#bag spa australia

[daisyblog]

Birthday Celebrations

Too Young Masterlist Summary: YN tuns 30.

YN didn’t want a huge fuss for her thirtieth birthday, she wanted it to be surrounded by her family. So before she and Arthur jetted off to join Louis in Australia, she had a few small celebrations. 

Whilst Arthur had a sleepover at Uncle Harry’s, YN had a girls day with her Mum, Gemma and Louis’ sisters. Their day started at the spa, where they all enjoyed some relaxation and a swim in the pool. Their evening ended with a dinner and some drinks. 

When YN and Harry were younger, they always loved spending the night of their birthday in one of their rooms watching a film with their favourite snacks. But as they got older and life become busier, their tradition dwindled away. But this year, they had arranged for them to carry on their favourite memory but with Arthur included. They had made the living area of YN and Louis’ house into a cosy room with duvets, pillows and blankets covered with every snack they could. 

With Louis having a couple of days off in between shows, they made the most of their time together. They had days at the beach and pool, and finished off their days with a family meal. 

The morning of YN’s birthday, Louis and Arthur had surprised her with a breakfast in bed, where they showered her with love, cards and presents. But YN’s favourite was definitely the pained rock Arthur had given her with a handmade card. After spending the day celebrating and all of Louis’ friends and team throwing her little birthday lunch, it had been arranged for Arthur to stay with Oli for the evening for YN and Louis to have a quiet dinner together. 

Louis took her to her favourite restaurant where they enjoyed much needed alone time, to be Louis and YN and not just Mum and Dad. As the night drew in, they headed back to the hotel where they were staying. 

They stumbled into their room, as their lips moved against each others. Small moans and hums spoke between them, as they held onto the other. 

It wasn’t until YN broke their kiss, that she noticed their once plain room was now covered in fairy lights and red petals that spelt the words “Marry me?” on the bedsheet. She gasped, her hands coming up to cover her shocked expression. 

She turned to look at Louis, who was now knelt down on one knee with a box in his hand. “I want to do a whole speech about how much I love you and everything, but you know how fooking shit I am with words”. YN let out a giggle at how real Louis was keeping it. “Will you marry me?”. 

“Yes…a thousand times yes!”. Louis placed the ring on YN’s finger, before kissing her with so much passion and love. “I’m going to be your wife!”.

“I can’t fooking wait!”. Louis smiled as the stayed wrapped up in one and other. “I’d marry you now if I could.”. 

As they were laying in bed, Louis still admiring the ring that he had kept hidden for weeks, YN broke the silence. “I’ve got a present for you.”. 

“For me?”. Louis was confused. “It’s not my birthday though.”. 

YN got up from the bed, where they were both laying and began to rummage through her suitcase until she found the bag she was looking for. She placed the bag in Louis’ hand as she sat slightly in front of him. He kept looking between YN and the bag, like it was going to give him the answer. 

The moment Louis picked up the small piece of clothing, YN’s eyes began to well up. Louis looked between the words printed on the vest and back to his now fiancée. 

“A-are you?”. Louis was reluctant to believe the words  ‘Baby Tomlinson due September 2024’ that looked back at him. But when YN smiled and gently nodded, his eyes began to water. “We’re having a baby?”. 

“We’re having a baby!”. YN placed his hand on the tiny bulge that covered the little one.

Louis leaned down and gently lifted her top, and placed small kisses on her soft skin and whimpering a quiet “Daddy loves you so much”. 

After trying for nearly a year to conceive their second baby to only be faced with negative tests, their time had come where not only were they getting married, but their little family was finally growing. 

ynstyles and louist91

liked by annetwist, gemmastyles, and 6,754,733 others

ynstyles YES❤️ View all 23,543 comments

niallhoran It’s about damn time! Congratulations guys!!

harrystyles ❤️

gemmastyles My baby sister is getting married🥹

annetwist I haven’t stopped crying! Congratulations to both, you deserve all the love and happiness. Love you❤️❤️❤️

lottietomlinson Finally!!! Congratulations!! I can finally call you my sister 🤍🤍🤍

thepheobetomlinson AHHHHH!!!🥹🥹🥹❤️❤️❤️

the.daisytomlinson YES YES YES!!! AHHH IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU BOTH!

liampayne Yes man!! So happy for you xx

louteasdale Congratulations my darlings xx

zayn congrats both!

daniellepeazer Congratulations ❤️

sallietommo Congratulations to you both! Love you all❤️❤️❤️

Taglist:@jillsvalentinex @itsmytimetoodream @peterholland04 @youcan-nolonger-run @chronicallybubbly

[race-week]

Joe Saward has revealed some rumours about the 2024 Calendar

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to be the first two races of the season, but they will be held on Saturdays instead of Sundays (2nd March and 9th March respectively) this is due in part to the start of Ramadan

Australia would then take place on the 24th March to allow for freight

Japanese GP on the 7th April, Chinese GP on the 21st April. This means that team personnel would be going Australia-Europe-Japan-Europe-China-Europe

5th May Miami GP with Canada 5 weeks later. F1 want to have a Miami-Canada double header but Canada can’t do May because of the risk of frost and Miami can’t do June because they have an event booked

Baku will likely move to Japan’s old spot in the calendar when Singapore is

Spa planned for 2024 but in the future will likely rotate with Zandvoort to make space for a race in Africa

[X]

These are all rumours and Joe Saward has a bit of a mixed bag of results when it comes to his rumours but they are interesting nonetheless.

[mygainyear2024]

I will call this day 0 otherwise I’ll confuse myself, so 1 April in Europe can be Day 1, except I fell asleep while trying to edit this last night, so I will confuse myself posting it on 1 April!

I feel very well equipped for this solo trip and future ones. I bought Keely’s old iPhone. This is the first phone I’ve owned! I’ve just had the work one, fearing I’d lose a second one! I have a portable mobile phone charger that appears to work well, AirTags attached to 3 items (as I did leave my new Apple Mac on a seat at the gate at Brisbane Airport last year)! I researched neck supports, and it was quite effective, and given the weather looked a bit rubbish in the Algarve on the advice of friends I raced out to MacPac and got a vest and I also invested in a Travelon cross body anti theft bag.

Today is a travel day. Brisbane to Dubai to Lisbon. Interestingly both Emirates Lounges were so quiet, as was Dubai airport mid morning. Is this cozzie lives? I asked a staff member in Dubai if it was due to Ramadan and he said no.

I met the lovely Tracey from seat 31D during the first flight. We were both up the back drinking cups of tea and stretching. She lives in Australia, originally from the UK, travelling back to Bristol to see her dying 62 year old sister 😢 She had an interesting story about terrible bosses, sea changes to Port Macquarie from Sydney and now due to her partner’s redundancy, three weeks after he achieved residency sponsorship from his employer, they are having several sea changes around Brisbane house and pet sitting while their place in Port Macquarie is listed on airbnb.

It gave me an idea about options for when I return as the beautiful 21 year old Anna, from the UK, has just signed the lease to rent my room for 3 months from 14th May 🤩 She’s studying forensic science and has a project at UQ. I have a feeling her and Rose are going to enjoy each others’ company.

I’d like to consider exploring house sitting locally and build up my references ahead of some potential overseas options💡 Any offers? Preferably modern, well appointed, comfortable, no pets and no gardening 😂

Now onboard the 7.51 hour flight to Lisbon. The lovely Calisa (flight attendant) came to my seat and welcomed just me back on board 😂 She said “let me know if there’s anything I can do to make your flight more comfortable”. I was too slow to say “upgrade me?” or “can you remove the crying babies and toddlers” This flight is very full.

Back to Netflix while I have access to my daughter’s account to download stuff. Just finished season 3 of Dead to Me, about to watch the last episodes of One Day. And started season 3 of Emily in Paris.

Usually I’d navigate public transport straight up but decided to order an Uber to the hotel and it worked really well. Felipe, the driver, was very surprised at how bright I was after all the travel.

I’m staying at Masa Hotel & Spa (it has a free gym which was great to use to shake off hours of sitting), near the airport (luckily flight didn’t start until around 6am) for 2 nights before heading to “home” in the Algarve for the rest of the month.

[spaceylonaustralia]

Why Spa Ceylon Australia’s Products Are a Must-Have for Travel

When planning for a trip, we often pack the essentials like clothes, chargers, and travel documents. But what about those little luxuries that can transform a journey? Spa Ceylon Australia offers a range of Ayurvedic products that are not just designed for relaxation but also support wellness on the go. Using pure ingredients sourced from Sri Lanka, Spa Ceylon’s products provide therapeutic benefits that address common travel concerns like stress, jet lag, dry skin, and even muscle tension. This blog will dive into why Spa Ceylon Australia products should be part of your travel routine, exploring the benefits, uses, and must-have items.

Embracing the Power of Ayurveda for Travel Wellness

Ayurveda, a holistic healing system that originated in India thousands of years ago, focuses on balancing the mind, body, and spirit. Spa Ceylon Australia’s products draw upon this ancient wisdom by infusing ingredients such as sandalwood, jasmine, lemongrass, and coconut oil, making them ideal for travelers seeking natural remedies. Whether you’re embarking on a short trip or a long-haul adventure, here’s how Spa Ceylon Australia’s products can elevate your journey.

Key Benefits of Spa Ceylon Australia Products for Travel

Relaxation: Aromatherapy oils and balms reduce travel-related stress and enhance relaxation.

Hydration: Body and face lotions help counteract dryness caused by air travel.

Immune Support: Ingredients like turmeric and cinnamon bolster the immune system, aiding in fighting off travel germs.

Improved Sleep: The sleep balms and sprays promote restful sleep, even in unfamiliar environments.

Enhanced Energy: Refreshing mists and herbal teas help alleviate fatigue and provide an energy boost.

Must-Have Spa Ceylon Australia Products for Travellers

1. Aromatic Balm - De-Stress

Travel often brings unexpected stress. Spa Ceylon Australia’s De-Stress Balm contains a blend of ylang-ylang, lavender, and patchouli, which work together to relax the mind and calm nerves. Apply a small amount on your temples, wrists, or under your nose, breathe deeply, and let the calming scent take effect. This balm is small enough to keep in your pocket, making it perfect for calming pre-flight jitters or de-stressing during a layover.

2. Hydrating Hand & Body Lotion - Ceylon Tea & Ylang-Ylang

Flying can dehydrate your skin, and maintaining skin moisture is essential for keeping it healthy. This Spa Ceylon Australia lotion uses the powerful antioxidants in Ceylon tea to nourish and soothe the skin, while ylang-ylang oil hydrates and leaves a pleasant scent. Its lightweight consistency makes it ideal for quick absorption, ensuring you stay refreshed throughout your journey.

