Hare Krishna

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Firstly congratulations to Marie who was the 50th member to join this site!!! Fantastic! Yesterday we had the most viewerships EVER to date, and the top country was...wait for it- Australia followed closely by the U.K and Germany! I am blown away by how many of you are actually reading this...Thanks very much for the support everyone.

Today marks the "7 days till Mumbai' mark and it all seems to be just going a little too quickly for my liking. So many things are whirling through my head that I am going quite crazy...Like don't forget to buy an electrified mosquito racket...? WTF? What is that? Well it's a tennis racket looking contraption you use to fry mosquitoe's with....hmmm better get me one of those me thinks! Seriously.

And do I need another pair of Hunter Wellingtons? (Hmmm the new ones with military style buttons down the side...) I have never lived in a country that has a monsoon season soooo am quite nervous as to what the daily reality of that actually means. What will be my new reality? How will moving to India change me? So many questions...

I feel really strange at the moment. In a surreal zombie like state where I am neither here (France) nor there (India) yet. Tonight we have a friends birthday party but I know my eyes will glaze over and I will think of lotus flowers, curry and krishna- instead of champagne and caviar. That's not a bad thing. Perhaps I am ready for the change or actually need the change of lifestyle? I'm sure I'm enough of a superficial materialistic cow to warrant some soul cleansing...aren't we all to a degree?

Oh god I seriously need a drink with all of this self flagellation carry on. Perhaps a meander through the boutique stores will help me snap out of it? Saw the most divine dress at "Maje" the other day, oh and "Zadig and Voltaire" had a gorgeous cashmere sweater too. A nice cheap and cheerful purchase always works a treat. But all I can think of is Mumbai, Mumbai...Mumbai. Hare Krishna, Hare Rama save me. What would a mango lassi taste like with vodka in it? I'm thinking like a pina colada? Garcon?

Monsoon fashion for Mumbai

What's the point of unpacking when we leave for Paris in 7 days? And then Mumbai the day after that...? Have been checking out the weather in Mumbai at the moment and the monsoon season is raging along sooo...(having not actually owned a pair of Wellingtons since I was 8 yrs old) I decided to buy a pair of gumboots. Fashion seems to be very bright and cheerful in India so I got some wellingtons with a bit of flair! The Hunter Jimmy Choo crocs in silver of course! "HRH" is already worried about all our luggage so have kept them a secret for now but he will see the practical side of my decision once he gets to India and discovers his LV sandals don't work so well in the rain! Oh well men just never seem to learn do they?
Anyhoo, I have decided that something I would really like to do once I get to Mumbai is learn some local recipes. Over the years in France I have had some amazing cooking lessons. And learn't to cook with rabbit, quails, foie gras, duck and veal. I've learn't to cook some classic dishes such as "boeuf bourgignon", "blanquette de veau" and of course many delicious desserts. Of course the "tres bon vin" to go with- is always a fabulous incentive to cook in France.
"HRH" and I absolutely LOVE Indian cuisine and eat it several times a week at least as it is. I already have a list of dishes I would like to attempt and the little princes have a special request to learn to make "barfi" which was MY favourite Indian sweet as a child too, funnily enough! As I learn each dish from a local Mumbaikar I will write up the recipe and share it on this page...Share and share alike as they say. Right darlings, well I think I may need to lay a little low this week- post Cap Ferret holiday- so might start to go through the valises and decide on what exactly is appropriate "Mumbai Monsoon Fashion."  Queenie is on a mission....Mumbai watch this space!
P.S Bonjour to all the gorgeous new peeps who are reading in Brazil and Spain...good work!

