New adventures

I'm making a tentative return to my blog - which, by the way, should now be 'Babies, a buggy and a boat'. We are a family of five (including our beloved Buster) with the arrival of a beautiful, baby girl just six weeks ago.
So where have we been? Basically, I felt like a bit of a fraud. I had built this blog up to be a record of our adventures, our travels and an account of our rather unusual lifestyle, but this is the thing... we haven't been anywhere since I last posted nearly a year ago. When I say 'we' I mean me and my girl, now girls. Angus has still been sailing the high seas to earn a crust but the rest of the family have been on terra firma (apart from a very wet camping trip to France last summer which involved a quick ferry across the English Channel obviously). So A Baby, a Buggy and a Boat lost its identity. I didn't want to be just a parenting blog, there are plenty of much better ones out there, and I couldn't decide how to write anymore or what to write about. Where were our adventures now?
Then yesterday, whilst tearing my hair out during a 'short' trip to Waitrose that took nearly two hours, I realised that the whole thing is an adventure. I was 'popping' to the supermarket, a fairly simple task. I had a list of, oh about 15 things, not a big shop. Fairly manageable you would think. Baby Orla cried for the whole of the 10 minute car journey there. Coco and I decided that we'd head straight to the cafe for a cake (an excuse to feed but trying to keep things interesting for Coco). Parked, baby and toddler into the trolly, scoot through the supermarket to the cafe, baby and toddler out of the trolly, baby still crying, toddler running away from me all the time and needs constantly bribing with cake. The queue is fairly long and by the time we reach the till, Orla has fallen asleep. Coco and I sit and eat cake while I try and wake Orla enough to feed, which she doesn't, she is in a seriously deep sleep.
Just as we finish, Coco needs a wee (the potty training has regressed since Orla's arrival so I shower Coco in compliments for telling me she needs to go) and we all run to the loo. Whilst I am dealing with Coco, Orla wakes up... crying, so back to the cafe for a feed but by this time the last of our cakes and drinks have been cleared away and I have nothing to entertain a two year old for ten minutes so grab a CBeebies magazine en route back to the cafe. Feed. Both children back into the trolly. Do about half of my shop and then Coco needs the loo again. More compliments for her although through slightly gritted teeth. Out of the trolly, queue for the loo, into the trolly. Everyone is bored by now (including you I would imagine), Orla starts screaming, Coco is helpfully holding her hand over her mouth to keep her quite through suffocation. I'm trying to finish the shop which also trying to save the baby. Eventually we make it to the checkout, I've left my 'bags for life' in the car so guiltily pack my groceries into plastic which I want to tell everyone I WILL make use of, I promise and I swear to myself, right there and then, that I am internet shopping from here on in!

Nesting - better late that never

This is truly the life... sitting in a cafe in our local town; I've dropped Coco at nursery, there is pot of tea just for me, I've submitted an article, I am writing a blog and simply watching the world go by. The view doesn't quite match up to the balcony vista that we left behind a week ago, but the bustling high street of our small Wessex town with the bunting fluttering after the royal festivities isn't bad at all.

It has been busy - as ever - when does life slow down, even just for a second? Coco was a dream on her sixteenth trans-Atlantic flight. She knows the score now not even trying to get off my lap, which is unheard of when we aren't on a plane, asleep within half an hour of take off and then I woke her up as we were landing. Not quite such a comfortable flight for me however due to the fact that Coco is officially too big for my lap for eight hours straight! It will be a seat next time, a sad admission for our wallets but a huge relief for my femurs!

Now we are home, it is the exciting countdown to moving into our new home. With less than two weeks to go I am frantically sorting clothes, paining furniture, buying fridges and booking broadband. I have mentioned before that Coco has never had her own room and only ever slept in a travel cot. I am sure you all know just how much I love our life and how lucky I know we are, however, the one thing I feel like I missed out on was the preparations of the nursery before Coco was born. I am now loving getting everything ready for her, what I hope will be lovely, room.

I am revamping an old chest of drawers that I picked up at a local auction, updating a cot given to us by my nieces having been used by both of them and designing murals for her wall. I have heaps of work at the moment but I resent loosing the time to prepare for our move. I want to be sewing and sanding and making lovely things - as always, not enough hours in the day!

There are just about enough hours to make sure we make up for lost time by having lots of walks with our darling Buster. The dynamic duo are together again and already causing lots of trouble!

What a week!

