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Today the drive over to Albany to stay with Joe and Margaret for the evening, back into male clothes for the day which is disappointing after so much enjoyment over the last few days even if it was tinged a little in the restaurant. Today was hotter, up to 34 in Ravensthorpe where we stopped for lunch but back down to 23 by the time we reached Albany. The funny thing was, neither Joe or Margaret mentioned the earrings! Maybe they are too polite but I did expect a comment from Margaret at least, dinner out was ok, fish and chips in a local restaurant, fairly basic but good food and they are lovely company, really interesting people, both look well for their age and I love visiting them.

The first day of 2017 was uneventful until dinner time, we had decided that as the first attempt went well we would go out again to the Chinese, this time not such a good experience, we were ushered into a room on our own, obviously someone had twigged i was not fully female and wanted us out of the way, anyway the meal went ok until it was time for coffee, throughout the meal I was aware of a constant stream of people, mainly waitresses walking to the end of the partition which separated us from the rest of that particular room, looking at me then walking back, I was pretty sure it was to check me out, hopefully they were not sure and were going to take a vote on me when back in the kitchen but when the waitress come about the coffee thought she wasn’t understanding me and probably dropped my guard and went back into Robin mode, however, the coffee never arrived and the stream of people checking us out continued until I had to say something to one of them and eventually another waitress came and took the order again which arrived and the coffee was very good, we drank it, paid and left. I know there are going to be difficult moments and people who are uncomfortable with me and there were things I could have done better so partly my fault but it’s all a learning curve and I will get better!!!

So, it’s New Year’s Eve, time to see out the old and usher in the best year of my life to date! This morning we drove to Bandy Creek harbour and on to the beach, from there it’s possible to drive to cape Le grand, my favourite place, about 28 kms on the beach, amazing, we didn’t see another car and stopped half way for a photo shoot, the water was pretty cold but crystal clear and very blue, the sky was the most amazing colour and we took some great pictures. On arriving at cape Le grand beach we stopped to pump the tyres back up to pressure, I had my bikini on with just some very brief shorts and a vest top, it felt amazing to be out in public like that! We drove from there to lucky bay where the coffee van is parked, it was busy but I wasn’t going to change, just got out, walked over to the van and we ordered our coffee, the lady taking the orders, ironically named Robyn! Said “good morning ladies, what can I get for you”, it was such a small thing but it meant so much! We drove a little way down the beach, drank our coffee and went back to town.
We had decided to go back into town for further supplies and I decided to go as Steph,first time out in daylight fully as a woman! All went well, we did our shopping then went for a look in Rockmans,quite a nice shop and saw a 3 nice tops which I picked out and enquired if I could try them on, the assistant obliged and directed me to the changing rooms, now this is totally foreign territory for me and I felt it went really well, Denise thought the assistant was a little odd with me but I didn’t pick it at all and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and bought 2 out of the 3 tops to add to my collection. We traveled back to the house and chilled for a while before doing dinner and settling down to wait for 2017 to arrive, this it duly did, we exchanged lots of messages had a Skype conversation with mum and went to bed around 1.30

Today was the long drive down to our favourite place, Esperance! 725kms journey but all very easy and enjoyable. The drive was made better by Denise reading to me, we just about finished the book conundrum!
Jan Morris’s transgender story, I have to say the first half of the book I found very hard work and quite boring, the second half was quite the opposite, so many similarities to my journey and an ending which only reinforces my view that I am doing the right thing in transitioning, it would be so wrong to take it to my grave!. We arrived at My second cousin’s about 4, right on schedule and immediately loved the place, sitting on 42 acres overlooking the sea even if it is several kms away, it’s beautiful, they built it themselves about 20 years ago, even made all the bricks themselves!, there’s not a sign of any paint or render in the whole house, just raw brick, wood and metal. Thursday night was very enjoyable, lovely dinner with the perfect “sit round the table and chat” til bedtime!.

Today is Boxing Day! A trip to the block and a visit by Chris, Alison and Alisha to check it out and have lunch in town, then a visit by Bernie with her niece then a visit by wassa and Emma from next door who came armed with a six pack which is always dangerous! This was followed by a visit to their house, more beer and for some reason I decided to tell them my story, wassa had after my teaser about a month ago when I told them I had a story I would share with them already decided that I was going to transition which in the scheme of things was a very good guess, Emma on the other hand had checked me out on google but found only my Facebook page. They were suitably shocked when I admitted it though, really supportive and just lovely and as i am finding, people then put two and two together and get all the little hints I have been dropping recently. We watched the animated video of the surgery which created a few gasps but is great at explaining what happens and we left after being invited for dinner again but I have to go as Stephanie! Which of course I will love!!!, I can’t wait to pull up outside their house and get out of the car in my best dress!.
The only other highlight of the day was a call from Robert, he just wanted to say how much he admires me for my courage and if there is anything he or Margaret can do we just need to ask! I was completely blown away by him, I always thought it would be a tough job telling him in the first place but that went really well yesterday but for him to call me today was totally above and beyond my wildest thoughts so ended the day on a lovely high.