3. Sleep Balm - Night Time

For those who find it hard to sleep while travelling, the Night Time Sleep Balm is an ideal companion. With a unique blend of calming oils like lavender, vetiver, and patchouli, it promotes deep sleep by relaxing both the body and the mind. Just dab a bit on your pulse points, inhale the soothing aroma, and drift off to sleep, even if you’re on a crowded plane.

4. Refreshing Face Mist - Lemongrass & Lime

The skin can feel tired and dull after hours on the road. A quick spritz of the Lemongrass & Lime Face Mist instantly refreshes and revitalizes your complexion. This product from Spa Ceylon Australia is enriched with pure lemongrass and lime essential oils, which not only rejuvenate the skin but also uplift your spirits. Its compact size makes it a perfect addition to your carry-on bag.

5. Ayurvedic Herbal Tea - Relaxing Herbal Infusion

Travelling can wreak havoc on your body clock, and sometimes a warm cup of tea is all you need to unwind. Spa Ceylon Australia’s Relaxing Herbal Infusion, with a soothing blend of chamomile, lavender, and fennel, helps to relax your body and promote calmness. It’s caffeine-free, making it perfect for bedtime or anytime you want to take a moment to relax.

Why Spa Ceylon Australia Products Are the Ideal Travel Companions

Natural Ingredients with No Harsh Chemicals

One of the top reasons to choose Spa Ceylon Australia products is their commitment to natural ingredients. Free from harmful chemicals like parabens, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances, these products are not only safe for your skin but also environmentally friendly. Whether you’re applying lotion or spritzing a mist, you can travel assured that Spa Ceylon Australia products support your wellness without compromising on quality.

Portable and Travel-Friendly Sizes

Packing for travel often means prioritizing items that are easy to carry. Spa Ceylon Australia’s products are thoughtfully packaged in compact containers, perfect for fitting into your carry-on. The convenient sizes allow you to experience luxury and wellness on the go without overloading your luggage.

Ethical and Sustainable

Spa Ceylon Australia is committed to ethical and sustainable practices, which makes their products even more appealing for eco-conscious travelers. Using sustainably harvested ingredients and cruelty-free formulations, Spa Ceylon Australia stands out as a brand that cares not only about your well-being but also about the planet.

How to Use Spa Ceylon Australia Products While Travelling

Before the Trip: Apply the De-Stress Balm to pulse points to alleviate travel anxiety.

During the Flight: Use the Hydrating Lotion to keep your skin moisturized, and spritz the Face Mist for an instant refresh.

At Bedtime: Apply the Sleep Balm before bed, helping to calm your mind and ease into sleep.

Upon Arrival: Relax with a cup of Relaxing Herbal Infusion tea to wind down after a long day.

Benefits of Spa Ceylon Australia Products

Spa Ceylon Australia products are uniquely designed to deliver therapeutic benefits that align with the ancient principles of Ayurveda. Here are some key benefits:

Relaxation & Calm: Balms and mists with essential oils reduce stress and induce a sense of calm.

Skin Nourishment: Lotions and mists hydrate, nourish, and protect the skin against environmental stressors.

Enhanced Well-being: Aromatherapy products promote mental clarity, positivity, and overall well-being.

Natural & Safe: Free from harmful chemicals, making them ideal for individuals with sensitive skin.

Portable Wellness: Compact sizes make them easy to carry and use anywhere.

Conclusion

Travelling can be exhausting, and it’s important to take a few moments to care for yourself along the way. Spa Ceylon Australia’s products bring the benefits of Ayurvedic wellness into the modern world, providing natural solutions for relaxation, hydration, and rejuvenation on the go. With their travel-friendly packaging and soothing ingredients, these products help ensure that wherever you are, you have everything you need to feel refreshed, balanced, and ready for your next adventure.

FAQs

1. How often can I use the Spa Ceylon Australia Face Mist while travelling? You can use the Face Mist as often as you like. It’s gentle and refreshing, ideal for a quick boost whenever your skin feels dry or tired.

2. Are Spa Ceylon Australia products suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, Spa Ceylon Australia products are formulated with natural, gentle ingredients. However, it's always a good idea to do a patch test if you have particularly sensitive skin.

3. Can I take Spa Ceylon Australia’s herbal tea through airport security? Yes, herbal tea bags are allowed in your carry-on, but if you bring liquid, it must adhere to airport regulations for liquids (usually under 100 ml).

4. How long do the benefits of the Sleep Balm last? The Sleep Balm is designed to promote relaxation and help you fall asleep, with effects lasting throughout the night if applied just before bedtime.

5. Do Spa Ceylon Australia products contain artificial fragrances? No, they use only natural essential oils for fragrance, ensuring a pure, relaxing experience without synthetic chemicals.

With Spa Ceylon Australia’s luxurious Ayurvedic products in your travel bag, you’re all set for a journey filled with comfort, wellness, and natural beauty.

Spa Ceylon Spa Ceylon Melbourne

[evoldir]

Fwd: Postdoc: Sydney.PollinationMatingSystems

Begin forwarded message: > From: evoldir@evol.biology.mcmaster.ca > Subject: Postdoc: Sydney.PollinationMatingSystems > Date: 26 September 2024 at 07:50:12 BST > To: rdmpage@gmail.com > > > The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE) is offering a > two year postdoctoral researcher position investigating pollinator > abundance, diversity and behaviour in native seed production areas, and > how pollinators influence plant mating patterns and seed quality. The > project is co-funded by Greening Australia, Western Sydney University's > Graduate Research School, and the Ian Potter Foundation. > > Addressing Australia's challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change > is hampered by limited availability of good quality native seed. Regional > Seed Production Areas (SPAs) are thus required to produce stocks of > resilient, healthy seeds suitable for a changing climate. Consequently, > we also need to know how different horticultural practices and planting > designs influence seed yield and quality in SPAs. Given the importance > of pollinators to the yield and genetic quality of SPA-produced seed, > it is essential to investigate pollinator visitation and performance on > key plant species in SPAs. This project will use innovative fieldwork > techniques (plantings, exclusions) and technologies (eDNA, cameras) to > understand which animals pollinate selected Australian native plants and > how SPA design influences their pollination, seed yield and seed quality. > > > WSU - https://ift.tt/t1foUBE > SEEK - https://ift.tt/QhINedy > > Please share with potential candidates and email to discuss. > Regards > Paul > > > Dr Paul Rymer| Associate Professor > Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment > Western Sydney University > Hawkesbury Campus > Locked Bag 1797 Penrith NSW 2751 Australia > P: +612 4570 1094 | M: 0415 963 139 > > > westernsydney.edu.au > > I acknowledge that I work on the country of the Boorooberongal People of > the Darug Nation and acknowledge their ancestors who have been Traditional > Owners of their country for tens of thousands of years. I also acknowledge > and pay my respect to Elders past and present. > > > > Paul Rymer

[cloudbag]

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CloudBag Australia: Redefining Comfort with Memory Foam

Ditch the traditional bean bag and embrace the luxurious comfort of a CloudBag 5ft memory foam bean bag. With its exceptional support, plush feel, and vibrant colors, it transforms your space into an oasis of relaxation. CloudBag Australia: Where memory foam meets comfort, creating a haven for you and your loved ones.

Contact- Web - https://www.cloudbag.com.au/bags/5ft-cloud-bag Mail - sales@cloudbag.com.au Address - Unit 3 -21 Leather Street, Breakwater,Geelong, Victoria, 3219, Australia.

[clapperboardtalk]

THE FURRIES (2019)

The Furies (2019): A Gory Good Time (Almost) Ruined by a Bad Case of the Dropped Balls

• Title: The Furies

• Year: 2019

• Genre: Horror/Action

• Country: Australia

Strap yourselves in, horror hounds, because we're diving into the twisted world of The Furies, a film that throws women, machetes, and questionable life choices into a blender and hits puree.

Plot (Spoiler-Free!): Imagine waking up to find yourself kidnapped, dumped in the wilderness, and hunted by masked maniacs. Not exactly a relaxing spa weekend, right? That's the joy (or should I say horror?) awaiting Kayla, our protagonist, and a handful of other unlucky ladies. As they fight for survival, alliances shift, secrets spill, and the body count rises faster than your heart rate during a jump scare.

Cinematography: The film paints the Australian outback in stark, brutal beauty. Think long, dusty roads, desolate landscapes, and enough shadows to hide a legion of axe-wielding psychos. It's not exactly a postcard paradise, but it sets the mood perfectly for the mayhem to unfold.

Reception: Reviews were a mixed bag. Some praised the strong female characters and the brutal action, while others criticized the predictable plot and the, ahem, creative liberties taken with logic. It seems like The Furies divided audiences more than a choose-your-own-adventure horror novel with only bad endings.

My Take: Look, I'm not gonna lie. I went into this movie expecting a popcorn-munching gorefest, and on that front, it delivered. The kill scenes were inventive, the action sequences were pulse-pounding, and the face-chopping scene you mentioned? Yeah, that was some truly inspired brutality. However, the ending left me feeling like I'd just finished a delicious pizza with a moldy crust. Rushed, unsatisfying, and ultimately forgettable. So, while I appreciate the gore and the decent story, The Furies gets a 2 out of 5.

Memorable Moment: As you mentioned, the face-chopping scene was a standout. It was brutal, creative, and had me squirming in my seat (in a good way, of course). Plus, points for weapon choice. Axes are underappreciated killing tools in horror movies.

Fun Fact: Did you know that the director, Tony D'Aquino, also wrote and starred in the film? Talk about a triple threat (or maybe a quadruple threat if you count getting chased by masked killers as a skill).

So, there you have it. The Furies: a wild ride with stunning visuals, brutal action, and a story that sputters out like a car running on fumes. If you're looking for a gorefest with a side of "meh," then dive in. But if you crave a horror movie that sticks the landing, you might want to hunt for something else.