Before I start, I just want to share my extreme excitement with you at my having being nominated for a MAD Blog Award! It is a complete surprise, I am gobsmacked, flabbergasted and utterly over excited about it. For those of you who don't know about the Mummy's and Daddy's Bloggers Oscar's, click on the button on this page and take a look. Who'd have thought that Baby, Buggy, Boat would even be considered for a nomination alongside some of the extraordinary talent there is amongst the parent bloggers out there. Apparently this is an inspirational blog! What-da-ya-know! Whoever it was that has enjoyed reading about our adventures enough to nominate us, a heartfelt 'thank you'. You made my weekend!

There is so much to fill you in on I am struggling to know where to start. After a nasty tumble in the pool last week, we signed Coco up for some more lessons to rebuild her confidence. It has worked a treat and she is loving being back in the water. Both Angus and I are also loving learning the exercises to really help get her swimming. She is just starting to kick at last and so we are able to let go of her now and she makes way underwater. She will hang onto the wall on her own, spider-crawl along it to the steps and climb out. Big progress so I am going to have to be sure I keep it up when we get back to the UK next week. I can not tell you what a relief it will be to actually have her swimming and it feels like we are getting close now.

We had a truly glorious Easter weekend. I did a fun-run to raise money for a local guy who needs a back operation to get him walking again. We ran at sunrise up to an old fort at Shirley Heights, enjoyed the stunning views from the top and then ran back down again. It was hot and hard but such good fun. I ran with a friend and colleague of Angus's and it felt good to start the weekend doing something virtuous.

We were invited to spend Easter Sunday morning with some friends who were hosting a brunch party. After collecting the eggs the Easter Bunny had left in our little garden (we had to get out there very early so they didn't melt!) and enjoying an early breakfast of Cheerios and chocolate (!) we headed down the hill to our friends house. Brunch was more muffins and bucks fizz, followed by more bucks fizz, followed by lots of fizz but by this stage we abandoned the fruit juice. It wasn't even lunchtime when we wobbled home giggling all the way.

It is Antigua's famous Sailing Week at the moment so we have spent a few evening at Nelsons Dockyard absorbing the party atmosphere. Coco and Uncle Gaby had a dance-off to the islands top band - Itchy Feet - on Monday. When I say 'dance-off' they both span around like loons and jumped about like a pair of over excited frogs. Extremely funny to watch, I wish I had got it on video.

Our bit of drama for the week was on Monday evening when the boats crew up to the house for a BBQ. We had a lovely evening with everyone; good food, wine and beer, swimming and chatting and had just settled down to tell embarrassing stories when the boats watch-keeper called Angus to tell him that the sailing yacht right alongside them was on fire! Now, if you imagine a marina, all the boats are very close to each other, and I'm not sure how much you know about boats but they burn well - and quickly. I have never seen Angus move so fast! Grabbing half the crew, they jumped in the car and hotfooted it down to the harbour. (Angus hadn't been drinking by the way, he's very responsible like that)

All was well, but not before Angus and his crew had fought the fire along with ABSAR - the Antiguan rescue team, the fire-brigade and other surrounding boat crews. Sadly, S/Y Titan, the boat that was on fire, was pretty much destroyed but nobody was hurt and no other boats were affected. To read more check out this report in Dockwalk.

So an eventful week! We should be back in the UK by now but Angus's plans changed, the boat is staying a little longer and who wants to rush back from the Caribbean? So we've changed our flight and have a few extra days in paradise... lucky, lucky us.

Silent Sunday

Tantrums and Tiaras

The Antigua Classics Sailing Regatta has been and gone. It has been a busy week for the boat with racing, race crew to entertain, the owner and his guests onboard, the organisation, the logistics and the level of service is phenomenal. Not only that but these boys (and girls) pull it off whilst making it look effortless and stress-free. These superyacht guys know their stuff I tell ya.

I managed to blag a ride on the chase boat one day (a speed boat that follows the sailboat in case one of the race crew go overboard and it does happen sometimes!) because it was Uncle Gaby's turn to drive. Although you don't get the thrill of sailing, it really is the best seat in the house, plus I had the added advantage of spending a very pleasant day with my brother and his friend and colleague, Dallas. Here are some of this years photos:

Coco and I have had the pleasure of being included in some of the cocktail parties, bbq's and crew dinners that come hand-in-hand with regattas so feel full of good food, lovely company and rum! Not for Coco obviously, although it may have helped as we have had a week filled with some humdinger tantrums.

