Dubai - 22nd March - 25th March 08

Hi Fans,
After leaving Manchester we arrived in Dubai at 2am on Sunday morning to a very very busy airport, once through and after a long wait to get my pram we finally joined the most unorganised horrendous taxi queue, once we finally made it to the front, Mummy was horrified to find they don't use car seats and drive like maniacs it was scary, Mummy has never held me so tightly and once at the hotel we all flopped into bed for a well deserved sleep.

In the proper morning Mummy and Daddy managed to organise a far few things to do in Dubai in the 2 days we had and straightaway we commenced a private tour of the city and boy was that good we travelled down Jumeira Road, where we visited a small mall, saw the famous Burj Al Arab (if only we could have stayed there) and of course had our photos taken with it, we went past the Madinat Jumeirah and went to have a look at one of the famous "Palm" projects in construction and then down the beach and to Dubai Marina and then we made the long trip back and our driver took us to the biggest Mall, Mummy & Daddy have ever seen Emirates Mall and that concluded the end of our tour.

So Mummy & Daddy had fun looking around the mall - it was so big they didn't know where to start so we decided to grab some food and then we went exploring. It was great, it was huge, there was even a full sized ski Slope in there and over 400 shops.
It didn't take Mummy long to feel shopped out so after a trip to the supermarket for some groceries we headed back to the hotel to get ready for our night out.

That evening we took a Dhow Dinner Cruise along Dubai Creek - it was great I had a little bit to eat and soon fell asleep as it was past my bedtime, so Mummy tells me her & Daddy got to enjoy the lovely cruise and dinner whilst I slept through it all typical eh I miss out on the fun.

And that was our first day in Dubai - more adventures to come.

Love Ruby xxx

My Last Week In The UK (17th March - 22nd March 08)

Hi,
What a last week we had in the UK it was all go My Great Gran Gran went home to york on the Monday and then Mummy, Daddy & I went back over to York on the Tuesday to stay with Nanna & Pops as we were going to see my other Great Grandparents on Wednesday.

Nanna took me, Mummy & Daddy to Flamborough to see Great Nanna & Grandad, Pops and Uncle Craig went together in another car and met us there. Then we met Grannie & Grandad at the North Star where we were all having lunch together and it was a very nice lunch too, but I was more interested in running around the restaurant than having my lunch and needless to say it wasn't long before I flaked out. Then it was back to Great Nanna's for coffee & tea for the adults and more play time for me. But before long it was time to say goodbye and Mummy got very tearful as she wouldn't see Great Nanna & Grandad for awhile.

Mummy & I decided to stay another night at Nanna's as Mummy wanted to see her friend Vicki the next day and so did I. So on Thursday Vicki came round to see us and she brought me a present, so I got to do cute things whilst Mummy & Vicki chatted away, then before we knew it, it was time for us to head back to Leeds as Mummy was going out that night with Daddy and they still had to pack.

Friday turned out to be a very eventful day - it was Good Friday and I went down as normal for my morning nap whilst Mummy waited for Grandad Johnson to come, he was running a little late due to traffic and the weather and in the meantime when I awoke from my nap I was covered in a rash and mummy panicked as she didn't know what it was and we were flying the next day and as it was Good Friday there were no Doctors open so Mummy, Grannie & I ended up Leeds Hospital, where we waited nearly 3 hours for a Dr to see us. He said the rash wasn't anything serious it was a viral rash, but if the rash got worse then we couldn't fly tomorrow, everyone was relieved the rash wasn't serious and we'd see how I was in the morning. So back home we went where poor Grandad Johnson had been waiting patiently for us, as our day out had now been spoilt and as I had this rash I wasn't a happy bunny and I would only go to my Mummy or Grannie, so poor Grandad came all the way over form Hull and didn't get much time with me at all. That evening we had a takeaway curry for dinner, Mike, Rhiann & Lydia came over for it and Grandad Johnson stayed too but before long it was time to say goodbye to everyone.

On Saturday morning the day of our flight home, my rash was a lot better so we were definitely going home and it snowed, yes it snowed, Mummy & Daddy were extremely excited and this was the first snow I'd ever seen it was so cool.

