It's All About Nemo!

Das captain is on a mission, the first seeds were sown prior to our hols when an Amazon delivery arrived with a new book and he has been on a roll ever since!

We have a fish tank and a pretty decent one at that, freshwater and it's been nurtured over the last year and looking pretty good. Das captain wants a new challenge.....a reef set up with an all singing all dancing water treatment plant!

Post birthday lunch we had an impromptu (or not so impromptu) visit to a newly opened marine shop and yesterday das captain went up the motorway on another scouting mission.

The tape measure has come out this morning, so it's getting serious now, it won't be long no doubt before we,ll be welcoming our own Nemo,s to the top of the mountain.





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The Big Freeze

Flip is it cold! It's just over a week since we touched back down in Blighty to gorgeous sunshine and moderate temperatures, but since then the temperature has dropped dramatically on a daily basis.

There isn't a drop of sunshine to be seen and it's bitterly cold! I do believe I have just seen a few flakes of snow here at the top of the mountain!

Flipping heck just seen the weather forecast, it's going to get even colder.....brrrr. Oh to be back in warmer climates! It's going to be a case of wrapping up warm today!

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Birthday Surprise!

Lovely day yesterday, the sun was shining and after das captain woke up after a normal nights sleep (arrrrghh, it's not fair), we headed off into town to catch up with family and enjoy a birthday lunch.

I was totally spoilt yesterday and this was just the most amazing present ever, created by my gorgeous ELG! Prior to going on hols she said I would be coming back go a lovely surprise...I cried when I opened this.

Beautifully made, it shall have pride of place somewhere...thank u so much ELG x

Jet Lag Aka The Wide Awake Club!

Hmmmmmmm, this is no fun. After waking up on the hr every hr I gave up and got up at 5am this morning, except there is no beach to walk this am, as walking the deck outside doesn't count!

Jet lag, is a physiological condition which results from alterations to the body's circadian rhythms. This occurs from rapid long-distance transmeridian (east–west or west–east) travel.

It can last several days until the body adjusts to the new time zone, and a recovery rate of one day per time zone crossed is the norm.

Jet lag is liken to issues induced by shift work. So when traveling across a number of time zones, the body clock will be out of synchronization with the destination time, as it adjusts to daylight and darkness contrary to the rhythms to which it has grown used to.

So the body's natural circadian rhythm is out of sync as the rhythms that dictate times for eating, sleeping, hormone regulation and body temperature variations no longer respond to the environment nor to each other in some cases.

Symptoms of jet lag can be quite varied, but invariably sleep disturbance occurs, mainly early awakening and interrupted sleep with multiple awakenings.

We managed a good five hrs sleep on the plane which wasn't bad all things considered and after our 0510 landing and a quick Costa Coffee and farewell to Aunty Kath, we were at Twickenham and on the road home by 0645 and home by 0930.

Then I was like a woman possessed, unpacking , making bacon butties and then off to town to go food shopping all in the mission to stay awake!

It was hilarious last night as I battled the you must not go to sleep desire. I lost count of the yawns much to das captains amusement and finally gave up at 1930 and went to bed. I was asleep as my head hit the pillow and slept soundly until 0130......awake since then!

Back to work tomorrow, at this rate I will have done a full days work by the time the workers arrive, at least I may have a fighting chance of catching up a bit before the full madness and mayhem begins.








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Location:Home

Blighty Bound

This was the view at 0700 this am as I went for my early morning walk along the beach. Just gorgeous, by the time we do the return leg there are lots of walkers.

It makes me laugh as we go out for the start as there is a steady stream of people putting their towels out on sunbeds in the pitch black as if their life depended on it!

Last night we did some final retail therapy, well Kath and I did whilst das captain opted for The Cliff and the watching the world go by with its stunning panoramic view point.

We were heading for Cenang post sunset to a fab Chinese restaurant which has been closed for Chinese New Year and we haven't been to.

It was manic walking up the strip, the island is still very full, the roads as pavements were chocca, it was like paddy,s market.

We were disappointed after the long route march, the place was packed and a queue as long as to get in. Hot and flustered it was a cab back to another restaurant and a yet another swooper Chinese / Thai feast.

So we have a final day in the sun and then homeward bound this evening on the night flight. Time has flown but its been great fun catching up with old friends and just chilling out doing very little at all except walking and reading.

Sounds like the weather has calmed down abit, you never know I might get a birthday swail on Sunday. Now that would be a perfect way to end the hols.





