You Never Know What Waits Around The Corner....

Many of you will be waiting to read and see photos of my trip to New York.
Unfortunately this post is not the pre travel musings I envisaged before we took to the skies this weekend.
Our trip has been cancelled for now, my darling mum is seriously ill. How do I feel? I fluctuate between torrents of tears to happiness she may finally be released to join my Dad in heaven.
Already my body has switched to coping mode, I have travelled this path before...of watching and waiting and praying for a beloved parent.

Take care...

Annie xx

A New Do

Who doesn't love Meg Ryan, or at least one of her many Do's.
I used to wear my hair similar to this which practically makes her and I related, until I grew my locks a couple of years ago. Well I have a hair appointment booked before I head overseas and I'm contemplating ramping up the blonde factor, going shorter and channelling Meg.

I may not go quite as short but you get the idea. Then I only need to apply minimal product, scrunch under a soft dryer and I'm good to hit the sights each day without fussing over my locks.

Counting sleeps now folks till up up and away.....

Annie xx

Counting the Days until....!!!!!

Oh yeah we are leaving for New York in less than two weeks!! I am excited about this trip for many reasons...I have never been to the east coast of America, NY has been on my list of must see cities and it is Mr red roses and my 30th wedding anniversary. I know, that achievement is a miracle in itself! We have our plans all mapped out and it will be thoroughly wonderful and I dare say I will be hootin and hollerin just like the sailor boys (from one of my favourite musicals by the way). Photos will be taken with gay abandon which I shall be Instagraming like nobodies business. Free wi-fi in the hotel and hot spots will be utilized I assure you. Lots of action is happening at the house before we fly away so the remainder of this year makes for hectic times. Fun Fun Fun! *Apologies for the scrunched up post, the clip may have altered something or this new fangled blogger interface might be playing tricks on me? Annie xx

A Social Media Conundrum and Traveling

Ok peoples I need you to tell me what type of social media you use to blog post while traveling outside of your home country. I shall be traveling overseas and need to get my act together and stop my poor brain from stressing about how I can share bits and pieces of the trip.

Lately I have been experimenting at home with different apps etc.

Blog press for iPad has been working ok until lately when it's thrown a few hissy fits (if this post I'm writing on blog press publishes I will be a happy girl).

The iPhone blogger app works a treat but is a little tiresome if there's more than several photos to load and lots of text, but still quite easy enough.

Blogsy for iPad I installed and let me tell you it is doing my head in. I can't figure it out. I really don't think Blogsy and I are compatible. Much like roman blinds and me...not a good match!

Instagram might just be the medium I will rely on while traveling to share visual delights. Loving Instagram to bits and could it be any easier?

Facebook I ventured into several weeks ago and really didn't give myself enough time to acclimatize to it's eccentricities before I spat the dummy. But hey that's not unusual, I usually realize quickly when something doesn't 'fit' with me but I'm kind of loathe to abandon FB altogether so haven't wiped the page as I imagined I would. Yes I know...'go figure'?

Another consideration is I will only have the phone and tablet, no laptop. Plus I do not wish to spend countless frustrating minutes battling with social media to blog post while holidaying. Are we spoilt for choice in having countless mediums at our disposal?

Soooo do you have any suggestions? I have gathered info from friends/ bloggers who've travelled over the seas but I suspect these gals are a tad more savvy than moi.

Please spill...

Annie xx

Pinch me Now

This past week I have been dreaming of a black and white/neutral travelling palette. Last obstacle I wish to experience before heading out the hotel door for a days sight seeing, fun and games is the dilemma of being left with a riff raff of miss matched apparel and bellowing I have nothing to wear!
So..I am gathering a few pieces in my mental check list and allowing myself to feel excited about a special holiday on the near horizon. Alas I can only tease and not divulge the destination because this decision is still in the 'omg pinch me now we are actually planning to do this' phase and there's countless dots to join before I scream my news over the Internet.

A go anywhere jacket, black ballet slippers, black backpack and tiny purse for the bare essentials while partaking of the glorious sights. And because I stick purely to a neutral theme I swish up an outfit with a scarf such as this pretty Italian leopard print.

So once again our luggage will be hauled out and put into service. Believe me I am bursting to share...
all in good time.

A big thank you to the team at The Decorating Forum for featuring my blog this week...it's been fun.

Annie xx

Wednesday Wanderings

With thoughts of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee still swirling in my head I decided a quaint photo of this iconic London sight would be most appropriate.

A red telephone box.

Need I say more....!

Annie xx

Wednesday Wanderings

 Hong Kong

Hong Kong is on my mind because we are planning on returning later this year and I am excited.

Honkers is one of my very favourite places and it was my first choice to revisit when Mr red roses and I discussed destinations.

The food

The shopping

The scenery

The buildings

The people 

The food.....

What's not to love about Hong Kong!

