Monday, June 29, 2009

Treading Water

Had the toughest day you can imagine....island paradise living can have it's down side....here goes: there I was a little lost for company, S series guy is out on location; all club members are with meaningful work or wife commitments. Then during one midnight phone call, S series guy, suggests his recently uni graduated nephew could keep me company for a day or two or whatever time frame I would like...."go for a coffee"; "take the boat island hopping"; "go dancing"......

Ok I thought, a bit of intellectual chatter with uni geek and he's bound to know how to apply sun-screen right. What turns up at my door is a GQ magazine model (six foot of course, perfect sun tanned olive skin, short black cropped hair, crooked smile, perfect white teeth, hazel eyes, defined chest with only a smattering of hair). Don't quite know what to do with him (well I do, but being the clear thinker that I am this was not an option), so off we go for a swim in the ocean keeping at least 3 meters of cool Adriatic water between us at all times, when it got all too hot (median temp was 30, but a lot hotter lying side by side at the waters edge) it was back to the pool at my place.....as the pool is only 3 meters wide that new rule was hard to keep, so I had to get out otherwise "Complications" with a capital Trouble.

So there I was sitting on the pools edge, having a glass of vino, while GQ model sips his beer, splashes (he's in his mid-twenties, they splash) around a little and asks whether I want to do anything else, now who's looking at who's chest.....like my mind wasn't exploding already!!!!! Deep breath, look away NOW - oh man, oh man..... I had to send this piece of delight home untouched - well physically, didn't get a wink of sleep all night with the thousand and one scenarious playing in my head, and you think it's easy being me - it took 10 tea bags to get rid of the dark circles under my eyes and several cold showers just to be able to deal with breakfast.

Not pretending to have titanic strength, thus currently I'm avoiding returning phone calls for a replay until I work out how to accidentally cut the fuel line on the speed boat when we go for the suggested midnight swim.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Into the abyss

Ok, we all know I'm not into anything remotely like mountaineering and that I have a preference for high-heels... so when the
latest attraction (S series guy) decides to take me to his place, after some culinary delights at one of those hidden tourist free establishments that even the restauranteur wants to keep quiet about - perfect rendezvous for those royal and notorious, I did not expect to get a nose bleed on the descent to his quarters, usually this only occurs at the mention of 'mamma' or 'we're out of champers'

Well it's all worth it when we finally arrive - the main terrace is hanging over a small pebble beach with unobstructed view of several adjacent islands, but personally I think absailing would have been easier than the seated position (it may be a big Mercedes but that just means you drop faster, according to the Newton dude and his whole performance with an apple). Well there you have it one Duchess with both feet planted trying to break through the floor boards of said death trap...must say the view was spectacular and if I ever have a suicide wish this will be it - straight off the cliff into silk black waters highlighted by a silver moon and surrounded by dead animal skin and mahogany....what were Thelma & Louise thinking with the canyon thing and not taking a man with them, this is definitely a nicer way to go...must mention it to the movie directors for the remake.

Now as the decerning diva that I am, I thought we'd get down to the real reason we were there - as though the hot-tub didn't give it away - when onto romantic scene the toothless caretaker neighbour, Boris, with bad breath or foot odour (don't want to consider it could be both), smile emitting from a red glowing, untended stubbled, head that looks like it's planted itself against the cliff face a few times in the past, but alas, he is carrying a clear liquid and has dropped in to toast some 'Saints' day...well, thinking it could be CoCo's birthday, I proceed to raise glasses with Boris and S series guy, at this stage it would have been a good idea to remove sandals but nooooo .... wasn't concerned and the lights of the island opposite were dazzling me into a sense of carefree-ness.

Hours later, after extracting myself from jacuzzi, I peeled each sandal strap from my water logged feet, the indentation would have made a road worthy Michelin tyre look bald. Giving out a huge yelp as the blood flowed back through the veins and into compressed toes. There may have been a little haste in getting on with the evening once Boris had departed with his jet fuel concoction.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Family feast

Made a quick pit stop to visit relatives ( it was Easter time and that means copious quantities of home made food including cake and more cake) but really, thank goodness for living aunts and uncles, unfortunately had to visit a few dead ones in the local crematorium to appease the breathing, oh well what's a couple of posies and pretending to talk with the dead - John Edwards does it all the time and I got the best cuts of roast for my troubles.

