Stunning New Zealand

Lucky enough to fit in a quick trip to New Zealand after Christmas and New Year in Sydney. Managed to visit Taupo, Christchurch and Queenstown - with an overnight visit to Milford Sound. The photos speak for themselves - this is one of the most spectacular places on earth

New Year's Eve Fireworks in Sydney

The 9pm 'family' fireworks on Sydney Harbour were even more spectacular this year. And the midnight sequence, breathtaking. Click on the heading to see a video of the countdown to the finale.

Charlotte Lucy Lawford

Charlotte Lucy Lawford at three months

Sydney at Christmas and New Year

The family came together at Christmas and New Year 2006 when we stayed just under the harbour bridge. Click the heading to see a video and here to see some photos of the New Year's fireworks

Hong Kong at Christmas

Hong Kong was having wonderful weather and the winds had blown away most of the smog so it was idyllic having rooms overlooking the harbour. Friends took us to a fabulous French restaurant overlooking Deepwater Bay called Cococabana

Favourite Cafes

Fabio, Daniel, Jesus (the chef), Giorgi, with Mirelle and Paola

I don't know why I haven't written about this place before, as it played a large part in my City life. The Village was originally a greasy spoon in the back of our office building just off  Mitre Square where The Ripper did for his eighth victim and was taken over at the end of the 80s by a family of enterprising Italians who cleaned it up but kept it totally unpretentious. It became my breakfast haunt for 20+ years.

I would take my Lloyd's List in there at about 7am and have the same breakfast every day - poached egg on toast with grilled tomatoes and a large latte.  The waitresses were sometimes Romanian doctors moonlighting while they got their British credentials. Friends would come in and we would sit and chat and catch up on the news or the gossip. A wonderful way to start the day.

Although I no longer go there I was sad to see that the place had recently closed as the building is awaiting renovation.  I  don't know where they've gone but I'm sure somewhere they are making people happy.

Skating at the Natural History Museum

Kei's Art Exhibition

Kei exhibited some of her work at the JAGS Art Dept Exhibition.

Christmas in London

Sloane Square

Regent St

Theo Fennell, Fulham Road

Elizabeth St

Memories of the Countryside

Kei reading her poetry at James Allen's

Memories of the countryside

Awake, the sunlight splits the orchard and divides the fields,
At the edge of the grass alcove
(tucked away behind the courtyard and on the border of the corn)
Are the three graves – humble headstones low
Shaped slates of soil basking in the sun


Back by the woods he’s waiting for me
The scarecrow stands in his domicile - the golden desert,
Near to the sweet peas growing over the collapsed wall
But beyond I see my grandfather
We climb the ivy mountain together
Behind, I swear the world is catching up with us
And the nettles clutch at my dress.


Evening, and the violet solitude descends
We stand shoulder to shoulder
And on the crest of the hill a grand line of stags
Peer down at the two humans and disappear
Then the night quickens
The stones in the field slow my running
Towards the warmth of the fire my father has lit
Ahead in the distance like a calling.