Next time I aim to pack minimal clothes (yeah right) so I can pack a empty suitcase inside a bigger suitcase.
The Countdown has begun!

 Annie xx                                                   

Wednesday Wanderings

The Eiffel Tower 

Paris

France

Paris has played on my mind of late, maybe due to the blogs with a delightful French flavour which I've been enjoying. Several years have passed since I was in this magical city staying with my family for a week in a La Marais apartment.

I have no idea when or if I'll return.

One can live in hope...

Altogether now... c'est Magnifique! 

Annie xx

Wednesday Wanderings

London.

I love London to bits. Visiting England again one day is on my must do list. Our first trip there was in 1984 as a young married couple, hauling backpacks and staying in some rather cheap and less than salubrious accommodations. 

In 2008 we had the pleasure of taking our two grown children to this magnificent country and gained much pleasure in showing them the wonders of London town.

A week was spent in a delightfully cosy Kensington flat during November (brrr it was getting chilly for this Queensland girl) and one morning as we were heading out for the day we spied this very cute black taxi which had been given a quirky and colourful make-over.

Did I mention I adore London?

Annie xx

Ps. I'm having oodles of fun with Instagram. Look on my sidebar to view my attempts at photography. Fun fun fun x

Wednesday Wanderings

Today I have chosen several photos snapped on our sailing trip last week around the Whitsunday Islands.

Luckily we experienced glorious weather and fairly calm conditions. 

I hope you enjoy these images. 

 Bat fish

 Whitehaven Beach

Three wild goats out for a midday stroll

 Just hanging around

 Hamilton Island 

 Mode of transport is golf buggies. Cute

 We moored at Hamilton mariner for a night 

All very tropical and lovely and special don't you agree?

I am blessed to live in a beautiful part of the world.

Annie xx

Reality Bites

Last week I was dangling my tooties over the side of a sail boat, gazing at sublime aqua hues. 

Bliss..

Now I am home and instead of daydreaming while cruising the Whitsunday Islands, I am busy watching this go round and round as it churns through a mountain of washing.

Blah..

Back to reality!

Annie xx

Snowy Mountains ~ Memories

The previous Wednesday Wanderings post featured a teaser photo of Mt Kosciuszko and I promised to share more snaps from our trip last month to this spectacular area. Back in our younger years Mr red roses and I spent many a happy time staying in Jindabyne and travelling up to the snow fields to hit the slopes

We'd load up the car with our ski gear after work on Friday evening and hit the road for the six hour journey from Sydney, our home town before relocating to Brisbane.

The routine was to ski two full-on days with quick breaks for lunch to refuel, then hit the road late Sunday afternoon for the long journey home. 

Fronting up to work on Monday was a killer but we were young and determined. Actually we're still a determined pair... just not so young these days!

Visiting Jindabyne and surrounds was a chance to indulge fantastic memories and it was truly wonderful to catch up with family who reside in this magical setting. The autumn weather was brilliant, clear and crisp with a taste of winter around the corner and with winter of course comes snow and the hills are transformed into an Australian winter wonderland. 

So here we are...a selection of scenic shots (except for the apples) of the Snowy Mountain region of 

New South Wales.

Perisher Valley Ski field

Charlottes Pass village

 Apple trees dot the roadside and produce the best apple pie

Snowy River

 Kangaroos and Wallabies dot the landscape and it's not unusual to find a mob grazing in one's home yard

The lookout I climbed to snap last weeks featured Mt Kosciuszko photo

Snow gums which are still recovering from a devastating bushfire which ripped through the area almost one decade ago

Thredbo river

 Lake Jindabyne

High country. Brings back fond memories of the classic Australian film The Man from Snowy River.
I get goosebumps watching this film

 Thredbo ski fields. During winter the transformation is breathtaking

Am I looking forward to returning...you bet and I'm determined to make our next visit happen sooner rather than later.
The mountains will be calling me.


Annie xx

Wednesday Wanderings

Hello all.

Today I'm posting a teaser photo of my recent visit to Australia's Snowy Mountain region. During my stay I managed to snap some lovely photos and I'd like to share them with you very soon.

I am delighted to say I have a few spiritual 'homes' and without doubt this locale is one of those special places which is dear to my heart.

Mt. Kosciuszko 2012


So, I shall tune in later when I post some visions of this beautiful area (after I deal with this kind of crazy week I'm experiencing).
Take care!

Annie xx

Wednesday Wanderings

Today we are wandering to Singapore. 

This photo was taken at the legendary Raffles Hotel which opened in 1887. The hotel was named after Singapore's founder Sir Stamford Raffles. Somerset Maugham and Rudyard Kipling immortalised Raffles in their novels. This landmark hotel is a beautiful example of colonial architecture.

Raffles Hotel Singapore 2008

Singapore is a popular stop over for flight weary Australians travelling to/from Europe or Britain and I'll bet many fellow Aussies have delighted in the wonders of this city.