[rfbworld]

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[f1]

FACTS AND STATS: Win 12 for Red Bull heralds most successful season start in F1 history

The records just keep on falling to Red Bull and Max Verstappen, who showed no sign of releasing their vice-like grip on the 2023 titles in Belgium on Sunday. There were, however, some notable numbers for plenty of others on the grid – here’s our round-up from Spa. • Verstappen won by 17.841s. Last year he won this race by 22.305s. • It was Verstappen’s eighth consecutive championship race win, just one short of the all-time record held by Sebastian Vettel from 2013. RACE REPORT: Verstappen charges to Belgian GP win as Red Bull bag 1-2 finish • Prior to today, Verstappen had never won from sixth on the grid. It means he ties Fernando Alonso's record of nine winning grid positions. • With 314 points so far in 2023, Verstappen has already exceeded Vettel's championship-winning points totals in 2010 (256 points) and 2012 (281 points). • Today was Verstappen’s 13th consecutive podium finish (the fourth-longest streak in history). • Verstappen will arrive at his home race next month having not lost a Grand Prix or a Sprint event in almost four months (since Azerbaijan on April 30th). • In finishing one-two for their 12th win of the year, Red Bull broke the record for most victories from the beginning of a single season (McLaren won the first 11 races in 1988). Leclerc and Ferrari were back on the podium in Belgium • It was Red Bull's fifth one-two finish of the season and ties their best-ever season total, set in 2022. • Red Bull finished one-two in Belgium for the second year in a row. • P2 was Perez’s best finish since the Miami Grand Prix, seven races ago. RACE START: Enjoy the action from Spa as Perez passes pole-sitter Leclerc while Piastri and Sainz collide • It was Perez’s 33rd career podium, surpassing Daniel Ricciardo's career total. • With P3, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took his third podium finish of the year. • Leclerc has now failed to win his last nine starts from first on the grid. • Perez finished 4.5s further behind Verstappen today than he did when finishing second behind his team mate in last year's Belgian Grand Prix. DRIVER OF THE DAY: Flawless Verstappen gets your vote after imperious Spa win • After finishing P4 for Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton has scored in every race this season. • He also set the fastest lap of the race, meaning he is now only one point behind Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso in the battle for third in the drivers' championship. • Alonso finished fifth in Belgium for the second year in a row. • Mercedes’ George Russell finished sixth for the second consecutive weekend, having never finished sixth before in his entire F1 career. Yuki Tsunoda - still the only man to score for AlphaTauri in 2023 • With P7 for McLaren, Lando Norris tied his best-ever Spa result (he previously finished seventh in 2020). • After taking P8 for Alpine, Esteban Ocon has now scored points at Spa in his last six consecutive appearances. • It was his first points-finish since Canada, four races ago. • With P9 for Aston Martin, Lance Stroll tied his best-ever Belgian Grand Prix finish (2020). • Stroll has not had a top-eight finish in the last five races. • Yuki Tsunoda took P10 and has scored all of AlphaTauri's points in 2023. • Tsunoda has now finished 10th on three occasions this year (Australia, Azerbaijan, Belgium). • Pierre Gasly could only manage P11, but still scored more points in yesterday's Sprint (six) than Alpine team mate ocon scored in today's Grand Prix (four). • Carlos Sainz’s DNF for Ferrari was his fourth failure to finish at Spa (fifth when including his did-not-start in 2020). • Oscar Piastri’s early DNF for McLaren was his first retirement since his F1 debut in Bahrain at the start of the season. via Formula 1 News https://www.formula1.com

[racingliners]

Life In The Fast Lane Chapter 5 - 2023 Race 1: Australia (Part 1)

Rating: Teen & Up

Warnings: None apply

Pairings: Original Female Character(s)/Original Male Character(s); OFCs & OMCs

Work Tags: Re-write of a previous work; Mentions of IRL current and past F1 figures; Eventual romance; friends to lovers; found family/work family; actual family; racing drivers and their various shenanigans; how to handle pressure (and how not to); with a sprinkling of the power of friendship; tags will be updated as work progresses

Chapter 5/57

Word count: 8.6k

Summary: Anticipation builds for the first race of the 2023 season

As this is an original work, I’ve made up an entire fictional grid of drivers which are listed below! (with the 2023 teams for the most part, Audi are there for eventual plot reasons)

2023 Teams & Drivers Red Bull - Benedikt Schmitz (SUI) & Alistair Mitchell (GBR) Ferrari - Giovanni Carotti (ITA) & Teo Martinez (ARG) McLaren - James Hewitt (GBR) & Sophie Knightsbridge (GBR) Mercedes - Nathan Watkins (CAN) & Marc Pavard (MON) Alpine - Cristóbal Vasquez (ESP) & Daniel Jakobsson (SWE) Aston Martin - Owen Nichols (NZL) & Aaron Jones (GBR) Alpha Tauri - Nico Dumont (FRA) & Antonio Lima (BRA) Audi - Erik Braun (GER) & Jan Martens (NED) Haas - Tadashi Sato (JPN) & Leon Bauer (AUT) Williams - Evan McKinley (AUS) & Aidan Glover (GBR)

Thursday 16th March – Melbourne

Much to Vanessa’s amusement, Sophie’s room was indeed a small suite. Though it was furnished in the exact same style as hers down to the soft grey curtains framing the windows. The living room area was compact, with a two-seater sofa opposite a flatscreen TV, and a glass coffee table with two armchairs next to a sleek black counter with a kettle, mugs, and baskets with complimentary biscuits and sachets of instant coffee and various kinds of tea.

“Charger, spare socks, notebook, ball point pens, marker pens, bottled water…” Sophie reeled off as she searched through her bag, triple checking to ensure she wasn’t leaving anything she needed behind. “Helmets are on the sofa” She pointed over her shoulder with her thumb and the two white Arai boxes. “Drinks bottle!” Sophie looked up with wide eyes and the smallest hint of panic in her voice.

“In my bag to be prepped when we get to the track”

“Okay…” Sophie sighed, first zipping up her bag, then double checking that her red paddock pass was still hanging around her neck. “Can you carry one of the boxes?”

“Sure” They took a box each from the grey sofa, and left once Sophie was happy she still had her phone, car keys and room key card in her pocket.

Richard was waiting for them in the lobby, dressed in his white collared team shirt, black shorts and trainers. As seemed to be the norm he was scrolling through his phone. Most likely checking emails or trying to juggle messages with various journalists.

“Morning Richard!” Sophie said brightly once they were a few metres away from him. He looked up, and greeted his colleagues with a smile as he pocketed his phone.

“Morning… ah you did get your nails done!” It was something that Vanessa and Sophie had been mulling over on the flight. And last night after dinner they had went over to the hotel’s spa, and had their nails painted papaya orange to celebrate Sophie’s first race weekend. “Are you both ready to go?”

Sophie and Vanessa briefly glanced at each other before nodding.

“Ready as we’ll ever be”

Richard led his colleagues out of the hotel lobby and towards the car park, where they stopped by a white Mercedes. One of the perks of McLaren using Mercedes engines was that their higher up personnel were granted the use of their road cars at some races. Sophie pulled the keys to the rental car out of her pocket and unlocked it, allowing the group to put their bags and boxes in the boot.

Sophie got in the driver’s seat, with Richard in the front in case there was any issues when they arrived at the circuit.

“I’m in!” Vanessa called from the back after being the last to fasten her seatbelt. Sophie started the car which hummed with the gentlest of purrs as she navigated her way through the car park and onto the road.

“Now you will want to follow the yellow arrows for F1 personnel, there should be signs once we’re over the bridge,” Richard explained. “I also put the car park stickers on the window last night when the car arrived, since you have more than enough to worry about this week”

Carefully, Sophie drove her way through the Thursday morning downtown Melbourne traffic, following the signs for Albert Park. After fifteen minutes the outer grandstands came into view, with marshals dressed in bright orange overalls topped with white and neon yellow bibs directing cars to the correct entrances. Sophie followed Richard’s instructions to head for Gate 1, where she stopped the car and rolled down the window as one marshal almost bounced over towards her.

“Good morning!” She looked to be in her late 30s or early 40s, with her hair hidden under a grey baseball cap. “How are we Richard?”

“Very well thanks Maggie!”

“Lovely to finally meet you!” She turned her attention towards Sophie, and nervously stuck out a hand, which Sophie happily shook. “Can I see everyone’s accreditation please? It’s procedure I’m afraid” Maggie asked as Sophie, Richard and Vanessa all showed their red F1 passes. “Right, everything looks in order” Maggie gave the stickers on the window one last look before taking a few steps back from the car. “You’re free to head on through, Richard will tell you where to go!”

“Thank you” Sophie gave Maggie a small wave as she drove down the narrow access road that briefly went under the circuit, where more marshals and volunteers stood waiting to give people directions. They were waved into the F1 personnel car park, and Sophie parked the car with a small sigh.

“Thanks for not letting me get lost” She said as the trio got out the car and collected their things from the boot. Richard shook his head with a small laugh, saying that it was all part of his job.

He led the way towards the paddock, with a few stops along the way as various marshals and volunteers asked Sophie for autographs and pictures. Each one she gave with a bright, wide smile, whishing everyone a nice day as they wished her luck for the race.

When the trio finally reached the paddock turnstiles, they scanned their red passes and walked on through. Some accredited photographers wearing similar bibs to the marshals snapped away as they headed down the narrow tarmac road, walking past parasol covered tables that sat in front of the temporary hospitality buildings until they saw the sign that sat outside McLaren’s assigned building, and quickly dived inside.

Richard directed Sophie and Vanessa down a narrow corridor, where Sophie’s small driver room sat at the end. In it was a massage table, a couple of chairs with a tiny coffee table in between, a clothes rail that Sophie’s race suits and fireproofs hung from, and a small mini fridge.

“Honey we’re home” Vanessa said quietly. Sophie chuckled as she set down the helmet box by the clothes rail, before looking around the small room.

“They only use the motorhome for the European races” She explained.

“Well I wouldn’t want to be the person responsible for shipping all that freight halfway across the world” Vanessa huffed. “So, how ridiculous is your schedule today?” Right on cue, Richard knocked on the door three times before stepping into the room carrying a few sheets of paper.

“Your schedule for the weekend, fresh from the printer” Richard pinned one sheet on the wall, and handed another to Vanessa. “Only makes sense to keep you in the loop. You’ve got about twenty minutes before your track walk, there’s pesto eggs going if you’re quick!” Richard left the room as quickly as he entered, and Sophie and Vanessa quickly followed him at the prospect of food.

  Most circuits on the F1 calendar were either purpose built, or temporary street circuits. Albert Park was unique in that it was a combination of both. Though the pit buildings were the only permanent structure, every February the complex was transformed with the roads being painted and grandstands, the paddock, hospitality areas and fan zones all built in a matter of weeks.

It certainly made a beautiful sight as Sophie walked with Vanessa and Richard towards the pits, where she would be meeting her engineers for their track walk. They made a beeline for the entrance to the McLaren garage, with Richard trying to avoid as many rogue journalists as possible. Once in the safety of the garage, their walking pace slowed to a stroll as they meandered through the passage way that opened out into the McLaren team garage.

