Amanda Prowse's Blog, page 3

Portuguesebabble Week Thirty-Six

Okay, apologies in advance for the prolific use of the F word in this blog, the word we don’t use in front of the children and some of our more sensitive friends – FAT. That was just the first; there will be more to follow. Anyone of a delicate disposition when it comes to talking about being FAT, those who prefer ‘Big Boned’, ‘Well Built’ or simply disguise the topic by talking about ‘lovely faces’ and ‘it’s what’s inside that counts’ can look away now and incidentally what’s inside if there is FAT outside, is FAT!

And incidentally why are we comfortable prodding our friends and telling them they are so skinny? so slim? Why is that okay if telling them they are fat isn’t?

Let me if I may go back to New Year’s Eve 2013, approximately three weeks ago. I was in Hong Kong airport with my family after an eight-hour drive and a thirteen-hour flight and was preparing for the next leg of our journey. I thought I was preparing for my trip to the UK, but it was to be the beginning of a much bigger, longer, tougher and more fulfilling journey that even I could imagine (and if I do say so myself, I’m fairly good at coming up with them!)

My family of three big blokes (one husband and two sons) took a table at Pizza Express and we ordered 4 large pizzas, which were tucked into with gusto and were delish! I was half way through mine, when I remembered taking our boys, when they were small to Pizza Express in London and the three of them ordered a pizza each and I did what I usually did, just had a coffee and a slice from my husband’s plate…

I sat at the table on NYEve and realised that I could now match them bite for bite, portion for portion and without their tall, muscular frames and hectic exercise regime (I have one rower and one runner!) I had become FAT. For the last couple of years, people have been telling me to dress to ‘flatter my shape’ or ‘how to make the most of my hair and face’ and I honestly wish someone had had the courage to tell me what I needed confirming, that I was FAT. It might have garnered me into action sooner.

Not that I am blaming anyone but myself, it has been me that chose to be greedy and me that chose to sit on the sofa instead of moving my bulk and exercising, me and me alone. I could blame medicine, operations, genetics or my sedentary career and living out of hotels, but I know that even with all these factors taken into consideration it’s been over-eating and under-moving that has brought me to my present shape. And believe me, this is not project vanity, but project future health, if there is FAT I can see, what’s going on on the inside? I hate to think.

SO – 2014 is the year of reclaiming me! I will get back to the woman who modelled jeans and toothpaste (not at the same time!) the woman who felt confident and sexy. I am eating healthily and exercising for the first time in years and I already feel better. My goal is to be a little bit fitter and trimmer than I was yesterday – every day. I shall keep you up to date with my progress.

My publishers have given me a shiny new Facebook page! Whoop whoop! Here’s the link http://t.co/lDbSYEUCCw do stop by and have a LIKE if you get a mo. I’ve been in the beautiful Portuguese mountains this week, hiking up hills and writing my new novel Heaven and Back – I think you’ll like it. It’s moving and a great insight into family life. It is lovely to catch up with Poppy and Martin too, a bit like visiting old friends. I have a new short story coming out this week – Ten Pound Ticket – here’s the link if you fancy a gander http://amzn.to/1fMTiYZ Happy reading!

Finally I would like to say that even the hardest of trials is made easy when you have a good friend by your side. And this has been particularly true this week – so to my great mates I say a big THANK YOU!

Love and Luck people, Love and luck.

Mandy x

©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084

Portuguesebabble Week Thirty-Five

Bom dia! I write from the foot of a misty mountain where the sun is creeping from behind its black curtain and birds are singing while the odd late star lingers, it is quite beautiful… But let me rewind to last Sunday, which feels like a month away.

Me packed, hair done, make-up on, meals in freezer, kids hugged, the Major prepped, tickets in hand, passport… with the solicitor in another city! Apologies if you heard me swearing – I did shout rather a lot. After much phonecalling/couriering/emailing and crying, managed to get the pesky document back in my mits and hit Heathrow at the crack of a Sparrows fart to arrive in Portugal!

Now, the Portugal of my mind is Albufeira and it’s sister towns, this place however is another world. A couple of hours outside Lisbon, I am steeped in forests, mountains, crystal flowing rivers, white-washed villages perched on the edges of vast lakes. It is simply stunning.

And I was very glad to arrive. My first hour in Lisbon, I spent locked in a men’s toilet. Having jumped off the plane and desperate (you know what I’m talking about ladies!) I ran along a corridor and into what I thought was the ladies. It was only when I was in the cubicle and men started coming in to use the unacknowledged urinals that I realised my error!

