Buzz Barby

Buzz Light Year comes to the rescue while the host fills the glasses. I promised Clarkie Case Notes but amidst the fun and games of a 3 year old's afterparty, there were no serious observations made; just silly photos taken (and a couple of kilts flogged?! ). All thoughts of a Californian TWS were pleasurably forgotten in the long awaited sunshine. Great night guys, sorry we sloped off early suffering relly fatigue.

The Ozzies- our week so far

As mentioned by Si (out goes the formality of Simon), our "rellies" arrived on Saturday morning, to rain. The rain has certainly been a continuing theme and luckily the jet lag and novelty of arriving in England (from chilled out, "life's a beach so grab your rashie", Samson, Perth) has yet to wear off. As a result everything we say and do is a Pommy inspired revelation and adventure; we are doing our bit for the rise of Pommy "barracking". In terms of things to do in the Woking area on a rainy day, with plenty of children: Wisley Gardens, the place still rocks on a rainy day and I applaud the new greenhouse (more so than Si - though Ms Crotchety "Wisley Whinger" did cause an enjoyment blip for me too); Mercedes Benz World (so cool if you are over 5 and happen to arrive on the day you can sit in the 316k Mercedes/ Mclaren SLK somethingorother with your two Ozzie twin-7 year old nephews); Nemo and the other fish at any garden centre that happens to tolerate browsing families on grey and grotty days; picnics under umbrellas (just keep the rolls dry and promise hot chocolate for when they get home); trains to London (children love trains, especially those taking them to a new place while they eat cake); Woking Lesiure Centre (the slides are worthy of any water park I've been to - not that I've been to many, though you can take your pick in Northern Crete); baking yoghurt cake and chocolate sponges; getting the neighbours around; music; laughter; story telling and wine. Gosh! What with outings, journal keeping, homework and creative ways of drying the laundry of 8, we've had a pretty kiddy happy 3 days - rain has not stopped play, yet!

Note1:

Regarding train travel; can we please place the "Bah Humbug to Children Travelling where I can see them" brigade in the same category as the Wisley Whingers. Five well behaved children looking out of a train window and giving an occasional squeal of delight is surely a sparkle of sunshine on a rainy day rather than a crime justifying further frown creases and angry whispers. If you don't want to travel with the future then please do enjoy a first class seat in the rush hour commute; a combination which is too cost prohibitive for a family outing to infiltrate your space.

Note2:
Have just re-read this missive - the statement "getting the neighbours around; music; laughter; story telling and wine" could become a "phrase of common usage" on Pacuare People. The short hand for such frivolity is TWS - the "Turnoak Wine Society". Plenty of TWS insights to come. It's the codename for a collection of like-minded friends getting together and having a good time. As for wine, tonight I can recommend the Buckingham Estate, Reserve Shiraz from Western Australia. I missed the "minty high notes" but the spicy berry fruit was there to savour; at a £3 discount from a certain chain supermarket I'm almost tempted to put down a bottle to "develop with age", though we don't seem to be very good at that in the TWS.

Note to self:
My next post will be short.