It was predominantly white, with the exception of Sophie and James’ names written on either side of the wall in orange, and an almost unbroken row of LED screens going from one side to the other. Most of them had the team’s name and logo on a papaya orange background, while others that would be tuned into the global TV feed come Friday showed coloured bars.

Sophie’s attention quickly turned to her mechanics, who she greeted in turn, thankfully having remembered all their names.

“All in one piece?” She asked Steve, gesturing to her car.

“Of course!” He replied with a broad smile. His dark skin almost seem to glow in the sun and his short braids were tied back into a ponytail. “A couple of us wanted to join you on the track walk”

“Oh” Her eyes widened. Stood a few metres away in the pitlane was Sophie’s Race Engineer Chris, the team’s Chief Strategist Amir, Junior Engineers Aaron and Gary, and McLaren Team Manager Leon Helmsley, all chatting away. “Is that allowed?” Sophie asked Steve, who chuckled and clapped Sophie’s shoulder with a firm hand.

“It is if you say so”

“Tommy even remembered to put deodorant on this morning” Luke jibed, throwing a greasy rag at his colleague who quietly swore at him. Sophie couldn’t help but smile. All though pre-season testing her mechanics had been nothing but normal around her, accepting her into the team almost immediately. Most mechanics were wary of working on a rookie’s car, but Sophie wasn’t exactly inexperienced, being the reigning Formula 2 champion.

“Well Tommy, if you went to all that effort…” Sophie teased, as Tommy and Luke made their way past their colleagues while Steve gave instructions to the remaining mechanics before the group went to join their colleagues.

“We’re not late are we?”

“No Rich you’re right on time” Leon replied, checking his watch. He stood a little shorter than Sophie’s press officer, with almost curly ginger hair and a very neatly trimmed beard. “Everyone ready to go?”

The track walk was scheduled to take just over an hour, given both the length of the circuit and that it was Sophie’s first time at Albert Park. With an okay from everyone, the group turned left and headed for the pitlane entrance to access the track. They walked across the small stretch of grass that separated the pitlane from the final corner and walked onto the circuit, and the sight of the start-finish straight bathing in the warm mid-Autumn sunshine was more than enough to take Sophie and Vanessa’s breath away.

“Yeah, it’s not a bad view” Chris remarked before looking at his notebook. “Now as I said at your last sim session, any questions, just ask. We want you up to speed as quickly as possible” The comment pulled Sophie out of her daze, and brought her attention to her own notebook. She already had a page set aside for her track walk notes that she started to scribble in as the group made their way down the main straight.

Sophie and her engineers spent almost the whole time chatting about breaking points, corner speeds, and the various points where Sophie wasn’t to breech track limits. Occasionally she would stop and crouch down, to get a closer idea of what her view would be when sat in the car. While she had run countless laps of the circuit in the team’s simulator, nothing was better than seeing the real thing. She was starting to feel comfortable with both her colleagues and the circuit even before they strolled down the long curve between turns 8 and 9 that straddled the Albert Park lake. When they reached the chicane at turns 9 and 10, Sophie tilted her head to the side and slightly narrowed her eyes.

“They still have sausage kerbs at the apex?” She asked aloud. All of Sophie’s engineers muttered in agreement, not sounding that pleased. It had been a talking point amongst the drivers as well for the last two Australian Grand Prix. Sophie wrote it down in her notebook with stars on either side, as a reminder to mention it in the Friday evening driver’s briefing.

“The FIA seem pretty stubborn about using them” Leon remarked, as Sophie pressed her foot against the kerb with a frown.

“Well, getting rid of those kerbs will be one way to make everyone like you” Tommy remarked. Sophie had been trying not to think about the drivers briefing too much. As much as she didn’t want to give a damn about what the drivers she hadn’t met thought about her, she couldn’t help but worry about what kind of response she was going to get from them. Would it be silent acceptance, or judgemental stares?

“You okay Soph?” Vanessa asked, having noticed Sophie’s more furrowed than usual brow.

“Yeah…” Sophie paused, looking across turn 11, and let out a small sigh. No matter what anyone thought, they would never be able to take this weekend away from her.

Sophie didn’t want to leave the circuit when they returned to the pitlane entry, but as she was due to be a participant in the driver’s press conference, she sadly didn’t have a choice.

“Thanks for letting us tag along Sophie” Steve said with a smile. “And don’t worry about the press, Richard will look after you”

“For my sake I hope so” Her mechanics all laughed, with Steve jokingly telling Richard to bring Sophie back to the team’s hospitality building in one piece. “You’re uh… welcome to join my other track walks, that goes for all of you” Sophie said to her mechanics once they had returned to the garage, before quickly handing her notebook and pen to Vanessa, swapping it for her drinks bottle. “See you all later” A chorus of byes rang out as Sophie left the garage with Richard, heading for the pit building’s main entrance.

They didn’t chat about much as they made their way inside and walked through various corridors until Richard stopped outside the correct room.

“Now as I said, this is going to be moderated, and everyone had to submit their questions beforehand. So you should have nothing to worry about,” Richard paused and opened the door to the press conference room. “This is where the driver’s briefing will be taking place as well” Richard said before lowering his voice, as Sophie was the first driver to arrive almost every eye was on her. “But we still have the signal we discussed, hopefully we won’t need it” Richard gave Sophie a reassuring smile as he handed over her team cap. “You also forgot this”

“Thanks” Sophie took the papaya orange cap off Richard’s hands and put it on her head as a tall man in an FIA shirt walked towards them.

“Morning Matteo”

“Good morning Richard, you must be Sophie” Matteo politely extended a tanned hand that Sophie happily accepted. “Nice to finally meet you”

“Lovely to meet you too”

“We just need to fit you with a microphone, then you can sit down. You’ll be in the middle”

Of course I’m front and centre. Sophie thought as she was fitted with a thin wire microphone that was fitted over her ears. Once the sound levels were checked, Sophie made her way to the long black table at the front of the room, emblazoned with the F1 logo in bright red.

As instructed Sophie sat down in the middle chair and looked over at Richard, who gave her a small thumbs up, mouthing ‘you’ll be fine!’ as someone approached the table from the rows of seated journalists.

“At least you can count two friendly faces in here” Sophie whipped her head round, and smiled at the sight of one of the few journalists she actually knew.

“Lee!”

“I’m the new host of the press conferences, and I’ll be doing some of the podium interviews. We both got promoted!” He joked with a wide smile. Lee Howard had been the official reporter for the Formula 3 and Formula 2 series for the past few years, and at every single one of Sophie’s podium finishes and wins, he never sneered or implied she got lucky. He treated her with the same respect as he showed every other driver. And over the past three years they had gotten to know each other fairly well. “No family this weekend?”

“No, um… we tried everything but Will’s swamped with uni assignments, and my parents both have a lot on so…”

“Ah… Edinburgh Airport would have fallen apart without your Mum I take it?”

“Something like that” Sophie said with a small laugh, suddenly feeling a pang in her chest. “They’re coming to other races though. Mum’s going to be at Monaco, everyone will be at Silverstone and Hungary, we’re still working out the second half of the season”

“Oh well that’s good, and I suppose you’ve got the team to rally around you?”

“Yeah…” Sophie trailed off “Everyone’s been… really great”

“Good, good” Lee nodded before looking down at his notebook. “I need to finish my notes, but don’t worry yeah? Me and Matteo will deal with anyone who steps out of line”

“Thanks Lee” Sophie took a quick glance around the room before taking a small sip from her drinks bottle as she heard the door to her right open. A bright laugh was followed by its owner as Benedikt Schmitz walked in with his press officer Annika, both dressed in Red Bull navy blue.

“Good morning” He smiled at Sophie, taking the seat immediately to her left once he had been fitted with a microphone.

“Morning Ben” She noted the strange irony that she felt more comfortable around a triple World Champion, and potentially one of her on-track rivals, as opposed to a room full of journalists.

“How was your track walk?” He asked, and saw the slightly confused look on Sophie’s face. “You must have started five or ten minutes before us, we ended up following you the whole way round!”

“Oh… it was fine, nice to see everything in person”

“It’s a nice track, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the first few laps” Ben paused to take a sip from his own drinks bottle that was styled like a Red Bull can. “Good luck by the way, for the season”

“Thanks…” Sophie paused, and gingerly extended her right hand towards him. “Same to you” Ben gladly shook Sophie’s hand firmly, and went to say something else when another driver joined them after being fitted with a microphone.

“Morning everyone” A North American accent said quietly, just loud enough for the two drivers to hear. Ben looked behind him and greeted the driver that Sophie recognised immediately. Canadian double World Champion, F1’s second ever Black driver, and her McLaren predecessor, Nathan Watkins. “Hi Sophie, so nice to finally meet you. I wanted to say hello at testing but I assumed you would be swamped” Nathan was stood above his seat, his dark curly hair hidden under his Mercedes team cap, and he also held out a hand for Sophie to shake.

“It’s great to meet you too” Once she’d happily shook his hand, he sat down in the chair to her right.

“The team looking after you?” Sophie nodded in reply, as Matteo crossed the room, frantically looking at his watch. “So it’s just us three then?” Nathan asked with a small laugh as he folded his arms across his chest.

“I’m pretty sure everyone only wants to speak to you anyway” Ben remarked in Sophie’s direction. She just leaned her head back and let out a quiet laugh.

“You’re probably right” Sophie huffed. After another couple of minutes, the two missing drivers arrived, and were very quickly shown to their seats. Almost immediately someone started counting down, and the camera man placed right behind where Lee was sat suddenly sprang into action.

“Good morning everyone, and welcome to the first FIA driver’s press conference of the 2023 season at the Australian Grand Prix…” Sophie found herself sitting up a little taller in her chair, suddenly realising that she was on live TV. She quickly adjusted her cap, her fingers brushing over the number 16 that had been embroidered into the peak in light blue thread, when Lee looked directly at Sophie.

“Starting off with you Sophie… we all know that for yourself and the sport this is going to be a massively historic weekend. But all of that aside briefly, what many people might not know about you is that that you do come from a racing background. Specifically your father Mark, worked as a mechanic for McLaren in the 90s. Does it feel almost full circle in a way, bringing the Knightsbridge name back to the team?” That was something Sophie had always liked about Lee, he took the time to think up genuinely interesting questions.

She drummed her fingers against the desk, and took in a deep breath before she answered.

“It’s certainly very surreal. Though the team has changed a lot since my Dad was there, there’s definitely a sense of familiarity in a way. Although I don’t think Martin and Andrew knew about my Dad until after I signed my contract,” She paused, after giving a slightly awkward laugh. “But yeah, to be making my F1 debut is one thing, but to be making it with the team that my father worked for is really, really special” Sophie tried her best to smile away the ache she felt in her chest. What she would have given to have at least one of them waiting for her in the team’s hospitality unit.