I was too scared to come out as men kept coming in, darn those airplane loos! So I cowered and waited until I heard, with great relief, the swish of a mop against a metal bucket. I knocked gently and started with ‘err…hello…?’ the response was a gabble of Portuguese, which roughly translates as ‘what are you doing, idiot? This is the men’s loo!’ to which I could only knock on the door in reply. Eventually, Benedito, my knight with a shining bucket, blocked the door and allowed me to make my hasty, awkward exit, ‘Obrigado Benedito!’

I have found a haven where I can walk up mountains in the morning and write my latest novel in the afternoon. I am also on the fitness trail! But more about that next week. With every laboured step I take I picture a fat cell going pop and disappearing – hey, it works for me! This is all part of my quest to be trimmer and fitter. I am not going crazy at it, but have set myself the goal of being in better shape than I was yesterday, every day. I feel good and amen to that!

Despite being away, I am keeping a cheeky eye on t’internet and am delighted to see A Little Love break the Kindle top 10! http://amzn.to/1dbvQ3T Wooohoooo! Thank you so very much to everyone that has read it, I am over the moon! It’s been quite a week; the paperback edition of Clover’s Child is out this week too and is flying off the shelves, so again, a massive thank you! I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. http://bit.ly/1huguZt – here’s a blog about Clover’s Child I wrote for Hive x

Right off to slip into my walking boots and get going, those fat cells won’t pop themselves you know!

Have a wonderful week, think healthy and my top tip is; don’t let your old man near your passport!

Laugh lots,

Mandy x

Amandababble Week Thirty-Four

Is there anyone left in the UK that doesn’t have a cold, the flu or a shivery snotty bug? If yes, please be my friend as everyone else I have encountered in the last seven days has been spluttering at me with a huge, red nose, swollen eyes and the energy level of a sloth! And I really don’t want to catch it!

Well and truly back in the swing of things here, I frowned at three people, stood silently in a very long queue and am wearing so many layers I can’t stretch my arms above my head because it’s so c…c…c… cold!

The boys went back to school this week and yes, I cried. I can’t help it. It’s just that we have spent the most marvellous month or so with them and I knew that when they went back to school that was truly the end of this part of our adventure. I MISS them so much, even though they don’t seem remotely fussed about not seeing me.

I think my favourite conversation went like this,

‘I’m going to miss you next week.’

‘Mmmnn.’

‘If you need anything at all, Dad’s around even though I’m working.’

‘Mmmnn.’

‘I have honestly loved your company this last month. Thank you for being you. I’m so proud of you. We’ve had a blast haven’t we?’

After ten seconds of silence,

‘Sorry did you say something, I had my earphones in. Oh and if you are going out, can you get me some new pants?’

I trundled back to the kitchen.

I am in the grip of my latest novel, I think about it constantly, wake up in the wee small hours to scribble notes on it and write it obsessively during the day. I am lost in the story and am loving it! It’s called Heaven and Back, I think I’m allowed to say that, if I’m not, then scratch that last sentence.

I am delighted to see ‘A Little Love’ climbing up the charts, for all those who have read it, THANK YOU and for all those who have read it and reviewed it THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH! Here’s the link for anyone that wants to check out the reviews http://amzn.to/1dbvQ3T and I noticed Pru Plum now has her own Twitter account @PruPlum – if anyone wants to see what she’s up to.

The biggest thrill of all is having What Have I Done? as one of Amazon’s books of the year 2013. I still can’t believe it, what an incredible thing. http://amzn.to/1eMCzV7 I am amazed and delighted that its still riding high in the charts and causing such a stir nearly 12 months after its release – it is beyond my wildest dreams.

So this evening I am packing and hitting the road again tomorrow. I will keep you posted as to my adventures, but happily I am not going alone, can’t give too much away, but will post pics this week to keep you amused!

My travel plans for the year ahead are exciting and daunting in equal measure. My calendar is already chocka. I shall be in Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Bermuda, Jersey, Ireland and Salcombe and not necessarily in that order, where I will be promoting new books and doing telly bits and pieces, so a very busy time.

Right off to dust off my passport and give my travel towel a rinse – one last night in my own bed and off I go.