And as usual we had a huge leaving party at the airport, Uncle Gary & Auntie Lisa came by to say goodbye to us, they'd only just got home from honeymoon too, Uncle Craig, Nanna, Pops, Grandad Johnson, Grannie & Grandad were all there to see us off, Mummy was extremely upset again, but it wasn't long before we were on the flight and on our way to Dubai.

Love Ruby xxx

Easter Eggs, New Shoes and A Walk (10th March to 16th March 08)

Hello,
Ok so after I was left for the weekend with Nanna & Pops, Mummy and Daddy finally came to pick me up on the Monday a whole 3 days later - of course I acted very cool and pretended I hadn't missed them at all.It was then back to Grannie & Grandads for the remainder of our holiday.

It didn't take me long to settle in I even found the stash of Easter Eggs - now which one would I like....

On Wednesday I taken into Leeds City Centre to a shoe shop called Clinkards where my Grannie bought me my first pair of proper shoes by Clarks. They are the cutest pair, they are black patent leather with red cherries on them and are so me. It took me a little while to get use to them, which amused Mummy & Grannie no end the things i do for a laugh!!!!

Thursday saw us take off for a brisk walk around the grounds of Castle Howard - well as you can see I didn't walk I got carried but the big people walked more fool them, I even managed a nap as Grandad was so comfy. We saw the village where they film Emmerdale and after the walk we went for a yummy pub lunch in a near by village.

On Friday I went with Grandad & Daddy to pick up my Great Gran Gran - Mummy was full of cold by this stage of our holiday so she stayed home and rested.

On Saturday it was Gran Gran's birthday so Daddy baked her a cake to celebrate and we bought her a lovely present and card, that evening though Mummy & Daddy escaped me again and went back to York for a night out with her best friend Emma & hubby Alan. Mummy tells me they had a fabulous meal at a restaurant called The Olive Tree, it was a great night, great food, great wine and the company was the best. Mummy even saw Alan Leach from Shed 7 (one of Daddy's favourite bands) walk pass the restaurant with a friend of hers and they waved.

On Sunday we all went to Church I was left in the Church creche but Daddy stayed with me to play. It was a lovely service, then we had a celebratory lunch for Gran Gran's birthday and Aunty Andy and Uncle came up for it too.

And although it was a week of aster Sunday Mummy & Daddy got their Easter Eggs early as we leave on Easter Sat.

Still to come my last week in the UK before our stopover in Dubai

Love to you All

Ruby xxx

The Wedding of The Year - Part 3 Wedding Celebrations (8th March 2008)

Hello Again,
So whilst I was enjoying myself with Nanna & Pops back in York, Mummy & Daddy were busying enjoying the celebrations at Prestonfield. The afternoon kicked off with a champagne reception in the Tapestry Room to celebrate the marriage. The champers was freely flowing which Daddy enjoyed, Mummy & Daddy also enjoyed some delicious gourmet canapes which included a rabbit broth and goats cheese tarts. All the guests had a good mingle and got to know one another whilst Uncle Gary & Auntie Lisa had their official photo's taken.

And before they knew it, Mummy tells me it was time for the formal sit down meal, in the restaurant Rhubard which Prestonfield is famous for. Mummy & Daddy were seated on the best & loudest table of the night so Mummy tells me. They had so much fun, Mummy says there were lots of laughing, and taking the mickey out of Uncle Gary, it was very funny. The food was delicious, absolutely divine. We had an Amuse bouche of pea and mint soup with basil creme fraiche, followed by a Lemon Sole crab cake, peppered breadcrumbs on a bed of creamed leeks, followed by the main course of Balentine of Guinea Fowl and Agen prune wrapped in pancetta, wild mushroon and leek volute thyme potato cake, shallot marmalade and for dessert it was a Rhubarb tasting plate.

After the meal it was time for the speeches and Lisa's Dad started off the speeches, followed by Uncle Gary, then it was Daddy's turn and he did a very funny, fabulous speech all which we've got on camera and then it was big Dave's turn and his speech was funny too Mummy tells me.

Then it was time for the toasts and the cutting of the cake, before they all retired back to the Tapestry Room for coffee and Petit Fours, then it was back downstairs to party the night away and boy did they have fun, as you can see Daddy was totally overwhelmed and had to have 5 mins to recapture his party spirit which he did with style.

