Summer Sitters

We are so lucky that our poor summer pet sitters did not leave the day after they arrived.  Everything seemed to go wrong, they arrived to a full on Monsoon; ridiculous rain, floods, and winds greeted them off the plane.  Then they woke up yesterday to un working toilets and both water heaters in the showers broken.  But luckily for us Jacki and Adrian are wonderful people and just took it all on the chin.  Last night we went out for a lovely French meal (as one does in Thailand) and we had a great night getting to know these fabulous people.  Lola has taken to them immediately and it does not look like she is really bothered that we are going away and today we finally have some sunshine.  

 They did eat Thai for their first two meals, so thought we would take them to another restaurant we like.

 I finally had the tiramisu that I have been craving for ages.

Lola looking happy and ready for an exciting summer with some new faces.

Today is the last day of school with the kids and I just cannot wait to get on that plane.  Teachers don't really follow calendar years, we follow the yearly school calendar.  And this teaching year is one of the worst I have ever had.  I know I should not blame Phuket for that, but it has totally changed how I feel about being here.  I am hoping that a long break will help me come back positive and refreshed for the year ahead.

Family Weekend Away

Well family weekend away did not turn out exactly as planned.  This was Luis's only Sunday off for the entire school year and we thought it would be nice to spend it on another beach as next week we will be going our separate ways for the summer.  

It started out great, we got to Kata, loved our little Bed and Breakfast and went to the #3 restaurant in Phuket.  It was a lovely Greek restaurant and it was so nice to have something different.

 After a bit of shopping (a big reason for going to Kata), we went to the beach.  It was not the sunniest day but Lola was thrilled to be on a new beach.  Then we stopped for a drink and the hugest storm hit, poor Lola was petrified so we went back to our room.

 And stayed in with an Indian take away, watching some TV movies.  Not exactly the evening we had planned, but we cannot have our little girl scared on her own.

 Sunday we woke up to another stormy day and decided to go home.  Lola feels better there and well a beach weekend is not so great in the pouring rain (unless you are in the UK and then you just have to suck it up).  We went home via a shopping centre that Lola snuck into, we felt pretty sneaky.

Then had a veggie roast in an Irish pub.  My first roast in well over a year, and I would have to say mine is way better.  Hopefully, I will get a good one when in the UK this summer.

We then went home and cleaned for four hours to get ready for our pet sitters arrival on Tuesday.  Never in a million years would I have guess that we would have spent Luis's Sunday off knee deep in dust and grim!

Vegan Club Goodbyes

Our small little vegan club is not going to be the same with the retirement and therefore departure of Julie and Stewart.  These nights have been some of my best since arriving in Phuket and it really is not going to be the same without them.  We are going to miss their humour, stories and let's not forget Julie's fantastic vegan dishes.  It is a big old world, and Australia was never really on my list of must visits (mainly due to distance) but now it has shot up to the top.  I am already checking VISA requirements for Luis and soon we will be off to the beautiful Byron Bay to say hello to Julie and Stewart.

 Bubbles to start off the send off

 This time we decided against cooking and instead ordered Indian

 The going away card/book made by 'Amanda Creations'

 Nat giving the thumbs up

 Lola happy to be part of the event

 but not so keen on cuddles!

 Then there is the dancing of course

  

 What a great group this has been!  We will miss Julie and Stewart loads and will have to Skype them into our next event!

On a side note, Monday we went mini golfing again..  And it has taken me a while to get over my terrible performance and loss.  But not to look petty, I thought I would have to add a photo of the after meal and say a congratulations to Luis who not only won but also (annoyingly) got three hole in ones!

Busy Busy

It is that time of year, two weeks left of the school year and everything gets super busy.  Loads of good bye parties, report writing, packing and getting ready for the house sitters.  This weekend and next weekend are both jam packed.  Saturday night we went to Ruth and Adam's to see their new house and have a delicious meal.  On Sunday I went to a brunch to help send off Victoria.  

We also planned our 'Come Dine with Me' event, for when we return for the start of the new school year.

And then Sunday, I went to this brunch.  I find it hard to go to these things as it is a lot of money for an awful, if not non-existent vegetarian section.  But sometimes necessary, especially when saying god bye to some good people.  So glad that I went.

Maths Department Dinner

I do love my department, I do not think I have ever worked with such laid back people before.  There genuinely is not conflict ever.  Last night we went to dinner to send off the Head of the Department, Tim.  Tim will be moving to China next year to head up another lucky department in Beijing.  We had such a nice night at one of my favourite restaurants, a great way to celebrate Tim and the end of another school year.

 The best cake ever, he just loved it.  The attention to detail was amazing, with correct formulas all over it.  Not to mention it was all chocolate and delicious.

The team.

 Me and Tim.  Now on to the two week countdown. Cannot wait!

Bang Toa Mini Golf

Last night we broke out of our normal weeknight routine to head down the coast to play a little mini golf.  Luke also has a visitor staying with him so we asked him to come along (which at the end I regretted as we were on a draw until the last hole that I messed up and then had to be happy with runner up).  I do love a bit of mini golf and the course was good but the pizza down right amazing.  I think it is the best I have had in years.

A lovely night spent on the golf course.  It was also lovely as Aiden (Luke's friend) is a massive Tony Cozier fan and had spent some time in Barbados playing cricket.  It was so nice to hear all of his nice memories of Uncle Tono's career.

Monsoon

No doubt about, the Monsoon season has properly begun.  Today I am drifted into a lake on way to school the water level on the roads were so high.  It was definitely like driving in a very bad blizzard.  We have even come to the conclusion that we may have to up grade a car... (when I say upgrade I mean 25 year old to more like 15 year old).

 The school grounds when I arrived.

 You could properly swim on the football field.

 But the minute it stops, the sun begins to dry up all that rain.

And by lunch this was the view out of my window (same fields under water in the morning).