Zammy
Claire Zammuto Joined: January 21st 2008
Logged in: March 18th 2010
Logged in: March 18th 2010
Travel Blog Posts
bali1
Seminyak and Kuta We decided that we ought to use the opportunity of living in Australia to visit places where it would be too difficult or expensive to visit if we lived in England, so after weighing up all the beautiful places, we chose Bali as our holiday destination for 2009. We chose a private Villa in Seminyak, for our first week and the subsequent week in a lovely family friendly hotel in Kuta, one of the main tourist desinations in Bali. The journey was good, but perhaps a little long (just over 6 hours), and when we arrived at the airport, the processing time for visa's, passports and customs was a long one. It was very warm and humid and everyon was hot a tired after a long flight. Eventually, we got outside and the ... read more
brisbane1
Trip to see Amelia The Zammuto adventures continues, as we decide to visit Brisbane to see Graham, Sarah and the new addition to the family, baby Amelia! We got some bargains with our flights, buy one, get one free, unbelievably it was cheaper to buy 6 seats than 5, so we had a mystery guest join us, who didn't turn up to check in... cheek of it!! We arrived, late on the evening of the 30th July, leaving cold and grey Melbourne. We got to the airport and claimed our hire car, no problems. We took the sat nav with us, as we had booked a private rental in Sandgate, about 10 mins away from our Graham and Sarah's house, and we needed to get to the rental as quickly as possible, no fuss. Unbelivably, the ... read more
Easter1
Since we arrived in Australia, we'd been threatening to take ourselves down the Great Ocean Road, and visit some of the beautiful spots which everyone raves about, so we booked some accommodation and set-off to spend a few days over Easter checking out somewhere new. We set-off on Friday morning and loaded up the car with all our stuff and some provisions. We drove through to Lorne, which a holiday town, just past where we were staying, with the idea of getting some lunch and letting the kids play on the sea-front in the playground and skate park (Ryan, Josh and Alex have become experts on their scooters). Lorne is beautiful with a big sweeping bay and beach, lovely white soft sand and the perfect waves to learn to surf. We grabbed some lunch and then ... read more
NY01
After all the fun of Xmas was over, it was time to get down and do some serious leisure activities. Days out, to a wildlife park and of course days at the beach. We went to a wildlife sanctuary, where you could get up close and personal with some aussie animals, koala's, kangaroos, wallabys, crocs, snakes and other variety of wildlife. It was very good and you were allowed to go up to the roos and feed them, the kids really loved that. We also managed to get up close to some Koala's, who were all very cute and cuddly. It was a very hot day, so ice creams and drinks essential. Later, in the week, we planned to go to the family firework display in Melbourne CBD, as part of the new year celebrations. The ... read more
xmas1
It's Christmas. Wake up on the morning on the 24th December, with a very slight headache. Don't think those cocktails mixed too well, the night before? We decide to have a big family BBQ for Xmas eve, so everyone heads round to our house for Dinner. The weather was perfect, warm sunny weather, blue skies and about 28degrees. Shorts and T'shirt again, 'Oh Dam' Stef cooks the Burgers and Sausage on the BBQ and for those who don't like the traditional aussie fare, some pizza, crisps, sausage rolls an nuts, oh yes and plenty of beer and wine!! We're sat in on the patio, and it's beautiful, the kids play together and no-one can believe it's Xmas eve, so....... we put the computer on a check out Santa as he makes his way down to Australia ... read more
Kylie1
oh, no that dreaded number has crept up and caught me. Moving to Oz, didn't manage to avoid the big number, so I told everyone I was 21. It was wonderful to have my mum, sis (and her family) and my bro, arrived on the scene as well! We booked to see Kylie, in concert in her home town, Stef, me, Katie and Karl and left mum babysitting! After the Kylie concert, the weather put in a good show, so we went down the Great Ocean Road to Torquay to soak up the rays. The kids had a whale of a time and we all had a wonderful, proper day at the beach, like real Aussies. Work was also really kind and sneeky. I got a huge bunch of lilies from the CIO which were beautiful, ... read more
rugby1
At last, I find a spare 10mins to provide all our friends and family with a long waited update to our blog. Well to be honest, after returning from our eventful holiday at the gold coast, we were ready for a rest. October, came and went without many events, the weather, I can say was certainly starting to brighten up with some lovely sunny afternoons, which felt like summer to us, but the aussies were still wearing their scarves! Stef managed to catch a ruby match, but I don't think England won, defeated against the aussies?! Mum arrived at the beginning of November. It was great to see her, after such a long time, but we had a turn in the weather (she brought it with her in the suitcase), as it was cold and rainy ... read more
Hol1
At times, it's not always felt like we were actually at home, but more like on holiday, but then on the other hand, it's been hard work for both Stef and I, organising everything, new house, getting into the day to day swing of things and such like. We're ready for a holiday and some sunshine. The aussie winter, has not been anywhere near as darn miserable as good old Dewsbury, but, there have been some cold days to make you wrap up warm. The houses lack insulation and it's always cold at night, we even had a touch of frost a couple of nights, brrrrr.... We've booked for the Gold Coast, which the kids wanted to visit for all the theme parks, wall to wall sunshine and the good beaches. About 2-3 days before we ... read more
Trophy1
Hi everyone It's been a while since I updated our blog, but life has been pretty busy. A few weeks ago, the football season finished (because it's spring/early summer now) and the kids all went to their clubs celebration and prize giving event. They were all very excited, because winning a trophy is almost getting the confirmation that they are champions and the next Wayne Rooney or David Beckham..... and oh how mum wishes that was the case! So we attend their prize giving, and what a beautiful day, and officially before the first day of spring. Unfortunately, I was working all day, so didn't get a glimse of the beautiful weather, but some friends of ours had been sunbathing and turned up with a tan!! Kids, of course all 'won' a trophy each, and a ... read more
Bday1
Finally, we get to the 7th August. Kids have been looking forward to this day for weeks. They get up early, and I meet them at the door of their bedroom as I get up for work, first thing they say is "Presents", no "morning mum" or anything of the like! They go and jump on Stef, who's still in bed, and demand their birthday presents. We've got them, a number of things, but their favourites are a AFT footie shirt for Josh and some Hot Wheels cards and equipment, which they decide to open immediately. I wish Stef best of luck and I disappear into the bathroom to get ready for work. The kids are running round the house like lunatics and paper and cardboard is strewn everywhere. They finally get their breakfast and get ... read more