Met my maternal grandmother, was having a great time with her even though I had to re-introduce myself every time I left the
room.....poor babe is losing it big time, and with the regular indulgence of champers I was ducking into the lav on a regular basis, so this became an hourly event, her consistent comment of "yes dear, why didn't anyone tell me you were coming" was only bettered when I told her I was her granddaughter Romy, she was stupified to see me so big for a six year old and advised that I'd better watch my diet as big bones were common in our family - now she tells me.

Gran's also a great cover, her champagne glass was depleting as quickly as mine, (a slight of hand was become a new skill - well you remember the broken thumb - it needed a bit of physiotheraphy and you know that I wouldn't want to go against doc's instructions)????????? Gran and I were on the same wave-length by the second bottle of champagne and she was also convinced that every relo on the planet had visited.....well if I have to make an introduction each time I leave her eye-sight I may as well tell her I'm another cousin; niece; the nephew who went off to Canada and was never heard from again and broke his mothers heart.

Apparently I'm not the only cause for the drinks cabinet to be locked, Gran has taken to having a little 'rakia' shot or two or three in the afternoon after she's been given her multitude of medicines, personally was hoping to join the old girl thinking she'll be up for a game of "do you remember this cocktail..." he he he, I could always blame it on 'the bitch who stole uncle Miko from aunty Vera.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

And Duchess makes Seven

Forced out of bed by a persistent blazing sun after having forgotten to close drapes....didn't really notice them at 3am when I made it home, just damn glad I didn't use the side door where the pool is - well with the full moon illuminating the water and my penchant for all things shiny there would have gone another perfectly good crochet bikini - the sort that's intolerant to moisture and yes I know bikini wearing is a little obscene at this tender hour...well before day break is always regarded as inappropriate home arriving time and thus the bikini maybe a little crass so next time I'lI wait for the rising sun and pretend to be a wake-boarding freak...well we all know how hind-sight works, however, I arrived straight from the beach and my new friends are all men and they didn't seem to mind my lack of attire. Its Monday or Wednesday or some such recurring event and no-one on the island takes these days seriously, tried explaining the Friday or Saturday phenomenum of party night in other parts of the world, and was basically met with blank non-comprehending stares and questions of why the other 5 nights were deemed unworthy of caraf refilling ceremonies - couldn't quite come up with a decent explanation so we all agreed I should convert now to the islands concept of entertainment 7 nights a week, wooahoo.

As I found myself with pleasant company, as mentioned all male, all post puberty and none seem to have had any bodily parts (namely hips) replaced with titanium, coupled with my ability to maintain vino quota and a general lack of interest in their nuptual commitments - got me voted into the all boys team. So this Saturday I'm spending in the company of six guys at a function held at a restaurant owned by Don who's 6 foot tall (well they're all within this vicinity, infact I think the whole country is inhabited by amazonians, thus anyone below 5 foot 6 inches is encouraged to join the circus), fashionably bald, lean, tanned, dropped by at 2am after excusing himself from the marital bed by professing to assist his mates with much needed tobacco, a plausible excuse with the prevalence of this habit in these waters and can you imagine how tall they'd grown without growth stunting nicotine .... why the haste, well, truth be told he actually heard there was a new club member wearing a bikini.
Then there's Marko, yes 6 foot plus, former yachting champ (self explanatory physical attributes), who currently is wearing a plaster cast due to torn archilles , this disability wasn't a problem the other night, apart from manouvering down the spiral staircase, hey not my doing to put the bedroom on the 3rd floor, and he did manage to make it upstairs unassisted.
Matte, who is border line circus material (due to height limitations), but he redeems himself with knowledge in all local obscure things: eg. hidden restaurants that are accessible only by boat and not a Russian tourist in sight; all things bizaar or impossible to obtain are Matte's forte, being the local tourist information agent the freebies are also most welcome.
Number four in the Duchess's new troupe is Kane, the court jester with better clothes and physique, the epitomy of mediterranean handsomeness - tall, of course; dark with just a hint of grey; shoulders that take a full arm span (yes, I actually did this behind his back - wanted to make sure I wasn't imagining things and I'm sure this isn't the last "behind his back" stunt).
The quietest of the team is Mick, fairer than the others, not quite blonde, not circus material; speaks quietly so I have to lean in real close to hear him (I'm thinking dark horse...hmmmm).
Finally there's Peter, shadow creating height; I couldn't jump high enough to see width of shoulder span but I'm guessing size 15 shoes and hands that would dwarf a basketball...well we hope we're not going to be disappointed don't we.
Then there's some of you who may be wondering where's S series guy - gone to make some commercial decisions, I'm sure if it's important I'll get to read about it in tomorrows tabloid or a future court report.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Deja Vu

