone call, and headed to Covent Garden and the London Transport Museum. I was expecting to be bored, but it was actually great fun. The kids played in the play area mostly and I had a look at all the old buses and trains. Also, I never realised what was in Covent Garden itself and is definitely a place to come back and explore...without kids!

We caught two trains and a bus home and we were all dead on our feet after our day out. But at least the kids slept well...lucky them!

Here are some pics of the Transport Museum:

Oink?

I'm sick. Pretty sure it isn't swine flu, but I'm at home, curled up in bed with my laptop, breathing in enough eucalyptus oil to make a koala jealous and feeling like I could really use a new head.

This week is a pretty quiet one for me. On Sunday, I spent the day with my cousin and her kids in the city. After an awesome service at church, we headed to the V&A for lunch in their gorgeous cafeteria and spent some time watching the kids splash in the paddling pool in the garden. That day, I decided to wear some shoes other than my Crocs (just for a change) and paid the price...blisters! So, I'll bite the bullet and just wear the practical, comfortable shoes and be done with it.

Escaping the city, we headed to Westfield for a taste of home. No matter where I am, I feel at home in a shopping mall. Please don't get me wrong, I don't really like shopping much at all, but in a mall, things make sense. The shops may all be different, but the feel is still the same. When I first moved to Crieff in Scotland back in 2003, I remember walking into the mall in Stirling, after a few months of "High Street" shopping and feeling like I had come home.

Anyway, back to this week. The family are off to Devon again this weekend and I get the weekend off...all four glorious days from Thursday on. Originally, my plan was to get up to Manchester to visit my friends, but prefering to be selfish and keep this cold all to myself, the plan has been put on hold.

One thing I do have to do this week is change my Australian licence to a British licence for car insurance purposes. I'm not sure how I feel about it, since I will need to give up my Australian licence to get my UK one. Yes. They will take it away. Gone. Forever? Not sure, but it feels very final. At the end of the day, it's just a piece of paper (plastic?), right?

Well, that's how my week is shaping up. Sorry to disappoint you if were looking to read some glamorous tales of the expat life in London. Please stay tuned. I'm sure future posts will have something more exciting to report, other than head colds!

Now, where are my tissues...?