An Amazing Nurse

On the weekend my husband again became unwell - Metaphorically speaking Ian has an enormous heart and he has the constitution of an Ox. What Ian has to remember is that he does not have the strength of an Ox and physically he has a weak heart. It amazes me at the total lack of insight some men have and how quickly they forget how sick they once were. Also how they ignore the signs their body gives them, they just do not want to bother any one and feel like a fraud. Needless to say Ian was not in a good way. After being admitted and treated on the weekend he is again on the road to recovery and his heart is ticking over nicely. Now again we contemplate the life style changes we have to make.
I will take this opportunity to say that Ian received wonderful care by all the nurses that attended to him. However this blog is about an amazing nurse I met during this time. My first impression of this nurse was "gosh you look a bit old to be working in coronary care" it just goes to show you that first impressions are not always the best, it is better to reserve your judgement. As my husband was showering I had the opportunity to talk to this nurse, her name is "Mary" (a pseudonym) she is 67 years old, at a guess I would have put her at 60. Mary is small, trim, sprightly she has auburn coloured hair, not one grey hair and she is amazing. Mary was forthcoming with information and enjoyed talking about her life. When I asked Mary why she was still working she said "I am working to help pay my grandchildren’s HECS fees, and I love the social interaction". Her husband died 20 years ago, and her life is dedicated to her family and work. Mary admits that she would not physically be able to work in elderly care or surgical/medical wards as it would be to physically difficult. Mary says this job is perfect; I am mentally very alert which I need to be for this position however it is not to physically demanding. Mary works full time for 6 months of the year and then for the next 6 months (unpaid leave) she does volunteer work for Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) working in war torn countries (MSF). This work has taken her to many countries, such as, Uganda, Congo, Tanzania, Ethiopia, China, Afghanistan. India, Sri Lanka and a few more I cannot remember. The few stories she shared with me were heart wrenching, such us the women from Afghanistan live a life of hell, the immense poverty in China, and the thousands of children that suffer in all these countries, and that is why she goes back to make a difference to these children’s lives. Providing basic nursing care, immunisation programs, health education and setting up AIDS clinics. Mary said “it is amazing what you remember when you have to, about your nursing training, every day presents a new challenge and there is certainly not as much paper work”. “It is always good to come home to Australia, I am glad I live here it is the land of opportunities”.
I was truly impressed by this woman’s endurance, and passion for her work. I found her an inspiring woman.


If you want to know more about about volunteer work follow the link below.
http://www.msf.org/msfinternational/invoke.cfm?component=article&objectid=E41CFB75-5056-AA77-6C2D2AF22A4D50C8&method=full_html

