Dear Granny

Dear Granny,

It was another fabulous day here in Australia.  We got up early, fed the boy and then headed out to visit the Royal Australian Air Force in Amberly, close to  Brisbane and meet many of the serving members and their families.  It was a bit hot, sitting around 29 deg C, perfect autumn weather.  Maybe we should move the palace to Australia?

Am looking forward to sharing  Easter buns and eggs tomorrow with baby G for his first Easter weekend. Left you all a chocolate egg hidden in the palace - happy hunting!!!  Hope the corgis didn't get there first.

Big bunny kisses

Wills and Kate and Baby G
xxx

Dear Granny

Dear Granny,

Had a jam packed day today.  Me and and the misses visited a local Sydney hospice to visit with sick children and their families.  Heartbreaking and we hope that we gave them a few smiles.

Then it was off to the Easter show.  A hotdog and some candy floss for the good lady and won a few cuddly toys for baby G.    Got to admire a few sheep, we could use some on the grass outside Kensington Palace.

Then off to the beach.  Unable to take a surf as too many paparazzi around, didn't want to see a snap of me in my thong on every news channel tomorrow.

Kiss the corgis and Grandpa P for us.

Love
Wills and Kate and Baby G
xxx

P.S our kiwi friends said after a stormy Thursday, they got a nice Friday with some sunshine after a good 10 days of rain.  Enough to get the washing on the line and soak in a little vitamin D.

Dear Granny

Dear Granny,

We left one NZ, a country suffering from too much rain at the moment, to head to Australia that could use a little more rain, although it is nice to be out in the sun.  Had to head for the hills today to see some  more rocks - nice.  Looked  over the edge - tis a long way down, would prefer more solid ground thank you very much.

Took the missus out to the country, and met a lot of lovely folks who lost their homes to bushfires.  Just like what happened at Windsor Castle, minus the castle, and the rugs, and flash paintings, and all those antiques, and corgis.

Did a lot more smiling and waving.  Will need arm transplants soon.

Kiss the corgis.

Love
Wills and Kate and Baby G
xxx

G'day Granny

G'day Granny,

Looks like it does get some sunshine down under, as the sun was shining when we arrived in Sydney this afternoon.  After settling down baby G, we will be off to get some prawns on the barbie and have a beer or two.

Left Wellington after another day of rain.  Got to meet hundreds more children and trainee police dogs at the police college.  Now in Aussie shaking more hands and admiring babies.  Will need to sell some jewels and a carraige so you can afford to  book the Duchess and myself in for a lot of massages and physiotherapy for our waving hands, as we have waved so much we have frozen shoulders.  Old Charlie boy might have to have a stall outside the palace to earn some pennies.

So looking forward to getting a tan and relaxing here in Australia.  Hope our Easter eggs don't melt.

Love
Kate and Wills and Baby G
xxx

Dear Granny

Kia Ora Granny,

Finally got another day off today to spend with bubba G.  Saw an hour or two of sunshine before Wellingtons rain returned.  Have sold a few of your diamonds to buy some cases of wine!!  Hope you don't mind?

Last day in NZ, so relaxing in our sweats and slippers.  Making room in the suitcases for a few of little Gs presents.  He scored an all black jumper, a new bike and a tonne of books.  Will need you to build a new castle for him to store all of his presents.

Sent the assistants on a tiki tour  to pick up some presents.  Got Harry and Charlie a swandri each, thought that Camilla would like a Trelise Cooper Coat.   A weekend away at Kauri Cliffs for the Middletons, a new purse for Pippa and for you Grannie - a pallet of plonk.

So off to Oz tomorrow for a quick visit, a few prawns and no doubt a bar-b-que or two.

See you soon!!

Luv
Wills and Kate and Bubba G
xxxx

Royal Tourists

Our favourite royal tourists have had a busy day.  They went to Christchurch, which is rebuilding after devastating earthquakes of a couple of years ago.   That is why the Duchess wore this red and black suit, as they are Canterbury colours.  They were good sorts, taking part in a kids cricket match in their suits (and her high heels), and still smiling greatly.  We hope they have enjoyed themselves, we have had a great time having them here, and if the British don't want them, they could move down here!!

There is a dinner tonight with our prime minister and his family, a rest day tomorrow, then Wednesday they will go to the police college before heading over to Australia.

In the meantime back at Chez Q business as usual.  Mum is on her 4th night of call although she was lucky and got some sleep the past two nights.  She might be lucky tonight.   She has also decided that she will not be eating any chocolate between now and Easter Sunday, just in case the Easter bunny leaves her a treat.  She is  not a big chocolate eater, but does usually nibble on a little bit each evening.  So she is going to leave it alone for 6 days!!!  Anyone keen to join her?

Lazy Sunday

Today mum stayed in her slippers all day.  She was lucky and didn't have to go into work tonight, all was quiet.  Two more nights to go, so fingers and toes crossed that she gets her beauty sleep.  It was cloudy all day so we camped inside all day watching shows on the box.

