It starts today!

What you ask!  12 weeks of careful eating, no alcohol and a damn sight more exercise - that's what.  The lovely Briony is putting me to shame with the effort she's putting in to getting in shape and feeling good before her trip.  I've been doing a bit of thinking over the past week or so and I've had a lovely break in Melbourne.  It's 14 weeks till we leave for our US trip and just over 12 till my birthday.  I know from previous experience that I'm really an all or nothing kind of a girl when I'm serious about dropping some kilos and I also know that it really needs to involve a distinct lack of alcohol.  So the pledge is on as of this morning.

We'd a wonderful time in Melbourne - weather wasn't too bad - a bit cool yesterday but nowhere near as cold as I thought it would be.  We caught up with Clive on Thursday afternoon which was fantastic - he's looking great - spends a lot of time in the gym while he's in Korea - as there's not much else to do - so has a marvellous set of shoulders on him!  Thurday night we went to dinner at No 35 - this was a beautiful restaurant - the veiws were amazing - I've tried to capture but it's a bit hard at night inside glass.  The food was delish too - I had salmon as an entree - pic below and John Dory as a main - forgot to take a pic of it.  Then we headed to Her Majesty's to see Dr Zhivago - just magnificent - such a powerful poignant story and the music and singing was outstanding - I still get goosebumps thinking about the power of the voices - Anthony Warlow was first class.

Friday we had a bit of a wander round the shops in the city then headed out to Bridge Road - I didn't go too crazy -( after all I bought a diamond earlier in the week - more about that later) but I got a couple of tops - one Cordelia Street - I really like her stuff.  Then we headed back to the city again and caught up with a former work colleague who lives in Melbourne.  So we met up in Fed Square and had a drink and talked a lot!!  Then it was back to the hotel and got ready to meet up with Clive and Jo (his girlfriend of the last year who we hadn't been able to meet yet).  The plan was that they would come to our hotel and we'd have a drink in the bar there then head for dinner at the Atlantic, over in the Crowne Casino.  However we hadn't reckoned on the footy which was on at the MCG - and we were staying at the Hilton on the Park right across the road from the MCG.  The traffic was horrendous and eventually after a few calls and texts, Bloss and I ran out from the hotel and crossed the road and hopped in the back of the car as they were inching slowly in the traffic.  We had an amazing seafood dinner at the Atlantic and a really fun night with Clive and Jo - she's just perfect and they seem very happy together. 

Yesterday we went to the Queen Victoria markets in the morning then did the city circle on the tram - such a nice way to see what's happening around the place, then it was time to head back to the hotel, collect our gear and head back to the airport.  We got back into Rockhampton around 7.30pm last night and home just after  nine.  What a lovely break!

Now about the diamond - some of you may remember that I bought one last year - we get the opportunity as Rio Tinto employees to buy them at wholesale prices.  So this year I bought one almost identical to last year's - just a bit bigger.  I absolutely adore the light coloured champagne diamonds - which coincidentally are considerably less expensive then the white or pink ones.  Anyway I got a C2 - the second lightest shade and it's about three quarters of a carat (last year's one was half a carat) and I'm going to get it made into a pendant.  I've found the design I like so just need to go and have a chat with my jeweller - the same one who made my ring for me last year.

So that' this weeks goss.  I'm off to be super good - going out for lunch today - but I'm already in the right mindset - mineral water for me!  Have a great week folks.

Love Zxx

Maw and her boy!

View from our room of the MCG

The view of the city from No 35

My salmon - served on the lawn!

Shopping in town - love the deciduous trees

The fascinating skyline with ominous clouds

Bloss and I out for dinner with Clive and Jo

Clive and Jo

Heading home as the sun sets