My experience of an unplanned homebirth – Mother, Nanna, Midwife

The birth of Isabella Rose, my granddaughter 19/07/08

If you are following my blog you will be aware that my daughter Faye was due in July. Faye was now 5 days over her due date, she was drinking raspberry leaf tea three times a day, eating curry, walking and trying various other methods of trying to get into labour, which will not mention on my blog.
It was Friday evening I was going over to see how Faye was, it was a real winters evening, dreadful, cold and wet. I got to Faye’s to find her upset, very emotional, teary. Brendon (her husband) had been outside in the dark, wet night trying to fix the shed roof, as it had blown off in the storm. Little Dylan was pestering mummy to go outside and help daddy; it was all a bit much for Faye, she was much stressed and rightly so. Brendon came in and decided that the shed could wait, Faye went off for a long hot shower, I started dinner, Brendon finished it and Dylan was playing in the lounge, the house was back to normal.
We had a lovely dinner, settled in and watch some telly. I had a listen to the baby with my Doppler, her head was well down, and it would not be long now. I went home about 1030pm. I had a sixth sense Faye would go into labour, I stayed up on my computer till about 0130ish and gave up on the idea of a birth and went to bed.
The phone rang at 0300, it was Faye saying “mum my contractions have started, can you come over”. I jumped out of bed, woke the rest of the house up, my husband Ian and step daughter Kirsten (18yr) and we all went off in the car. It took us about 20mins at that time of the morning to get to Faye’s house.
When I got there Faye had just got into the bath, she had woken up with contractions at 0245hrs, and had two really strong contractions when she had called me, and up until then she had been asleep.
I added several drops of Clary sage to the bath water to assist with the contractions. Faye was contracting about 2:3:10, they were irregular in strength she was complaining her back was exceptionally painful. On palpation the baby was LOA, head well down, fetal heart was within the normal range, membranes were intact, and all was well, progressing normally. Dylan was asleep, Brendon was getting drinks for everyone and Ian was watching the golf. I had briefed Kirsten that she would be my record keeper.
As I was watching and talking to Faye I noticed her contractions although irregular were very intense and I got the sense that things were progressing quickly, it was now 0345 and she was contracting 4: 10, still in the bath, the water was very therapeutic for Faye it helped her back pain enormously. The fetal heart was 140bpm before, during and after the contractions. Then there was a spontaneous push, Brendon asked was it time to ring the birth centre? Faye got out the bath, and walked around, and with every third contraction Faye spontaneously pushed. Brendon rang the birth centre to advise them Faye was contracting, however I told him I didn’t think we would make the birth centre as I thought Faye was fully dilated. As Brendon was talking on the phone, Faye’s water broke at 0430, it was clear liquor, I then examined her to confirm she was fully dilated head was plus 3 spines. We were going to birth at home. Brendon told the birth centre and then called an ambulance so that I could have some back up if required for the baby. I also got Kirsten to call my friend Lorraine (who is also a midwife) who came to back me up, and Faye & Brendon know Lorraine so they were also happy. Kirsten stripped the bed, Brendon put towels on the heater, and we were just waiting for the baby to arrive. Faye was doing so well, fetal heart was good throughout. The ambulance crew arrived, and asked how long it would be? I said about half and hour at the most, they did not know about birthing and were very happy for me to continue, they put some blueys on the bed, bought in the delivery pack and then went to talk to my husband, whilst Brendon, Kirsten (who was doing the record keeping) Lorraine and I supported Faye. We were all in the en-suite of the bedroom, Faye was leaning over the sink, contracting, irregularly, every second contraction was strong, Faye pushed very well, the vertex (head) was advancing well, she crowned at 0450, head was then born, Brendon said “the baby is trying to breathe is that OK?” next push the body was out, Isabella cried as soon as she was born & did a poo (passed meconium), at 0455, I passed the baby to Brendon, he caught his daughter, we turned Faye around and she walked into the bedroom and climbed up on the bed, we were waiting for the third stage, the placenta, Faye was cuddling her baby, Isabella was crying she did not want to come out, she rooted to find the breast, it was beautiful to watch. The placenta was delivered, Faye had started bleeding, and her uterus was boggy, so I rubbed up a contraction until it was firm, we put the baby on the breast to encourage her uterus to contract, Faye’s uterus relaxed again, so I rubbed up another contraction. I asked the ambulance crew if they had oxytocics and they said they don’t carry them. We made the decision to transfer into the Birth Centre (FBC) as Faye needed the oxytocics to help contract her uterus. Faye had a small labial tear that was not bleeding and she had passed urine not long before the birth. So we put the baby, skin to skin with mum, and warming blankets on top, I kept rubbing up for contractions, and encouraged the baby to breast feed.



Once we arrived at the FBC Faye received the oxytocics and her uterus contracted well, and she went home again in 5 hours. All was well.

Birth is not an emergency: it is simply an emergence
Jeannine Parvati Baker

On refection, it was a 2 hour labour; Faye said once she had the first two contractions she thought this would go quickly & thought she would not have time to go to the FBC. Brendon was not phased as he and I were with Faye for Dylan’s birth and Brendon felt it was all under control, Kirsten felt traumatised as she had not experienced a birth before, (good contraception for her) however she did think it was great birth. Ian (pops) enjoyed watching the golf.
I was surprised the ambulance crew do not carry oxytocics. I am very proud to have helped Faye again birth her baby and at home, even though it was an unplanned home birth. I would like to have had an oxytocic at home to give to Faye, then she could of stayed at home, but then it would be a planned homebirth and I would have to be an independent midwife. This then raises the question of indemnity insurance or lack of it for independant midwives and I could not work with out insurance.
Thank you Faye & Brendon for sharing and allowing me to support you during this very intimate time, it has truly been a pleasure and a real honour. I am humbled by the experience. The highlight of my career is to assist my family through labour to achieve the birth they want.
“

If mothers have an instinct to give birth, midwives have the impulse to assist them” Jeannine Parvati Baker

Dylan with his baby sister Isabella 2hrs after the birth.