We have definitely moved into a new phase. The funny, feisty, good humoured Coco is still there for I would guess about 80% of the time but then she is replaced by demon child for the other 20%. The tantrums come from nowhere, there doesn't seem to be a reason for them but they are violent and so, so loud! She quickly gets herself into a frenzy and it would seem that nothing will calm her. She doesn't want anyone near her and yet she doesn't want to be left alone. The other day it was about 40 minutes before she eventually shook herself out of it, but this is the amazing thing, when recovers she is then back to normal in moments, if not a little croaky due to the screaming! It is completely bizarre. 

Who knows the best way to cope with these situations but I refuse to reward her behaviour with treats when she is screaming her head off, and of course I comfort her but again, cuddles and mollycoddling seems wrong when it is being demanded in such a way. Do I sound harsh, should I scoop her up, give her chocolate and tell her it is ok to get attention in that way? I have taken to the tactic of sitting with her and chatting to her but not really invading her space, she doesn't want me to anyway. She does work through it herself, with a little bit of gentle encouragement, and will hopefully soon see these passionate outbursts as a waste of both time and energy. Having had one a day for three or four consecutive days we have gone for 48 hours now without one so maybe we are making a breakthrough. Or maybe this is the calm before the storm!

Nevertheless, we have still had some fun times over the last few days and here are the photos to prove it. You would think that butter wouldn't melt...

Do you have a toddler the likes the odd tantrum and how to you handle it?

Even The Caribbean Has Its Downsides

I have just kept down the first food to have passed my lips in over 24 hours and I am really hoping it is going to give me some strength. It is common, at this time of year, for a stomach bug to sweep through the island of Antigua. Something to do with the dry weather and then the rain coming - I'm not sure though so don't quote me on that. Anyway, it always happens. Last year we managed to watch from a distance as we heard of people getting ill, there was even the terrible meningitis tragedy which shocked every parent to the core. This year we haven't escaped completely unscathed.

Angus was ill last week and I hate to confess to the fact that I thought he could have been a bit braver. For two days he could hardly communicate, was listless and had a terrible stomach. On one hand I was really worried because I had never seen anyone that ill, and on the other hand there was a small part of me that wondered if he really was quite as ill as he made out. I have to make this confession public to alleviate some of the guilt because having now experienced the illness myself, I can confirm that yes, he really did feel that ill. I thought I was dying last night when I couldn't stop vomiting, every muscle in my body was screaming at me, my arms, hands and feet were completely numb and I was struggling for breath. I couldn't keep my eyes open but I was convinced that if I closed them I wasn't going to ever wake-up. I normally consider myself to be quite brave but not this time. This bug got me, well and truly.

Enough of this moaning - we are all on the mend although poor Angus is having to cope with crew dropping like flies as well as family. Poor guy, and after my lack of sympathy! Seriously, that man deserves a medal. My only hope is that Coco manages to avoid it. Now I am feeling stronger I am going on a cleaning mission this evening to try and rid the house of all germs!

So again, a public apology to my long suffering husband... I am sorry, you were properly ill and I should have taken you more seriously xxx

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the start of the 2011 Antigua Classics Sailing Regatta - a splendid race which I have had the pleasure of being involved in for the last three years. This, sadly, looks like it might be our last year so I am going to make the most of it and hopefully get more photos like these...

Aren't they beautiful boats?

So here's to tomorrow - GO RANGER!

For more fabulous interpretations of the theme 'tomorrow' go and visit The Gallery over at Sticky Fingers.

Before We Were Mothers

There is a baby buzz in the air at the moment. You may remember my mentioning months ago that three of my best buddies were having babies this year? Well one is here already (welcome Oscar but I don't think Daddy reads my blog so you will never know that I have publicly welcomed you into the world) and I am waiting with baited breath for news on the arrival of the next bubba (who is stubbornly staying put even though he or she is now 12 days late! It's obviously cozy in there). The third arrival isn't due until July so we would like you to stay right where you are for the time being please.

Anyway, with babies on the brain, there was something in the blog posted yesterday by the brilliant (seriously, she is very funny) 4 kids, 20 suitcases and a beagle, and it got me thinking. She makes reference to taking pictures of her pre-breastfeeding breasts (in this post) and it struck a nerve. She was right, I really wish I had done that, just as a reminder of my former self! I probably don't wish I had actually taken photos but I certainly didn't appreciate them enough. Why didn't I love my boobs more pre-baby? Why didn't I love all of my body more pre-baby? I have always hated my boobs (too big - I know, I should be grateful but I'm not) but actually, two years ago they were bloody lovely! Similarly, my tummy. Never, ever been happy with it. Even in my skinnier times it was never even close to being washboard, but come on! Compared to the the prune-like texture that it is now, kind of like one big elbow, it was so smooth and fairly flat. Why didn't I appreciate you back then oh poor tummy of mine? And let's not even start on the state of my pelvic floors and veiny legs!

