Happy Birthday Salisbury Cathedral

Salisbury Cathedral was consecrated on this day in 1258. For over 750 years pilgrims have come to Salisbury to seek inspiration in the glory and peace of the building and surrounding Cathedral Close. Whether you come to worship, to marvel at or climb Britain's tallest spire, to be awed by the beauty and scale of the cathedral interior or to study the original Magna Carta in the Chapter House, Salisbury Cathedral is an inspiration and a testament to both God and faith.

Salisbury is unique amongst medieval English cathedrals, having been built is just 38 years (1220 - 1258) in a single architectural style, early English Gothic. The tower and spire (Britain's tallest) were added about 50 years later. The building itself is remarkable, a testimony to the faith and practical skills of those who erected it. It is unusual in that its floor plan is in the form archiepiscopal (or patriarchal) cross rather than the standard single crossbar crucifix with which we are most familiar.

(Floor plan taken from cathedral website)

Letter to Julia Gillard

I've just sent the following letter to the Prime Minister.  It will be interesting to see what, if anything comes of it. My previous experience is that neither Labor nor the Greens have the courtesy to reply to any correspondent who expresses sentiments with which they disagree.  Rude, ill-bred bunch!!

Dear Prime Minister,

I am writing to express my complete and utter disgust at the lack of recognition your government has displayed toward Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee.

 As a member of the Commonwealth, and one of the few countries still fortunate enough to be a Constitutional Monarchy, the people of this country had every reason to expect to participate in the world-wide celebrations.  Her Majesty is, under Australia’s Constitution, Queen of Australia and, despite the numerous luncheons, church services and other private functions held in honour of the jubilee, your government’s dismal failure to make any gesture, aside from the token lighting of a bonfire, does nothing more than demonstrate your unfitness to run this country.

            This is not a matter of the Monarchy/republican debate but, rather, one of honour, dignity and protocol – all areas with which a prime minister must appear to be conversant, regardless of his own personal opinions.  This would have been a wonderful opportunity for Australia to show the world that it is a mature nation capable of recognising and honouring the achievements of a world leader.  Unfortunately, however, you have presented the country as a petulant child who is sulking because he can’t get his own way.

            I urge you to follow the example other Commonwealth nations, such as Canada, by marking the occasion in a suitable way, perhaps by the minting of a Jubilee Medal.

Yours sincerely,

PunkPD - A Life-changing Experience

Check out PunkPD. It is a business owned by my friend Abby Elizabeth who is one of the most wonderful, generous, fabulous, sexy women I know. She is all about positivity, empowerment and confidence.
I met Abby thirteen years ago when we both went to university for the first time. It's been amazing to watch her blossom and grow from a rather confused (in my opinion) teenager into the beautiful woman she is today.
I am always delighted to spend time with her because she is always so much fun - even on her down days. LOVE YOU GIRLFRIEND:)

Smile# 26

A new hair style! (I really must get a new camera so I can record things like this) I have gone back to my natural dark brown in a short, sexy bob. A good haircut always puts a smile on one's face:-) Special thanks to the lovely Debbie at Red Hill Hair Design. She isn't a hair dresser; she's an artist!

Smile #25

Lunch with my colleagues at Ha-ha Bar. This is fast becoming my restaurant of choice! It is one of the funkiest little eateries in Canberra with a fresh, contemporary menu that is revamped regularly. You can sit out on the deck, in the sunshine, and look at the lake, And they don't mind if you order a few more bubbles than you should:)

Smile #24

I LOVE STORMS. At the moment there is thunder, lightning, wild winds and torrential rain. I am sitting here with the windows and curtains open and the lights off. It's an amazing experience. Nature is just so totally awesome!!

Smile #23

A very enlightening 5-minute lecture on our origins, our heritage and why there is no point in trying to become a republic.

The difference between the UK, Great Britain, and England [video]

Smiles #21 & 22 - Australia Day

Receiving a compliment from a complete stranger is always guaranteed to make one's day. I was at the supermarket this morning, prior to joining some friends for lunch, and a lady I have never seen before tapped me on the shoulder and told me how nice I looked. What a wonderful way to get the day off to a good start.


Me looking nice:)

The other highlight of the day was a luncheon cruise with the Australia-Britain society. Canberra from the lake is a glorious sight and spending the afternoon with like-minded people who know how to conduct themselves was wonderful. Such a pleasant change from the raucous, drunken yobbo who seems to symbolise Australia on this day.

Smile #20

This came from a friend today.............

An American tourist in London decides to skip his tour group and explore
the city on his own. He wanders around, seeing the sights, occasionally
stopping at a quaint pub to soak up the local culture, chat with the
locals, and have a pint of bitter.


After a while, he finds himself in a very nice neighbourhood with big,
stately residences...no pubs, no stores, no restaurants, and worst of all
NO PUBLIC REST-ROOMS.


He really, really has to go, after all those Guinnesses. He finds a narrow
side street, with high walls surrounding the adjacent buildings and decides
to use the wall to solve his problem.


As he is unzipping, he is tapped on the shoulder by a London police
officer, who says, "I say, sir, you simply cannot do that here, you know."


"I'm very sorry, officer," replies the American, "but I really, really have
to go, and I just can't find a public rest-room."


"Ah, yes," said the policeman..."Just follow me". He leads the American to
a back delivery alley to a gate, which he opens.


"In there," points the policeman. "Go ahead sir, anywhere you like."


The fellow enters and finds himself in the most beautiful garden he has
ever seen. Manicured grass lawns, statuary, fountains, sculptured hedges,
and huge beds of gorgeous flowers, all in perfect bloom.


Since he has the policeman's blessing, he relieves himself and feels much
more comfortable. As he goes back through the gate, he says to the police
officer, "That was really decent of you... is that what you call English
hospitality?"


"No sir...", replied the police officer, "...that is what we call the
French Embassy."

Smile #19

Yet another of those strange little quirks that make this world such a fun place to live.

This year we will experience 4 unusual dates.... 1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11 and 11/11/11

NOW go figure this out:

Take the last 2 digits of the year you were born plus the age you will be this year and it will equal 11 or 111!

THIS IS SO STRANGE......NO MATTER HOW YOU DO IT, IT WORKS!!