All in all, Mummy says it was a wonderful day, with wonderful food, wonderful company at a wonderful venue.

What more can I say - except I was having a great time with Nanna too.

All my Love - The Rubster xxx

The Wedding of The Year - Part 2 The Big Day (8th March 2008)

Hi,
Today is the big day - Uncle Gary marries Auntie Lisa at St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, followed by a lavish reception at Prestonfield.
The day started well, Mummy had breakfast with Lisa in her suite, whilst Daddy entertained Uncle Gary in the breakfast room. Mummy really enjoyed the breakfast and tells me it was delicious. After breakfast it was time to get ready.

The ladies were all having their hair done in Edinburgh, so mid morning it was time to make the trip into Edinburgh for the wedding hairdo, Mummy went with Grannie and they had their hair done together, whilst Auntie Lisa was already there in the middle of a fab hair do. At this point though Mummy tells me the weather wasn't great, it was raining.

Come 1pm Mummy & Daddy had their gladrags on and were looking rather fine if you ask me (I've seen the photos) and were ready to get to the church well Cathedral on time. The rain has stopped and the sun is out it's just perfect.

2pm - Uncle Gary is waiting patiently at the alter with his best men who are Daddy and Dave. The guests are seated and eager for a glimpse of the bride, with Mummy, Grannie & Grandad in the front pew, Mummy has the video camera at hand (same she doesn't know how to work it) and then the music starts and we all turn round and strain for a glimspe of the beautiful bride and there she is looking absolutely beautiful, the dress is divine and so perfect, she's a princess walking down the aisle with her father.

The ceremony goes without a hitch, and is truly wonderful, the readings are perfect and the hymns just right, all in all it is a lovely ceremony and when they are pronounced Husband & Wife, Auntie Lisa does a jig and there are big smiles and cheers all around.

Mummy remembers to record the whole ceremony after quickly realising she's forgotten to press the record button, luckily it was very early on and she only missed a little bit - oops Mummy.

Then after photos of the very happy married couple on the steps of the Cathedral Mummy tells me everyone headed back to Prestonfield for the celebrations whoo hoo......

Keep watching this space part 3 the celebrations to come very soon

Love Ruby xxx

The Wedding Of The Year Part 1 (7th March 08)

Hello,
My Mummy & Daddy had a big event this weekend - it is my Uncle Gary's Wedding and he is marrying the lovely Lisa in Edinburgh, Scotland. So Mummy & Daddy took the train to Edinburgh on the Friday leaving me with Nanna & Pops for a weekend of fun.
Mummy & Daddy got picked up at the station by Uncle Gary and promptly taken to the venue - Prestonfields and boy Mummy said it was a fabulous venue, the hotel was just gorgeous, elegant and very posh.

So after meeting up with Grannie & Grandad it was time to head to the Cathedral yes Cathedral for the wedding rehearsal. The Cathedral was very grand mummy said, a slight hiccup did occur when the Minister realised there was no marriage licence but this was quickly rectified and the wedding on Sat could proceed phew!!!!.

Mummy & Dady then took off to have a look around Edinburgh and do a bit of retail therapy before heading back to Prestonfields to get settled in and changed for dinner, Mummy, Daddy, Grannie & Grandad went out into Edinburgh for dinner and had dinner at Daddy's favorite pizza place Pizza Express it was grand.

So you may ask whilst the parents were off enjoying themselves what was I doing well that would be telling lets say whilst the parents are away the baby.......

Stay tuned for the next installment - The Big Day

Love - The Rubster xxx

Daddy Arrives (6th March 08)

Hi There,
Mummy & I had a few more days at Nanna's before heading over to Grannie & Grandad's in Leeds to settle in before Daddy arrives.
We all went to the airport on the 6th March to meet Daddy off the plane and he seemed to take ages coming through and Mummy was panicking, as she thought Daddy, may have lost his luggage and his best man's suit oh dear, but no, after what seemed an age, Daddy arrived smiling. I was missing in action at this point as Grandad had taken me for a walk as I get very restless waiting you know.......

So we refreshed Daddy with a drink before heading off back to Leeds to prepare for the big event of the year.

After having the afternoon and dinner at Grannies we headed back over to York for the night as Mummy & Daddy we leaving me with Nanna & Pops for the weekend whilst they went to Scotland for the Wedding.