A month or so ago I had Daddy in town....aaahhhhaaaaa....(this basically means no sex for weeeeeeeeks, well 2 ok), he's here for 2 days and has a turn (problem heart, but don't worrry the old war horse will out live us all, this is the same man who managed to destroy a mega four wheel drive vehicle (F150 to those knowledgable in ecologically unfiendly vices) by running it off the road - being thrown through the back window, landing in the overturned tray, be buried, dig his way out and summon help at 4am and then the following day yours truly making a visit, with a not insubstantial cash component in hand, to local constabulary......due to potential alcohol related technicalities.

Anyway, the old man was not feeling well for days, but won't hear about seeing a medical practitioner...well if he won't go to a clinician then I'm off to one....... whilst I'm having my nails done I receive a call saying "grandad" wants to be taken into hospital - aaaaahhhaaaa, this must be serious, my nails haven't had their top-coat yet, bugger....was hoping for a bikini-wax as well, but now that'll have to wait, won't it.....not a prob there's very little disrobing to be done anyway.
Hours later visiting newly constructed hospital and after all manner of test - think there was even a gynaecological examination listed, well we are foreigners with travel insurance, we're all good to go home with a good stash of happy pills (I'm sure Dad doesn't need them all).

Well it's a few hours later, there's a little deja vu - we're back in the same said hospital with man-child (visiting son) having written off a 3 day old car and causing the event of the year in this sleepy hollow kind of town, as the Audi is the biggest thing to come off the motor way since a bridal party tried getting a stretch limo down these same goat tracks - apparently getting bogged and creating the first traffic-jam in the towns history. I would not be surprised that this little mishap makes it into local folklore ..... marking the day the crazy foreigners invaded but were defeated by crater sized pot-holes.

Our Country Club (aka the hospital), could be adding a new wing dedicated to the Duchess foundation with this many donations - cash only due to our lack of local socialist system standing-(oh bugger, another insurance company that's going to love us), however, as Premier club members we were entitled and received undivided attention from the local law enforcement team (both of them came out for this event) they were interested in man-childs well being, that is until the blood report verified lack of substance abuse, then without further incriminating evidence requiring shredding and thus eliminating need to exchange further currencies in any denomination we could leave to tend to man-child's heavily bruised ego. Good thing I like train travel.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

By association

S series guy and I are enjoying mutual company, although he has warned if I googled him there may be an incident or two which he would like to explain - no need, google was done within 24 hours of first meeting - what can I say.... a girl needs to know all axe weilding psychos, and we all know my capacity for attracting such quality suitors.   Well reading the googled info I got bored with the same old indictements - just different dates - after all there were about a dozen pages (is that a lot)?? and no beauty tips but I must say S series guy always wore a really nice suit in the press pics and he didn't tell me he was Balkan (where the heck is that & could there be a ceremonial role for Duchess)?