So what I have been thinking about is, what would I advise my pre-Mummy self to do knowing what I do now? And so, in turn, my pre-baby friends. (Sorry Beth and Nat, definitely too late for you and possibly even you Ilm xx)

- Wear a bikini and wear it with pride. Those little bits of excess flesh are nothing!
- Show some plump, high, where-it's-supposed-to-be cleavage
- Listen to Radio One (for those of you reading from foreign fields, Radio One is the cool and trendy radio station in the UK)
- Stay in bed and read a book one morning
- Pop out to the shops, you know, just pop out quickly with nothing by your purse
- Wear make-up and take the time to experiment with a new eye-shadow!
- Wear pretty, dangly earrings

There are so many more things I could add. What would you tell your pre-baby self to appreciate before the pitter-patter of tiny feet?

I am going to indulge myself in digging out one of Coco's baby photos for you to enjoy - this is why we do it at the end of the day and isn't she worth it! xx

Silent Sunday

Unbelievably Grateful For...

It has be a while since I have linked into the lovely Maxabella's 'Saturday Grateful', but that doesn't mean that I absolutely always am... grateful that is.

So, this week I am grateful for...

Freshly Baked Bread - there is a gorgeous little bakery at the bottom of the hill. It opens at sunrise and there is a cow-bell that hangs outside for when you need to be served. It is nothing more that a hatch in a wall cover in bouganvilla but the beautiful Antiguan woman with perfect skin sells the most delicious baguettes, chocolate croissants and loaves that are so fresh they are still warm. Yummy!

A Resounding Dawn Chorus - I am sure that the dawn chorus is equally as wonderful everywhere in the world, you just don't often tend to hear it. Here, however, we do and it is extraordinarily beautiful. We have no air conditioning in our little house, so the windows are always open and even over the low hum of the ceiling fan, it feels like you are sleeping outside. So as soon as the sun comes up, and the birds are awake, we are able to share with them their joy at the dawning of a new day.

Sunset Swims - It isn't all about the morning. I am just as grateful for the evenings and they are equally as precious and beautiful. It is pretty special to be able to share a family swim together at the end of each day. Ah, big sigh, extremely grateful xx

Tips for flying

We have been here nearly a week already, the time is whizzing by. Our house is gorgeous, although there is a rather high balcony which fills me with fear. Coco is banned from being outside without an adult right beside her at all times. The house itself is lovely though. A huge open plan space with big french windows on all sides which you can have open with the mozzie screen pulled across keeping Coco in, with the illusion of being out - if that makes sense. The family that owns the house are half Canadian, half British and so there is a kind of Canadian hunting lodge feel to the decor. Strange that may seem for the 30 degree heat and sandy beaches that is the Caribbean, but somehow it works.

Already, we have fallen into our usual routine. Up for a run (well that was only this morning but I am hoping to keep it up!), take Angus to work, back for breakfast, jobs, play and then our morning swim. We are very lucky to have a little plunge pool just outside our back door which is perfect for Coco to practice her swimming in.

We are continuing with the exercises we were given in Fort Lauderdale and Coco is back to happily going underwater, jumping in and holding onto the wall when she needs to but she still refuses to kick her legs - apart from in the bath! She is brilliant at it then! I know it will come, but the quicker she is actually swimming the better. It is a constant worry when you are around all this water. Anyway, after being warn out in the pool, we have a spot of lunch and then a sleep. Coco's sleeps have been awesome since we have been here, 2 - 3 hours every afternoon and still 11 - 12 hours at night! It is perfect as I have a whole ton of work on at the moment. Did I say work?!

When it cools down a bit, we hit the beach for a couple of hours, meet with Daddy and then come home for supper and bed! Not a bad routine I would say.

So, back to the blog title - I was thinking this morning how amazing Coco was on the flight last week and how, although we are now well practised at long-haul (Coco has wracked up 14 flights now!), there are always things I could improve on, things I discover and things I forget. Seeing as we are about to embark on the holiday season, I thought I would share my top tips with you all in the hope they might help now or in the future. Feel free to add any helpful comments!

