I'm back. I really am.

I’m back. No really and truly, I am. I didn’t mean to take such a looong break without warning, but stuff* kinda happened, things got complicated, and then I decided I wanted to redesign and relaunch the site, so that took a bit of time … and now I’m here. I’m really sorry. But gee, it’s nice to back!

So how have things been for you?

Thanks to everyone who’s been writing in and checking up on me – it means so much to have such a lively and supportive community of readers out there. I hope you’ve all been well and happy!

*In case you’re wondering, here’s a bit of what I’ve been up to over the last six months:

• Renewed my addiction to Golden Gaytimes and Weiss Fruito icecream bars. As well as Frankie magazine, and loads of other Australian sweets and treats. Oh, and I went to the beach as well…

• Moved into our temporary ‘holiday house’ on Sydney’s northern beaches (just a bit of a major sea change from South East London!). Felt very, very lucky and grateful for generous and kind family.
• Gazed at the dazzling views every day. Here’s the view from my ‘desk’...

• Bought our very first flat. It’s in Sydney’s inner west and we move in next week, so the view is about to change (to that of our next door neighbour’s brick wall. Viva la Sydney real estate!).
• Spent months looking to buy a house. Wept a wee bit. Sydney, you really do suck when it comes to real estate.
• Painted walls, ripped out cupboards, hired a flotilla of tradespeople to do stuff I didn’t really understand …Yep, I’m renovating. 
• Participated in Meet me at Mike's Envelope Project.

• Started driving again (after a 14 year break). In a ute. It’s true, I drove a ute in my thigh-high Marni boots.
• Met and instantly liked Likkle Girl, who’s been a long-distance bloggy friend since I started Wee Birdy four years ago. She has good hair, too.
• Drove over the Harbour Bridge on my own for the first time.
• Bought our very first car. At least I managed to significantly reduce my carbon footprint for the first 36 years of my life.
• Had a double winter (although compared to London’s coldest winter in something like 18 years, Sydney’s eight weeks of mild chilliness doesn’t really count, I guess).
• Forgot what honest-to-goodness thundering-down-sub-tropical rain was like. And thunder storms! So different to the ongoing drizzle in London.
• Realised that some pieces of my European wardrobe don’t translate in Sydney. Like walking down Pitt Street mall in thigh-high Marni boots.
• Redesigned and relaunched Wee Birdy. What do you think? More on the new look in the next post…
• Got sick, recovered, and got sick again. Health has not been my strong point over the past 12 months. Spent months in bed. Couldn’t leave the house, couldn’t get in the car, and heaved and sobbed into Mr Bucket on a regular basis. Became somewhat of a recluse. Ended up in hospital. But now? I’m feeling fine. Better than fine, actually, because…
• I’m having a baby! Baby Wee Birdy due 8 March, 2011. It’s a boy!

So tell me, what have you been up to? What have I missed?

'My adventure is about to begin' ceramic tile by Rob Ryan, US$36.

Comments

[Marre]

Congrats on your baby boy! Exiting times! Be sure to check out www.akua-ba.com for the best fair trade maternity!
bye Marre

[Peaches and Cream]

Wow, congratulations! You have been busy, haven't you! Wonderful news about the bub, and also that you're back blogging again, I look forward to some Sydney posts for me to reminisce over.
I know it is hard to maintain one's fashion-forwardness in Australia when getting such funny looks. They just don't get it. Everytime I go home I have to stop myself slapping people across the face and yelling 'how can you not know that this is fashionable?! You'll see - in about five years!'
But the storms are great. And the treats. I always had trouble deciding between a Gaytime and a Bubble-O Bill myself ;-P
Have fun!

[frou-frou]

WELCOME BACK!! You realy have been through the mill haven't you!!?

Big BIG BIG congrats on expecting a baby bird! How exciting!

And I love the new blog design,

Fiona x

[Kat]

Sooooo glad to see you back! Boo to all the rubbish stuff and yay to all the brilliant stuff. An especially special hurrah for the wee wee birdy on the way, March is a great time to have babies, although I can only speak for England! Kat xx

[Karen]

Welcome Back, Top Bird! I've missed you and your blog immensely in your absence (even though I started to lurk and keep up with you on Twitter).

It looks like you've settled back in nicely in Sydney and I look forward to reading your posts again.

And very, very warm congratulations on Baby Wee Birdy!