Sending you love and warmth from my cosy little armchair and wishing that maybe I could just stay here, in my house, with my family for a little while longer…

Mandy xx

©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084

Amandababble Week Thirty-Three

I’m in ENGLAND!!!!! Yes, I am at my mum’s where the wind is blowing and the rain is lashing the house. We have flood and tide surge warnings in place and the ground is muddy and the air bl**dy freezing! The boiler is on the blink, the traffic horrendous, telly is rubbish and I have a laundry mountain that resembles Everest (without the frozen sick) BUT I am so so happy to be here!

Like a favourite chipped mug, a warm jumper with a hole in it or an old pillow with a dent where your head lies, this country is far from perfect but it’s my country and I LOVE IT!

I walked into the local shop this morning to get some milk and was greeted with this,

‘Mawnin’ Mand.’

‘Ah, morning Mrs H, how are you?’

‘yep, fine thanks my lover, you okay today?’

‘Yes, thank you, I’ve been away!’

‘‘Ave you? What f’the weekend?’

I haven’t set foot inside that shop for nearly five months! This is what is ace about the West Country.

Funny to think that a couple of days ago we were in New Zealand, which I thought was stunning and majestic, rolling green hills and winding roads with mountains on one side and the sea on the other, spectacular! And some places so remote and isolated. I think my son summed it up, when we passed through one particularly deserted town, there wasn’t a soul in sight, no cars, no shop open, a couple of garages with broken neon and a stray dog.  I looked at my watch and asked, ‘what time is it?’ My son looked at his and repelled, ‘I think its 1953!’  It made me laugh and felt blissfully stress free. Every Kiwi I met was friendly, welcoming and warm and all that space! Wow!

It was so so wonderful to spend time with the boys and it made me realise how very much I have missed their company. They are a constant wonder to me. We have laughed and laughed. I look at these tall, confident young men and feel a surge of pride and love for them every time. I am so very blessed.

Work-wise it was a very successful trip, every bookshop I went into had big Amanda Prowse displays and that was surreal, but wonderful to see.

The journey home was horrible! An 8 hour drive to Auckland airport then a 13 hour flight to Hong Kong, 4 hours waiting at HK followed by another 13 hour flight to London. We picked up a hire car, drove to my parents house in Bristol in howling gales and rain, to find we were locked out of the house – no keys! And my parents were with my brother in London. A nightmare. I sat in the car and cried with exhaustion, which is never helpful! While the Major and the boys devised a way to break in – we got in eventually. I then shoved a wash load into the machine and tumble-dried it, without realising that the Major’s wallet was in his pocket. I have destroyed all his bankcards, driving license, army I.D etc… I wasn’t very popular!

I have never ever had jet lag this badly. I wake at 4.30am and am zingy with energy and then at 3pm want to sleep. We are all walking around like zombies, fighting the urge to succumb to sleepppzzzzzzz….. What? Oh! Sorry about that, just nudge me if it happens again.

I am bubbling with writing energy and have been tip-tapping away since we got back three days ago; my new novel is taking shape and I LOVE it!

‘A Little Love’ continues to receive fantastic reviews and they are heartfelt. There is no better compliment than reading how someone enjoyed my story, thank you to everyone who has left a review – they mean the world to me.

Boys are back to school next week and after a few days here I will be on my travels again… will keep you posted. I feel like a nomad.

I am going to make a cuppa and watch the street from behind the net curtains upstairs. I shall note the comings and goings of cars and listen to the kids walk by with illicit fags and cans of cider. I shall watch the old lady at the end take her dog for a wee up my mum’s wall and I shall listen to the leaves rustling on the branches in the wind. The rain will run in a gully along the kerb, clogged with litter and I shall feel at peace because I am home. Home. If there is anywhere nicer, I am yet to find it.

Stay warm and dry.

Mandy xx

©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084

Kiwibabble Week Thirty-Two

Phwuff… lots of travelling since my fingers last danced over the keyboard to deliver some babble!

Sitting here trying to remember where I’ve been… ah yes. Started in Auckland and then made our way up to the glorious Bay of Islands, which is absolutely stunning. I spent the entire journey repeating ‘Ooh look over there, isn’t that lovely!’ Or‘ooh look, water and a mountain, how lovely!’ The Major started nodding even though he clearly wasn’t listening and the boys plugged themselves into their iThings and I was quite ignored. I’m used to it and with Billy Ocean in the CD player (not literally you understand) all was right in my world.

