I arrived into Sydney airport late on Saturday afternoon to be reunited with one of my wonderful friends Maria.

I met Maria while working on a Girl Scout camp in Boston in 2002 through Camp America. Little did we know then that 24 years later I’d finally get to Australia to see her!

Maria has been across in the UK before, and we met up in London, a few years after camp (Maria when you read this can you remind me when that was?), and, in 2009 I was delighted when she said yes to being my bridesmaid and came over in September 2009. I’m still amazed that the dressmaker was able to make both Maria and Jenna dresses with measurements over the phone. I remember tge look of panic ehen the dress was too snakl on the Thursday mirning but by the Friday afternoon it was a perfect fit!

I’ve had a lovely few days with Maria and her family.

However, we were not the only two to be reunited this weekend. Those of you who know how crazy I am know there are quite a few soft toy dogs in the family (and beyond). The original and oldest is Fudge, bought for me by my mother-in-law. Fudge is about 20 I think. We doggy-napped Nudge, who we’d bought for Keith’s sister but ended up in her parent’s basement! Nudge is also the same age and came back to live with us in 2011. Hudge was rescued by Keith from Vinted (I think) just a couple of years ago and then I rescured Udge and Mudge junior from.ebay last year. So we’ve got quite a big family of Udge dogs across the UK. The furthest Udge is Smudge who has been living with Maria alalsi since 2004 I think! Fudge and Smudge are very close as brothers despite the distance and this weekend they too very reunited!

Despite how they look, they are the same age and breed(!),it’s just clearly Australian life agrees with Smudge!