“You’re still a rookie finding their feet in the sport. How have you been finding your first few months as a Formula 1 driver?”

Sophie paused, pressing her lips together, and continued to look at Lee as she spoke. “I certainly can’t complain. McLaren have been incredibly welcoming, I actually had some of my mechanics join me on my track walk just now. I think the huge amount of travelling is something I’m going to have to get used to. We mainly race Formulas 2 and 3 in Europe as I’m sure everyone knows…”

“Lots of new circuits to race at this year”

“Yes! I’m so excited to race at all the new tracks this year… well new for me, starting off with Albert Park this week. So… yeah. Definitely lots to look forward to” Sophie added with a bright smile, feeling significantly less nervous than what she had done ten minutes ago. Each driver was asked an opening question by Lee, before the floor was opened up to the gathered journalists. Almost every single one of them raised their hand.

“Hi, Christopher West, BBC Sport. Question for Sophie,” As the journalist paused, Sophie took in a small breath, and turned slightly in her seat to look at him. “As I’m sure a lot of people have asked you already, of the almost 800 Grand Prix drivers, you’re going to be only the sixth woman to compete in a Formula 1 race, assuming you hopefully make it through qualifying. You’ve only recently turned 24 and had quite the rise through the feeder series… can you try and sum up how it all feels?”

Sophie nodded, and let out the breath she had been holding in, having absolutely no idea where to begin.

“Happy Birthday by the way, for last week” Nathan said quietly. Maybe it was to buy Sophie some time to think up an answer, maybe he genuinely meant it. But Sophie said a quiet and polite thank you, before looking back towards the journalist.

“Well…” She started, scratching at a small spot on the side of her neck. “…the plan certainly is to qualify for the race” Sophie used the quiet laugh that rippled through the room as another moment to think. “I have so many feelings going into this weekend, excitement, nerves… but I think the one that I feel the most is gratitude. As you mentioned I’m female F1 driver number six, but the five that have come before me… and every single woman that has ever driven an F1 car, has helped lay the road that’s got me where I am today,” Sophie paused to quickly swallow a small lump in her throat.

“You know, I’m used to being the only female driver in the room most days, but I do so knowing that I’m not the first woman to walk in the room. So… when I take to the track tomorrow, and hopefully the race on Sunday, yes I’ll be driving for myself, and driving for McLaren… but I’m also going to be driving for them”

“Considering the fact that you’re driving for one of the big teams, you could match or even beat Lella Lombardi’s points record this weekend. In once race. How does that feel?”

“I could… but,” Sophie paused, suddenly feeling overwhelmed at the thought. “I don’t want to think about that too much you know? I want to get settled in the team, and with driving the track first before I start thinking about any potential race result. Who knows what order the grid will be in come Sunday”

  The press conference concluded after just over forty minutes, with Sophie answering the bulk of the journalist’s questions. So she took a long sip from her drinks bottle as she left the press conference room with Richard, feeling very grateful for the added minerals and electrolytes.

“You, handled yourself really well Sophie” He clapped her on the shoulder with a smile. Sophie didn’t know what to say, as well as a dry throat, her brain felt quite well fried.

“How far through the schedule are we?” She asked.

“Sadly, not very. Though you do have a twenty minute break before your first batch of group interviews,” Richard paused, and even briefly stopped walking as he scrolled through his phone. A small smile made its way onto his face. “But first we need to make a quick stop at the garage”

“We do? What for?”

“Uh… Leon just wants have a quick chat”

“Oh, okay” Sophie gladly followed her press officer as they exited the pit building, and headed back over towards the McLaren garage. The paddock seemed much busier than what it had done earlier on in the morning. Some TV crews were filming pieces to camera, more photographers were snapping away at anyone they deemed important, and there were a few individuals wearing VIP passes milling around.

“We shouldn’t be too long, I know you’ll want to have a small rest after the presser” For some reason, Richard appeared to be doing a terrible job at hiding a grin. Sophie went to ask what he was so happy for, when they arrived in the garage.

Leon wasn’t alone, he was showing Sophie’s car to a man in his late 50s. He wore glasses over his peridot green eyes and had small streaks of silver running through his dark brown hair, and a very familiar furrowed brow.

“Dad!” Sophie exclaimed, not caring who heard, and lunged towards her father as he turned round, embracing him in a bone-crushing hug. For a second, Sophie almost felt like bursting into tears.

“Hello love” Mark replied, sounding on the verge of crying himself, as he placed a gentle hand on the back of his daughter’s head. Eventually Mark let go of his daughter, and they both wiped their eyes, with Richard and Leon both looking quite pleased with themselves.

“I don’t… I thought you said the garage was going to be too busy?” After Mark had retired from being a Formula 1 mechanic, he worked at various repair garages before finally becoming co-owner of a local garage when the rest of the Knightsbridge family moved to Edinburgh a few years ago.

“Well… the lads said that I would regret it if I wasn’t here, so I got in touch with the team and they arranged everything”

“We weren’t going to let you be without some of your family for your first race, think of it as a belated birthday present” Leon added.

“Yeah, I’m here too you know…” A lanky dark haired figure walked into the garage from the pitlane, putting his phone in his pocket.

“Julian!” Sophie greeted her younger cousin with an equally strong hug. Julian was also a racing driver, and had taken her vacated Formula 2 seat. Sophie’s manager Becks was also going to start managing Julian too when the F2 season started in May. “I’m… so happy you’re both here” Sophie sniffled. “I’m glad I don’t have to do this without you”

“Us too” Sophie’s Dad beamed.

“We… should be getting back to the hospitality suite, I did promise Sophie a break before the rest of her interviews” Richard cautiously interjected from the back of the garage.

After checking his watch Leon politely shuffled the Knightsbridges out of the garage and back through the paddock. They caught more attention from journalists this time, noticing the extra members of Sophie’s entourage.

“Now, neither of you have to speak to any media if you don’t want to” Richard explained once they were back inside the McLaren building. “I’ll make sure you get properly shown around later, I know you’ll want to catch up, I’ll grab everyone some drinks” Richard headed over to the bar once he had everyone’s orders as Sophie, Mark and Julian sat down at a table Vanessa had claimed earlier.

“Oh good you made it!” Vanessa said with a relieved smile.

“Wait… you knew this whole time?!” Sophie gawked at her personal trainer.

“Yes of course, I helped arrange it” Vanessa replied, smugly. “Don’t say you’re mad at me, because I know you aren’t”

She certainly wasn’t wrong, as Sophie rested her chin on one of her hands, smiling at the sight of her family.

“Here we are…” Richard returned a few minutes later with a small tray of teas and coffees. “I’ll give you all some space, I’ll see if I can re-arrange things to give you a few extra minutes” He jogged off with his phone pressed to his ear as Vanessa passed around everyone’s drinks.

“So, here’s to Sophie’s first Grand Prix weekend” Vanessa raised her espresso cup with a grin.

“Well done sweetheart, you made it” Mark held out his mug to Sophie, who gently clinked it with hers. She had absolutely no idea what the rest of the weekend would entail, but at least she had her family.

  James cut a cool figure as he walked through the paddock towards the media pen. He was dressed in his usual choice of white collared team shirt with black straight cut jeans and plimsole style trainers (purely for comfort, as Thursdays were the busiest in terms of footfall). He wore his orange team cap, the number 12 embroidered on the peak, and dark aviator sunglasses over his eyes. His press officer Katie briefly talked him though the journalists they were going to talk to before they entered the small media pen.

As they made their way round they had to jostle for position with other drivers and their press officers for about twenty minutes or so, before James was finally stood in front of the last journalist, who unfortunately worked for one of the UK tabloids.

“Do you think you can get your third win in a row at Albert Park this weekend”

“Uh… It’s hard to say. It’s always tricky trying to figure out the pecking order after pre-season testing, we’ll have a better idea tomorrow of where we sit in the field, but I’m always hopeful” James replied with a small smile.

“I know there’s been so much talk about your new team mate over the Winter. Are you particularly phased by all of the hype around her, as opposed to the focus being away from the team’s chances for the season?”

James was grateful that his dark sunglasses allowed him to briefly scowl at the journalist, as he contemplated his answer. He didn’t mind being asked about Sophie as much, he’d certainly been expecting it. Only one or two drivers on the grid had been born when Giovanna Amati competed in her last race.

“Sophie has every right to be here, as much as myself or anyone else on the grid. She’s the reigning F2 champion, she won in F3 a few of years ago… on paper she has the making of a really good racing driver. And you know, I’ve worked alongside women in almost every aspect for my Formula 1 career… so why should having a female team mate be any different?”

The journalist let out a sheepish thank you and Katie led James out of the media pen.

“The fuck was that about?” James asked under his breath.

“Oh we all know exactly what that was about…” Katie frowned, checking her phone. “Still, it’s going to mean a lot for people to hear you say what you did” James hummed, this was set to be his thirteenth season in Formula 1, and he’d seen the sport change an awful lot since his debut in 2011. But when it came to Sophie, he wondered if it had changed enough.

  Friday 17th March – Albert Park Circuit

The atmosphere at the circuit was somewhat relaxed come Friday morning. Members of different teams smiled and said hello to each other in the paddock, photographers and camera crews milled around looking for good shots in what was another bright sunny day in Melbourne. All of the drivers had arrived early for meetings with their teams, and for Sophie it was a much needed sense of normality as opposed bouncing between interviews like a pinball.

The engineers briefing lasted just under an hour, as they had to plan for both first and second practice. Sophie had scribbled as much as she could into her notebook while listening to all of the engineers and James’ comments, and once the meeting was over she went to her room for a few minutes of peace and quiet before she got changed out of her team gear and into her fireproofs. Once changed, Sophie went through her pre-session stretches with Vanessa, before finally pulling one her race suit and boots. And with a final tug of her ponytail, they left for the garage.

Mark and Julian had decided to stay in the team hospitality suite for first practice, claiming that they didn’t want Sophie to be too distracted. She suspected the reality was that her Dad was simply too nervous to be in the garage. Sophie hugged her relatives as tightly as she could, saying she loved them both before walking with Vanessa towards the garage. Both women wore dark sunglasses over their eyes as they briskly walked through the paddock.

“It’s a normal day” Vanessa said, handing Sophie her drinks bottle as she carried Sophie’s helmet with her other hand. “Just a normal day…” Sophie wasn’t sure who Vanessa was trying to reassure as they entered the garage.

