I don’t know if the reason Aussies get hit so hard with the common cold here in the UK is if it’s because we have it so good back home – clean air, lots of sunshine, minimal population, first rate technology, etc – and our bodies just can’t cope with squirmishness of this big city.

Whatever the reason, you can expect to get hit with a terrible cold at least twice a year over here that lasts well over 2-4 weeks in duration. The silly suckers zap every bit of energy from you putting you into a lethargic stupor.

I’m now battling my 3rd week in and have finally developed to the coughing stage. So instead of being able to enjoy the public transport experience like normal, I get the evil eye when sputtering my germs on everyone else. But there is no way that you can avoid getting out and about. You can’t just sit in bed forever.

I’m just super glad that I’ve got sick now. I’ve been waiting since October last year and I was dreading the thought of getting my cold during our time back home for the wedding/honeymoon.

Arriving home after 5 hours in transit on Sunday I was greeted with a package from the Steels. It’s always exciting to receive a package from them as it’s usually something fun to play with or read or sometimes it’s some yummy cherry ripes.

After freaking out at the postage costs, my eyes moved down to customs declaration tag which declared the inside goods to be chocolate. My stomach started gurgling and my mind started dreaming of the cherry goodness that I would soon be eating. However something wasn’t quite right. The packet contents didn’t feel like bars of red gooey coconut goodness and I decided that I couldn’t open the package until Michelle got home so I had to patiently wait before I could know what I received.

Finally, a few hours later, Michelle arrived home and the package was opened. Oh my goodness. If I can’t have cherry ripes then I must have these. With Easter approaching Cadbury’s put out those tiny little solid golden eggs of sunshine. These are my most favourite of all Easter eggs and you just can’t get them over here.

So a big, big, massive thankyou to Ray and Maree for sending these over. You really made my day.

Last Friday 8 of us departed from our respective homes on a lad’s adventure weekend to Amsterdam. The city has hosted many groups like us before but it still managed to put on a big show just for us.

Pat, Karl, Nathan, Matt and myself flew over as team A and met Andrew – who flew in from Oslo – at the airport where we had our first (of many) pints of Heineken. We then made our way into the city, found our delightful hotel and checked in before meeting up with the final two stragglers, Dave and Damian. From here on in, it starts to become a blur.

First thing on the list, was to take a Heineken beer factory group tour. 10 euros gets you entry, 3 half pints (250mls) and a Heinekin glass.
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Unlike many brides-to-be, I haven’t been caught up in some of the usual pre-wedding activities like madly losing weight, growing my hair or getting skin treatments.

However, this week I jumped on the bandwagon and decided that in time for the wedding I’m going to GET ME SOME FINGERNAILS! I’ve always suffered nails of the thin, weak, peeling, splitting variety and just end up chopping them short. And I thought it might be a bit controversial to ask my bridesmaids to cut theirs right down so mine don’t look so terrible in comparison!

My plan so far has involved nail hardener, hand and nail cream and even some Super Nails Formula from the health food shop. I’ve also tried to take on board my hairdresser’s advice for filing and caring for them properly.

So, fingers crossed. Unless that’s bad for my nails??