Old friends and tragedies

Just unpacking now after the week at the beach...phew what a freakin' whirlwind of laughter, disapointment, over indulgement, betrayal, love and well in all honesty not as much beach time as we expected! We sang, danced, consumed way too much champagne (and of course oysters), gossiped about old times, revealed secrets, argued about politics and religion, cried about sad movies, gambled our money away at poker rounds, got rained on in the boat, drunk too much rose wine, smoked too many cigarettes, spoke bad french, played angry birds with the kids and generally wreaked havoc where ever we went!
We saw so many old friends and so many things happened that I feel like we've been away for a month...just got home turned on the BBC and found out what happened in Norway to all those young kids AND the bomb going off, and also found out about Amy Winehouse passing away. So terribly sad for such a young amazingly talented human being...and how many others were also taken at the infamous age of 27? Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, James Dean...Jimi Hendrix?! It's pretty spooky. As for what happened in Norway- I am still in shock...it's bloody senseless. My heart goes out to anyone in Norway who is suffering right now.
It just makes you think about everything...all of THIS. In the end none of this really matters. None of the small irrelevant B.S even comes close to mattering. Why do we spend so much time farting around caring about it? Will the fact that the tiles in the bathroom not matching the wall colour affect our lives? No...so why do we care?
I honestly got thinking about Mumbai...and the risk we were taking by going to Mumbai as a family. Hey I'm not kidding when I say that I'm nervous. Every day I wake up wondering about if I am making the right decision...but I'll never know if I don't give it a go. And I could spend my life wondering and regretting never going. I could regret not enriching my children's lives by this experience. I could keep them wrapped in cotton wool and sit in my western country thinking we're safe. And get hit by a passing car...you just can't predict anything anymore.  Some very bad things happen to some very GOOD people in this world unfortunately. So yes...I still believe taking my family and I to Mumbai is the right decision after the July 13th bomb blasts. I know a hell of a lot of people that still live in London and New York after the bombs went off there...you just have to try to move on and not allow those bullies/cowards/extremists to affect your lives. I am optimistically cautious... that's how I think we should all be in this day and age. Tonight I will drink to Norway and it's families, Amy Winehouse (her talent and beautiful music she left with us) and Mumbai. Mumbai you have so much to offer my family and here we come...I can't believe we will be there in 10 days. And I hope with all my heart that you keep my family and I safe.
Thank you and welcome to all the readers in the Phillipines, Italy, Mauritius, Bangladesh and Norway. I know I went off the air while I was away...sorry...But also, who is going to be the 50th person to join this site?  Have been sitting at 49 members for a week now...come on sort it out! Who's it going to be?

Ooh la la...

So am feeling rather guilty as to my complete abandonment of duties...apologies. But have been very busy eating, drinking, relaxing and catching up with all our friends here in Cap Ferret. Tough, I know!

We are half way through the week already...hard to believe. And have a new group of friends arriving tomorrow so will be back to the airport again for me. Have bought some fabulous denim onesie's, some very chic "espadrilles" (gorgeous flat canvas shoes) and a fab new medallion necklace with a vintage french coin charm! The kids have been relatively well behaved and loving having so many fresh faces to harrass. HRH has unfortunately put his back out...which has put a spanner in the works for a few of our plans but all in all it has just been all round fun! Assisted by a few bottles of champagne of course!

Will get into more detail when we get back...if I ever stop laughing. Can not believe how close we are to take off. We are all very excited. Have been dreaming of Mumbai nearly every night. Off for oysters so best be off. And yes for any of you actually wondering the liver is hurting! 

Bonne Fete!!

"Joyeux quatorze juillet" a tous mes amis francais!!! Off for dinner with our very good friends tonight, to let off fireworks with all the kiddies and drink champagne...of course I will have to pass on the champagne.
Anyhow more importantly I wish to condemn whoever the despicable people were that were responsible for last nights attack on Mumbai...it is the most cowardly action to take against another human being and you deserve exactly what will inevitably come your way. My heart and thoughts go out to anybody who has been affected by these attacks and I wish everyone the best of luck with picking up the pieces today. I dedicate this my most treasured hindi song (played at my wedding) "Khabhi Khabhie" to the people of Mumbai because sometimes in life it is important to spread the love. And when I hear this song I am filled with love. To you the people of Mumbai...
If anyone out there would like to download this song it can be found on the right hand side bar titled "Queenie's absolute must haves" and purchased through Amazon.com.

Kindest regards from Queenie and the family

It's raining it's pouring...

Woke up this morning to a real downpour...what a relief! Apparently they have had no rain here for a long time. Perfect day to watch a movie I thought- so I did. "Les petits mouchoirs" a frenchie of course. Has anyone seen it? It is fantastic! I laughed out loud and then cried even louder... just fabulous. Marion Cotillard the oscar winner for the "Edith Piaf- La vie en rose" is in it along with other well known french actors like Jean Dujardin etc... Good old Marion looks like she's been on a juice detox her whole life...with that bloody typically french "perfectly thin" look. Damn them for it. But...we are now all very excited about our trip to Cap ferret- since this movie was based there! Check out the right hand sidebar (Queenie's ABSOLUTE must haves) if you're interested in the movie I found it on Amazon.com with english subtitles.

As for Queenie?  Well I'm still alive...just barely. I'm entering into day 4 of no food (or more importantly no alchohol) today. Admittedly the juices are quite delicious...they have to be considering that's all I'm allowed atm. This god forsaken detox better work miracles for me. I want to feel cleansed after all this...purified like an irishman after confession.

Okay, so yesterday my youngest little prince said "Mummy my arm is sore from where I had my injection..." He said that to get a bit of attention because he then followed on with: "I think I need a foot rub!" Absolutely impossible that his arm could be sore from his vaccination as he finished them all in early june. But while I'm on this topic I have to say that we did have to have quite a few vaccinations before heading to India. It's a little different to just going to India on holiday...when you are moving to Mumbai for at least 2 years and intend on travelling all over -you really do have to consider vaccinating against most things they recommend. I had to have hep A, typhoid, a tetanus booster, rabies...and still need japanese encephalitis which I will get done once I arrive in Mumbai. Plus there's the malaria issue. We can't take anything for it when we're there for longer than 3 months...so will just have to be pretty diligent with the repellant (I wonder if Chanel does a parfum with repellant now? Safari chic? Would be good...) and cover up. Apparently during the monsoon season you have to close all doors and windows from dusk till dawn...well "HRH" won't be heading out onto the balcony for his evening ciggies anymore. Diddums...I will at least have Mumbai to thank for helping "HRH"  to give up cigarette smoking!

