Daily essentials

Since moving to the big smoke I've been reminded of the value of routines. Daily essentials include

cloud gazing...



promenades...



surveying real estate anonomously...



and coffee with the manny.

This hectic life

It's been a pretty hectic time here in the big smoke lately, so it's lovely to take some time out in my glamour velour tracksuit and share some of the highlights of the past few days.



Best of all, my mummu arrived from Finland and I've been able to take her to all the best coffee shops in town.



And as if that wasn't enough excitement, cousin Erik also dropped by for a face off.

And, to top it all off, mummu was accompanied by a funny-looking Finnish fellow, Ville, who had the good fortune to be here for the 75th birthday of the harbour bridge. I wasted no time in taking him across the bridge and showing off this engineering marvel.

With all this going on, it's little wonder that I've been forced to nap whenever and wherever I get the chance.

Urban jungle

If there's one thing I've learned since arriving in the big smoke it's that you can't be too careful. Why, just the other day, I was sitting back contemplating urban achitecture when out of nowhere a ferocious beast attacked me.



Fortunately, I had my wits about me and was able to grab the bear by its mighty left paw.



Using nothing but my formidable mental powers I then willed the bear to submit.



Within moments he lay helpless and begging for mercy.



And, being a friendly chap, I obliged. We've been friends ever since.

Slave to fashion

Since arriving in the fashion capital of Australia, I've been fine-tuning my sartorial sensibilities. I couldn't resist this whimsical take on the traditional Sami costume, albeit with a nod to this season's favourite colour coupling of tangerine and stormy harbour.

I've also been delighted to discover that polka dots are back in fashion and am all to happy to model my latest purchase:

But I find that being a slave to fashion does have its downsides, such as having to adopt humiliating poses at the behest of zealous photographers and stylists.

Not to mention having to forego carbs.

Perhaps I'll give fashion a break and return to my first love: lounging.

The incredible journey

There's no better start to a journey than a good night's sleep - advice which my fellow escapee and I were pleased to heed.



Indeed, we were thrilled to set off on our adventure, until we realised that not everyone would be joining us.



Saying goodbye to Ninni, Babar and Nigella was a terrible blow for morale and I'm man enough to admit that I shed a few tears.



Fortunately, the monkey was sufficiently in charge of his emotions to manouver the vehicle down the Hume.



And after stretching my legs and visiting a roadside diner I felt quite restored.



Although I do believe Rick Stein was right when he asked: "Why should only the French enjoy good roadside dining?" Luckily the views from my penthouse were sufficent to erase such petty quibbles.



I would fill you in on more of our adventures in the big smoke, but who can resist the lure of in-house movies?

Welcome dear admirers

Lately, I have had the opportunity to spend some time on the chesterfield in quiet reflection. It occurred to me that you, my dear admirers, might well like some more frequent updates about my life and times.

Then again, I don't wish to bore myself to tears.



But I appreciate the needs of others.


So, on second thoughts, I will keep you informed about my move to the big smoke as my twin escapee and I embark on the journey of a lifetime and motor down the Hume Highway.