[Make Do Style]

WOW - wonderful amazing glorious and CONGRATULATIONS xxx

[Caroline, No]

I'm so glad you're back! I love your lists! Sorry you weren't well. Sounds like you've been nesting! And beaches.... beaches. Lucky, lucky you! Enjoy your summer, I'm looking forward to getting some vicarious sun!

xx

[Char]

Hey! Congratulations and welcome back, we've missed you! Looks like you settled back home well, I'm glad. Sure envy you your summery pics, it looks right for Christmas but it's dark and cold... Take care!

[Leanne]

FABULOUS to have Wee Birdy back!!! And fabulous to have you in Sydney!!...does this mean we can expect Sydney-ness to be exposed in your delicious Wee Birdy way?

Hugs & kisses to you. Its good to have you back, safe & sound.
xxx

[Soma Gallery]

Fantastic to have you back! I have missed Wee Birdy immensely as it is one of my most visited blogs (true!) and it's looking great, love the redesign. Massive congrats on your pregnancy too xx

[JayneClaire]

Congratulations! Brilliant news. So lovely to read a post by you again. You were in my thoughts the other day. Strange. The Golden Gaytime looks very lush.

[Jules]

So glad to see you back and congratulations of your pregnancy. Your last pic in the post has made me smile because I'm in the process of sewing a cross stiched version of Rob Ryan - Other Planets http://www.misterrob.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/otherplanets-578x600.jpg

[Lynne]

Glad to hear you're back - and congratulations, lots of change!

[Susan]

I can't believe it - I have been wondering but didn't know you enough to pester you with "are you OK?" Was just going through WB last weekend for London ideas to tell friends...& here you are. Congratulations on your pregnancy--are you sitting on a nest:)

I'm sure the site looks great but I'll zoom around it tomorrow. Just so very pleasantly surprised to see you here in the googley-reader-tube.

Cheers, Wee Birdy.

[katieantoniou]

So lovely to hear you're back, you've been missed!And many, many congratulations!how exciting!xxx

[the likkle girl who wurves pwetty things]

Haha! I hope you're REALLY back!

Like I said at lunch last week, this one post doesn't mean much if you leave us again for another 7 months!

We are demanding readers who expect you to post as consistently as you did before. Haha.

LOVE YOU! See you soon! When you're out of reno-hell.
xxxx

[Fabio]

I'm very happy you're back!!!
Welcome!!!

...and if you could/should share the xmas windows on London during this almost Xmas time I coul be happy happy :)))

Anyway Happy for you!!! :)))

[Bongoqueen]

Chirpy cheep!

Welcome home my little turtle dove! Here's to nicey times in your new home!

Mwah!

[Bianca Hall]

Welcome back indeed, you've been missed. LOTS. But did you really have to post that shot of all my very missed treats from home (Bo Peeps!!!), just to really hammer home that feeling of home-sickness that started to creep in when I saw that gorgeous Golden Gaytime, against bright blue skies and golden sands...Ah Sydney, how I miss you.
Big Congrats on the impending arrival of your little chick!
From gold grey London, to sunny Sydney, over and out.

[judy]

Glad to see you are back in town. I am now a Melbourne girl and off to London again in a couple of weeks. Your guide was so fantastic two years ago and I found so much. I am still checking it out in my research.

[Little Miss P]

Yay! welcome back Top Bird, I had been wondering how you were getting on back 'home'. Your pics made me have a pang of longing for the Northern Beaches and my all time fave ever drink Bundaberg; man, I miss that fiery goodness! Congrats on taking some time out, relaunching the site, driving over the big scary bridge, buying a new home & of course making your very own baby bird! Looking forward to re-living Sydney from a bird's eye view
Lisa x

[Glittercat (formerly Cowcat)]

I thought of you just the other day when I picked up a flyer for the Bust Magazine Craftacular and wondered who was going to tell me about all the crafty things happening in London this Christmas!

Pleased that you're back and I look forward to hearing about what you get up to down under! Congrats on the baby - such exciting news!

[thejenbug]

Yay!! So glad you're blogging again Wee Birdy, my gorgeous friend. I will really enjoy hearing what you're up to and what lovely things you find in Sydney. Also can't wait to see some Baby Wee Birdy shopping tips too ;-) The blog design is fab, and the tabs across the top work really well, plus the links down the right hand side. With love from Devon xx
P.S. Miss you xx

[Ali]

Oh Congratulations!! So happy for you.