- Don't have too much hand luggage, put as much as possible in the hold. Carrying stuff is a real pain.
- Select toys carefully. A magnetic drawing board is BRILLIANT! No mess and hours of entertainment.
- One new, wow, toy to be brought out in an emergency situation. We had a plastic train this trip that did the trick!
- Loads of snacks. Airlines can sometimes be funny about food especially for infants. I shamelessly go for fun food, again it's a great distraction. Pringles and animal crackers are a firm favourite.
- Coco is a thumbsucker which is great for take-off and landing but if not then lollypops work.
- Whatever works! Coco loves her bottle but only has one at nigh time. However, I buy a pint of milk in the departure lounge and she has several bottles on a long-haul flight.
- Download some children's favourites onto your laptop. The in flight entertainment can sometimes be limited so don't rely on it. I went for Peppa Pig, In the Night Garden and some children's earphones.
- Stick to a similar routine as you would have at home and hopefully that might include a sleep?!
- Be prepared to walk up and down the aircraft a lot!
- If you are going somewhere hot, pop a summer dress in your bag for landing. Long queues are better if children aren't overheating.
- We have just discovered reigns - again, perfect when travelling if you get one that is a rucksack as well for a nappy and a drink!

Hope this is helpful for any of you who are about to hit the runway. As I say, any other tips would be gratefully received!

Look at that view!

My Mothers Day has started in the very best possible way - I slept until 6am, which is fabulous seeing as we only changed time zones 36 hours ago and that is pretty much my normal waking up time. Coco is still asleep, which means she has already managed to switch her body clock to Caribbean time on the second night. I am, at last, getting the time to sit, at a table, undisturbed so that I can write a long overdue blog whilst soaking up the most amazing view. Check it out...

The sun is just coming up so you can't fully appreciate the colours yet but this is the outlook from the balcony of our home for the next month. We are back in Antigua - one of my favourite places in the world - you are looking down on Falmouth Harbour and the famous English Harbour is just visible in the left hand corner of the photo. Nestled amongst the masts that you can see is Angus's boat - yes, the one which he is now captain of, and all seems to be going well so far!

It was Antigua that inspired me to start blogging a little over a year ago. How did this little family from South West England manage to end up travelling the world and living in places like this?! Have a look now the sun is higher...

Tomorrow real life starts, but this weekend we are having a holiday, kicking back and relaxing on the beach. Uncle Gaby and his girlfriend Mel, kindly invited us to join them at their nearby hotel for the day so we have been enjoying their luxury pools, fun water sports and endless pina coladas and rum punches. Angus is starting Coco early to try and ignite her interest in boats...

and she is obviously really hating it!!

Being back with Daddy is just the very best thing for Coco, she hasn't left his side since we arrived. The pure excitement has been extraordinary to watch, they have just been playmates from the moment they were back together. I find it amazing that, even after not seeing each other for two months, Coco remembers their games, the little things that they do together, even though she is so young.

Not only has she got Daddy back, but she's with her Uncle Gaby again too! How much excitement can one 19 month old baby handle?

So, who knows what Mothers Day will bring, but for the moment I feel completely relaxed, truly happy and all is well.

Empty Promises

Another three weeks goes by - maybe more! Is it more? Probably - and no blogging. I will reintroduce blogging into my routine but I can't seem to find the time for anything at the moment. I blame the weather and the fact that all my 'spare time' seems to be taken up with scraping mud off my boots and drying out wet clothes! I am simply not used to all of this rain - when is it going to stop?

When we are at home I love the country life we lead. I am a country girl, I was born and brought up a country girl. I am comfortable in wellies, I don't mind the wind and rain (in moderation), I'm not scared of the dark or creaky old houses. In fact, I would rather live without street lights if I had the choice. I can drive a quad bike and reverse a horse box - and when I came back to Dorset I am coming home, this is where I belong.

However, what is with all the mud? Am I loosing my hardy, rural tolerance? My Mum and I have a horse and although it is mainly hers now we are away so often, when home I am fully involved in the day to day care of our beloved Charlie (and Horace and Shettie the ponies). This is where the mud comes in. Let me give you some examples of what we are dealing with on a daily basis at the moment...

And that's you seeing it on a good day! The sun is shining for the first time in weeks!

I am moaning for effect really. I do realise that coping with a little mud, however annoying, is nothing but an annoyance and not a serious problem at all and despite this relentless British winter, this is what I wake up to every morning at the moment...

And this is why I brave the mud to put out the hay...

I have said it before and I will say it again, how lucky am I to have this for half the time...

And this for the other half...

We are missing Angus though. He passed his exam by the way and is now a full, bona fide captain! I am so proud I could just burst.

Insomnia...

... is a terrible thing but at least it gives me an hour or so to catch up on some blogging. I feel a bit like I have been missing in action for the past month. Blogging has been on my 'to-do' list for weeks and I never intended to take this long break but life happens.

