A Villa Called Love

It's been a while since my last post as there's been a lot going on. But the most important thing that's gone on is... Sam and I are engaged! This blog has quite frequently been like a shrine to our love I guess and in some ways this may seem like the "end" of a little love story. But in truth it is just the start. Maybe the end of chapter one. But I think it continues to get more interesting and exciting.

I'm sure you'd all like to know the details of how I popped the question so here's the basics. I bought a pretty heart cockle shell, sewed myself some padded velvet lining and sealed the ring inside the shell with a little superglue. I say "a little" but it was a bit more than planned. But we'll get back to that.

This gives you some idea what the shell looked like.

If you don't already know Sam and I are in Australia so she can "meet the Fockers" so to speak. A couple of days after our arrival in Perth we went over to Rottnest Island, a small quaint island just off the Perth coast. I had planned to ask her later in the day at a remote location but when we arrived an opportunity presented itself so when coupled with my consideration to the time difference to the USA (for her to call family and friends) and my general anticipation of the moment I decided to seize this opportunity. We had dropped our bags at our villa but couldn't yet get the key so Sam suggested we walk the 10 meters to the beach and enjoy the beautiful view and some sunshine. She headed off and this is when I realised I should take my opportunity. So I headed down with guitar in hand and shell (containing the ring) in pocket. I dropped the shell while she wasn't looking and pretended to find it (how sly) and then sat down and tried to open it with a little pocket knife. I soon realised I'd used a little too much superglue. In the process of me chipping the lips off the shell and getting nervous Sam started to get wise to the situation, knowing that this shell was a little too perfect for just finding on the beach.

I soon got it open though and started to very casually say the following little poem and presented her the ring.

I know that I could travel
All the world and never find
A girl nearly as beautiful
In body and in mind

For us I'm sure that happiness
Will flourish endlessly
For this and so much more
I ask you Sammy B

Will you marry me?


And the answer was "Yes, yes, yes!!!"

I then sang her some of my songs on the beach. You may be wondering about the ring. But I felt putting a photo of it up was a bit of a poser thing to do.

I've written Sam many poems and songs and if you look back over this blog you can presume that anything about love, or even anything similar, is written for and about Sam. She is without question that greatest gift I've ever been given. She surprises me every day with another amazing and unique facet to herself which makes me love her even more. I could go on endlessly, but luckily I've done (and will continue to do) all the going on in this blog so just revise for more on how incredible she is.

My wish is that everyone could have the amazing love, connection, chemistry and support I have with Sam. I know that not all do though, unfortunately few, and for this reason I will always be thankful. If you are someone reading this and wishing you had this sort of love the only thing I can assure you is that true, honest, pure, beautiful and unconditional love does exist. I have no question of that now. And I am so happy to know this is true because of first hand experience.

But enough gushing. Below are some photos of Rottnest. I will post more photos of our trip to Australia soon. I will also post some of the other things I've written recently that I've not had an opportunity to post due to our limited net access here and I will fill you in on what's happening with my solo EP's.

So - again - I'm very happy to announce that I will be living in a beachside villa called "love" for all my life. Thanks to Sam. I love you Sammy B and shall forever!

Can you believe our villa was named "Love"?! It's even more amazing when you know stupid names of other villas...

Deserted beaches everywhere we went...

I know..."Awwwwww..."

I had a little of my Photoshop fun with some of these photos...

This was taken at the eastern tip of Rottnest. That's the CBD of Perth off in the distance.

One of Rottnest's many salt lakes at dusk. Stunning...

Sam. Stunning...

This little guys descendents are how Rottnest got its name. The Dutch captain who first found the island thought these Quokkas were rats, hence "Rott"- Dutch for rat - "nest". It was nice of it to smile for the camera.

"This is my olive buster. I advise you keep your distance..."

A piece of coral washed up on the beach. I got really lucky with my timing to catch the water at this moment.