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Pops & The Medicine Man

So das parents are homeward bound and they were seen off in style yesterday with an almost personal lion dance in a local restaurant.

Leikke a local boat man and brother to Hai Tan has taken a shine to pops over the last few days and was determined to get him dancing as the lion.

As a Chinese man he is a firm believer in chinese medicine and we have had all sorts of tutorials at recent times of the day and night in different herbs and plants and fruits and what they can cure.

It's been fascinating to hear. Pops has had trouble with his kidney stones whilst out here and the cure for that is 9 pulverised green apples (they must be green), three times a day for a week with nothing else but water. He reckons it works every time......I can see e logic in it but not sure despite using all powers of persuasion that pops will give it a whirl when back home.

So back to the lion dance, steeped in Chinese tradition and bringing in good luck and blessings to the homes / restaurants that they dance at, it's a great spectacle to watch, they wasn't many of us in there when they came so good views all round including capturing it all via the GoPro which I,ll post later. iN the interim here are some photos.

Pops & The Medicine Man


A firecracker start









Sniffing out das captain









Pops posing...


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Location:Langkawi

Amma & Gramps Are On Their Way Home ELG!

So after 2 and a half months of fun in the sun, Ma and Pops are on their way home.

They left cold and wet Blighty at the beginning of December post our early family Xmas and have had a fab time over here with good friends.

We,ve had a great time with them over the last few weeks but all good things must come to end.

It means two things to ELG, a reunion and trip to the theatre next but most IMPORTANTLY, it's now almost Eleanor's birthday and they will be home for that this year!

We,ll seen them off at the airport later and then


only a few more days to go and we,ll be next!

Time flies, but a great break for us from work, but its back to the madness next week!

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Gong Xi Fa Cai 2013

The island is packed out as people have migrated over to spend the lunar eclipse here.

Lots of the local restaurants have shut for three days as people have returned back to Penang and the mainland to see their families.

Chinese New Year is a big deal here, the only holiday of the year for most so returning home and celebrating in true style with family is really important.

Cactus is closed but on Friday night the celebratory staff meal to see them off in style was something else. An elaborate steam boat was made with every kind of vegetable, meat, fish and dumpling. The feast went on for hrs.

Gifts of mandarins were given to all the customers and we enjoyed many a free drink to celebrate with them. Generosity lime that will replicated over the coming days.

So out goes the dragon and in comes the snake for 2013.

We are out in good company again tonight and celebrating at Das Boat a fab restaurant owned by Hai Tan.

A good night is in store, the tiger and wine are flowing now bring on the crispy duck.

Gong Xi Fa Cai to everyone back home.

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The Return Of The Flying Frog

Das captain has turned into a murderer whilst here having a chilled holiday. We have all kinds of wildlife here including the monitor lizard which has been a tad elusive this year, bar this one that we caught running across the garden the other day at top speed.




Our room now has every barricade known to man in as we go off to sleep, ,as when I returned home the other night a distressed captain had been attacked by a flying frog.

Years ago I came here with my cousin and she was involved in said incident at Cactus when going to the toilet. A white flying frog attacked her and survived, the poor frog involved with das captain did not have such a lucky escape.

He was sat quietly reading a book when the beast landed on his chest, imagine the scene.....it was then flung wildly across the room and then the hunt was on to find it.

I arrived home to find it dead as a dodo in the corner from deet and the assassin searching the curtains for more.

You,ll be pleased to know that the extra safety precautions taken since en have worked.

The frog for all of u that belong to the RSPCF was given a decent burial.

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Location:Langkawi

A Swooper Malaysian Swail

We,ve just come back from a cracking day out on the water. Seven of us took a catamaran out for the day with Bee & Karl aboard Rampant. We,ve been out with them before and know you are guaranteed a great day out with no hassle.

Sails up, and off we went, it was scorchio out on the water as we meandered through the multiple islands that make up the archipelago that makes up Langkawi.

We passed this poor bot en route. She came adrift off her mooring off Kuah a few weeks ago whilst the Aussie owner was back in Oz. Everything appears to be intact and the boat hasn't been ransacked, just waiting for a very high spring tide to see if she can float again.




There were a few bots out today, mainly day trippers doing some island hopping. We found though a secluded cove for a spot of kayaking and a welcome dip.



Pops enjoyed a cool down in the hammock, whilst Aunty Kath went for the Joan Collins hat look.








Lunch was a cracking affair with lots of Malay delights to enjoy, washed down with a swooper chilled white wine.




