Little Wandering Wren …. chats!

So far I'm onto my fourth country celebrating my birthday. Usually, I don't fuss much about birthdays, I'm not one for the big girls night out, or to treat myself with a big splurge...    But this year is different. I've moved country. I now have a new visa in my passport enabling me to stay in the Kingdom of Thailand until May 2018. I'm away from the kids and the dog and Mr Wren looked at his work calendar, scratched his head and declared a meeting with dinner on my birthday. I thought for a moment about pulling the old 'I can't believe you've got a meeting with dinner on my birthday AND it's International Women's Day' complaint, but wait a moment, no...  That's a perfect excuse to celebrate with everyone, everywhere!  'Hey, but I thought you said  you never bothered much about birthdays...' I can hear him call out as I am part way to booking a flight to Malaysia and using all his Airmiles for a return tri...

You know what they say 1. When one door shuts, another one opens... We are currently in Madrid, three generations my Mother, Father, Brother and I Here to meet my son just about to start a seven-week European adventure with his mates.  Ornate Madrid city doorway. 2. We like what we see in Madrid, stylish, friendly, welcoming. The big Refugees Welcome sign is a good start as I begin to think of my impending return to Australia. Whilst I have been away, I am excited to have accepted a  new job working with refugees.  It's going to be full on,  but I am happy to be playing a very small part in making a world of difference  for people seeking asylum. Refugees Welcome" Madrid 3. Today is my Fathers birthday. We are all very happy to be celebrating it at the amazing Only You Boutique Hotel in Madrid.  It has been a big day in Europe since the Brexit vote was announced as leave. We tell him that there is a move ahead to ...

This once called 'Sleepy Hollow' is not as sleepy these days as you'd think. Geelong is Victoria's second largest city after Melbourne and let's be honest, when they were dishing out the looks there are far prettier places on the Bellarine Peninsula. Then when they were handing out wealth, top honours went to goldrush cities like Ballarat and Bendigo, so Geelong was left the ugly, poorer sister but she was clever she took heavy manufacturing! There is nothing wrong with building your future on hard work and industry, it has served Geelong well over the years. Ever the master of re-invention, today as Australia's car industry and other manufacturing declines, Geelong is emerging as a centre based on health, education and advanced manufacturing. I rather like Geelong, it's a city with personality! Geelong beach front Geelong is 75km South West of Melbourne and as both a shipping and rail hub for the area, I thought for those of you here with m...

Five on Friday It's lovely to be back in the UK. Twenty-two years ago, we left for three years. Happily and reassuringly, the important things in life are still the same... 1. Everything starts and finishes with the weather The weather is still the preferred, polite way to start any conversation... 'Morning, lovely day'. .. or 'Hi ya, chilly today '... Usually the later!  I note that England in Spring  shares the  same temperatures this week  with Melbourne in Autumn, 12 ºC  (54ºF) Clouds over the Vale of the White Horse, Oxfordshire for Skywatch Friday 2. Cuppa and Cake Discussing the General Election and whether Kate will have a girl, called Diana over a cup of tea, poured from a teapot, milk first  and a slice of Mum's homemade date and walnut cake  at 4pm,  is a not-be-missed event. 3. Food!   You know when you're a true Brit  when...   ...a trip Sainsbury's superm...