As she handed the bottle back to her personal trainer, mechanics on both sides of the garage were running final checks on the cars. Sophie did her best to squeeze by them as she approached Chris, who was stood by the end monitor on the island that separated the two sides of the McLaren garage.

“Hey” She smiled a little breathlessly. “I’d like to do that additional lap on my outrun, just to be sure” The agreed plan for first practice was to ensure Sophie got acclimatised to the circuit as quickly as possible, so they could turn their focus to fine tuning the car’s setup.

“Not a problem” Like almost everyone in the garage, he had his own orange headset that in this case was hanging around his neck as he wrote into his own notebook. “We also want you to be the first car on track, Martin’s call”

“Oh… really?” Sophie asked with genuine surprise. Chris just gave a small nod and a knowing smile, it didn’t sound like she had much of a choice on the matter. “Okay then”

“Great, session starts in five so you’ll want to get ready,” Chris looked at the back to the garage to give a signal to Vanessa to prep Sophie’s helmet, when a small smile crept onto his face. “Looks like there’s someone here to see you”

Sophie looked towards the back of the garage where her small assigned seating area was, and saw her Dad and Julian next to Vanessa. She smiled as she walked towards them, and held out a hand towards her still anxious looking father.

“It’s just first practice Dad”

“I know, I know… Julian was right, I would regret it if I didn’t see you drive out for the first time in person” Sophie said nothing, and enveloped her father in another tight hug. “I love you” His voice cracked slightly, as he kissed the top of Sophie’s head.

“Love you too Dad”

“Don’t crash” Sophie looked at Julian in mock disapproval as she brushed past him to collect her things.

“Thank you, dearest cousin” She quipped, putting in her radio in-ears. Next was her balaclava, then Sophie completely zipped up her race suit, making sure the radio cable didn’t get caught in the zip, before lastly, putting on her helmet and HANS device.

As she was making her F1 debut, Sophie had decided an upgrade of her helmet colours was in order. The British Racing Green base now had a soft metallic sheen to it, and the three alternating horizontal stripes had been changed to a matte white and chrome silver, the only new addition was the number 16 on the very top of her helmet, also in matte white, as well as the team’s sponsor logos.

Once the helmet was on her head, Sophie tightly fastened the chin strap, and took in one last look at her family before walking over towards the car. She stepped into the cockpit from the left hand side, and held onto the underside of the protective halo as she lowered herself down into her seat. Once comfortable, one of her mechanics fastened the harness as she plugged in the radio cable, and lastly, put on her gloves.

“And radio check Sophie, radio check” Chris’ voice drifted into her ears, as he must have taken his seat on the pitwall.

Sophie paused to let out a quick exhale.

“Radio loud and clear” She gave her steering wheel one final look over, mentally going over what every button and dial did, as well as checking the small screen in the middle. Thanks to the sheer number of laps she’d done in pre-season testing, it was all thankfully drummed into her memory.

“Session starts in two minutes”

“Copy” Sophie wriggled her shoulders as she looked at the two TV screens that was placed in front of the cockpit, almost entirely blocking her view in front. One screen showed a map of the circuit with a timing screen, the other was tuned into the global TV feed that switched from a panning shot of the circuit to a close up of one of the Aston Martin garages.

“Car 16 is ready to go” Steve’s voice came over the radio, as number one mechanic it was his job to give the all clear to the pit wall. And his confirmation brought a flurry of life to Sophie’s side of the garage. Vanessa moved the screens away with one hand, as the rest of Sophie’s mechanics whipped the heating blankets off the tyres, laying them back on top once the car had been lowered off its jacks to the ground. As Sophie flicked down her visor, Steve walked backwards into the pitlane. Looking once, then twice over each shoulder, before giving the okay signal to Sophie with one hand, and pointed down the pitlane with the other.

Sophie eased her car out of the garage, immediately pressing the pit limiter button as she turned right, and trundled to a stop at the end of the pitlane. As the team had wanted, she was the first car in front of the red stop light.

“Session starts in thirty seconds. We will be doing out lap plus one, then in lap. Try not to have too much fun out there”

“I’ll try” Sophie chuckled back to her race engineer, and slowly exhaled. After all the buzz and frenzied attention from the world’s media, this was where she wanted to be. In the quiet of her own F1 car, waiting to go out on track.

And when the pit exit light finally turned green, she pressed her foot down on the accelerator pedal, and drove onto the circuit.

Sophie meandered carefully through her out lap, not wanting to do the unthinkable and bin the car in the gravel, knowing full well the global TV feed cameras would be following her at every turn. So she took it easy as she accelerated out of the final corner and onto her timed lap. As it was purely for Sophie to have more time to get familiar with her breaking and turn in points, she deliberately wasn’t going terribly quick, but she wasn’t driving at a snail’s pace either.

She broke hard for turn 1. Turning sharply right, before gently veering left for turn 2. Then went down the second DRS straight before braking hard again for turn 3, and weaved through turns 4 to 8, as the track opened out to the long curve before the chicane at turns 9 and 10. Taking it easy around the kerbs, Sophie went through the final short straight that led to turn 11, and eased through the two right handed corners before the pitlane entry came into view. She ignored it, turning sharply for turn 13, and finally easing onto the accelerator as she went through turn 14, and down the main straight to finish the lap.

“Very nice Sophie, that is a 1:22.674, we are the only car out but that’s still P1. And box this lap”

“Copy” Sophie smiled as she replied to Chris’ message, she knew that being the fastest of one wasn’t a huge achievement, but she realised now why the team wanted her to be first out onto the track. It was McLaren’s way of making a statement not just to the entire sport, but to the rest of the world too.

  The first and second practice sessions passed by in a fairly structured pattern. Out lap, return to the pits, look over data, drive more laps, quick debrief with the engineers, post-driving stretches, have lunch, get back in the car, repeat.

It had been a fairly smooth day. Sophie thankfully hadn’t crashed, but she hadn’t been blisteringly quick either. And neither had James. As everyone sat down for the post-session debrief, some of the engineers were visibly scratching their heads as they looked at the data screens. It seemed like McLaren were off the pace compared to Red Bull and Ferrari. Everyone had assumed that their days in the midfield were a very, very long way behind them. But maybe the shine was starting to wear off.

Despite picking up on his team’s flash of anxiety, Martin kept a cool head in the debrief. As well as the race team in Melbourne, there were more engineers back at the factory in Woking analysing the data from both practice sessions, trying to extract every tenth of a second from the car they could find.

“Good work today everyone, hopefully today was just a blip and we’ll be faster tomorrow. That’ll be all”

Sophie let out a small sigh as she slid her headset off her ears and down onto the desk. She collected her notebook as she stood up from her chair, and got in the queue to leave the room. Herself, James and Team Manager Leon were the last to leave, as they were headed for the Driver’s Briefing that was due to start in around twenty minutes. It was one of the last items on the day’s itinerary before Sophie was free to go back to the hotel.

“I wouldn’t worry about this too much” Leon sighed with a frown. “Everyone spends most of their time trying to drag each other under the bus”

“Ah, the same as Formula 2 then” Sophie chuckled. Racing drivers were competitive by nature, especially when it came to calling out the inconsistency of who did and didn’t get penalties for the same offence. “I’m going to ask about the kerbs at 9 and 10” James and Leon looked at each other with raised eyebrows.

“Good luck, we’ve been asking for the past two years for the FIA to remove them” James sighed.

“Well…” Sophie paused as they reached the door to the pit building. “There’s no harm in trying a third time” She huffed, following her colleagues inside. They made their way to the press conference room, which had been converted for the drivers briefing by adding two extra rows of chairs, and removing the TV camera that had been sat in the middle. About half of the drivers and their respective team managers had arrived already. And the volume of conversation in the room quietened somewhat when Sophie, James and Leon walked in.

Sophie followed her colleagues to seats in the second row as FIA race director Pat Robertson was sat at the long black table with two of his colleagues, closely reading various sheets of paper.

“Bonsoir ma amie!” A hand clapped Sophie’s shoulder as she sat down. She carefully turned round in her seat as she was rather snuggly sat in-between her McLaren colleagues, and saw Nico grinning at her. “How was your day?” He asked brightly.

“Fine, yours?”

“Not bad” He shrugged.

More drivers and team managers slowly filed in, and the briefing finally got underway five minutes late, with Pat giving a small reminder to all ten present team managers about punctuality. Once going over the lap count for the race, the tyre compounds that were to be used, and the various small tweaks to the sporting regulations for the year, Pat opened the floor to questions from the drivers. Sophie was the first to half raise her hand.

“Yes, Sophie” Pat and both his FIA colleagues all looked squarely at the McLaren driver.

“I’d like to ask about turns 9 and 10,” Sophie quickly flicked through the pages of her notebook until she found her track walk notes. “I just wanted some clarification about why the FIA is still choosing to use sausage kerbs at those corners, when you don’t use them anywhere else on the track. I know just about everyone com-”

“Hey, shut up. She’s speaking, let her finish” Sophie, and just about everyone else in the room heard Nico hiss at someone behind her. She tried her best to carry on, unphased.

“Just about every driver on the grid complained about them last year. For exam-” Sophie heard someone talking not so quietly behind her, and blocked it out as best as she could, only for James to turn round in his seat.

“It’s common curtesy to let every driver say what they have to Erik. I know you’d give everyone else in this room that same privilege. Do the same for Sophie would you?” He said extremely coolly.

Sophie bit down on her bottom lip as James turned back round. This wasn’t the first drivers briefing where she’d been disturbed or interrupted by someone trying to start up a conversation, but she’d certainly hoped that her new F1 colleagues would be as gracious as Nico, James or Benedikt had been.

She quickly cleared her throat, and swallowed the urge to summarise what she had planned on saying. Sophie was going to finish her sentence, and then some.

“As I was saying, when Nathan Watkins had his crash with one of the Ferrari’s last year, it wasn’t any fault of his own. He simply hit the kerb at turn 9 at the slightest wrong angle, and half his car flew up into the air meaning he couldn’t control where he was going when he landed. So he couldn’t stop himself from driving into the Ferrari. It’s dangerous. I get that it’s to help with policing track limits, but we all know you won’t hesitate to give us a penalty if you feel we’re too far out of line… surely it’s our fault as drivers if we don’t listen to our engineers”

Unlike some of Sophie’s fellow drivers, Pat listened to everything Sophie had to say.

“We’ll take that on-board, thank you Sophie”

Ben Schmitz, Cristóbal Vasquez from Alpine, Nico and James, all expressed their agreements with Sophie’s complaint, with Pat repeating that himself and the stewards would discuss it after the briefing.