I do hope S series guy has a bit of variety to his repetoir because this could be fun and finished very soon and really what's to explain the court reports are quite detailed (he allegedly said; was allegedly seen in the company of....; has been know to.... blah blah blah)....ok, making mental note to contact my legal representation regarding association laws...bugger, just when I thought I was in for a quiet Summer and imagined floating around local waters with not much to think about apart from eliminating tan lines and matching my sarong to the ever diminishing bikini top - yes, got the crocheted one wet after losing hold of it while on the back of jet ski (had to be removed as it was getting caught in S series guys gold chains). 




Island Living

Well it´s been a while...so hold on for the complete update...it may take a few weeks with all that's gone on, so let's start with now and I'll back track until we get all the interesting stuff sorted:

Sitting on a balcony overlooking a fabulous inlet thats located on the Adriatic, sun is settling over a perfect marine blue harbour, only the traditional small fishing boats fit (they look fabulous, but don't get too close - phew, stench city, so lets leave them down there in the picture perfect scene....tried checking out the fishermen too, lets just say 'they wear the same cologne as their trusty vessels' and their ain't nothing remotely romantic about scent of octapus); the lights of the village are justing starting to shine 'mood lighting' (Revlon should come out with a portable light defuser, rather than bull shitting us with anti-wrinkle creams that even polyfiller would have a hard time filling). So you see I've managed to secure a new home for the Summer where the locals don't accept outsiders except for the 3 months during holiday season, when they proceed to make an annual living from the proceeds of these few weeks, this being their only consolation for giving up paradise to overweight, 3 sizes too small swim suit wearing, pastie, waddling foreigners. My request for a 4 month rental was cause for a communal meeting, almost got vetoed, but new best friend 'S Series' guy (keep reading) came to the rescue.

Oh yeah, lets get back to fabbo new home, did I tell you it has a pool - looking forward to the pool boys visit, just hope it's not a part time job and he fills his days with fishing - ok, ok, the house: has rooms for all incoming guests, mod cons, did I mention pool...well as usual it wasn't easy to come by this little treasure, however, with the stubborness of a mule (one with pedigree of course) it was possible to manouver into this property before the over-cashed Russians got a wiff, is there really that much money in radio activity?

There I was sitting at the hairdressers, where as usual all manner of grievances and mischief was being devulged while the shearing, colouring and blow waving process was taking place, when to my amazement hairdresser 'Anita' pipes up that she has a boyfriend (feeling rather piffed, that it's Saturday and yours truly is in a 5 star hotel without any prospects while the stylist has not only a date but a boyfriend...and why on earth would I want to know this? - alright, patience I said to myself, after all she's holding the success of over/under bleached mane and the fact she was listening was truly a new experience as I hadn't realized these professionals actually had hearing devices called ears, really didn't even believe my marriage counsellor was listening, after all the divorce was a success). Well, this said boyfriend is a real estate agent and maybe able to help out - forge on I say..sooo, the very next day we go house hunting, personally she can keep the boyfriend and his idea of what Duchess is prepared to live in, but alas half way through the day at another not perfect location I was introduced to the developer of said site - hello, Hello, HELLO - just saw the S series Mercedes and no wedding band. Well I had to knock back his property as being inadequate (never was very tactful when it came to such situations and perhaps saying ''I just don't feel it'' wasn't quite the done thing), but this did not deter S series guy, who thinks he has something which could be right for me and would I like to see it, well sunshine let's do dinner first...come on it's been weeks since Prague and then there was gran and a visit from dad and too much champers (read on it will all make sense).

Series S guy has got me pegged and thus here I am ensconsed in a fabbo pad...oh the really good part is he's loaned me a car (future story of how my newly acquired 3 day old car was written off....German insurance company not happy but Audi dealer looking for a bonus month) - this car loan started with a black Porsche Cayenne that had to be sent back, because the island's a little too small, the roads tighter than Pamela Andersons bra, not to mention the constant ringing of the technology ''too close'' alarms on the car which started to sound like an ice-cream van on steriods.....sooo, now I'm commuting in a BeeMer (5 series), yeah, I know, it aint much smaller, but I got rid of the local teenagers thinking they could score from me.