Babel Fish required

We have finally arrived in the land of the long black cloud, and are pretty much ensconsed in our new lives.

Moving to pastures new requires trying to assimilate with the locals, and we have both been studying them and following their lead. We haven't eaten a single vegetable since we got here, and I ensure that every week I have 8 string singlets so that I have a fresh one for work each day, and a spare in case we go out for a meal.

Moira has joined just about every local group going, and at one stage had even visited the Terratorial Army office, which turned down her application on grounds that they couldn't understand her accent. She now has a group to go to 4 days of the week. She has also joined the local choir, and they are practicing for the Christmas Carol performance. She also goes fairly regularly to church on a Sunday, where takes Lily to the kids service. When we were in London the previous weekend, Anne took Lily to church, along with a number of books to keep her amused. During a quiet part of the service Lily was pointing at a book and then yelled out " MONKEY ". That's my girl.

This is also the delightful girl, who while everyone else was sitting on the yellow mats, listening to the playgroup leader, ran to the end of the hall and started tugging on the fire exit doors. Another boy joined her, and was then told off by his Mum. Lily's was laughing.

Now that we are in the countryside, Lily is experiencing wildlife for the first time. She manages to pick up most of the words, and sometimes we think she improves on them. She often points at a wall or window now and says " Daddy-long-feet". She has a point.

The wife has been trying to 'buy" friends for me, as I work from home, so am not meeting any colleagues or new people. Moira has resorted to asking other women what their husbands do to meet new male friends. One said " well, this weekend my husband is going rock climbing, but if it is too wet he will go sea-kayaking. What does you husband do? ". Moira had to explain that my interests were not affected by the weather, the only problems encountered were when Lily walked in front of the screen. At least in London the local kids used to yell at me and throw stones when I took Lily to the park. I am beginning to miss them already.

Anyway, if talking to the plants is good enough for Prince Charles, it's good enough for me, and let's face it, Anne has plenty of them in her garden. While I thought I would start doing lots of gardening work and helping out, I have still managed to get Anne to keep on the young boy who mows her lawn while I supervise. The fact that he does it twice as fast also convinced Anne.

At the end of a long day sitting in my chair, we will try and go for a walk, which usually ends up with us at the local garden bar, as it has fun outdoor activities for our gal, as well as us.

It is then off home to sample some of the local food that Moira buys from the farmers market on a Friday, and placed alongside the delicious goods sampled from the local butcher. Well, I may not have any friends, but I am well fed and still enjoying my hobbies.

Luckily this week we are to be visited by Neil, Lorna and Archie from Monday to Friday, which overlaps nicely with Liz and Mike who arrive on Thursday until Sunday. I am kind of hoping that Mike isn't big into climbing. We shall try and scamper up Dumgoyne ( behind the rainbow in the photo above ) but if the weather is too harsh we will be found doing the Glengoyne distillery tour.

I haven't heard from the kids in the park, but have no doubts they will find me.

Yours Aye

Fraser, Moira and Lily

xx