[Rose]

I'm thrilled you're back and congratulations on everything especially baby wee birdy (I think I said that on twitter but can never say it enough!)

What have I been doing- not as much as you! I moved to east London though just as you moved out- and I love it! and I finally have a book idea, very exciting!

Love new wee birdy just as much as I loved old wee birdy x

[LIBERTYLONDONGIRL]

Hurrah! Hurray! Mia about being ill, but lovely that you are back. So many exciting, life-changing bits of news! LLGxx

[Zoe, Conversation Pieces]

Yay! Welcome back!! What an eventful time you've had!! Congrats on your wee birdy boy and your first flat :)

I think the new look Wee Birdy looks fab too :)

[alice]

Wow you have been busy! The site looks great. Congratulations on the baby!

[fabhat]

That Rob Ryan ilustration sums it up perfectly...with a ten month old adventurer in the house I can concur that it does just get better and better.

looking forward to hearing more and love the new site!

fabhat xx

[blanket]

Oh fantastic! I didn't think it was going to happen I'm so happy you are back!! Congratulations too!

[That's Not My Age]

oh wow what an adventure- congrats and welcome back!

[Sam]

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Lovely, lovely news and so glad you're back! Shall be popping in regularly!!

[Delicious Industries]

Yay! Great to have you back - we've missed you. And huge congratulations on being a mum-to-be :)

[Andrea]

So glad you are back! You are the one blog that I go to every day. Congrats on the baby.
Andrea

[Siany]

Happy as a clam :-D

[Yamila]

Hi Welcome Back.
I can relate to you, we are still trying to find a flat or home in Sydney, it is tooo exxy. Congrats on your new flat and move to Sydney.
How did you manage to start to drive again, I need to get my Ls again and managed to reduce my carbon consumption like you for 36 years but now with 2 children ( a 3 year old and a 6 month old) i need to learn to drive and fast. Thankfully live in Coogee and it is so easy to walk everywhere.

[Top Bird @ Wee Birdy]

Oh yay oh yay! And wowee! And thank you for such gorgeous, welcoming comments! So lovely to see so many familiar faces back here - you've been missed! And a huge welcome to all those new faces. I feel very special - and super-glad I made a comeback. xxxx

[Heidi]

Great to have you back. Love the site! Looking forward to your posts.

Hope all goes well with the more

[Urban Mums]

Many congrats!!! And welcome back--great news on both fronts!

[Cath W]

Oh Golden Gaytime - how I miss thee *sigh*
Congrat's on the baby news and new home and everything!
Have a Weiss mango for me, I'm off to start the woodburner.
Cath W
An Aussie in the UK

[Ondo Lady]

Glad to have you back! You have been missed! Congratulations on your great news.

[A Girl, A Style]

Hurray, so glad to have you back!! And all that news, my gosh, congratulations!! While I do miss your London tales, very much looking forward to your continued adventures in Australia (which will no doubt make me very homesick).

Briony xx

[Louise Naomi Best]

Congratulations! I wondered where you were!
How exciting...looking forward to seeing/hearing events unfold
{*}

[Brittany @ The Aubergine Notebook]

welcome back!! and congratulations on your little one!

[Krista]

1. SO glad you're back. Have missed your great finds and reading about your adventures.

2. Congrats on your impending arrival! So exciting!

3. I have the EXACT SAME Rob Ryan tile. Love it. I bought a few before I too left London. (Also bought a huge print of his too. Expensive, but so lovely!)

xx

[coelho]

so happy you are back, really missed your blog - all the best with the future - keep inspired - much love from south africa x

[Cally]

Fantastic to have you back. My favourite blog ever x

[Allison]

Yay, what a lovely update, it was great to hear all of your news, especially your pregnancy. Boys rule!x

[Liz@VioletPosy]

Just catching up on my commenting - but WELCOME BACK!! Been loving reading about your new adventures in Oz x

[Charity]

Don't be afraid of wearing those thigh-high Marni boots!!! Do it!

[Sneaky Magpie]

Just took a chance and checked your blog, to my absolute delight I discovered you are back! What wonderful news too, congratulations. I had a little boy nearly 2 moths ago. Such a joy. x

[sarah]

Love your blog! The design is great!