Nothing much else was said, as it was only the start of the season, and the briefing was concluded after fifteen minutes. As Sophie stood up from her chair, she felt two hands on her shoulder, and nearly jumped out of her skin. James looked at her with an apologetic smile, while Nico looked almost seething with rage.

“I’ll deal with him” He squeezed Sophie’s shoulder before marching out of the room, following the Audi driver in question. Sophie felt rooted to the spot as half the drivers glanced at her as they walked past. It was hard to tell if they were staring out of curiosity, or glancing out of pity.

“Come on” James whispered into Sophie’s ear as he moved his hand to between her shoulder blades. “Best foot forward”

Half of Sophie wanted to run after Erik Braun and ask what the hell his problem was, but she feared that causing a scene and shouting at him wouldn’t give her the best public image. So she followed James’ advice, and walked in step with him and Leon all the way back to the team hospitality suite.

“What happened?” Mark asked when they were barely in the door. He was sat at a table with Julian, Vanessa and Richard, and they were the only ones in the room that could tell Sophie was trying to hide how stunned she was. “Soph?”

“It was nothing Dad” She said quickly, and took a step in the direction of her driver room, when Leon put a hand on her shoulder.

“One of the Audi drivers tried to start up a conversation with someone else while Sophie was talking in the drivers briefing, myself and Martin will handle it” Mark’s face almost turned red as he let out a restrained breath. “I’m going to find Martin, and we’re going over to Audi to deal with it. You do not have to put up with that kind of behaviour, okay?” Leon said firmly, turning his attention to Sophie.

As if on command, Martin emerged from his office, and headed straight for the group. Once the incident had been explained to him by Leon and James, the Team Principle and Team Manager left, making a beeline for the Audi building. Leaving their two drivers and Sophie’s entourage alone.

“Don’t Dad, you’ll say something you regret” Sophie looked her father square in the eyes, she could tell he was seconds away from jumping out of his seat and marching over to Audi. “Nico and James stood up for me, and the team are handling it” She hated how quiet her voice sounded as she spoke.

“I know Martin and Leon, Mr Knightsbridge, and some of the people at Audi. I can assure you it’ll get dealt with… not just because Sophie’s our driver, but because of your history with the team as well” James butted in. After a few moments Mark let out a sigh, and slowly sat back down. “Speaking of the team… we’ve got one more engineers meeting”

“It’ll be fine Dad… we don’t have to fight these things alone anymore, okay?” Sophie went over to the table, and squeezed her father’s hand tightly, remembering every single karting race where Mark had defended Sophie’s mere presence as well as her victories. Mark didn’t say anything, and just squeezed Sophie’s hand back, before letting her go with James to the engineers office.

[babyraz62]

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[apricitystudies]

what i read in march 2021:

(insp) (jan ed.) (feb ed.) (bold = favourite)

class & race

a degree promises a better life but social mobility has a downside too (australia)

children from low-income families and the power of ‘significant adults’ (singapore)

atlanta spa shootings: how we talk about violence (usa)

us massage parlour shootings should ring alarm bells in australia: the same racist sexism exists here

if museums want to diversify, they’ll have to change. a lot. (usa)

gender/sexuality

judith never came home': deadly fate of 'disappeared' women in peru

pm, are you listening? here are our stories. hear us roar (australia)

sex, power and anger — a history of feminist protests in australia

russia’s deadly negligence of domestic violence

being gay in ghana: lgbt community is ‘under attack’

politics, climate change, & covid

the grit and determination of myanmar's young rebels

france's president macron doesn't get the impact of colonialism on algeria

paying for a plastic bag isn't enough to change our dependence on it (singapore)

‘we clap if none die’: covid forces hard choices in sierra leone

the lost year: what the pandemic cost teenagers

culture & media

what women’s hairstyles said about china’s qing dynasty

the lies hollywood tells about little girls

'they become dangerous tools': the dark side of personality tests

the goldbergs: tv's first family sitcom

[shhhlikeme]

I ALMOST NEVER SEE ANYONE WRITE ABOUT ARAN SO IM JUMPING IN- ;-; Can I ask for his girl helping him relieve some stress, massaging him and his hands then just a nice cuddle session after..? also Ive been shy to hop in but hi you're pretty and Id love to be friends with you ;-;

UMMM A BIG ACCOUNT LIKE YOURS THAT JUST REACHED 1.25K followers (congrats beb!!) peeps my work ?? And compliments me + gave me my first Aran requestttt ?!

*faints*

I feel like this is a proposal and the answer is YES boo 💍🥰 friendssss 🥺🤗

Anyway I hope you like it newest friend💞

————————————

Some Aran Ojiro x Reader Romance 😩🌹

————————————

you and your boyfriend Aran haven’t been able to see eachother much in the past year at all

He just made the Japan National Team which meant he was practicing and travelling all the time

You two keep up with nightly Facetime dates every night which is great but he almost always falls asleep on you in the first 20 minutes

sleepy muffin that we love so much

You don’t blame him considering his training regimen.

When he wakes up he’s literally talking your ear off apologizing because he feels like a shit boyfriend for falling asleep every time

“I did it again and I know you say it’s fine but it’s not. I’m so sorry Y/N. When I get home, I promise I’ll make it up to you baby girl, I promise. Have a great day Queen and remember I’ll be home to spoil you in 10 days. You’re not ready. I love you! Peace!”

As you lay in your empty bed the next morning, you just smile at the video of him apologizing to you while he is running around his hotel room to get ready for morning practice

Your man works so hard but he never fails to make sure he’s the first thing you see when you wake up and the last person you see before you fall asleep. It’s endearing

He is super super busy being a professional athlete but that doesn’t stop him from making you feel special in the little and big ways

Sometimes, he orders you breakfast or dinner from your favourite brunch or sushi spot that you two like to go to so that he can put a smile on your face when he’s travelling

All he asks in return is a cute selfie of you in your pjs and messy bun with the food and that is the only thank you he needs

Seriously send it though or he’ll spam your phone lol

Can I tell you a funny story related to your mans sweet foodie gestures?

Okay so One random night last weekend.....

You heard a knock on the door of your condo and you quickly paused your Netflix movie to dust the popcorn crumbs off Aran’s t-shirt you were wearing

You opened the door excitedly thinking it might be another Uber Eats surprise from your boyfriend but instead you see a grumpy looking Osamu standing in the delivery guys place

“Your boyfriend is annoying.” Osamu deadpanned as he glanced at you once before letting himself in.

“Uh, Nice to see you.....too, Osamu-san.”

Samu murmured something in response grumpily and went over to your kitchen island to place down a large brown paper bag.

“Stupid professional volleyball playing friend and brother,” He muttered under his breath. You watched him take out lots of food from his restaurant from your spot by the door, by the look (and amazing smell) of it the bag was packed with all your favourites. You were thrilled even though the grey haired boy in your kitchen wasn’t.

“Look at me! I’m Aran. My stupid Uber Eats app won’t work from mutant-spider Australia so instead of just chilling like a normal person I call and beg my very handsome and very successful restaurant-owner friend to make my girlfriend all her favourite dishes and drive them over in the middle of a rain storm. A rain storm!”

You held your ground back at the door (knowing good and well not to get in the way of Samu when he was in one of his signature bitchy moods) as a smile crept on your face. It felt like someone was squeezing your heart as you watched Osamu comfortably rummage through your cabinets and find your dishes. He plated your food beautifully like the professional chef he is, all while mumbling angrily under his breath about his quote unquote “Simp of a best friend.”

When he was done with the food, Osamu also pulled out a bottle of your favourite wine from his restaurant that only Aran knows about and poured you a glass perfectly, swaying the liquid around first to make sure it was rich. Satisfied but still annoyed, Osamu cleaned his restaurant’s paper bag contents away and then walked over to your spot on the couch to take a handful of popcorn. Still a grump, he met you back at the door.

Samu looked down at you with the irritated expression you’ve become accustomed to over the years.

“Aran also told me to give you this.” He deadpanned before leaning down to kiss the top off your head then left. You smiled, unable to stop bubbling over in giggles because you knew Aran just added that to annoy his affection-challenged best friend. You poked your head out to the hallway of your condo building, seeing Osamu’s retreating figure you sang:

“Thank you, Samuuuuuu! 🎶”

Effectively adding to his annoyance just like your boyfriend would have wanted you to.

Without looking back, Osamu just lifted up a cool peace sign that your boyfriend and the two brothers were notorious for.

That trio, man.

dinner that night was the best you’ve had in forever

Not only was it delicious but

You realized that very night that your boyfriend was the most remarkable human in the world and you didn’t deserve him

You checked your phone as you sipped your wine because you received several texts from your boy asking where his picture of you eating is and also asking how funny Samu’s reaction was

You giggled as you read the text and then you had an idea! 💡

You put down your phone and quickly changed into some lacy lingerie for the picture:

Your boyfriend always asked for simple ‘rates PG’ pics because he loved to see you bare faced and wearing his big clothes. It was so cute to him.

he would make each new picture you sent his two backgrounds on his phone and he relished in the fact that you were so beautiful when you didn’t try

You knew this, but you also knew that your man deserved a little ‘sumn sumn’ for making tonight so special for you 😉

You put on a little sultry makeup to go with your sexy number and went back to the kitchen to your food and wine

You took a much sexier picture than he would ever expect

Actually you chose to send him a boomerang:

one of your hair slightly disheveled and your tits basically out despite the lacy cover. You pressed the wine glass to your red lips and winked in the boomerang, wiggling your hips ever so seductively

•••

in a luxurious hotel in Australia, your stunning boyfriend just finished his shower in his hotel room

He dried his face with a towel and opened his iMessage app on his phone... effectively ignoring the:

“🖕🏼🖕🏼🖕🏼it’s done.🖕🏼🖕🏼🖕🏼”

text from his best friend Osamu and clicking your name instead

Aran swiped left on his phone hoping to see another cute picture of his girlfriend being sent to him that makes his day the brightest but what he actually sees instead almost makes him drop his phone out of his wet hands

No Deadass he almost dropped it! it slipped out of his hands 4 times

His heart beating because of his phone but mostly because you were the finest woman he’s ever seen, he replays your sexy boomerang 30 times, literally engraving every detail about you into his mind. If his teammates weren’t so nosy he’d love to make what you just sent him his background on his phone......but that wouldn’t work

He really treasured you and what you sent though. For Aran, the next 9 days at this Global Tournament could not go by fast enough.

Aran’s never asked for naughty pictures from you not once because he doesn’t want you to do anything you’re uncomfortable with, but seeing that you did it on your own, of course it made him want to skip his National game tomorrow just to fly back and make love to you all night then rub your back the way you like until you fell asleep

Mans is in LOVE, you feel me?

