Well, a year of hard work and planning since our last trip has allowed us to be off on another adventure again soon (20 sleeps to go!!). We’ve got the bug… this time, we will spending most of our time in Europe. A once-over lightly to some extent with quick visits to 10 countries courtesy of a Trafalgar tour and then some time in Malta, Italy and France. (see our itinerary page and travel map – click on the index tabs).
Coasters
We can now say we have experienced a bit of life as “Coasters” ie. on the west coast- South Island NZ! Impressions – diverse, laidback, very little traffic in comparison to home, few people, big sandflies, beautiful scenery-coastal formations, stony beaches, rainforest, mountains and rivers. An enjoyable week exploring a region we have not visited for quite some time individually or together. We enjoyed the varied rugged scenery, walks in the bush, a wine tour, and some fine seafood! Mark is particularly keen to return with more time to kyack and tramp in Abel Tasman National Park and Gill will need to get into training for that trip! A memorable visit for Gill this time was visiting the Denniston Incline (coal mining – historical site) having read novels based on this area. See our trip photos.
Another Family Wedding
Christchurch NZ this time for KC (Kerryn) and Nic’s wedding on Jan 26th, 2008. Another fine day with a gentle breeze. The bride and bridesmaids arrived on time (in Audis), looking splendid! KC’s strapless white gown with blue v-shaped insert at the back was beautifully co-ordinated with the bridesmaids electric blue (XR8 blue!) dresses and the mens’ ties. The white and orange calla lilies carried by the bride and bridemaids respectively added a dramatic touch. (see photos)
A Family Wedding
This last weekend (24th Nov) in Katikati we celebrated the wedding of our “adopted” daughter – Gill’s niece Adelle who has lived with us for the last year or so. She came to stay for 2 weeks and stayed for 67! Adelle moved to Hamilton to work at Deloitte and to be near her boyfriend Josh who became her fiance in January 07.
With 2 of our 3 sons now living overseas for an unknown period it has been great to have a daughter in the house. Delz (and Josh) have been home more than our other son Andrew who sleeps downstairs! We will see who misses who the most!
September in Melbourne
It was cold but the company was warm! We’ve just enjoyed a brief 4 days in Melbourne. We spent 3 nights with Gwen and Merv who are experiencing Ozzie life on a teacher exchange for a year. From their “new place” at Frankston we journeyed around the Mornington Peninsula about an hours drive from the CBD. The peninsula curves around one side of Port Phillip Bay. Our guides and chauffers showed off and impressed us with their “new” local knowledge – we checked out the views (from Oliver’s Hill, Arthur’s Seat, and Cape Schanck), villages, “hinterland hamlets”, surf beaches with their charmingly quaint little beach huts and met the pelicans. Gwen and I managed to squeeze in some shopping and I purchased one wedding outfit- one to go!! It was great to catch up and natter throughout the weekend and Merv tried his best to educates us on the mysteries of the AFL which seems to rather dominate the sports scene – go the All Blacks!!