Since I last touched base we have flown back to the UK and had a fabulous (if not exhausting) holiday catching up with friends and family. As always there are so many people we haven't managed to see yet but Coco and I are still going to be around for a while longer so we hope to rectify that over the next couple of months. We have seen cousins and siblings, we have had two more Christmases, we have walked a lot and ridden horses a lot. We have shared curries and roasts, fish and chips and bottles of bubbles, we have laughed but not cried (there will be no tears on holiday!). We have seen The Kings Speech and La Boheme (Angus's first ever opera experience!). We have dressed up as pirates and walked the South West Coastal Path - not all of it and not in our pirate costumes I hasten to add! We haven't slept in the same bed for more than two nights and we have wracked up the miles, but we have had fun - such fun.

During the last week however we have attempted to plant our feet firmly on the ground. Coco has started nursery (very strange, she is growing up so fast!), I am attempting to get into a proper working routine, we have unpacked our suitcases at last and Angus has been revising like crazy for his final Master's exam (which is today by the way - hence the insomnia). Last time I mentioned the Master Exam in my blog someone asked what it was and what it meant, well, it is the final step for Angus. It is basically his captains qualification and it is a really big deal. He has worked so hard for this and is so ready to become a captain so I need everyone to keep everything crossed for him today. Please xxx

Whatever happens, we are now about to enter a more settled phase for a couple of months. Angus goes back to work, Coco and I have a normal routine for a while and oversee the building of our new house, although there is still a way to go! This is the situation so far...

We get to play catch up, on sleep (I can honestly say that although it has been wonderful, the last month has left us exhausted) on our health (we have all had ongoing illness from which it is time to recover) on the fitness plans (don't these always go haywire on holiday? plus it is so cold over here and I have been ill and I can't face running) and on saving some money (now Coco is at nursery I can really get the work coming in - hopefully!)

So that is a whistle-stop tour of what we have been up to. I am looking forward to catching up with everyone over the next few days, I will keep you posted on Angus's news and I promise it won't be as long before I log in again. Speak soon!

And again...

...we are packing up and on the move. Although I still find it VERY tedious, I am getting better and better at it. We don't fly until Friday and I am pretty much there (how organized!), I just need to pick up a couple of things tomorrow, give the house a clean and we are good to go. I do also have a shed load of work to get done before the weekend (which I should be doing right now!) so this is a short and sweet post today mainly to say 'hi' to all of my new followers! I can not tell you how happy I am to have you onboard - welcome.

The reason I have increased my following is thanks to the very lovely, blogging genius that is Maxabella, who gave me my very first blog shout out. I had taken myself off to bed with laptop in hand to have a quick catch up in Google Reader before going to sleep and stumbled across my blog getting a mention in Maxabella Loves (I have said it before and I will say it again - check her out, she is inspiring). I was so excited I skipped, whooping like a child, into the sitting room to share the good news with Angus. I was touched that he understood why this was such a momentous moment for me and we celebrated with a quick smooch!

I started blogging for my family and friends at home. Travelling all the time means that the ones we love miss out on so much of our lives, and I realise that this is especially hard when there are children involved. They change so quickly - almost daily! I had heard of 'blogging' and set myself up with a blog having absolutely no idea that there was a whole community out there to be explored. Although I still primarily think of this site as our little online diary of our adventures, I am trying to start thinking like a blogger; what do people want to read about? I find myself making mental notes as we go about our day to day lives of things that I want to tell people or get others opinions on. Invariably, I have forgotten all of these mental notes once I sit down at the computer but I will work on rectifying this problem!

Basically, my blog brings me immense joy. I get satisfaction from writing it, I find the concept of putting our adventures out into the blogosphere fascinating, I love it that family and friends at home can keep tabs on what we are up to and how we are doing and I adore the fact that I have an expanding list of followers. So I suppose I just wanted to say thank you for dropping by! Bear with me, I am still learning and always open to suggestions. This year I hope to become a much more accomplished blogger and may even improve the design of my site so it isn't quite so... purple!

Right back to the work and then hopefully I can enjoy our last couple of days of sunshine before heading home to the chilly UK.

Here is a little clip of Coco's kitchen picnic earlier. She was at the table but decided that eating raisins on the kitchen rug was far more appealing.

What's around the corner?

Happy New Year to All!