We stayed in a lovely waterfront house which was glass, open plan and had an enormous deck (…bit of advice, don’t listen to a kiwi saying that last phrase, it might, as it did me, render you incoherent of speech and bladder control. Juvenile, I know) It was a different kind of Christmas; we fished off the deck and walked around the deserted marina. Some things were quite traditional, the kids prodded the bird I’d laboured over and asked ‘what IS this?’ with an expression of genuine intrigue. My veg was over cooked and I forgot to serve pud. The men of the house then drooled, snoozed and farted through Dr Who while I loaded the dishwasher and cling wrapped all the leftovers. Some aspects of Christmas remain the same whichever side of the world you are on!

I met a lovely lady who owns a hotel that we stayed at who presented me a copy of What Have I Done? for signing, it was quite surreal – I think it always will be. We are currently in Palmerston North, with family and preparing for a wedding tomorrow – much excitement!  Mooching around the shops earlier today, I saw a display of my novels in a Paper Plus store and I stared at them until I was nudged out of the way by a trolley-toting octogenarian. I stood there thinking, I’m in this little town in New Zealand and people are buying my books! It happened in Australia too, it is the most incredible feeling. Makes me feel lucky and blessed and gob-smacked all in one go.

Can I say a huge thank you to everyone who has left a review for A Little Love – http://amzn.to/1fNmriz they are stunning and I am so so grateful!

Time here is coming to an end, but fear not Antipodes, I am returning at the end of February! Just enough time to head back to the UK and sit and have a cuppa with my friends and family and I think my best friend and I might be starting the New Year with a bit of an adventure! Watch this space…

I would like to leave you with this tender moment. My son and I were sitting outside on Christmas Eve, staring up at the stars and enjoying a glass of plonk. I reached out and squeezed his hand and said to my hairybeermonster/man-child,

‘Do you know love, it doesn’t matter where I am in the world, a piece of my heart is always with you. I love you and I always have, always will.’

He released his hand, looked at me, coughed and replied, ‘I feel the same, Mum…about my PS4.’

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, think I did both and then topped up my glass and sent him to bed.

Baby… baby… love really hurts without you.

Nearly 2014 – how did that happen? It’s been quite a year. I always feel a rush of excitement at this time of year, the wonderful possibilities of what might lie in the year ahead.

I would like to wish Laura and Ben (as of tomorrow – the NEW Mr and Mrs Smith!) every single drop of happiness for the future, may all your dreams come true…

Mandy x

©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084

Kiwibabble Week Thirty-One

We have left the shores of Australia and have made our way to New Zealand! Kia Ora!

On our last day in Queensland the boys decided to fill their time sensibly. How, I hear you ask? A trip to the Great Barrier Reef? Crocodile Tour? A BBQ? No, they opted for the more traditional past time of seeing what objects they could throw into the ceiling fan for best effect and then rated it in terms of potential injury, distance travelled… you get the idea.

They were apoplectic with laughter as they hurled sponges, pants, a bouncy ball etc into the whizzing blades and then watched as it fired off and hit either the wall, the furniture or for the most points and biggest laughs, each other or me. I give up.

A few years ago, The Major decided to invest in a set of luggage, we were beyond embarrassed at pitching up at places holding tatty bags for life crammed with our possessions! He invested in a set of cases that proudly display the union flag on one side, fine if you are on a hen weekend in Majorca, but going through Australian airports when you’ve lost the cricket? Not such a good idea.

These cases cost fifty quid… for 8! So as you can guess, fab quality they aint. On their first outing some of my wheels fell off (no comments please!) and now its part of our travelling ritual, to see who can get through each trip without losing all their wheels! I am down to one, The Major has 2 and the boys are fairly intact (suitcase wise, mentally and physically I can’t vouch).  We ‘accidentally’ went to the wrong terminal when we left Australia, now we don’t apportion blame in our house but if we did it was HIS fault. We then had to drag our bags in the blistering mid day sun on a 20 minute jaunt – how I laughed, navigating croc filled swamps whilst dragging all I own in the world in my crappy suitcase! We lost of 3 wheels between us, a sad day indeed.

All good humour was restored when we boarded our Air New Zealand flight and watched the safety video; done in the style of the Hobbit with an appearance from Peter Jackson – it was brilliant! And the first one I’ve ever seen that held everyone’s attention.

I have been working in Auckland and meeting with my publishers, Harper Collins, who are really great and have some good ideas for next year and my books here in New Zealand – watch this space.