Next to come - "The Wedding"

Have fun fans

All my Love - Ruby Doo

UK Mothers Day - 2nd March 08

Hi,
My Grannie came up with a brilliant suggestion for Mother's Day and that was for us all to go out and have a Mother's Day lunch together, in the UK Mother's Day is in March, so Grannie organised for us to have a Mother's Day lunch at Lady Middleton's Hotel and all together there were 10 of us including me - Grannie & Grandad, Great Gran Gran, Great Grandad & Great Nanna, Nanna & Pops and not forgetting Uncle Craig and Mummy oh and me too.

We had a fantastic 3 course meal - I provided heaps of entertainment, especially around the dinner table as I didn't realise the butter on the table was butter I thought it was cheese (well it did look like cheese) and I cried when no one wouldn't let me eat it much to everyone's amusement, but then I did get to devour some smoked salmon & pate for starters and a full Sunday roast for mains, and to top that off I even had some pudding, lemon tart, trifle, you name it I had it.

We had a super time and everyone else said they did too, it was such a lovely lunch and being able to spend it with so many family members and so many mums was priceless.
After lunch whilst everyone was winding down and enjoying their coffees I was off on a mission and Grandad and Pops took it in turn to watch me and make sure I didn't get into any trouble whilst I raced around the restaurant hee hee.
And my Mummy is so lucky because she gets 2 Mother's Days this year as we'll be back in Oz in time for their Mothers Day in May.

All My Love

The Rubster x x x

Visiting Family & Friends (Feb 08)

Hi Fans,
It didn't take Mummy & I long to get over jet lag so we were soon out & about visiting family and friends, first stop was to see my Great Grandparents in Flamborough (not pictured)and we went to lunch at the Ship Inn, then Grannie & Grandad Chaplin came to pick Mummy & I up and we went to see my Great Grannie in Bishopthorpe before heading onto Leeds to spend 6 days with them, it was great, Grannie read to me lots and Mummy even got a flat white coffee - courtesy of Grandad finding a cafe in Leeds owned by an Aussie yiphee for flat whites. Whilst at Grannie & Grandads we went across to Manchester and popped in to see Briony before going round to see my Uncle Gary and soon to be officially my Aunty Lisa - I got to show off my new tricks to a new audience, but I was a touch poorly so wasn't in the best of moods to be my usual bright chirpy self.

Then after staying at Grannie and Grandads we had a couple of days back at Nanna's before heading off to Hull to stay with Grandad Johnson. This time I can safely say we weren't flooded in and no natural disasters happened well whilst in Hull anyway. At Grandad Johnson's we went to The Deep which is an aquarium and this time I had lots more fun as Mummy let me run around, we hit the shops and Grandad bought me an outfit and I got to have Sunday lunch with my Aunty Gemma too, Grandad also took us over to see my Great Grandparents again and on the way we stopped in to say hello to Grandads friend Di.

After visiting Hull and on our first night back at Nanna's we were (well I wasn't I slept through it) woken up at 1am by an earthquake, yes an earthquake hit England 5.4 on the Richter scale, with the epi-centre being in Lincoln not really that far from York, luckily no damage was done at our home, although a photo frame did fall off a shelf and into my cot yikes.........

So then it was onto Manchester to stay with Briony, Briony picked us up on the Friday and we stayed overnight, Mummy & Briony hit the shops in Manchester for a spot of retail therapy as they call it!!!!!!! then once I was in bed, tucked up & fast asleep, Mummy & Briony watched Dawson's Creek, a firm favourite of the two so I am told and Mummy cried her eyes out at the ending as she hadn't seen this before - it was very sad honestly.

So once again we've been busy little bees jetsetting around the country, enjoying company, having fun and eating everyone out of house and home.

And as usual there is lots more to come from our trip so stay tuned, as I will eventually tell all.

Have fun out there

All my Love Ruby x

Leaving Sydney, Arriving England (6th/7th Feb 08)

Hello There,
Mummy & I left Sydney on the 6th Feb on a lovely hot summers day, I was very well behaved on the flight much to my Mummy's amazement (I think she thought she was in for a hard time - silly Mummy) I was so good I was asleep before the plane had taken off and remained fast asleep for the best part of 10 hours of our 14 hour flight, which meant Mummy could enjoy a couple of movies and the odd bit of sleep here and there.