Our royal visitors headed off to the south of the south island today and visited Dunedin where they met with lots of junior rugby players and went jetboating.  The Duchess looked pretty in a teal blue dress and hat, although we do prefer her in her casual jeans and top.  We think that her formal wear seems a bit old fashioned and ages her somewhat.  Tonight it is only bubba G and his nanny sleeping across the road from us, as the young couple get a night away at a Queenstown resort.  Good on them - we think they deserve a wee break.

Hope you all are having a relaxing Sunday too.

Queenie Caturday

Dear Queenie,

Up early to breakfast with baby G, tea and toast in front of the heater.  Then wisked to the airport and off to Hamilton.  The misses, dressed in a pretty green dress went to the childrens Hospice where she charmed hundreds of future princesses and boys who turned out for the event.

Then we went off to the new Valodrome where we were given a new bike for the boy.  Move the rolls and a carraige or two, to make room in the garage.

Home by 4.30pm to take care of the boy.  Slippers and sweats on and a night in front of the box is in order.

Send Cash.

Love
Kate and Wills and Baby G
xxx

Oh the mumster was walking home tonight and she got to see the motorcade arrive back from the airport with the Duke and Duchess inside.  She wasn't close enough to see them in person, but she knew they were in there.   Mum was quite tired as she went to work at 4am again this morning.  Fingers crossed she stays in her bed tonight to get some rest.  Otherwise we had a great Caturday.  I rested, she went to visit with a friend and have a tasty lunch out and did lots of window shopping, which was good for a rainy afternoon.  Then a nice evening at home together relaxing.  Perfect!!

 Enjoy your Caturday everybuddy.

Dear Queenie Postcard Part 2

Dear Queenie,
Hope you got yesterdays postcard.  Went from damp and cloudy Wellington, to rainy grey Auckland.  No wonder they do call NZ the land of the long white cloud.  Dressed casual today - posh frocks have gone to the cleaners.

Went to the harbour to go sailing with some kiwi boys.  It may be chilly out, but they all turned up in their shorts.  Had a race, got beaten by the misses.

Then took her out for afternoon tea and scones.  Dropped by the air force base to meet lots of good hard working folks and their lovely families.

Graham Norton is on the box, watching it in our slippers eating fish and chips for supper.  Just like home.

Love to Gramps, Harry, Charlie and Camilla.

Kiss a corgi for us.
Love

Wills, Kate and Baby G
xxxx

Royal Fever

So our little country is enjoying our lovely little visitors.  Yesterday was playgroup with 10 local babies and their parents.  Little George is quite the sweetie,and good to see him having some fun.   Today baby George and nanny got to stay home, while mum and dad went and saw some airplanes, laid wreaths and did lots of hand shaking with locals in Blenheim.  Little girls lined the streets in their tiaras, and school kids waved flags.  All very sweet.

Tonight is a function across the road from us.  All fancy wine, frocks and I am sure many a boring speech. Kates dress was a nice homage to NZ, a few diamonds at her wrist and her hair looked lovely.   There was a portrait of the queen, all formal and stuff that looked a bit paint by numbers and we think they got the lipstick wrong.  Too dark - not queenie looking at all.

Funny to think that all this is happening three minutes from our house, and you all are watching it on the news at your houses, all round the world.  Did you know there are 450 press following them around on their Kiwi/Aussie adventure?  Crazy huh?  Wonder if they get to go upstairs after and put their sweatpants on, check on George and stream some Game of Thrones?  Do you think they Skype Harry, Charles and Camilla?

  Maybe they send the Queen a postcard?  Came to Wellington, quite windy,  wet and cool (you promised nice weather - we got here a week too late), no need for sunscreen.  Got a case of wine for the castle. Borrowed some of your diamonds.  Send cash.  Love Wills, Kate and Baby G.

It's almost the weekend!!!  Hope you all have some fun planned!

Wordless Wednesday - Regal

Royal Tourists

So last week we were sweltering and sweating in the heat, but today is windy and wet and feels like winter.  We have heard that the royal tourists, after a welcoming down the road last night, snuck away to a lovely lodge for a bit of R and R.  We think they deserve a little break and a play with their young man.  Mum could tell they weren't there when she came home last night, as the police car was no longer at the end of the driveway.

Didn't Kate look nice in her outfit so like Lady Dis one?  Little George is quite the charmer, and seems such a happy wee baby.  We do hope they enjoy their break and get lots of family time.  We believe tomorrow they are going to meet with other babies and their mums when they return to town.

Guess Who is Staying Close by Our House?

Mum had another busyish night last night and finally got home around 6am.  She had a touch of breakfast and then managed about 3 hours sleep, making a grand total of 5 hours sleep in the past two nights.  She did arise in time to watch on the tele of the royal little family arriving in Wellington.  They were lucky as it was cloudy and misty, weather that often closes our little airport.

They are staying at Government house, which mum lives just across the road from (a 2 minute walk away).  So as she had her shower she could hear the band playing, then the haka and while I was having a snuggle there was a cannon going off!!! Such excitement!!  I was good and didn't run and hide.  Mum was enjoying my first snuggle of the winter, the first time I have sat on her knee for about 8 months.

