Day 13: Satellite 2

It had to be a pair of French earrings today as my dear friend, the ever elegant francophile, Lizzie Kirby, was coming to visit. She bought me these beautiful ginger flowers.

Lizzie is another connection from Sydney University days - the golden web is particularly dense around the Merewether Building. I was very lucky to meet Liz: just as I was entering the Government Department she was leaving after many years on staff, to go on to greater things as a political polling adviser to the ALP, amongst other organisations.  Everyone in the Department loved Lizzie, she was part of the glue of that made the place hang together and it was never the same after she left. Fortunately, she and I connected quickly, and have been close friends ever since. Lizzie together with Helen Nelson were 'best women' at our wedding.

Lizzie and French Cat, St Saturnin les Apt, 2002 

Lizzie is an incredibly loyal and discrete person. Lizzie's many friends and partner John Faulkner, entrust her with our deepest secrets and concerns, knowing they will be forever safe. Lizzie has three passions: all things French, Cats and The Kennedys. She's combined two of these loves by calling her two cats Bobby and Teddy!

Trawling through my photos, I found another combination - Cats and France. These photos were taken in Provence in 2002, where Rob and I spent a week with Lizzie exploring the region. She continues to travel to France regularly. I'm so grateful to have Lizzie in my life. She's always so kind and generous both to me and to Rob and the boys, who all absolutely adore her.

Lizzie and Lou, Lourmarin, 2002

My earrings today are another pair from Satellite, Paris. They have a small black seed pearl surrounded by silver engraving and milgrain. Very dainty. They match beautifully a bangle Lizzie gave me for my birthday a few years ago, which I'm enjoying wearing today.

Day 13 started early. It's oppressively hot. When Rob and I stumbled out to do a spot of grocery shopping and the car thermometer read 38.5oc. Ridiculous. I felt well, aside from tiredness later in the day, but who didn't in this heat! I had a nice check in with Dad and Margie and other members of the family. Tonight I had a wonderful catchup via skype with my special Edinburgh friends, Fiona and Georgie, who now know Lizzie, Natalie, as well as Deb and dear friends Trevor and Lye, so they too are firmly enmeshed in the web. More on them anon.