Amy in Town

We arrived back in NYC to the lovely Amy. She was in town for work, sharing exciting news and all the details of her engagement to Andrew - congrats to you both!

Her dad joined her on this trip, and we had a fantastic week catching up and eating out. We hit some of favorite Italian places Ill Bagatto and Bocca di Bacco, as well as the Spotted Pig for the rosemary fries and Buddakan for Asian fusion- yum!















Smiles all round.















Enjoying some drinks at the Boom Boom Room......















.......and BIG glass of champagne!

Going to the Cricket

Everything in life is timing, and our trip to Barbados proved this point. Our week away coincided with the Caribbean Twenty 20 and (just after) Sir Garfield Sobers 75th Birthday.

We made a trip the Cricket Museum in Bridgetown and signed his birthday card!



















Sir Garfield Sobers is a former captain of the West Indies team and widely regarded as one of cricket's all rounders, excelling at batting, bowling and fielding. He was knighted by Queen and is a dual Australian citizen through marriage - oi oi oi!!



















Here we are at Kensington Oval, game on!















Mac Fingall also made an appearance. He is a local calypsonian and cricket fan, legend in Barbados, who leads the cheering at the Oval with his trumpet!















We had a fantastic time watching Barbados slaughter, ahem I mean bet England.

St Nicholas Abbey

One of the things I wanted to do whilst in Barbados was visit an old sugar cane plantation. We made our way to St Nicholas Abbey a fully restored and operating plantation with main house & sugar cane press. All historic aspects we kept in tact and we had a great time wandering the grounds and learning about the history and culture of Barbados.















Bring on the rum!















Sugar cane..... in the raw...















...being pressed.....



















...and being made into rum!!



















Here is a picture of the rum the owners sent to the Will & Kate for their wedding - complete with thank you note from the palace!















This is the son's owner who runs the rum tastings, friends in the right places!















View of the grounds...















....outside the sugar cane press and mill.

Week in Barbados

Last week we fled from the cold and wet to the sun and sand of Barbados! We enjoyed a week exploring the island, reading books, sleeping in, eating and drinking too much. This was the view from our room, a stones throw to the beach and the 'sip & dip'.....















Downtown Bridgetown....















....fresh coconut...



















East coast beaches, this is Bathsheba....



















...it was kind of rocky so I had to wear my boots....















Fabulous island dining....















...including the Lone Star Garage right on the beach...















The north of the island, nothing but sugar cane....















......hitting the local fish fry....



















.....more beach, sun and sand!

Sarah Elizabeth McIntyre

It is with much excitement, I announce the arrival of our first niece Sarah Elizabeth McIntyre.
Born November 24, 2011 weighing in at 3.14kg/6.15 ounces we are so happy to have a girl in the family!!














Mum and bubb are doing well, and as you can see Christopher is as proud as punch to be a big brother - bless!



















We can't wait to meet baby Sarah!

Happy New Year

Before we knew it New Years Eve was upon us! Where exactly did 2011 go?!?

Not being massive New Years Eve celebrators we headed to the West Village for the "quiet" dinner with Ms Lorin at Cafe Condessa. This unassumingly restaurant proved to be the jackpot with a mixture of Spanish and Mexican food, excellent South American wine, top notch service and party hats to boot!
















Ms Lorin and Big D.



















Literally was not coping with the party hats.















The countdown began with silly string, party poppers and balloons running amok!















We had a great time, thanks to Lorin for organizing, it was the perfect way to ring in 2012!















Wishing everyone a joyful & prosperous 2012, filled with laughter, love and a little bit of lunacy ;)

Christmas Day

After opening presents and a traditional Curtis breakfast of creamed mushrooms, we got under way to get Christmas lunch on the table. We were joined by Ruth and Sinclair, who came bearing more gifts - its never too much I tell you!!















We enjoyed David's specialty of bacon wrapped water chestnuts and Alex's smoked salmon and capers, on a cream cheese baguette.



















Gifts and mimosa's all round....















.....one big happy, and slightly extended family!















In all the preparation and festivities, we misplaced the camera!! Rest assured the table was "themed-out", too much wine was consumed and shenanigans took place, mostly by Ruth and I!

Merry Christmas to all, we hope you day was filled with love, loved ones and lots of gifts!