Visiting  Raffles for the afternoon was a lovely experience and it is easy to imagine oneself in an earlier era, sitting under a frangipani tree sipping a gin and tonic and possibly chatting away to Ernest Hemingway, Noel Coward or any one of the famous guests who strode through her majestic doors.

Annie xx

Wednesday Wanderings

All seasoned travellers expect the unexpected and so it goes with our wanderings this Wednesday.

I had planned a different destination, the draft was completed with only a few minor adjustments to the itinerary and we're ready for take-off. Alas the travel Gods had different ideas this morning and the photo I chose will not load. Never mind there are other beautiful destinations to visit and as travellers we can cope with any situation.

So today we shall head over to Macau (a former Portuguese colony) which is situated 60kms southwest of Hong Kong. The highlight of our afternoon exploring Macau was visiting the stone facade ruins of the 17th century St Paul's cathedral. 

The ruins are one of Macau's famous landmarks and is a popular destination for tourists. I can recommend a day trip by ferry from Hong Kong.

I was positively captivated by these ruins. Pretty spectacular don't you agree?

Macau 2006

Annie xx

Wednesday Wanderings

Today we wander over to Japan, one of my favourite countries in the whole world.

While in Nagoya we travelled to Kyoto on the Shinkansen or more commonly called the 'Bullet Train' which travels at speeds up to 300km/h. 

Amazing speed and the most comfortable train ride imaginable. On par with Maglev in Shanghai. 

These trains are simply amazing!

This perfectly wonderful scene is 'Sando' a traditional shopping street located in Narita. This main road leads to the Nartiasan Shinshoji Temple.
A leisurely stroll stopping to admire the shops on the way to the temple is a must while visiting Narita. The shopkeepers are friendly and welcoming.
The temple itself is magnificent and a beautiful place of calm and serenity.

We have not returned to Japan since the 2011 tsunami and my heart aches.


I have included a second photo in today's post because next week I shall be interstate visiting relatives and having a computer free week so will miss posting a Wednesday travel pic.
I'm really looking forward to catching up with beloved family especially my two little nephews aged 5 and 1. There is going to be lots of cuddles, Lego building and books read by their auntie. It's been far too long between visits and I miss them like crazy.
Mind you I won't get on the plane unless I get cracking and pack. Did you know I loathe packing? Even after all the travelling I've done I still put myself through agony trying to decide what clothes to take!

So enjoy a fabulous week everyone, be good and I'll catch you when I return and answer
 '7 Random Things about Me', bestowed by my friend Lotus from Red Phoenix Style. I can use the week wisely to conjure up interesting random tidbits about moi.

Annie xx

Wednesday Wanderings

Rome 2008

The first floor windows above the gelato shop was our apartment in Rome for one glorious week. This apartment just happened to be situated around the corner from the Pantheon. Look closely and you can just glimpse the Pantheon to the right through the lane way.
Most nights we enjoyed gelato after spending far too long choosing a flavour and a few doors up is a pizza establishment selling the best pizza I have ever tasted. As one would expect in Italy!
The corner cafe served rich Italian coffee, consumed standing at the counter and because I don't drink coffee I sipped hot chocolate and oh my goodness talk about rich and absolutely divine.

This was my family's first visit to beautiful Rome and it would be fair to say we fell absolutely, positively in love with this magnificent city and her people.

Annie xx

Wednesday Wanderings

 The Bund Shanghai    
 2006                         

Travelling is a passion my husband and I share and this passion I'm happy to say we have passed onto our children.

Our photo collection is filed in a somewhat ramshackle order and we're attempting to rectify this situation and catalogue them properly. Last weekend we indulged ourselves in a spot of reminiscing whilst sorting the photos and this gave me an idea.

On Wednesdays I will feature a photo from our collection. Considering we possess hundreds this segment could stretch for years!

I hope you enjoy sharing my memories and if you have visited any location I publish please pop in, leave a comment and share your adventures.

Annie xx

The Forbidden City

Ever since viewing the film The Last Emperor in 1987 I have been fascinated with the Forbidden City. Without a doubt this was a major highlight of my trip to Beijing. I'd rather not try to document the history of this formidable city here because it's complex so please refer to the link for a summary. Yes I was blown away to finally realise this dream and I soaked up every facet of this wondrous place and it's history.

The photos are a small selection of the many I took on the gloomy day we ventured through the enormous gates.

Oh yes, another jaw dropping, pinching myself experience!

                                                         Magnificent door

One evening after our return home we sat through The Last Emperor for probably the sixth time and recalled different locations from the palace and spent the best part of two hours yelling out 'been there'!
Truly this is a must see during a visit to Beijing and I hope these photos give some reflection of the fascinating history of the incredible Forbidden City.

Annie xx