Frangipani House House Sits Blog

In love with Venice

We decided to take the opportunity to visit Venice on our way to our house sit. It is one place I have wanted to visit for a long time, and and certainly didn't disappoint. Only trouble was, on the Lufthansa flight on our way into Venice, the flight attendant spilled boiling coffee onto Kevin and scalded him. The airline arranged for an ambulance to pick him up off the plane and we made a grand exit from the plane into emergency.

Feeling very frazzled as we make our way to our hotel... and it shows! Kevin was burned on his stomach, his leg and arm and was patched up with burn cream in emergency. I'd watched a lot of packing tips for travel prior to our journey, but nothing really prepares you for carrying not only your own bags but also those of your partner... and in the heat.

After leaving emergency there wasn't one person from the airline there to see if Kevin was OK. We were both really surprised with the lack of care for his welfare. While it was an accident, the lack of follow up after leaving the plane was appalling.

Even with the damage done, it was still so wonderful to take the water taxi into Venice. This city is truly amazing, the age, the buildings, so much to see. I thought the accident may have spoiled the visit we had so long waited for, but we were still excited and in awe of entering this beautiful town.

Passing by St Marco Square

Water taxi takes us as close as it can to our hotel

Some people warned us against going by water taxi, saying it is too expensive, and we nearly didn't take one. The cost for us to go from our hotel to the cruise line was 90 Euro. I thought it was well worth the little splurge... how many times do you visit Venice anyway?

I loved ducking under the bridges and driving along the canals, I could have stayed on this boat for hours.

It doesn't get much more Venetian than this photo

If you happen to be visiting Venice there is a dear little restaurant on the side of a canal not far from San Marco square. You can sit in the cool on cute tables while you watch gondoliers passing by serenading their passengers. It is called Ristorante Da Raffaele

Exhausted from the long flight but delighting in being in Venice.

A month in France

I can't think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost everything. ~ Bill Bryson

A couple of weeks ago, we were offered a month long house sit just outside Paris, France. It was so exciting to contemplate a month living near Paris that we said yes to the opportunity to travel overseas. Within a couple of weeks of the offer, we found ourselves on a plane headed for Singapore our first stop off.

Changi Airport

We wandered up to Changi airport information desk to find out about getting a transfer to our hotel. 'Taxi's are a great way to get around Singapore' a fellow traveler told us, so we hoped in the first taxi that we were directed to a Comfort/Delgro - luckily for us, I can't speak highly enough of our driver. He was so kind and explained some of the highlights of Singapore, while driving us to our boutique hotel.

Our cute hotel... Hotel Vagabond.

I can't speak highly enough of the welcome we received as well at Hotel Vagabond. The hotel is a visual delight, full of art and sculpture.

Kevin feeling relaxed and welcomed after a long flight in.

Raffles Bar - I asked if I could take a photo of someone's drink as we went by, it looked lovely sitting there. We only had one night and one day in Singapore, but we made the most of it and walked all around Little India and then took another cab to Raffles and The Gardens.

What delightful people we met in Singapore, and what a difference a kind welcome makes to tired travelers to an unfamiliar country. Simple kindness is such a wonderful thing to be on the receiving end of. It didn't seem to matter where we went in Singapore, we met the same lovely welcome.

Get those running shoes on... The Gold Coast Marathon

"A good laugh and a long run are the two best cures for anything."
~ Anon (anon writes a lot doesn't s/he?)

We have been house sitting for a beautiful family and their two gorgeous pets, on the waterfront in Biggera Waters on the Gold Coast Queensland. Our house sit coincided with the running of the Gold Coast Marathon. I've watched a few marathons finish now, and I'm yet to see an ending like this artist's impression above - but it certainly captures the spirit of the finish line.

If you haven't seen the finish of a marathon, I suggest you go and watch it sometime. It's inspiring and very moving. I love exercise and dance and yoga, yet I have never really understood the whole marathon concept, and why people put themselves through the things they do. Anyway, one night we just happened to be sitting in a restaurant at a table that overlooked the marathon finish line. That night, watching the marathoners end their race, I found myself filled with admiration. There is such a buzz to be at the finish line, a bit of a carnival atmosphere - along with the sweat, tears, joy, pain, sore muscles, and the elation of finishing.