I am absolutely buzzing with excitement today. I have read so many damning articles about the concept of 'New Year' over the past few days and I'm sorry, but I love it; I love the tradition that is New Year. Sometimes I feel that I need a defined moment in time when I can reflect, assess and adjust. I can shake myself off, dust away the cobwebs and energise. I want to be told that this is the time to take a good, hard look at myself and decide where there are changes that need to be made. I actually enjoy setting myself aims and objectives and I accept that these may need to change and I won't feel a failure if they aren't all achieved. The whole concept of new beginnings is exciting for me; not because the old was bad, far from it, but because you can keep evaluating your life and making the good even better.

We had a very sober New Year's Eve. Angus was working so Coco and I stayed on the boat (I was actually extremely excited about a night on the boat!). I haven't slept in a top bunk for years and Coco never sleeps in our bed so a top bunk and Coco cuddles all night was delicious. I am suffering a little this evening though as I was completely paranoid that she would get out of her grow-bag, crawl over my sleeping body and crash to the cabin floor from a great height. She didn't of course but although I loved our night of camping out at the boat I got very little sleep!

Once Coco was in bed, Angus and I sat and talked dreams, aspirations and goals for the coming year and our future in general. There was nothing new, it was all stuff we had discussed plenty of times before, but to have a little focus, to be able to draw on the past and plan for the future was so exciting. There is obviously so much we can't guarantee, who knows what will happen and how things will turn out but there are an awful lot of wheels in motion as we go into 2011 and if just a few of these wheels were to take us down the roads we are hoping they might then we have one massive year ahead of us!

We didn't actually make it until midnight, but that didn't matter, that really is just symbolic. We had achieved all we wanted to achieve from the ritual that is New Year's Eve; we had reminisced, we had planned and plotted and we went to bed positive, hopeful and happy (with a game of Trivial Pursuit thrown in for good measure). As I lay there and watched the reflection of the lights on the water through the porthole, the surrounding boat horns tooted to signal the coming of the New Year on the strike of twelve. Whilst listening to Angus's slow sleepy breathing coming from the bunk below, I was able to kiss Coco's soft, milky cheek and feel completely content with life and where it was heading.

Today was windy. Warm and windy. Perfect for brisk, beach walks and enough of a breeze to help really get those wheels turning!

The Best Bits of 2010!

Seeing as we are all a little under the weather today (well actually Coco is pretty much better apart from a lingering cough - but she has kindly shared her lurgi with both Angus and me) and we are at serious risk of becoming 'snowed-in' if the piles of tissues decided to avalanche, I need to cheer myself up a bit. It is the end of 2010 and time to reflect. I am already formulating my list of resolutions which I will share with you at a later date but before that I would like you to join me on a jaunt down memory lane for a quick game of 'Best Bits of 2010'!


The New Year started perfectly shared with old friends and new at a party hosted by my dear friend who is quite literally the hostess with the mostess. This would be my first 'best bit' but really, although it deserves a mention, I think it really belongs in 2009. Despite loving January's snow filled fun I was happy to fly to Antigua at the end of the month after a long, nine weeks away from Angus.

My first 'best bit' was the 2010 Superbowl. Although the match was in Miami, the hoards of people spilled over to fill the streets of Fort Lauderdale and what a crowd it was! The New Orleans Saints were playing and so the general theme of the event seemed to be Mardi Gras - the colour, the people, the atmosphere - it was all amazing and although I don't know anything about American Football it was fabulous to witness the phenomenon that is Superbowl!


All our visitors were a huge highlight of 2010. When you are away from home, having friends and family come and share your life abroad with you makes a big difference. First of all there was Marcus who had to squeeze into our little studio apartment in Miami. It did feel like we were students camping out - with a baby! Then Mums and Peter came for a couple of weeks relaxation in Antigua. We had an amazing time but my 'best bit' was being able to share my first Mothers Day as a Mummy with my Mummy. Then Jennifer, my Mother-in-Law, came to enjoy the sunshine and boy, did we natter! Our next visitors were my Dad and Christine who managed to squeeze in a week over the famous Antigua Classics Regatta and it was lovely to have them (although they nearly didn't make it home due to the cloud of ash covering the UK after the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull).

During a trip home in May, we spent time with family and friends, all of which was as brilliant as always but the highlight for me was a picnic at Wardour Castle with mother-in-law and sisters-in-law and a family weekend at the end of May where our little crawler fell madly in love with her eldest cousins who were wonderfully adoring and attentive.

We had a fabulous summer in New England and it is definitely one of my new favourite places, I absolutely loved it. The scenery, our little house, our new friends, the beaches, our visitors, my new body, the Jack Johnson concert, hurricane, boat rides, Boston, Newport, Maine... it was all one big best bit really but there was a weekend that stands out as being the very, very best bit and that was our weekend in Maine for Coco's 1st Birthday. Such a happy, memorable time was had by all. 