We headed out of Auckland in our hire car and I had one of the best days. One of those where you know you are making good memories and laugh a lot. The funniest moment was when after navigating the city and driving for an hour, I remembered that I had left a large proportion of our clothes in the tumble dryer of our hotel – MY fault! So we did a U’y and went all the way back again… ha!

We were soon on our way and I felt quite tearful, reminding myself of how much I’d missed the boys when I was in Bermuda. To chat in the car, argue over music, laugh at a cow that was perched on top of a little mound as if to say,  ‘I am Queen of the hill!’ and stop at a mountain top café for good coffee and bacon sarnies, was absolute bliss. The road wound away and the views became more spectacular, very much like North Wales or the Highlands.

We are now in Northlands, staying on the Tutukaka coast, home of the Maori Ngatiwai Tribe, the whole area is simply stunning. Incredible beaches like Matapouri Bay and Whale Bay fringed with dense forest that can look quite European until you see the smattering of palm trees and tropical fronds that pepper the growth, reminding you that this is a sub-tropical environment. It’s beautiful and Kiwi’s are awesome. Warm, friendly and like a good natter – I feel very at home.

The boys are always very excited when they travel in a lift, I know I know, they don’t get out much and one of their more irritating games is to see who can press the most buttons so we stop on EVERY floor – it drive me nuts. Yesterday they pushed me out of the lift (this is quite a common occurrence) on floor 3. I raced to the ground floor, only to find a very large Samoan man waiting for the lift, he was huge! We chatted, I smiled, he smiled, but I smiled more, as I knew what was about to happen. Sure enough, the lift doors opened and my boys expecting to find me shouting and finger waving, half mooned and pulled faces. Only it wasn’t me that got the brunt of their antics, but my statuesque Samoan friend. They looked up and were literally rooted to the spot.  Serves them right!

They are diving today at the sacred Poor Knights Islands. I am having a day alone, writing my latest novel ‘Heaven and Back’ and am totally loving it.

It’s a good job that Tutukaka has so much to hold everyone’s interest, as sadly, there are no ceiling fans here.

We are exploring for a few days, so much to see and then we hit the Bay of Islands where we shall spend Christmas. We have a house on the water and will fish off a deck and cook what we catch. Hope it’s not a boot and a shopping trolley, might need more coal! I miss my family. I miss my friends.

I want wish you a very Merry Christmas. May you have rest and joy. I also wanted to say a huge THANK YOU for all of your support and good wishes. A Little Love has already got some incredible reviews for which I am very very grateful, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Sending you love and luck from New Zealand.

Happy Christmas.

Mandy xx

©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084

Australiababble Week Thirty

Well, if I manage to get this written and sent before my internet connection fades it will be a small miracle…

I write from our apartment looking at mist shrouded mountains, covered in dense jungle, as my youngest pointed out, as we flew over, ‘It looks like a forest of broccoli!’ sweet? He’s seventeen!

I am in deepest Queensland, which is very jungly, very hot, humid and full of signs telling me that imminent death lurks around every corner. I have been warned of snappy crocodiles, nippy spiders and killer fish! On one particular trek, I was warned that I was in crocodile territory and I swear that the longer I stared at the grey, muddy pits over which I trod, the more I spotted several pairs of staring eyes, hovering on the surface.  Thank goodness for Tena lady, nuff said.

The boys have a new hobby – taking every opportunity to throw sticks, leaves and bits of rubbish at me before shouting ‘Snake!’ or ‘Spider!’ apparently my deafening shriek and dancing on the spot as I dive for cover is HILARIOUS. Bless them.  Don’t worry folks I am plotting my revenge. I shall keep you posted.

They are learning to dive this week and are out on the ocean with the Major. I am using the time after the hectic schedule of Sydney to write. I am in full flow; tip tapping for up to ten hours a day on my new novel Heaven and Back. I can barely go a chapter without sobbing – you have been warned! Think I should partner with Kleenex?

My stomach is in knots as publication day for ‘A Little Love’ draws closer – it’s always the same, I feel very anxious about how its going to be received and that doesn’t disappear until its been given the once over by you lot. I really like it and I hope you do to!

I am still getting used to the fact that I can walk into a bookshop in Australia and see my books. It is the most surreal thing, I am on the other side of the world from where I have sat in my little lounge, tapping away and there they are – my stories being bought and read in Australia! Phenomenal. I feel the same about seeing them in foreign languages too, but Australia is something very special.