Reflections of an unplanned Homebirth:

Jodie is a 32yr old woman in a stable relationship, and she is my daughter-in-law. She is intelligent, street wise, determined and very much the feminist. Jodie had read and watched everything possible about pregnancy and birth to be well prepared and make informed choices about what she wanted for her birth. I remember talking about a homebirth for her first pregnancy, but being a first baby you are always a little cautious and opt for what is perceived as the safest option. The next best thing then is a Family Birth Centre, home away from home. Jasmine was born after labouring at home (shower) and going into the Birth Centre at 7cm, a beautiful vaginal birth and perineum intact, no complications, baby breast feeding. Mother and baby where home again within 24hrs. Three years later along came Talia. This time things were more relaxed, everyone knows what is going to happen, not sure what happened to the idea of a homebirth it was floating around but never eventuated. Again Jodie laboured at home (shower/bath) and we went into the Birth Centre at 8cm, very much the same birth as previously. After this pregnancy it was decided that this was it, no more. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that before I wouldn’t have to work.
Needless to say Jodie was pregnant with no 3: and Talia was 4mths old. Did they have their work cut out for them!
Jodie contemplated a homebirth but it was all too hard to organise, she was tired of being pregnant, didn’t want to be pregnant again, busy running after two children, so organising a homebirth just did not happen. Also the thought of having to pay $3000.00 when you have reverted to a single income family was a serious consideration, as balancing finances is difficult. By now Jodie was very familiar with the process of childbirth; she was comfortable with her body and knew it intimately she had every faith the baby would come and everything would be fine. They booked into the Family Birth Centre and the pregnancy progressed normally. We had planned our long awaited holiday which coincided with the birth of two of our grandchildren. We asked them to wait for us rather selfishly really, but what the heck, you can only ask. Jodie’s babies always came a little earlier, so I was not surprised she birthed before we came home.

When we came home, Jodie told me her story, this is
The Birth of Samuel James:
Jodie had felt pressure for a couple of days and she knew she was ready, contractions were on and off. Jodie had sent a text message to us in York UK to say she thought that labour was beginning: from that text I was on tender hooks, I called her and she said “the contractions were irregular, but it was beginning” and so it did. Jodie felt the labour “started and stopped, started & stopped”, she could eat her dinner through the contractions. She decided to go to bed to try and get some sleep, she dosed but was uncomfortable.
The contractions were irregular up until about 20 minutes before Samuel was born. The last contraction that she timed was 13 minutes apart, before that one, it was 5 minutes, and before that 10 minutes. Then the contractions were overwhelmingly close together, one after the other with barely any break. Jodie woke Danny up, asked him to call her Mum (Nat) to come over to look after the girls. Danny went to put their bags in the car and move it. Jodie knew it was going to be a rush to get to the birth centre when she asked him to call her Mum. Jodie was sitting on the edge of the bed; “I thought, God I can’t get up, I need to push” She got up and walked into the bathroom. Danny came back inside, she told him to call the birth centre and she remembers saying, “tell her he will probably be born in the car, no, no don’t tell her that”. The Birth Centre midwife talked to Jodie for a while on the phone, this really did not reassure her. Jodie now felt the urge to push and told Danny to phone an ambulance and at this point opened the door for his mother-in-law. First push the waters went, Jodie sat down and pushed, the head crowned. Nat went straight into the bathroom, to find Jodie on the floor pushing, the head was crowing – Nat helped to make Jodie more comfortable. Jodie describes it as “first push the waters broke, second push half the head out knickers off, third push whole head out, fourth push body out then, he (the baby) peed and cried straight away” four contractions in a row, that was it!
Jodie, “I lifted him onto my chest, waited a few minutes to catch my breath” “I asked mum to hold him, as I moved upwards to get more comfortable, we both moved in different directions. The cord snapped like an elastic band, blood squirted in my face, when I realised what happened, I called out the cord and grabbed his end between my fingers, there was about 4 inches left, at no point did I think about the other end of the cord. I will never forget that sound - ping”
The ambulance crew had now arrived; Jodie felt they did not look at any blood loss. The placenta was still in “I could feel myself oozing blood”.
Jodie and the baby were then transferred to hospital.
Jodie says “I was surprised at my own reaction, Samuel, born in the bathroom, and that’s that”.
A rather nonchalant attitude of a woman who knew birthing is a normal process.