As the race was going to be just at the end of the street where we were staying, I decided to get up early to watch the runners, and cheer them on. Well good intentions, but by the time I got to the end of the street, the race official guarding the street closure told me that the main part of the race had gone through about a half hour earlier. There were still a few of the tail enders running and walking, and I heard one competitor tell another that he was just walking the race, as that would be the furthest he had ever walked. That his family were all there at the finish line, waiting for him there. Isn't that just so lovely? It was very moving listening to his story.

I loved the quirky fisiocrem signs encouraging the runners at Paradise Point.

I cheer them all on, and especially poignant are the ones who come along last but keep on going. I want to give those ones a special trophy! And a big ice bath. And some gel rub for those tired muscles.

I'd had great intentions of capturing the start of the race, and imaginings of my photos of the event on the blog. Well not this year anyway. So here's a picture of Kevin walking Fuzzy and Ruby instead. You didn't really want to see a bunch of runners anyway did you, really?

Anyways, I walked away from the street blockade and I bid the race official I was talking to a nice day. And as I left to see some more of the end of the race runner-walkers, heard him say, 'every time I wake up it's another day I have here on earth, it's a nice day'.

I hope you all have a nice day, and thanks for reading today. Now get those running shoes on and go for a run-walk. Would I go in a marathon do I hear you wonder? Ha - me? Oh my NEVER! I'll meet you at the cafe at the end of the run, and I'll be cheering you on as I see you arrive. ;)

Thank you to The Gold Coast Marathon for the top image.

Rocky's Blog Week 2 - A House Sit in Biggera Waters

"What a beautiful world it would be if people had hearts like dogs."

Hi family... only a few more sleeps till you all come home, and I thought I'd show you what I've been up to. In the morning I hop in the car and put on my seat belt and then we all go down to Paradise Point.

This is my new friend Finlay (we all liked his jacket) Most days I start with a gentle wander in the park with Kevin

while Kareen goes to yoga or zumba. Then we all have coffee at The Deli...
I'm a favourite of theirs now and everyone tells me how lovely I am.

After coffee we've been going for a walk gradually wandering around The Sovereign Islands looking at the park and houses.

"Everyone thinks they have the best dog,
and none of them are wrong." W.R Purche.

And wandering down to Salacia Waters and along the beach.

I've been having lots of fun and cuddles and Kareen & Kevin said they love minding me very much.

Hi family... here I am waiting ever so patiently for you to come home. I've been inside every night, though I tried to sneak out one night, but they got me in again quickly... I've enjoying the Greenie treats and Kareen said to say that I squeak like a little mouse at dinner time. I DO NOT! Squeak like a mouse hmmmf. Love you, from Pumpkin

Exploring Paradise

The sunset over Biggera Waters last night. I read that it was going to be a Strawberry Moon. Well I didn't get to see the moon with the heavy cloud cover we had, but the sunset was absolutely spectacular and had a strawberry pink tone to it. We are in Queensland on a house sit in Biggera Waters. It is only a short drive from the village at Paradise Point and The Broadwater where we love going for our walks when we are up this way.

On a Tuesday and Thursday morning in Paradise Point Park I have been joining in the yoga class held by Madonna Williams.

It is really lovely doing yoga in the park watching the water, and then looking up to see the gorgeous trees overhead. Madonna's website can be found at: Zen Soul Life
Photo of yoga in the park from Zen Soul Life

This is gorgeous Rocky the Labradoodle we are minding...

he is an absolute gem to care for, we already adore him - and his friend Pumpkin the cat.

Each morning we head down to Paradise Point, I do a yoga class
and then meet up later with Kevin and Rocky for a coffee at The Deli.

Where's my treat?

After coffee o'clock we all headed off to explore The Sovereign Islands.
We were all wondering what had happened to the Cat moored up on the sand.

Rocky leading the way to The Islands

We had a lovely meander around and tossed up which house we'd like.

Rocky tried on his best Lion impersonation - he didn't like the Lion on the left there though as he walked past... I think I'm starting to understand the concept of Feng Shui after watching Rocky's reaction.

The delightful Pumpkin - seems a bit unfair that
Pumpkin has to stay home while we are all out having fun.

Rocky's Blog

Hi family...

I hope you are having fun. I'm going really well - I've been very busy showing Kaz & Kev around. Yesterday I took them for a drive down to Paradise Point...