A dreaded realisation.

Dear Family and Friends,

In anticipation of a horde of boys returning home this weekend I decided to go shopping early. So armed with my big shopping bags I set off for Woolies and the Greek Grocer. My eyes are bigger than my bags so I started the journey home with two overfilled bags. I lost half my weight in sweat which obscured my vision and I nearly had a catastrophic encounter with an old age pensioner on a motorised thingy. 

So I have realised that my old woman bag days are over and I am writing to announce that I am officially now turning to the next dreaded step of old shopping trolley woman, following on in the tradition of millions of women around the world dragging them in front or behind them with no less an example then our inimitable granny who has a gigantic one. 

An image of the dreaded trolley may be put up in the next few days so this is ample warning to avoid this site at all costs. 

Cyprus elections and the rights of citizens

Cyprus went to the polls yesterday to elect a new President. On the advice of my High Commission here in Australia, I filled in all the necessary forms and registered to vote. I was prepared to fly to Canberra to cast my vote. Some weeks before the election I was told that there would be no voting poll in Canberra. It was too late to make other arrangements so I was unable to vote. The first round yesterday saw a lot of blank votes cast as well as abstentions. Why I ask? 

Cypriots abroad do not seem to have the same guaranteed right and the means to cast their vote as every single citizen of Cyprus should be entitled to do. Some polling stations were open abroad but only in a few cities. I do not know if postal votes are even considered. 

This is where the government should be concentrating, its efforts. Making sure its citizens are able to exercise their democratic right and give them the ability to do so wherever they are in the world instead of selling Cypriot citizenships for vast amounts of money to foreigners who have no connection to the place.

Citizenship is such an important basic tenet of people who either through a birth right or residence chose to make a country their home.I cannot emphasise how important cultivating and raising good citizens is, in the world today. Citizens who care what is happening and want to have a say. Citizens who are proud or concerned about their country. Nationalism has no place in good citizenship. Involvement, diversity, tolerance and collaboration do and above all the right to vote. 

So Cypriots who are able to vote, please go and exercise your democratic right and do so for the next round of voting on Sunday knowing that your vote may determine the direction of the country and the possible solution to the Cyprus problem for the next five years. 

Australia Day 2018

We take the pledge and become citizens of this great continent today. Not in a million years would I have thought that my life would lead me to this moment and talking on ABC radio this morning I realised that the wealth and breadth of where and how I lived my life has enabled me to come to Australia and embrace it wholeheartedly. We love what this continent stands for (mostly) and we are happy to be able to share the joys of what Australia offers us.

So in no particular order:

Pristine beaches -not organised- not a sun bed or umbrella to be seen, no men touting them for exorbitant prices. Some reservations about the ocean and what is in it, but hey if we have to swim in between the flags, so be it.

No litter - there are exceptions but every year more people are aware of the importance of leaving the planet cleaner, neater, more natural.

Unparalleled natural beauty and wilderness

Extraordinary Birds which have become our pets

Possums which stomp on our tin roofs at night reminding us to share the passion fruit and avocados with them.

Fishmongers with the best fish I have ever eaten.

Kind and interesting people everywhere- Good Aussie friends.

A love of heritage, even in its relative infancy compared to other parts of the world, and efforts to maintain and preserve it.

A fascinating insight into Aboriginal cultures and history

Love of good food

A society which is caring and committed to doing good. So much on offer for citizens.

Public Art.

Good humour, shorts and thongs.

Abundant sunshine.

My neighbours and my neighbourhood.

Sometimes speaking up is all you have to do !

With the boys gone temporarily it is time for a tidy up and pick me up. I headed down to my Cool Books  to put my latest magazines and books there for others. http://mezzemoments.blogspot.com.au/search?q=Cool+books+ .Just as I  got on the bike path a strange little man with a brace on his leg crossed my path and was walking away from me. No sooner was he on it then he changed direction and fell in behind me.

I stopped by the bridge and as he came past me he said:

"Don't worry I wasn't stalking you".

I smiled and answered "The thought didn't cross my mind, I was looking for tadpoles."

"Ah" he said "Ok but some women get nervous and think that".

"I am not one of those women" I replied and invited him over to look for tadpoles.

He wished me a good day and went on his way and as there weren't very many tadpoles I followed on. Given he had a brace on, I caught up with him quite quickly and walked close behind.  As I overtook him I said:

"Don't worry I am not stalking you". 

Suns,sons and bugs.

It has been a whirlwind of a few weeks and I have cooked and prepared many meals in this short time. It has been a non stop, active, sunny time with three grown young men who are challenging, inquisitive and caring. To their credit they are all good cooks but coming home to me has put the focus squarely in my court. We have enjoyed meals on the deck with or without bugs and I don't just mean Moreton ones. We have met friends, explored some of the coast line and the hinterland and seen in the New Year. Two (three in fact as Jamie joined them) are off in their Aussie camper van exploring the East Coast. One leaves to go back to London today, to a granny and a fiancee who wait anxiously to see him and be with him. I will rattle for a while, needing time to fill the void, finding my feet and picking up where I left off nearly a month ago. Letting them go is the biggest gift I can give them, however hard that may be. I surprised myself by waving the boys off in their camper van with an old custom of my mothers. She spilled water on the road before a big journey to wish the travellers a journey as smooth as the flow of water. 

Memorable meals - Moreton bugs with Greek olive oil and garlic sauce

Memorable conversations - Nick's conversation with Vodafone employee who found everything "TOO EASY MATE" - now our family mantra for 2018. 

Memorable present- a bunch of barnacles