I asked Danny how he felt, “It scared the shit out of me” “I was disbelieving of the event, this can not be happening to me” “Pauline the only birth there is no midwife in attendance the whole time and we have him in the bathroom” Danny did say that he was “pleased how it turned out, spun out that Samuel was not intended to be born (as he was not planned), so it was apt that he was to be born at home”

I also spoke to Jodie’s mum Nat, about how she felt about the sequence of events, and on reflection Nat said “it takes 12 minutes from my house to Jodie’s, I thought, Ok, I just have to be around, I can do that” “I wish I had more time to prepare, blankets, towels, etc for the baby, it all happened to quickly, I didn’t even have enough time to take my coat off”. “Jodie was wonderful”, when I think about it now, I can smile, but at the time I just couldn’t believe it”. “It was good to have a glass of red and collect my thoughts after they had all gone to the Birth Centre” “thank goodness the girls slept through it all”.

Jodie’s birth reminds us of how important mental attitude is to the birthing experience. When women trust their bodies and the natural process of birth they are intuitive and sensitive to the process of birth. Women intuitively squat, or lie down in a quiet place and spontaneously push. Jodie believes that the birthing process is normal and that all will be well.

Congratulations Jodie for allowing Samuel to be born in the way he wanted to be born.



“Just as a woman’s heart knows how and when to pump her lungs to inhale and her hand to pull back from fire, so she knows when and how to give birth” Virginia Di Orio

Issues of CONSENT! When is a consent valid?

"THE lesbian mothers of IVF twin girls have lost a legal bid to sue their doctor for the cost of raising one of the toddlers."

Issues surrounding consent are always interesting. As you are aware there are many forms of consent, verbal, implied and written. Off course we expect that clients are informed about the procedure therefore have "informed" consent. However the notion of informed" is open to interpretation.
The above case was reported in the Sun Herald today:
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24070929-661,00.html.
A lesbian couple lost their case against an obstetrician when he implanted two embryos instead of one. They also complained of loss of love within their relationship due to the increase in family due to having two babies instead of one. Now we all do know that the chances of multiply pregnancies are greater in IVF when you implant more than one egg - it would be interesting to know if this couple were aware of that. However it was stated that

the birth mother only told him she wanted one embryo minutes before she was sedated, after previously signing a form consenting for up to two embryos to be implanted.

Does this mean that the obstetrician should have postponed the procedure until he was sure what his client wanted? or that the written consent was more valid than the spoken word?

The couple said it was Dr Armellin's responsibility to ensure his patients wishes were carried out during the operation

The case, before Justice Annabelle Bennett, sparked nationwide condemnation of the women in the media.
The mothers issued a statement during the civil proceedings arguing the case had nothing to do with their feelings towards their daughters, but with Dr Armellin's failure to comply with their wishes....

The ACT Supreme Court today ruled in favour of Dr Armellin, and ordered the couple, who live in Melbourne, to pay his legal costs

I think this case involved several issues: that is, it was blurred due to it being a lesbian couple, and the perception that the couple were suing because they were unhappy about the second baby. The real issue here for me was of CONSENT, the woman changed her mind at the last minute and was ignored, she said "I only want one egg inserted" the rest is a red hearing!
It will be interesting to read the full judgement, what do you think?

Audrey - Is our Health System failing us?

Audrey is my sister-in-law, my husband’s sister. Audrey looked after our house and pets whilst we were on holidays. Unfortunately 10 days before we were due home, Audrey had a serious car accident as she was leaving our house for a day out. It was a case of car verses bus, needless to say the bus won. Audrey sustained serious injuries which included a compound facture of her left ankle, actually shattered ankle, and a dislocated and fractured left wrist together with multiple bruising. She was treated in a trauma unit in a major hospital. We were notified of her accident as well as her other siblings whilst in the UK. It is very difficult when you are overseas trying to obtain information about a loved one in such a condition. However after several days of concern, Audrey was recovering, she is lucky to be alive.


