Memory Lane #3

Copa, Copacabanaaaa!

This in one of my favourite photos, taken when I was in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with the hubby and some of our friends in 2011.

We had already spent a week of partying together in Arraial d'Ajuda, Bahia, and it would have been a perfect holiday if the friends we were with hadn't had a huge argument on the second night and refused to make up for the remainder of the trip! Oh dear.

But regardless of the unfortunate falling out, this is still a special memory of mine, and we had fun exploring the city (although it was mine and the hubby's second time, there was still plenty more to see and do). We went to the zoo, tried and failed to have surfing lessons on Ipanema thanks to the lazy instructor repeatedly coming up with excuses to fob us off ( no idea how he made his money, and it's not like giving surfing lessons is exactly hard work for someone who loves it, especially in a place as beautiful as Rio!) and ventured into Santa Teresa, the oldest part of town which is filled with little shops selling handmade goodies and artwork, by tram, which made for a fantastic view of Rio, as it's very high up. The hubby and I didn't go up to see Christ the Redeemer or Sugarloaf Mountain this time, as we had not long done all of that with my parents, but we did spend lots of time enjoying the beaches and drinking Caipirinhas! Bliss.

Rio is a wonderful city and will always hold special memories for me.

xx

Memory Lane #3

Hello lovelies, I haven't posted for the past couple of days because there have been a lot of exciting plans being made and discussions being had - in between work, work and more work, of course.

So as many of you will know, I have been living really far away from my family and friends for some time now, and I don't think I've ever really mentioned this on here, not wanting this to become a page of self-indulgent misery and such like, but I really haven't been very happy. We moved because of my husband's work, and despite having had no issues whatsoever resettling for uni etc, this time things just weren't as easy. It's been difficult to make friends here, and as the hubby and I work complete opposite shifts it's been a bit of a lonely time for me.

So, what have we been planning and discussing all week? Well, we are FINALLY moving back again, and I couldn't be more delighted. I am now walking around with a great big smile plastered across my face and it's a great feeling after all we've been through. We won't be going just yet - not until next year, actually. But knowing that the end is in sight has already changed things completely in my eyes, as I know that every day is one day less until we're off!

So, on that note, I thought I'd share this beautiful photo of my hometown on a sunny day with you, as there is no place on earth that holds as many happy memories for me. 

Hope everyone is having a lovely week so far!

xx

Memory Lane

This week's Memory Lane photo was taken in July 2010. It was a gorgeous sunny day, and my sister and I decided to go on a little roadtrip together to make the most of it, as we don't see each other very often thanks to living extremely far apart. We headed to a cute little historical town nearby, with cobbled streets, bohemian shops and little tearooms on every corner. We walked along the river and admired the calm, quiet day, before popping for a delicious lunch of goats cheese salads at a traditional pub. Mine was accompanied by pear cider, but my sister, being the driver, had to stick to coffee. We sat and ate in the sunshine, before passing by a vintage sweet shop on the way back to the car park, to stock up on childhood goodies such as rhubarb and custard sweets, raspberry fizzers and Millionaire's Shortbread. My sister also decided to get some of the sourest sweets in the world, which were frankly just horrific. I usually like sour sweets, but those were just a step too far!

On the way home, we passed through another little village by the sea, and stopped off for warm doughnuts on the pier.

This will always be a happy memory of mine, as it's not often that I get to see my sister, and even less often that we have some lovely sunshine when I do!

Hope you enjoyed reading. What's your happy memory to get you through to the weekend?

xx

Memory Lane

By Thursday each week, I am usually flagging a bit and willing the weekend to arrive more quickly. It also seems to be the day which throws me the most when it comes to blogging, although I have no idea why that is!

So I thought to myself today that it would be a nice idea to share a photo with you each and every Thursday, that is linked to a happy memory of mine. Hopefully, it'll be interesting for you, and I know that reminiscing about some of my happiest times will put a smile on my face and give me the boost I need to get me through to Friday!

So, on that note, today's picture was taken on 1st January two years ago, on the beach in a place called Arraial d'Ajuda, Brazil. My husband and I had spent a week there, soaking up the sun and sipping cocktails by day and eating delicious meals and partying it up by night, and we met lots of fun people along the way. We had, on this occasion, been to a New Year's Party at an outdoor club on the beach, spending the night dancing barefoot on the sand, chatting and guzzling the free champagne, as well as watching a spectacular firework display out over the water.  I snapped this photo just as the sun was rising on New Year's Day. The party was still in full swing.  It was one of my favourite New Year's Eves to date and Arraial d'Ajuda will always be one of my happiest places. We have since been back with friends and had an equally amazing time.

What is the best way you have ever spent New Year's Eve?

xx