The next flight from Dubai to Manchester was a bit more exhausting for Mum though, as I was very active and didn't sleep much on this flight, but we made it in one piece to Manchester, Mummy tired, shell-shocked and looking her worst, me, well I was looking cute, full of beans and ready to go.

My welcoming party was there to meet Mummy & I off the plane, Pops, Grannie & Grandad Chaplin, and Uncle Gary all came to see me, so whilst Mummy had a well needed coffee at the airport, I got to show off my walking skills and instant charm.

Then it was time for goodbyes and see you soons and Pops took us off to York to see Nanna and Uncle Craig and boy was it cold when we left the airport. Thanks Mum I've gone from a fabulous warm Summer to a freezing cold Winter - What the!!!!!!!!!

Fans you'll be pleased to know there is plenty more to come from our adventures in England.

All my love - The Rubster

xxx

Ribs "n" Rump (Jan 08)

Hello Folks,
Well it has been a long time since I last posted - I have told Mummy off for this and of course now I have lots to tell you including another 7 week trip abroad, which involved visiting friends and family in the UK, a wedding in Scotland and a few days in Dubai, all to come soon, but before I went I thought I'd show you my new paddling pool which I love and me eating ribs yes ribs.

One Sunday night Daddy picked Mummy up from work with me in tow and we went to Manly for dinner at Mummy & Daddy's favourite Ribs n Rump restaurant in Manly, not only did I get to eat my dinner Mummy had made, but I also got to knaw on a few ribs too along with Daddy. I can honestly say they were delicious yummy yummy

Anyway less of my Sydney antics as I sure you are all waiting to hear about my trip to the UK with Mummy and that will be coming very soon I promise.....

Lots of Love - Cheeky Chappers Chaplin (aka Ruby Doo) xxx

New Years Eve & Day

Happy New To You All
We celebrated NYE by having a picnic in the park on Johnston St with friends, before heading down to watch the fireworks, we didn't quite make it too Bicentennial Park but still got a great view through some railings(hmmmmmm)on Johnston St, I even managed to stay awake for them.

Then after the 9 o'clock fireworks we went back to our friends house for a party and to see in the New Year, I was so excited that I wouldn't sleep and ended up seeing the New Year in with my Mummy & Daddy before finally crashing into bed and Mummy could relax and have a few more drinks. All in all it was a great night.

New Years Day saw Daddy take us on a drive and we went to Bundeena in the Royal National Park - it was a very hot day so I was glad of the dip in the lagoon there, where I had a splash and a paddle it was great fun. It was beautiful a lovely little place.

Mummy & Daddy haven't made any New Years Resolutions and I'm too young for all that but we'd love to hear yours if only to poke fun at hee hee hee.

Have a good one all

Love - The Rubster x

We're Going To The Zoo Zoo Zoo.......

Fooling around at the Zoo

Those Elephants are massive


My First Paddle Pop Yummy Yummy


......you can come too too too

Hi Fans,

After Christmas my Mummy & Daddy took me to Taronga Zoo on Friday 29th Dec and we had a brilliant time, we got the ferry over from Circular Quay and it was so busy they had to put extra ferries on and the weather was glorious. We got there and saw Mummy's favourite the BIG cats which are a lot bigger than our Annie, then it was time for a picnic in the park which was thoroughly delicious, then it was more animal seeing, my favourites were the Elephants and Giraffes, after the giraffes it was time for ice-cream and I had my first Paddle Pop (Mummy tells me for my fans in the UK it's similar to a mini-milk)and boy did I get it all over myself, Mummy and the floor but it was yummy. After the ice-cream break we went to the kids Zoo where I was allowed to play and where I saw some sheep, pigs, hens, turkeys and even some rabbits and guinea pigs it was fab. Whilst we were at the Zoo we also saw the new baby gorilla from afar I might add and whilst the Kids Zoo had worn me and put me into my afternoon slumber, Mummy & Daddy got the skylift down to the Ferry and enjoyed a short ferry ride home.

What a great day we all had monkeying around hee hee hee

Lots of Love - Monkey xxx