Right, I'm off to download  "Les petits mouchoirs" (just discovered the title in english is "Little white lies") soundtrack...it is bloody brilliant. David Bowie, Janis Joplin and this is the opening song...(see video) Have a listen everyone...it's old news here in France with all my french friends but a girlfriend said she was only just off to see the film at the cinema in Sydney!

And also have to say a big warm welcome to all the new readers in Brazil, Kenya, Costa Rica, Belgium, China,Mauritius, Korea and Germany...but still the overall highest readership for yesterday was the U.K followed closely by France- woohoo! Allez les bleus! Come on India you can do better!
P.S Am sorry for the rather tame updates as of late...it's the detox. Seems to have this calming effect you see! This saturday though (when we head to Cap Ferret) I am sure we'll all be in for  more trouble...you know in MY books tame does = lame.

I'm breezin...

Detox going well...have only had juice for 3 days now. (Ok I had a bloody apple and some melon out of desperation...!) But feels good knowing I'm having a cleansing. Out with the old and in with the juice...as they freakin' don't EVER say! But it's a new phase in my life. Lot's of new things on the horizon...namely India for one. Really looking forward to my hindi lessons...will share as many swear words with you as I can. I suspect that's about all I will learn in the first few weeks in Mumbai!
Anyhow it is a sublime day here in France. The kiddie winks are down at the pool with some friends (nattering away in their near perfect french), I wonder how long it will take them to learn hindi?  Probably a few bloody weeks knowing them! Lucky devils.
Well it's so beautiful and sunny here. Warms the soul. Makes everything just feel so fine and dandy. Everything is- isn't it? Apart from the fact that I would murder a steak...probably a whole cow in all honesty! Anyhow, must take my mind off food. Back to my book and ipod...here's what I'm listening to right now as I stare out at the azure waters...Perfect song for this sunny day. Garcon? A glass of water please. Make it a bottle actually, what the hell let's go all out! Oui c'est ca. Merci!
P.S. A big hello to you all from the U.K and U.S.A! You had by far the most readers yesterday! Woohoo!

Just another sunday in the south of france

The morning after our "big night out" I got a call from "HRH" and he sounded very meek and apologetic meaning only one thing...he'd been arrested! This kind of occurence would shock most people but knowing "HRH" and his difficulties with the french language he always seems to get into such misunderstandings for one reason or another. I will NOT get into the details but let's just say it involved our friend "V" of course (found in the adjoining cell) and something to do with an African transvestite from Paris and his/her rather ugly chihuahua. Apparently "V" had a rather large bite mark on his face...Lord help us.
So after "HRH" spent all day yesterday trying to make up for his "faux pas" and I took the little princes out to see Transformers 3 in 3D (surprisingly enough I enjoyed it)...I got thinking. And woke up on this fine sunday morning  in the south of france convinced I would begin a juice detox.
I have never done one of these detox's EVER but am going to give it a go. I'm not allowed meat or cheese or fish or wine...I'm not f*#@ing allowed anything! Except juice. Blah. Carrot, Apple and ginger. Yuck...but I am hell bent on proving I can do this. Since lunch time yesterday I have had NOTHING but juice. And in all honesty it's proving to be pretty damn tough. As I watched the wee princes chowing down on their delicious pizza for lunch I had to slowly sip away...normally that wouldn't bother me except this time I can't quite taste the vodka!
Why I hear you ask would I think of doing this? Well let's face it my insides could probably do with a wee cleansing and lets not forget the fact that I have Cap Ferret in a week with all my gorgeous friends. It'll be no fun at all if I walk around covered up head to toe due to the fact that the cut out bikini looks so awful. No it's decided. I'm doing this juice detox! Plus I am going to have to change my diet dramatically in India...I don't want to be the vulgar fat girl in the corner who eats meat at every meal! No, no, no. I want to be able to go vegan every now and then especially out of respect to some of the hindu festivals and beliefs. I'm not only doing this for my ass but out of respect for the hindu culture! So bring it on....
Yes garcon? I'll have another one of those carrot, apple and ginger juices s'il vous plait. No, no vodka thank you. No, no rum either...that's fine. Oui, just the juice. Merci beaucoup.
And PS don't forget to click on "Join this site" on the right hand sidebar to find our page easier next time! Hello to you all in Croatia, India and Sweden too...thanks for reading!