Today is Christmas Day! The day started very slowly, I think we have had so many late nights that we slept in until about 8 which was lovely. The first job was to open our cards, Denise first, two from Robin, one from Bella, one from Tilly and Baloo and one from Stephanie. Then my turn, two from Denise and one each from Bella, Tilly and Baloo. I love cards, I love choosing them and I love writing in them and giving them, we had quite an emotional time afterwards and a long embrace, this is after all my last Christmas as Robin!. Breakfast was chocolate cake and cream in bed! Very enjoyable! Then make a start on preparing for Christmas lunch with Margaret and Robert at 3 pm, it was going to be a big one and after the first course I planned to tell Robert my story, it went perfectly and although he was shocked he was visibly sympathetic and after the brief outline and telling him about Stephanie he got up from his chair and gave me a long hug, it was a very heavy moment but I was so happy! I have been dreading telling him and had spent the previous hour and a half trying to guess his mood but it went so well, Denise and Margaret also gave me big hugs and I felt much loved, the best feeling anyone could have on Christmas Day. The next 40 minutes was spent elaborating on the main story and there were lots of surprised looks and sympathy, not that I want sympathy, I think I have been given an amazing opportunity to shine and personally can’t wait to have the surgery and be Stephanie.
The rest of the day was spent speaking to various people in various areas of the uk, mum and Peter, Geoff and Polly, Edwin and Fliss and family, all were lovely to see, pity it takes Christmas to speak to them all but it’s better than nothing. The good news which came out of skyping with fliss was that she is coming over late January which means I will be able to tell her face to face which will be much better and easier. By this stage it was midnight and we were bushed and went to bed happy!.

So, its Christmas Eve, I’m not a fan of Christmas and think it should be changed to every 4 years but I guess that’s never going to catch on.
My day started with a text from Nick, he asked if he could come round for a chat as he needed to talk and talk we did, for almost 3 hours, he is a great friend and I feel honoured that he is able to talk to me. We have a very common interest in cars which from the start I knew we would get on well, he is very “Volkswagen minded” like me so we find lots to discuss.
Denise came home from work about 12.15 and we went into town again, a little more shopping for us both then home to get ready for Jessie coming round for afternoon tea. It’s always lovely to see Jessie, I think the world of her and we have a very special bond, she had brought my dress, I was so excited and couldn’t wait to try it on, it was perfect, the fit was amazing and it felt wonderful on and looked amazing as well. We sat and talked and had a lovely couple of hours, she brought some home made cookies as well which were lovely.
Well tomorrow is Christmas Day, I’m not a fan of Christmas but the knowledge that in 24 hours it will be almost over for another year I guess I’ll manage.

So to Thursday, I was going to Nannup to start ply lining the shower area but I had things to do here and decided against going, we have to go on Friday to pay Hamish so will take a look then and decide when to do the work over Christmas. Most of the day was spent trying to sort out the reticulation, a job I hate, I had some success but it’s still not right at the front and I can see me digging much of it up and replacing the pop ups with gear drive ones which need to be deeper but it’s the only way I think I can get full coverage. I spoke with Chris, it didn’t do me much good as he is concerned about telling Their daughter whatever it is I have to tell her so that upset me, then I spoke to Margaret, that made me worse as I understand how hard it is for her knowing about me but not being able to discuss it with Robert, the plan is to tell him on Sunday, Christmas Day is probably not the best day for it and I feel I am being rushed in telling him but can see Margaret’s position is a difficult one, anyway we will see how it goes.
Anyway, to dinner, we were entertaining David for dinner and it was to be my first occasion dresses as Stephanie with people, it went amazingly well, he was not shocked and complemented me on how I looked, I was however a little taken a back when he kissed me! I guess it’s something I will get used to!! We had a lovely evening, David and his family are the most amazing people and I love them all dearly!.

Today I went over to the block to see the plumbers to answer any questions and maybe start on the lining of the shower area and maybe fit the shower base, it soon became obvious that there wasn’t a great deal I could do while they were there so left about 10.30. I had plenty of jobs to do around the house so wasn’t too bothered about coming home. I had on my mind to visit Alison at work but somehow time got away and never got round to it. The rest of the day was uneventful!

This morning was a time to catch up on some chores around the house! Three loads of washing, the associated ironing, change the bed etc, I chose to do this as Stephanie, heels and all, put eye shadow and liner on and plenty of lipstick! Then for the dress, I chose one of Denise’s as of all the dresses I have worn it has to be my favourite. Before putting it on I decided to choose a different bra from the drawer, as I rummaged through the various styles I found my red and black teddy, I haven’t worn it for ages, probably years! So I put it on and to my amazement it fitted so well, didn’t feel sharp around my bits and looked stunning so I put the dress on and my black heels to finish the job and felt incredibly feminine and even a little sexy. It was a bit over the top for doing my chores but worth it. Denise arrived home at 11.45 and brought Margaret in with her, I think it was a mixture of shock and amazement but she did take a double take when she saw me, made some comments about how thin I was then gave me a hug as usual. Hopefully we are spending Christmas Day with them and hopefully here, I really want to tell Robert about my journey, I feel it’s very unfair asking Margaret to keep it a secret from him so will aim to tell him on Christmas Day, after lunch of course, I would hate to spoil it!
We went across to Nannup this afternoon to take the plywood sheets and shower parts and to fill the holes behind where the shower is going with silicone so it is fully dry by the time the plumber arrives on Tuesday/Wednesday, it was a frustrating job but we managed it eventually, far from ideal but it will do the job I feel.