He wanted to show you just how treasured you are for sticking by his side through all this travelling shit. He wanted you to always know you were his queen even if he was miles away

So, by you sending this sexy Boomerang and treating him like a King even though you didn’t have to, your man fell even harder for you

He had so much planned when he came home like always: spoil you with a shopping trip with your girls, a romantic spa trip for you both and a trip to the amusement park, but it seemed so far away now

Frowning, Aran texted you back a paragraph telling you how beautiful you are and how lucky he was to have you in his life for a plethora of reasons

He Facetime’d you for the expected classic 20 minutes while you wore that lingerie BUT he actually stayed up for 36 minutes because he was fighting sleep like a damn boxer. He wanted to see you... but of course his fatigue got the better of him and he fell asleep with a big smile on his face because you whispered goodnight

•••

the next day, after sleeping in, Aran woke up for his first tournament game and did all of his pre-game rituals which included calling you, and his best friends Kita & the twins.

He proceeded to his 6:00pm game as planned in the grand court of Sydney.

Aran sweetly signed autographs and Jerseys with his name on it that fans and little kids eagerly presented to him before and after the game that they had won.

“Mr. Ran’! Mr. ‘Ran! Volleybwall is my most favouritest sport to pway , too! Can I have hug???” Asked a particularly bouncy little African-Australian girl in the crowd. Aran glances at the dad for permission and upon granting Aran nodded kindly and picked up the toddler so she was propped up on his hip. The girl wrapped her miniature arms around the big volleyball star’s neck and squeezed tightly. Aran chuckled in his deep voice, exclaiming an “Ow! You’re a strong one, aren’t you? A future Ace for sure.” The little girl gasped at her idols words and hugged him harder. The dad had to literally rip her out of Ojiro’s arms because she didn’t want to let go.

“Don’t break the volleyball player, honey. They’re sore.” Said the father to his daughter.

Aran reached in his gym bag to collect a clean tournament shirt from his bag and handed it to the hysterically crying little girl. “Sore is an understatement. But....here, ‘future Ace.’ When you make the National Women’s Team and I’m the one at one of your games, maybe you can give it back to me.”

The little girl’s whole life was made as she immediately stopped crying and smiled widely, hugging the shirt close to her chest as if it might disappear if she let go.

Because he was a teddy bear and wanted to sign as many kids memorabilia as possible, plus give the youth encouraging messages....Aran usually stayed an hour or two later than the other players after their away games. Telling his teammates to go on ahead back to their hotel without him

HE’S PERFECT 😩

Sore as hell and more tired than ever after his big games, he picked up his phone to call you on his way back to the hotel

He loved hearing your voice it was so soothing to him

No answer. He tried 5 times.

Thinking you were probably working hard from home, Ojiro dragged his feet past the hotel concierge and used all of his slumped body weight to push open the door to his hotel room.

He didn’t remember it being this dark in here or even shutting off the lights when he left, but being too tired to care he dropped his huge bag on the floor, gripping his aching shoulder as he took one step to the right to flip on the lights

When he did, he had to rub his sleepy eyes because he couldn’t believe what he saw

“Y-Y/N?!”

Standing in the middle of his hotel room, you smiled brightly and ran to your boyfriend, wrapping your legs around his waist in a koala hug. You wore that lacy number you used in the picture you sent him last night. Your man stumbled back from the impact and overall surprise but once he was stable he hugged you back tightly.

“Oh my God, you look incredible, what-what are you doing here?!” He asked, still in disbelief.

You pecked his lips and jumped down. “After last night I missed you so much. So I just called into work, booked a 9-hour direct flight and now I’m here! I’m staying for the rest of the tournament. Hi, handsome!!!!” You had so much happiness and light in your eyes that it literally woke up your boyfriend by contentment, even though he was just on the verge of collapsing on his bed from fatigue minutes ago.

He grabbed your face softly in his large hands and tilted your head up towards his to give you a proper kiss, letting you know how happy he was through the kiss.

You pulled away. “Whoa! Someone’s happy to see me!” You poked his tummy.

“An understatement—Wait, what is that?” Finally looking away from your face for the first time since he entered his room, Aran looked behind you in awe. There was a rather large massage table set up in the centre of his suite.

“Oh, that old thing?!” You questioned playfully as you jogged over to the big table and showcased it with your hands like a Wheel of Fortune prize girl. “I tried to book a massage for you for tomorrow because I know you always forget, but they were all booked obviously so I just asked the guy downstairs—after name dropping you—if they could bring this up and they had no problem with it!”

Aran looked at you incredulously so you continued. “Lay down, babe. I know you must be sore after your game. I ordered food for you too but they said it will be up here in an hour and a half. So, I’ll get out some of your kinks now, we’ll eat, and then I can massage you more until you fall asleep.”

Aran couldn’t believe this was happening.

“But you just got off a flight, Y/N! You must be tired, too! I couldn’t possibly—“

You gave your boyfriend your best Osamu impression with your seriously annoyed frown. “Aran. You do everything in your power to make sure that I’m feeling more than amazing every single day even when you are halfway across the world. So now since I’m a mere halfway across the room, I want to do this for you. Please. Let me return the favour.”

Feeling too tired to bicker and knowing you meant business, your big man gave in. He removed his shirt when you asked and settled face down on the comfortable table.

You put on some soft r&b and took out the essential oils you bought from the spa and began to give your man a sensual but remarkable rub down, taking immense care in soothing his muscle pain in his legs and back

You listened for his groans when you reached particularly sensitive spots on his back and spent a lot more time in those areas

When you were massaging his shoulders you made sure to lean down every few minutes to kiss the side of his neck and Aran would sigh in delight every time.

“Y/N. I know you want to get all of my kinks out and trust me this feels amazing, but, if you keep kissing me dressed like that I’ll stop this massage to make love to you on this table. Okay?”

You giggled and smacked his booty.

“Kay.” 😇

When the food came, you and Aran opted to sit on the couch and eat, feeding eachother and kissing and just being all cute n shit—🙄

A/N: Can you tell how jealous I am?

After dinner and your night routines, you told your baby to give you his hands in bed.

you lotioned them in between your smaller ones and gave him a long, much desired, kneading hand massage in the pitch black room until he was on the verge of falling asleep.

“I love you, Y/N.” whispered Ojiro, his deep voice slower because he was half asleep. “Please be here when I wake up....” He whispered before succumbing to a deep slumber.

You stopped your massage, kissed both of his hands and cuddled into his warm body.

“I’ll be here when you wake up, Aran.” You closed your eyes too, feeling sleep wash over you as well.... “I’ll always be here.”

[queenofallimagines]

So... I just had a thought... What if Overhaul, Amijiki and Shoto with an s/o or crush that is just hella thicc with huge tiddies but she’s hella insecure ‘bout it because she thinks she’s unattractive. (Literally me atm and I’m lowkey suffering) So you know home bois will do whatever it takes to make her feel better. Luv your work hun❤️ this is my favourite blog😍🥰

Ahhhh sorry this took so long I’ve been swamped with work and holiday stuff but here you go!!

Note: I am physically incapable of writing overhoe as anything other than a shit bag

Overhoe:

- he can’t handle it

- He don’t understand

- All that thickness

- Don’t understand who you feel bad I’m either

- He’s skinny and lanky

- “You look gorgeous why do you feel bad?”

- He’s an asshole about it too

- “The human mind is so fragile.”

- Will kiss you differently every day to let you know you’re beautiful

- You gotta figure it out tho

- He kisses you in the cheek when he leaves in the morning

- Tongue kisses you when he comes back

- This is his was of comfort

- Thinks sex will fix everything

- “If I show you how much I appreciate your body it will be better right?”

- Might be smart with drugs but stupid with human interaction

Shoto:

- nah not in his house

- You’re not allowed to feel anything less than perfect

- Will take you out to photoshoots

- And spas to pamper you

- “You look ethereal darling.”

- He will buy you any clothes you want

- Tailored specifically to you

- Spends his dads retirement money

- “So do you want to go to Paris or Australia?”

- Lmao he’s gunna force you to feel better

- Will listen to you vent about it but won’t entertain it even for a second

- “You’re perfect the way you are and you’re an amazing hero. You’re perfect for me and so is your body.”

- Won’t even let you be insecure for a second

- He can smell it

Tamaki:

- he’s shy too

- He don’t look like Mirio

- He is muscled up tho

- Will softly place kisses in your tiddy

- Makes you tea and listens to you vent for a while

- Won’t interrupt

- “But that’s not true at all bunny.”

- “You’re gorgeous and stunning and beautiful and amazing and your body shows how hard you’ve worked to love yourself.”

- “I’m proud of you babe.”

- He will snuggle you all night

- He’s so soft for you

- Let’s you eat anything you want

- “I need to eat for my quirk. You can eat whatever you want seems like your the lucky one.”

[evoldir]

Fwd: Graduate position: Sydney.PollinationMatingSystems

Begin forwarded message: > From: evoldir@evol.biology.mcmaster.ca > Subject: Graduate position: Sydney.PollinationMatingSystems > Date: 11 May 2024 at 07:10:03 BST > To: rdmpage@gmail.com > > > > > The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE) is offering two > research scholarships to highly motivated PhD candidates to study > pollinator abundance, diversity and behaviour in native seed production > areas, and how pollinators influence plant mating patterns and seed > quality. The project is co-funded by Greening Australia, Western Sydney > University's Graduate Research School, and the Ian Potter Foundation. > > Addressing Australia's challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change > is hampered by limited availability of good quality native seed. Regional > Seed Production Areas (SPAs) are thus required to produce stocks of > resilient, healthy seeds suitable for a changing climate. Consequently, > we also need to know how different horticultural practices and planting > designs influence seed yield and quality in SPAs. Given the importance > of pollinators to the yield and genetic quality of SPA-produced seed, > it is essential to investigate pollinator visitation and performance on > key plant species in SPAs. This project will use innovative fieldwork > techniques (plantings, exclusions) and technologies (eDNA, cameras) to > understand which animals pollinate selected Australian native plants and > how SPA design influences their pollination, seed yield and seed quality. > > Shortlink: https://ift.tt/7ZjlLkd > Please share with potential candidates and email to discuss. > Regards > Paul > > > Dr Paul Rymer| Associate Professor > Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment > Western Sydney University > Hawkesbury Campus > Locked Bag 1797 Penrith NSW 2751 Australia > P: +612 4570 1094 | M: 0415 963 139 > > https://ift.tt/pKuley0 > https://ift.tt/QIcR5uZ > > westernsydney.edu.au > > > Paul Rymer