Anchor up and we were off again, plenty of wind today so hardly any motoring which was fab.

So nice to be out on the water in sunshine, let's hope it's thawed out when we get back so we get a spin out in RedSnapper!




Ma looking über cool.




Aunty Kath looking über über cool




Margaret & Jimmy looking über cool










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Location:Malaysian Waters

Seven Years!

Had a lovely day today. Can't believe it was seven years ago that das captain and I got hitched on this lovely island.

After a morning walk I watched the Queen Mary cruise into Porto Mali. She is a beast of a cruise ship over a banana smoothie this am I watched the swarms of buses and taxis Fi down to greet her.

Das captain awoke early doors and after a walk, and sea swim we just crashed by the pool.

Thanks fiends and family for the cards, just lovely.

Our day was capped with shampoo on the beach watching the sun go down, cocktails at The Cliff and a lovely supper @ Sunsutra tonight. Tomorrow we r of swailing....bliss.
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Round The Island

We took Aunty Kath on a whistlestop tour of the island today. We set off early doors to make the most of day before the heat really kicks in at lunchtime.

Some photos from our trip.....
























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Lazy Days

It's lazy days here with das captain not getting up until lunchtime and me having read a book by the time of his arrival.

It's been overcast but still gloriously warm. We saw some cracking lightening storms in the distance last night as we dined on the beach @ Oasis.

Lovely evening watching the hundreds of fishing boats in the distance and eating fab curry and good company as always.

We mustered enough energy to walk up the road just now to Sun Cafe and see the lovely Fauzi again. I have known him for years and he and Lorna served our wedding supper at SunGrill.

I was greeted like a long lost friend when we ate here on our first night, Malays are just the kindest people.

Das captain is enjoying his first strawberry milkshake of the hols and I am enjoying a draft Tiger beer.

Tonight we are off into Kuah for supper with the gang for another Chinese feast before a day of sightseeing tomorrow showing Aunty Kath the island by land, then Friday by sea as we are all out on a catamaran for the day....bliss.

As for this afternoon just walk back and chill out.







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The Langkawi Rummikub Club

It's nearly 2pm and the daily ritual of the older and wiser than I generation has begun.

Post lunch the gang gather for the daily challenge. All banter is gone as the fiends get themselves into the groove at least ten minutes beforehand. The silence and tension is palpable as they psyc each other out prior to game on!

For the next hr or so it's all about tactics, and captivates all those around.

Referee Mistress M aka Margaret ensures that there are no dirty tricks, that fair play has ensued and most importantly there is no fisty cuffs at the end from the losers!

Battle over for the day it's back to the business of sunbathing til the same time and place tomorrow!
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Location:Langkawi

Sunset Over Rebak

This was the sunset over Rebak Island last night, a cruisers paradise. Rebak holds a great marina and yard and is great bolt hole on your round the world trip by bot.




As we flew over the other day, we had a great aerial view and spotted a Sadler 34 mast poking up to the sky. We,ll be checking that out then!

We had a great meal where this photo was taken from last night. Blink and you miss it. LBC may not be much to look at but it serves delicious food and we had a fab selection of freshly cooked chinese dishes to dine on.

Great crowd of us, fun banter, chilled beer and a gorgeous sunset. What more could you ask for.



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Location:Langkawi

No Travel Chaos For Us!

That was the smoothest journey ever despite the monotony of a 13hr flight to KL, which just seemed to go on for ever and ever and I mean ever.

Arrived at Heathrow and sailed through, so missed the usual shinanagins of people over their luggage allowance and having to unpack, repack and then repack again.  Always good fun to watch at check in.

We met my Aunty Kath who is coming with us this year and headed for off for breakfast and some bubbles. Before long it was time to board and we were off.

That was the smoothest journey ever despite the monotony of a 13hr flight to KL, which just seemed to go on for ever and ever and I mean ever.

Airbus 380 upstairs for us, dead quiet and after a few hrs the novelty wore off.  Are we there yet.? Ten hrs to go. Are we there yet? And so it went on. A brief sleep, eight hrs to go and the last three took an eternity, not even series one of Homeland on the IPad made it any better!

The briefest of stopovers in the cleanest airport i have even known and we were airborne again the for short hop across to Langsheepi.  Cloud filled sky and we wasn't til we were almost there that we could see anything. Wheels down, doors open and that familiar warmth as you walk down the steps to all the things you love, including a reunion with Pops.

Some well deserved  r n r here we come!

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