This will be my second Christmas in a row away from home. I was working in New York last year and am already promising that this time next year I will be in the UK – I miss it very much. Have hardly been there this year and I feel very homesick.

I can’t open my mouth over here without someone using the C word – CRICKET! I stand flabbergasted and awkward as I confess I haven’t the first idea about who is playing and what’s going on, while they bombard me with facts, figures and stats all confirming how shite we are, apparently! I’ve tried to ask for things in a vaguely German or French accent, to no avail. They STILL want to talk to me about how crap the Brits are at Cricket! I give up.

Right – not sure how much time I have left before the man in the next apartment realises that I am stealing his Wi-Fi or the connection breaks… again.

If I get arrested, please send a cake with a large file in it and tell my mum I’m sorry.

Hope all is good with you and from the other side of the world, I send you A Little Love…

Mandy xxx

 

©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084

Australiababble Week Twenty-Nine

So, this time last week I’m standing in the lounge in my pyjamas with the ironing board and a mountain of clean but crumpled laundry filling the room. The kids were on the computer thingy, demanding bacon and the major was ankle deep in paperwork, just a normal Sunday really, only it wasn’t. For we were off to AUSTRALIA!!!

Beyond excited and more than a little apprehensive. All those hours on a plane? Really? I planned a strategy that involved movie watching and lots of wine.

I am ashamed to admit to an appalling level of ignorance when it comes to Oz. Every image I had in my head was conjured from the stereotypical and clichéd. Barbeques – Beaches – Dame Edna (who I think would make a superb monarch when the queen abdicates) – Cricket (not that we will be mentioning THAT!) – Rugby (or THAT either!) – Koalas – Shane Warne’s forehead – Ayers Rock and of course the pocket sized beauty that is Kylie.

Don’t judge me. I grew up in inner city London in a large, chaotic family and our idea of a holiday was a sticky fingered fish and chip suppers in our coats and scarves while sitting on the wall at Southend-On-Sea, followed by a night, still in our coats and scarves, in me nan’s dripping caravan. Yes, it’s was as glamorous as it sounds. Now since I’ve been a grown up, a fact that I don’t like to admit, I have of course done a bit, The West Indies, Europe, The US of A and of course my beloved Bermuda. But the other side of the world?? Not until now.

Geography is not my strong point; in fact other than writing books, I have very few talents of note. A friend of ours was moving to Oz, Cairns to be specific and I sent his details to an acquaintance in Sydney, suggesting it might be nice to hook up for a coffee to make him feel welcome… My friend in Sydney replied by sending me a map with two big fat red X’s on it, showing that coffee was highly unlikely as they weren’t even in the same time zone! Who knew?

I knew there was a beach in Sydney, which simultaneously filled me with dread and excitement. In most lights, I am more Rebel Wilson than Elle Macpherson.

So here we are, one week later and I’m in Sydney!!!! Wooohooo! I actually have no concept of day or time, but it doesn’t matter – I made it and after my initial few days of exploring I am love with this city! I have loved places before and undoubtedly will again, but what I wasn’t prepared for and have rarely experienced, is that Sydney loves me back!

So, what has my first whizz around the city revealed? It’s full beautiful people. Seriously where are all your uglies? Is there an exclusion zone? A curfew? Everywhere I look there are leggy, clear skinned lovelies of both sexes, flashing perfect teeth and looking at peace with the world! In the UK, if 10 is ‘stunner’ I think realistically I hover around the 3 mark – on a good day. But here in Sydney – I’m reduced to a 1-2!

I’ve worked out why everyone is so fit. The Oz coinage is big and heavy, Russell Crowe doesn’t work out, he just carries a lot of cash around, which would do it.

Highlights so far, the Botanical Gardens – stunning, manicured, but with signs inviting me to ‘smell the roses, hug the trees and picnic’ on the immaculate grass. What’s the catch? I have grown up surrounded by signs telling me the exact opposite! I must say as a bit of a rule breaker, it took some of the thrill away.

I’ve strolled along The Finger Wharf, Woolloomooloo – marveling at the shiny yachts in the harbor and watching more beautiful people dining in elegant waterside restaurants.

We lunched at The Andrew (Boy) Charlton pool café, who serve the best thyme-salted fries with aioli and have breakfasted at the Goods on Crown Street where I munched on their delicious home made granola and fresh fruit, washed down with a generous, rich black coffee.