We are not sure that we will be catching up with the family, they need their privacy after all, but we will keep you up to date on their visit.

Mum has to go into work for about 2.5 hours, then she will be home again and things will be back into a normal routine again.

Enjoy your Monday everybuddy!!

Sleepy Sunday

Getting the spare bed put together last week was quite the ordeal.  Mum had a footstool, the washing basket and some spare bags holding bits of the frame up while she screwed it together.  Luckily the whole thing stayed together.  As you can see I am very helpful at snoopervising and making sure she did an ok job.

Mum had an uber busy night last night, and had to do four call ins to work overnight, so she is a bit exhausted today.   Especially as it was daylight savings here, and mum had to do an extra hour of call overnight.   One more night of call to get through and then she will almost back to a normal sleeping week, although she is on call next weekend as well.  So for us an afternoon nap was in order.

She did try something new today.  She read this article about using conditioner before shampooing her hair, and thought she would give it a go.  She was pleasantly surprised, as her dry difficult to manage hair feels soft and fuller than normal.  We know it isn't rocket science, but it is nice to do something that actually works.  Never too old to learn new tricks.

So we better go, mum has to switch the on-call phone back on and get ready for another busy night.

Hope you have all had a relaxing Sunday and got your snooze on.

Camping Caturday

Last night Big Uncle and his best friend came for a flying visit.  Mum dispatched her brother to sleep in her bed, and his bestie to sleep in the spare room (my bed).  She offered to sleep on the couch because she thought it would entice me to come inside and as she is the shortest by far it is a good fit for her.  She has also been known to nod off on the couch anyways.

The boys brought their own mattress to camp on, so mum put it in the corner of the room, as it was not needed.  Not needed by anybuddy but ME!!!  So everybuddy got a good nights sleep.  They were up early and showered, and the boys took off as they had jobs to do.  Mum was glad that I wasn't too scared and we all had our own beds to sleep on!!

Enjoy your Caturday!!

Friday Favourites

So it is a quiet morning here at home with me and mum.  She works this afternoon, so is pottering around getting the housekeeping done.  She thought she would share a few things that have been making her smile lately.

While wondering out for a walk she listens to her ipod.  Lately it is not music playing but podcasts.  Desert Island Discs and The Infinite Monkey Cage are her podcasts of choice.  Do you listen to podcasts?

While we enjoy catching up with all our friends, she also loves visiting The Frugal Queen, Vintage Vixen, the very deliscious Helga,  Hostess, faux, and when a quick visit to the farm at Our New Life and a kiwi girl at the Kitchensgarden on her small farm in the Midwest.


We hope you get a chance to check out our links over the weekend.  Hope you are all ready for Caturday and some fun things planned.

Quick Post

Quick post - home late - working late - late stop at the supermarket - fancy feast very late - snuggle very late - posting very late - bed time very late.

Nite nite!!

Wordless Wednesday

Welcome April

Welcome April - we are glad that you are still sharing some sunbeams with us.  Today was beautiful, and mum stepped out in the afternoon to enjoy it.  She was on the nightshift last night, and got to bed around 7.30am this morning til midday.  The builders did not come round, but the gardener did, so mum took off for a walk in the sunshine to avoid the noise around the place.  When she got home we had some time together before she took a small nap.  Night shift again tonight, but it will be over in the morning.

I had a tasty feast for dinner and mum got some steak on special and had broccoli and carrots with it.  Some fresh watermelon for supper will keep her going.  Some people take tonnes of food for the night shift and nibble away, but mum is happy to take something simple as she doesn't have much appetite when she is there.

Hope you are all having a good start to your April too.

March End

We can't believe it is the last day of March already.  Some of the days have been slow, but the month has marched on by.  Mum did intend to have a quiet day at home with me today, but the builders came round for a bit of tending to the front of the house, so there was lots of bangs and saws and all kinds of noise that fellows make when they are trying to be busy.  They either haven't been round for a while, or mum has worked during the day and missed them.  She did have to tell them that she is on night shift for the next couple of days and would appreciate some sleep.  They don't seem to have a set plan for when they are coming round, and do not give mum any notice.  So far it hasn't been too annoying, and mum knows that they are just trying to make the most of the mild weather.

Anyways, she thinks they must have disturbed some mousies under the house, as I have had my butt under the deck for most of the evening.  Mum had to go outside and call and call for me to come in.  So I popped in, and ate some biscuits and rushed outside.  Some hot date with my mousie nest mum thinks, or the skinny neighbour cat - who knows!!

Hope you have all had a good start to your week too!!

Sleepy Sunday

Hope you caught up on your ZZZZs this sleepy Sunday.  Mum and I had a lovely sleep in.  She got up and had eggs on toast, and then met a bestie.  They ventured out to the suburbs to have a wander around a large mall, which mum usually only does once a year.  Lots and lots of sameness there, same funny coloured clothes which seemed pricey for what they were, and lots of shops selling the same junky stuff, none of which enticed mum to part with any dollars.  She said though that it was great people watching, and a good stretch of the legs.

So we are spending our evening relaxing and taking it easy here.  Hope you are all doing the same and recharging for the week ahead.