News!

I've been meaning to post about this for a while, but it just hasn't happened until now. I have big news!

Next weekend, in 7 sleeps, Chi Wai and I will be touching down in Sydney airport! That's right, we're going home. It's only going to be a flying visit, but I don't care. I'm soooo excited! The main reason for our visit is to go to our friends' wedding, but really I think it was just the excuse we needed to make a visit home. We'll only be in the country for three and a half days (crazy I know), but we're planing to fit a lot into that short time.

The other exciting news is, exactly a week after we get back from Australia, my best friend Zena, her hubby and the twins will be arriving here in Abu Dhabi to stay with us for nearly a whole week. How fantastic is that! I can't wait.

In knitting news, I have been somewhat productive since I finished Ruby's cardigan. I have finished the vest for her big brother Dalton, made a jacket for her baby cousin Thomas, and managed to complete the long languishing Puff Sleeved Cardigan. I've madly blocked everything today so that the presents will be ready to take back with me next weekend (did I mention that it is only 7 sleeps?).

Here's some sneak peaks of these projects before blocking.

Dalton's vest......


Pattern: Vest with Splits and round neck from "Panda 8plys: 11 handknits for kids"
Yarn: Knitpick Swish DK in Asparagus

The only change I made to this pattern was to knit it in the round rather than in two pieces, to reduce seaming. This was sooooo boring to knit, but I think it will look nice on Dalton.

Baby Jacket for baby Thomas before seaming......


Pattern: Ribbed Baby Jacket by Debbie Bliss available for free here
Yarn: Knitpicks Shine Worsted in Seaspray

This was really quick to knit and I think it's going to look great. I've got some gorgeous buttons picked out for this. They are hand turned wooden buttons that I bought from the Berry Markets on a visit to see my friend Sharon. I love the colour of this yarn (the photo doesn't really do it justice) and the feel is really nice and soft. It does produce some fluff though, which I'm hoping will settle down after blocking.

My mods on the Puff Sleeved Cardigan.....


Pattern: Puff-Sleeved Feminine Cardigan from "Fitted Knits" by Stefanie Japel.
Yarn: Knitpick Swish DK in Maple Leaf

As I have discussed before, this pattern and I had issues! I worked hard to resolve these issues and I'm reasonable happy with the result. I'll talk more on this once I have some photos of the finish blocked object.

And finally, here they all are blocking (with Ruby's cardi too)!


Phew! I feel so much better now that I have got all that off my chest!

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!

The day after the big fishing trip was Australia Day (I told you I had fallen behind) and one of the local international hotels was having a celebration, so we decided to check it out.

It was a little bit strange. I didn't think there would be enough Australians here to warrant an actual Australia Day function, and while I think there were a few ring ins in the crowd, there was definitely a good Aussie contingent present.

They were serving Crown Larger with an Australian themed menu.


We were a little perplexed by some of the dessert items, in particular the "Blue Currant Cheesecake" and the "Strawberry Truffle".

They had also gone to quite a bit of trouble with the decorations.


The "Bush Band" was three middle aged Filipino guys trying to remember the words to "Give me a home among the gum trees" and "Waltzing Matilda" with the "Tequila Song" thrown in for good measure. It was quite hilarious.

Here's Chi Wai and Brian admiring the "Aboriginal Artwork" and enjoying a Crownie. For those who know Brian, don't fret, we haven't driven him to drink, that's actually my beer!


Happy late Australia Day everyone!

Gone Fishin'!

About four weekends ago now (man, I really have fallen behind), our house-mate Brian took us on a fishing trip. Back in Australia, Brian is really into his fishing, I mean big time. I'm talking as big into fishing as I am into knitting! He tells us stories of his fishing tackle stash and we compare how much money we have blown on out respective hobbies. He wins! He really, really likes fishing!

The kind of fishing that Brian is into, isn't your ordinary stand on a rock wall and wait for fish to arrive kind of fishing. He's after big fish that are a real challenge to catch, the kind of fishing where you need a boat, an ocean and expensive equipment, the kind of fishing where you kiss the fish and throw it back in when after you've reeled it in kind of fishing.

So anyway, a few months ago, Brian announced that he was going to go on a charter fishing trip and asked if we wanted to come along. We said, "yeah! Why not!".

We had to get up early for the four hour drive to a place called Dibba which is actually across the Omani border. Can you believe we went to another country just to go fishing? Apparently this where the fish are!

So we headed out on the boat with our guide Galvin, a young South African.


I've never seen Brian so happy!


There were plenty of fish around.


My plan was to sit back and enjoy the scenery.


You know, read a bit, be the photographer, that sort of thing. Fishing ain't my thang! But somehow I got roped in too!


All in all it was a good, but very tiring day, and while I enjoyed it, I don't think I'll be rushing out to do it again any time soon. It's all the salt spray, the boat bashing on the waves, too much wind messing up my hair, fish slime and not being able to go to the toilet for 8 hours! I'll leave it to the fishing fanatics.

I'll leave you with one last photo. I find it quite disturbing! It looks like I'm enjoying myself, but really I'm thinking "Hurry up and take the @#ing photo. This fish is wriggling and it's all slimy!"

Weekend Round Up!

Posting to my blog has been a bit slack the last few weeks, because I have been so busy on the weekend. I have lots to catch you all up on.

We have nothing planned this weekend, so I will be madly trying to get up to date on all that has been going on in my life. Keep your eyes peeled!

Here's another road sign that I thought was a bit apt for this post. There were no road works whatsoever around this sign, so we were guessing that they were apologising for the general inconvenience that is the UAE. Tee hee!

Cardigan Complete!

I completed the cardigan for Ruby last weekend. Here it is.....


It is not yet blocked in these photos, however, being mostly garter stitch, it almost doesn't need it. I will still will block it though, just to flatten the seams. I think the colour is the most acurate in the first photo. I'm pretty happy with the result. The merino is soft and spongey. I hope Ruby likes it.

Here's the girl in question, with her big brother Dalton, on her first day of school, just last week.


What an adorable photo!

I have since cast on for a vest for Dalton. I am completely bored with it already (too much stockinette in the round!) but should finish it this weekend hopefully. Photos to come.

Last post I discussed the problem with the vests I knitted for Zena's twins. See here. Zena, my very clever best friend has fixed the problem! Yay!

Here is little Sam (the bigger of the two twins) sporting the newly rectified vest.


Look at that red hair!

I am soooooo happy she was able to fix it. Thank you, thank you Zena. You are a star!