Audrey won’t mind me saying she is 72 years old; however she does object when I call her old, so I won’t say she is old. I asked Audrey to smile for the photo as I was going to put it on the blog, and I can not have a sad sack on. However you can imagine this is very distressing to anyone let alone a 72yr old who really has not been sick and is in generally good health and self sufficient. This sort of accident would rock you to your boots.
Audrey was told that she would have months of rehabilitation and would not be able to walk for at least 3mths. This strong self sufficient woman has now been told that she will be staying in hospital and relying on the system until she is well. This is a lot to take in. So now what do we do, we move her from the trauma unit to a regional hospital, I hear you saying what’s wrong with that? Ok you discuss it first and then make a plan and notify the family and then move. No this is not what happened to Audrey, someone came into the room packed up her things, put her on a stretcher and transferred her, just like that. Audrey arrived at the regional hospital traumatised, upset, crying and nervous. The staff were wonderful, reassured her, comforted her and called her daughters who were very upset to see their mother so upset and in pain.
Was this necessary? What adverse effects will this have on Audrey’s recovery?
Audrey settles, her family are about 20 mins away and have organised a roster system to provide constant support for their mother. She begins to recover much quicker and feels that her support network is in place.
Then several days later she is told she is moving and is moved that afternoon, very much the same way as before, no warning to a hospital that is now 45 mins away from her family and they can only visit in the afternoon. Audrey’s mood drops; she feels isolated, lonely, away from her family and shares a room with three other women whose needs are greater than hers. When she rings the bell it may take the staff 15mins before they answer, that’s enough time to wet yourself especially when you are 72. Goodness I have problems when I need to go without having to hang on for 15 mins and the rest it would take to get the bed pan etc. She feels she is a bother to the staff; she worries about the other patients in the room when they ring the bell and it takes a long time to respond.
Audrey now wants to go home, however unable to care for herself she will be depending on her daughters to help her. Her daughters are more than willing to help, but there is a danger about going home to early.
I am not criticising the staff because they take so long to answer the bell, the criticism is directed towards the government because they are not addressing the issue of workforce shortages that is not enough nursing staff.
Nursing and Midwifery shortages are growing every day, we are hugely understaffed and over worked, and nursing standards are reflecting this because nurses do not have the time to provide quality care as they have too much to do.
Audrey is very aware that the health system is failing her and the nurses of this state, it needs a massive injection of funds and staff.
Patients like Audrey understand that there are staff shortages, but there is no excuse for rudeness and bad nursing.
Take the time to talk to your patients ask why are they upset, don’t just leave them crying or say “you have a broken arm it is meant to be painful” empathy and compassion go a long way. It is all in how you talk to patients, kindly, respectfully and with empathy.
Nursing and Midwifery needs passion, you need to enjoy your work otherwise it reflects in the care that your give your patients / clients.
Smile and the world smiles with you, if you do not like your job then do not do it, find what your passion is and do it, then everyone is happy.

Watford, Hemel Hempstead, London, Surrey:

The Finale

We are on the downward spiral of the holidays; 6 days left for the South of England split between Surrey (Cobham), Watford, Hemel Hempstead & London.
We took a leisurely drive from Bridlington, through Hull, over the Humber Bridge to Lincoln. Stopped at the Lincoln Castle, absorbed some history lit a candle in the Lincoln Cathedral and had a late lunch at the local pub. Then it was on the road again heading for Luton - we were going to call in on a friend Laura and her family. Laura and I did our midwifery together, at Hertfordshire. Laura works as an independent Midwife and is also a supervisor of midwifery. It was great to see her again; it was like old times except now she has three lovely boys instead of just one. We had a great afternoon tea now it was time to brave the traffic on the A1 to Surrey.

How could I forget the traffic on the M25, nothing much changes, congestion galore, needless to say took us several hours to get to Cobham.

It was like going home, visiting Watford & Hemel Hempstead. After all I had spent 6 years working and living there. I visited my old hospital Watford General, nothing seemed to changed, it just looked busier.



Helena - Community & Homebirth mentor, Mary - Labour & Birth suite mentor: both tremendous midwives, thank you.

We had a great evening in Hemel Hempstead with my old crew from Watford, the mad midwives. It was a tremendous evening catching up with friends who were also mentors, supervisors, peers and respected colleagues. It is interesting when you get a group of midwives together how difficult it is not to talk shop, the other interesting point is no matter where in the world you work we all face the same issues, staff shortages, medicalisation of childbirth, poor case management, empowering women, negligence, bullying and over work. This could serve as a reminder that the grass is not always greener on the other side. Happy midwifery, keep on being passionate.


London is just fantastic, I love the hustle and bustle and miss going to Leicester Square & Covent Garden for shows & meals. I enjoyed the 2 days in London immensely.

We went to see The Lion King, it was just brilliant. I would of like to see several more shows however time did not allow this.