…and then my friends I joined a delightful couple I met from Birmingham UK and a hundred camera bearing Koreans and I stood at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and looked out. The difference was, while they oohed and aahed and snapped away – I flung my arms out cruciform stylee and shouted at the top of my voice,

‘I am in AUSTRALIA!!!!!’ They then started snapping me as I laughed, cried and jumped up and down on the spot, pointing at the bridge and opera house in the distance. Blame it on jet lag, slight hysteria and the fact that I was actually looking at the sights that I have only seen on the TV and at the movies since I was a little girl. It was beautiful.

My new favourite mode of transport? Ferrari? Harley? Nah, I shall whenever possible be travelling by open top bus! They are awesome! And what better way to see a city? We bought 24 hours tickets and went crazy – hopping on and off at will! Some of my favourite stops have been Kings Cross, which does the best day to night make over I have ever seen. If Kings Cross were a woman, she would wear demure clothing and subtle make-up by day, but as soon as the sun goes down, she puts on her red lippy, whips off her bra, dons her heels and dances on the bar! You go girl!

We were exhausted from our day of sight seeing and retired to our fab, very modern apartment in the Surry Hills district, where the boys played happily with the rubbish chute where the novelty of dropping trash that drops 12 floors into a basement shows no sign of waning (it’s the little things…) and we feasted on hot, spicy burritos from Taco Mafia – Elizabeth Street. Handmade and bulging with chargrilled veggies, fresh salsa, rich, creamy guacamole, Mexican rice and a zingy, limey snap with every bite. Delicious!

I also love Darling Harbour – SO much to see and do. We spent a jam packed day that ended at the biggest IMAX in the world… okay so I fell asleep, blame it on the Hunger Games and not the experience!

Sydney has the elegance of Cannes, the majesty of Barcelona, is the foodie heaven of New York, with the pace of Bermuda. It is a city with many faces; each one of them seems to be smiling at me.

I am working next week and am fully acclimatized – excited! My new novel A Little Love is out in ten days!!!! I think you’re going to love it.

Sending love and sunshine.

Mandy x

©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084

Amandababble Week Twenty Eight

This time last week I was in Bermuda and today I am in Bristol and this time next week I shall be in AUSTRALIA!!!!! I literally don’t know what day of the week it is or where I am. Yesterday I fell asleep while writing on the sofa, woke up with a start and didn’t know where I was, the time or what country I was in, it was a horrible feeling.

I have loved being in London and then Wiltshire and then Bristol with the autumn colours, the frosty starts and drinking hot soup with thick socks warming my toes – bliss! And all things that I have missed in Bermuda.

It’s been so great catching up with the boys who seem to have got taller and more fab while I was away – it wasn’t long though until they had me running around making snacks and ferrying drinks up and down the stairs – I’ve LOVED IT!!! I know, I know god help the woman they end up with, I’m ruining them…

I have realized this week that my husband is right – I do have some very funny little habits. We stopped at a service station on the way back from London and I went into the women’s loo and checked every free cubicle before choosing which one to use. I was desperate and yet felt the need to walk along; looking in each one… what was I looking for? A Jacuzzi? Gold plated seat? I realized I always do this. Similarly when I go to the shopping mall I ALWAYS park in 2B so I can say, ‘2b or not 2b?’ this is how I remember where the car is and don’t call the police and say it’s been stolen which I did last year when I had inadvertently parked in 3C!!! Won’t be doing that again.

They are not the only weird things I do. EVERY time I go to the supermarket I buy a packet of butter. I hardly ever use butter but in any fridge at any one time there will be at least six packs!? Go figure.  I also rearrange the fringe of a throw that’s over the arm of my sofa so that all the little tassels are straight and I can’t physically sleep if I haven’t checked in the cupboard on the stairs to confirm no one is hiding in it! I don’t like eating from anything other than a white plate and if anyone yawns I have a compulsion to jab my finger in their open mouth, whether I know them or not. I can’t eat an egg without slathering it in ketchup but the same ketchup on ANY other foodstuff makes me feel sick! So there we have it, a tiny sample of my weirdness, there are many many others. Maybe I should write a book of my foibles, but I guess we could all write our own books? Right? Please tell me it’s not just me!?

My house is full of packing cases, laundry, both clean and dirty, and a stack of ironing on the ironing board. Packing for a month or so for us all is no mean feat in between all the other things that have needed my attention on this whistle-stop trip. I can remember my school report always said I ‘worked well under pressure or when given a deadline’ which is strange cos I keep looking at all I have to do and crying – not the best example of calm under pressure! It was probably easier when all I had to worry about was what to wear to the school disco and doing my geography homework.

