Monday 28 July 2008

One gift down...

I hear the UK's been enjoying a bit of a heat wave of late. I called my mother yesterday and she and my Dad were relaxing in the garden - illicitly using my sister’s new garden furniture which is being stored at their house until my sister sorts out the purchase of her new place. They had one ear out for her coming through the gate and catching them. Apparently she wouldn’t be happy – after a disastrous attempt at making piña coladas. Piña Coladas?? The way they tell it is that the juice from the fresh pineapple they used curdled the coconut milk. Not surprisingly they also used way too much rum – less is never more when it comes to alcohol with my family - and the result tasted like ‘extremely alcoholic porridge’ so they ditched the cocktails in favour of pear cider.

Sometimes my parents put me in mind of a couple of errant teenagers left behind to mind the house while their parents are away on their summer hols.

All seems to be well with the pair of them anyway, although Dad’s apparently been nattering no end about that Qantas jet which was forced to land in Manila over the weekend when a gaping hole opened up in the fuselage. He’s definitely not a man who’s at peace with air travel, not that his discomfort stops him from flying, but when he does fly he likes to sit by the window and cast a critical eye over every nut and bolt. “That one looks a bit loose” he’ll say pointing to the wing; like he’s in a position to do anything about it. After the Qantas episode he’ll be insisting on inspecting the underbelly of any plane for rust and loose bits before he gets on board. My mother made me laugh when she said to him “What are you worrying about the Qantas plane for? You’re not up there, you’re on the ground y'dozy bugger!!”

Such is the affection between my parents ;-)

Speaking of flights I’m in holiday planning mode at the moment. Melissa and I have decided to forge ahead with the plan to go to Hong Kong - and perhaps Shanghai - despite my plan of going on to Melbourne for a Christmas down under being scuppered by my sister’s inconvenient return to England. I’m quite relieved to be honest; the flight to Australia was on the pricey side, but with my sister and family there I didn't want to turn down the opportunity to visit. My mother was asking this weekend if I’d like some money towards the trip as a Christmas gift or if I’d prefer presents. I opted for presents. “So what would you like for Christmas?” she asked!!

Christmas!!! Seriously mother, it’s JULY, I refuse to send you a list of what I would like for Christmas.

Honestly!!

Ironically I ended up buying Mum a Christmas gift this weekend, this was after the phone call and I think she’d put the idea of Christmas into my head. I was in Williamsburg with a few of the girls, we were planning to see the free concert with MGMT and The Ting Tings at McCarron Park Pool, but as we were in the ohhhh so very long line to get in it started bucketing it down, so we gave up and decided to go for a glass of wine instead. Wine was followed by dinner at this cute little Mexican place, Bonita, and a wander around the Williamsburg boutiques. We went in one store,
PEMA where my mum had taken a shine to the Michael Michaud jewellery when she and my father were over for a visit earlier this month. I love his jewellery too, he's an artist who makes really pretty and delicate nature inspired pieces. When she initially mentioned it I decided I would go back and get the piece she liked for a Christmas gift, so since I was there I thought why not. One gift down, about 20 to go :-)

18 comments:

Unknown said...

Heehee....would you be insulted if I said your wonderful description of your parents, totally bought to mind Bridget Jones' parents in the movies of the same name!LOL

How blessed you are by the sounds of things :-)

Blur Ting said...

Your parents are so sweet :-)
Oh, I'm sure you would love Hong Kong. You can shop till you drop. The shops stay open until midnight!

fishwithoutbicycle said...

Hi Sarah, I wouldn't be the least bit offended, although I think Bridget's parents could be more sensible than mine at times :-)

Hi Blur Ting, yes my parents are sweet. A handful at times, but sweet. I am so excited to book a trip to Hong Kong, I hear great things.

Kitty said...

Your parents sound so cute. Actually, your dad sounds like me years ago. Somehow though I got over the fear of flying (funny enough, it took a way scary flight to do it)

Hong Kong and Shanghai are awesome choices. You will be stunned by how big Shanghai is.

fishwithoutbicycle said...

Hi Kitty, glad to hear you are over your fear of flying. Touch wood I've never had a scary flight.

So have you been to Shanghai? I have never been to Asia. I shall be pestering you for recommendations :-)

Heather said...

I'm so jealous - I want to go to Hong Kong! Got room for me?

And I think I'd really enjoy your parents. In fact, I know I would. The tease each other and drink. What's not to love? They're perfect.

fishwithoutbicycle said...

Hi Heather, you can come for me, I would have to get permission from Melissa ;-)

Yeah, my parents are fun, but they can be a handful too :-)

Amel said...

HE HE HE HE...LOVE the affection between your parents. And HAVE A SPLENDID TRIP! I myself can't wait to go back to Indooooooo in October. Only two more months and 8 days left HE HE HE HE HE...

And I couldn't help laughing when reading about the X-mas list and then you bought a gift already for your Mom. But hey, WISE decision! After all, sometimes it's easier to find a gift when you don't really need to find one. *wink* ;-D

fishwithoutbicycle said...

Hi Amel, I am soooooo excited to book my vacation too. Have a great trip to Indo in October :-)

Bangs and a Bun said...

This post made me so excited. I'm going back to the UK for my first Christmas at home in 4 years and I can't bloody wait! It's like every conversation I have with my parents right now, Crimble is brought up at some point - I love it!

fishwithoutbicycle said...

Hi Bangs, good for you. I can't imagine not being in the UK for Christmas with my family. I'd be counting down the days :-)

Anonymous said...

Can't believe you're already in holiday shopping mode! Love the bracelet - I'm sure your Mum will adore it...

And can I say? Your parents sound like trip! Hope you had a good visit with them when they were in town!

Mike S said...

If you get to HK and Shanghai, a side trip to Singapore will be great to unwind & do some last minute shopping on the return leg. I'm a bit biased as it's one of the 1st places I've lived that come to mind in answer to, "If not here, where would you live?"

Tell your Dad that it's better he NOT KNOW all that's loose on most aircraft. Just my opinion as a former Aircraft Maintenance Director. They're safe though, if they were too tight they'd crack and break apart, need a bit o' give.

fishwithoutbicycle said...

Hi Spandrel, yes I think Mum will love the bracelet and the earrings. I actually got myself the same set as when I tried it on I adored it. I've had a lot of compliments, so it will be perfect for her :-)

Hi Mike, that's good to know about the loose bits, I will definitely pass that info to my Dad. I'd love to squeeze Singapore in too, but it depends on how far the budget will stretch :-)

Kitty said...

Well, I went to HK, Taiwan and Shanghai several years ago with my mom. Shanghai was scary huge. We went in November, I think, not the greatest time to go. Insanely cold.

The exchange rate was very different at the time. We basically signed up for a small tour that left from HK through various Chinese cities. The only vehicles on the highways were our little mini bus and government cars and buses.

Actually, that was the flight that got me over the fear, a small plane on the way back to HK. So bumpy and scary, I felt that I got through that, I could get through anything.

fishwithoutbicycle said...

Hi Kitty, that sounds like such a cool trip!! Although how cold is 'insanely cold' - we are considering the end of October - any earlier and it's typhoon season :-)

ellen said...

happy weekend!!

fishwithoutbicycle said...

Thanks Gbex & Ellen :-)