Now in Canada - made it to Ulster for Christmas !!!

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Wow - after a several true Wilson Miracles - we caught the crack of dawn flight to Jo Burg fromNairobi - had a 9 hour layer over in Jo Burg watching snow falling in drifts on Europe via Sky Channel on Plasma screen in waiting area. All seemed very surreal - flights before and after our South African airways flight to Heathrow where cancelled. Making it seem impossible that we d get through. After a tense last hour the flight boarded an hour late and we took off... unsure we d be allowed to land - it wasn t untill wheels touched down in Heathrow that we where sure we werent going to have an airport Christmas. The passengers all cheered and clapped as the Airbus touched down in Heathrow. We d made it.
A day in London getting cold weather gear and girls in a flap on Oxford Street... I found myself almost having a paranoid freak out at the cramped busy busy vibe after weeks in Africas open spaces. A small hostel in Lambeth (Near Big Ben) and then a midday flight to Ulster the next day. Ulster had serious snow - 1 foot of fresh snow on the ground and some serious disruption - had been -15 c the day before we arrived. The next 3 days was a whirlwind of Family Christmas and catching up on Family news. Aunty Catherine and Uncle Alan very kidly put up the Wilson tribe for 3 nights and we had a great night with Uncle Derek and Aunty Liz in Portadown - a house I d not been in for 14 years ! We got to catchup with cousin Nikki and her two new twins ( Annie and Archie) husband Kieren and Cousin Mark. Just before we left we briefly caught up with Cousin Jilly. I/We feel much more in touch with Irish Family now and are really appreciative of their generosity and care they showed our 3 kids. Thank you !

28th Dec - Crazy early flight once again Belfast to heathrow - frantic 3 hours in London trying to locate my mobile which remained in overhead locker once Jacket removed ! Grrrrr - Lost all my contacts... No phone. Then a 10 hr flight to Calgary - a 90 minute drive in a hired F250 and we where in Banff - magic spot and here we are all set to hit the slopes tomorrow. Feels like a different planet to where we were a week a go walking with camels on the laikipia Plateau.

A few pics from London and Christmas in N Ireland
Also a bunch from Africa that havent made it to the Blog yet
Love to you all and keep safe - we are home in 3 weeks !

Geoff x

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Comments

[Meryl and Alan Wilson]

Happy New Year
A Happy New Year on this new years eve from Bali, Indonesia. We wish all Gods love, health, prosperity and happiness Much Love, Mum and Dad

[Jo]

HAPPY NEW YEAR
Dear All - so sorry to hear bout your hpone Geoff - guess that means you didn't get the text from us at midnight on the eastern seaboard of oz when we thought it might be early am for you! great to see all your photos of Ireland and Africa! Java you are holding a really BIG snowball - was that part of a snowman? You all look great in the photos!! Much love from us all. Jo

[Sue Kelly]

Happy New Year and Happy Schusshing!
Hi guys! Thanks for the phone call, sorry to miss you. Love following your holiday highlights and hope the remainder of your trip is as wonderful. Katie is on the move homewards and I got tickets to the Jimmy Buffett concert (don't say who??) in Sydney on Australia Day so lots of good things to come! Big hugs to you all and thanks for the blogging! Suexxx

[unca D]

Great memory Java of your stay in N.Ireland. Come back soon

[Wilson Family]

jambo
Thanks for the great photo - a very happy memory indeed. We are having a great time - love to you all and lots of kisses to those beautiful grand babies of yours. Love the Wilsons