My new short story A Christmas Wish is out today! Yeehaa! I really like it and hope you will too. It will be a treat for anyone who loved Poppy Day or who supports the forces. Nuff said. Here is the link; http://amzn.to/1g8SsSF let me know what you think!

Finally, my hearts and prayers this week are with the family and friends of Lee Rigby who are having to hear the horrendous details of those on trial for his barbaric murder. I hope it helps in some small way to know that we are taking every single step with you, sharing your grief and sending you love.

…and similarly to the people of Glasgow, sending love and thoughts to those affected by the terrible accident at the Clutha Bar, you are in my thoughts.

Go grab life people and make your own Christmas Wish, you never know who’s listening.

Mandy x

©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084

Bermudababble Week Twenty-Seven

It’s a beautiful day the Major and I are hitting the road on our moped – yeeeeha! We are heading off to the UK this weekend to grab some clothes, my dancing shoes and the kids before heading off to Australia and New Zealand. We start in Sydney where I have lots of events with Harper Collins, my Australian publishers, visiting book stores and doing various bits of PR and then we head up to The Great Barrier Reef. Next It’s New Zealand for a meeting with my New Zealand publishers and more work bits and bobs before we drive around the islands, ending up at The Bay of Islands for Christmas and then back to the UK mid January! Phew! I have never been and so don’t know what to expect, it will lovely discovering the place with my boys.

I know I know, jet set lifestyle – however lovely it is visiting these places; it still means my pyjamas always seem to be in the country I am not and I get to go to bed every night missing my mum. (I just read that back – sounds like I’m twelve! Can’t help it though, I’m so pants at being organised and not having my mum close by is ‘orrible!)

My plane gets into London Gatwick early in the morning (which always makes me laugh – London? Gatwick? That’s like saying Newport Bristol or Liverpool Manchester! My absolute favourite though is London Luton! Can you imagine a traveller planning a trip to LONDON and booking accommodation in Luton London? No offence to Luton but Covent Garden and Tower Bridge it ‘aint!)  And then I have a full day in proper London with my agent and publisher – where I shall be crumpled, jet lagged and sleepy! They have been warned.

Now as any of you that have read my stories will know, I can on occasion be a tad emotional… We have a lovely family friend in Bermuda and our history spans five decades. Her name is Mrs Blades and she is awesome. A crowd of us went out to dinner last night, me all dressed up (i.e I brushed my hair and put heels on!) and she gave me a gift, a beautiful teacup and saucer that had belonged to her grandmother. I cried so hard, I had lumps of mascara stuck to my cheeks and licorice streaks down my face and a very runny nose. I couldn’t eat or speak through crying and other diners stared at me perplexed and awkward. I shall take great care of it, a beautiful, precious thing that I shall treasure for always. I am very lucky …and apologies to anyone who had to sit next to the sniveling me last night!

I have noticed a new phenomenon to add to my moans about ageing and that is the annoying appearance of pillow crease skin! I used to awake with a plump – rosy complexion – now I wake up with the imprint of my pillow, duvet, buttons and any other bed linen that has come into contact with my face and it lasts for hours!! I walked around yesterday with a large criss cross on my cheek – I looked like I’d been Burger King flame grilled!

I’ve been writing my new novel this week and I am so into it. I have sat in hotel lobbies and coffee shops totally absorbed by the story! At one point I said ‘Oh No!’ really loudly, the waitress came over to me and said, ‘are you okay honey? Bad news?’ I was way too embarrassed to tell her that it was something that had popped out of my head and onto a page! Doh!

So, we are leaving the beautiful shores of Bermuda for a little while and I am so thankful for the wonderful friendships we have made and the stunning environment that we have lived in. Can’t wait to be back on this island’s shores again soon. I shall miss the warm, wind coming across the ocean and up onto the South Shore, streets with names like Fractious Lane and Controversy Lane, a really good brunch at the Reefs looking out over the water, riding the bus and chatting to whoever I sit next to, the chickens who stroll in our hallway and all my lovely friends.

That said, I could not be more excited about seeing MY best friend in the whole wide world and having a good old gossip over a pot of tea!  I saw this and thought it was fab;

‘Best friends are people you know you don’t need to talk to every single day. You don’t even need to talk to each other for weeks, but when you do, it’s like you never stopped talking.’

Sending love to you from me

Mandy x

©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084