The weather was not too kind to us, it was raining, windy and cold on and off for the 2 days we spent in London. I guess that is a reminder of how unpredictable the English summer is. Oh I almost forgot how if feels to be a sardine when travelling on the tube how could you forget.
The shopping is just out of this world you are spoiled for choice – there is a down side to all this, it is so expensive and crowed you have to queue for everything. The atmosphere in the city was buzzing. Harrods is arguably the most exclusive retail store, five floors of just exquisite shopping – I was tempted with a pair of Gucci shoes on sale at £185.00 however I had already purchased a few pairs elsewhere and had to think about luggage. There was also a Christian Dior handbag @ £7,500.00 - I could not justify this to myself or my husband so alas did not buy it. We did buy all the grandchildren and I Harrods Bears, and Ian got some golf balls and a hand towel. We bought our lunch from the Harrods deli section and had it in Hyde Park.

.

Whilst we have been travelling we have used the city tours the - double Decker buses, they are well worth it as you get to see everything and you are able to jump on and off at any point, its not a bad way to see the city and it is valid for 24hrs.
Its time to go home the holiday is coming to a close; we have had a fantastic time its now time to squash all the shopping into our suitcases and make the long journey home. A flight I am not looking forward to. Ciao till next time.

Yorkshire land of the White rose

York City & York Cathedral

The York Castle:

Yorkshire Dales:

Yorkshire – Castleford – Leeds – Scarborough – Bridlington – York – Whitby – Skirlington markets – The Hornsea Mere –Freeport shopping Centre - North Yorkshire moors – Thornton–Le-Dale The hole of Horcum- – Goathland – Aidensfield – Rosedale Abbey - Lastingham– Pickering (poppies) – Hunmanby – Hull

Bempton

Yorkshire is a really beautiful area, this trip we have managed to see a vast majority of it, you could say we have been up and down the dales.

Ian’s family in the UK: – Beatrice, Norma, Audrey (Australia) Jim and Liz,
their ages range from 75 to 58. They have all been wonderful, warm, loving and inviting. The hardest thing is to say goodbye. It has been good for Kirsten to learn about her family history meeting them all, and to see Yorkshire and England.


Living in Scarborough is Beatrice, the eldest sister with 2 daughters Sharon (Aust) and Bronwyn married to Chaz. Beat has 6 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild – I would describe Beatie as kind-hearted, gentle conservative and a traditionalist wanting nothing more than to have a quiet life and her family around her.
Bronwyn and Chaz also live in Scarborough; they live in a flat over looking Scarborough absolutely wonderful, their home is warm and inviting however you do have to climb 70 stairs (4 flights). Bronnie is very much the quirky, alternative artistic type, gifted in whatever she turns her hand to. Chaz is also artistic with the camera and he runs a stall in the local market as well as an Internet business.


Norma and Harry live in Castleford and are celebrating 52 years of marriage; they have 2 sons and 1 grandchild. Norma is the most outgoing of the sisters; she is exuberant, energetic, boisterous and loveable, however 2 hip replacements have slowed her down. She is a great driver despite Harry driving her nuts in the car. Harry has a wicked wit and is as sharp as a tack, nothing passes him, you could never get the better of him; he is a mind of information. Want to know anything just ask Harry.

Liz & Jo

Liz and Brian live in Bridlington – Brian works in Saudi I never got to meet him as he was away at work, they have 8 children – yes 8, all I can say is thank God they are all grown up. Liz is delightful, quiet, unassuming and thoughtful. We met her daughter Linda who is sociable, friendly, open & loud and a fantastic cook.
Jo and John, are Ian’s cousin (well Jo is) and they live near Liz & Brian in Bempton, what a fantastic couple warm friendly and welcoming, we had our only UK BBQ at Jo and John’s, great barbie but nothing like our Aussie ones.

The Manor & garden: Poppy the dog: Jim, Bibot, Ian, Kirsten

Jim is the older brother to Liz and Ian and is married to Bibot. They live in Cobham Surrey on a Manor Estate in a quaint cottage. It is a picturesque area. Bibot is a quiet friendly Filipino who is working as a domestic / companion for the Lady of the Mannor. Jim is quite the conservative, Victorian man and he likes a good argument, he would do anything for you if he could. It is good to see that Jim has found his green fingers; he has vegetable garden growing, potatoes, cucumbers and various herbs. Bibot has turned her hand to cooking and has become quite the country chef. They both seem very happy and content here. It has been great to stay with them and enjoy their company.

Whitby a great seaside town.
Thornton-Le-Dale, a beautiful place so quaint and the best fish and chips I've had.
playing in the Poppy fields

Home to Perth 13 July 2008