Another summer highlight was Coco and my two week vacation back to the UK to see one of my closest friends getting married. The whole week was terrific starting with the hen party and ending with the most magnificent wedding.

Autumn in the UK was just perfect. We had our lovely cottage, Coco's Christening, time with friends, Angus's birthday, the Eden Project Half Marathon, noodle nights, and loads of time with family and friends - an overall best bit!


Our year is drawing to an end in Florida. We have had a superb, if not a little chilly, time here over the past few months. Coco's swimming is improving tremendously, we have managed to have lots and lots of family time which is a rare treat, we have made yet more lovely friends and found some beautiful places. Coco continues to bring us so much joy and is a 'best bit' everyday with new words and an ever developing sense of humour. Her singing voice leaves a lot to be desired sounding at the moment as if it is a call to prayer, but she is young so all hope is not lost! She eats like a horse (although she doesn't yet use a spoon - I'm hoping that will come fairly soon!) and climbs with such energy and bravery for such a little person. She has all of her teeth and such a lot of gorgeous, blond hair. She has changed so much in the last year and we are so excited to see all of the changes that 2011 will bring. 

One of the over all highlights this year was the day we heard that we had got our house. Next year we move into our own home, we will see Antigua again, we will continue to travel around the world but will come back to our own little house, with our own bed and our own things. 2011 holds such promise; Angus will hopefully get his Masters ticket, Coco will turn two, three of our closest friends are having their first babies and who knows what else? It is just so exciting! So many more best bits to look forward to!

What a great Christmas!

Ah, I can't believe it is all over so quickly! Where has Christmas gone? Angus is back at work, we are into the old routine and I am even contemplating taking the tree down as it just seems out of place now that all of the festivities are over. There isn't the fill-in of festivities between Christmas and New Year that we have at home. Here in the US, once Christmas Day is over, things quickly return to normal.

I'm not going to lie to you, I was feeling a little sad about Christmas. We love our families and adore it when we all spend time together. When we are all with each other you can guarantee massive amounts of laughter, stupidity and fun. To miss out on all the hilarity seemed so upsetting but I have to say, the idea of missing out was much worse than the reality. Don't get me wrong everyone at home, we would have loved to have been with you, but actually we had a lovely Christmas in Florida too. The biggest disappointment was the fact we missed the first white Christmas in my lifetime. All those prayers asking for nothing but snow for Christmas and then the one year we are away there is bucket loads of the stuff. Next year I am going to insist on Christmas in Lapland or somewhere equally as cold where I can count on sledging and snowmen.

When Coco's temperature soared on Christmas Eve (39.5!!) we thought that Christmas was going to be a washout or even involve a trip to A & E, however, the miracle that is Calpol and the fact that we have the bravest baby in the world meant that a wonderful time was still enjoyed by all. After present wrapping and stocking stuffing, Angus and I curled up to watch the original Miracle on 34th Street with a bottle of Baileys and a delectable feast of tasty nibbles before hitting the sack, full and happy. This was  our first Christmas together as a family. Last year Angus had been away working so we were determined this was going to be a special one.

I think I was awake before Coco, brimming with excitement and as soon as there was the slightest murmur from the little-ins room I was in there like a shot. All three of our stockings were opened with absolute joy, and Coco was very obviously over the moon at the realisation that she had some new toys. With travelling around all the time, she is a little light on toys and was in desperate need of some new entertainment.

It was fresh and sunny so we decided to hit the beach for a bracing walk, coffee and croissants. Having mainly previously experienced rural Christmases I loved the fact that we were sharing our Christmas morning with all of these unknown people. The beach front was quieter than normal but still had the early morning buzz of joggers, holiday makers, last nights revellers, roller-bladers and dog walkers. Every one had a smile on their face and there were constant calls of "Merry Christmas" between both friends and strangers.

Home for presents and Skyping - I have said it before and I'll say it again - Skype is amazing! How can we be 4000 miles away and Coco was able to open her first present in front of an audience at home? It still blows my mind.

Nobody should be alone at Christmas and if you have the power to avoid this happening then you should. The thing with boats is that there always has to be somebody on board so that person was inevitably going to spend Christmas alone unless, of course, you take Christmas to them - which we did! A full Christmas dinner (although we opted for beef instead of turkey) on the boat so that everyone could join in.

What a fabulously brilliant day - an excellent first family Christmas!