Special day! A very Happy Birthday to Ruby for today. We hope she has a fantastic day. Well, she's already been to Disneyland so can it get better than that?!
The Grand Canyon sounded perfect and your photos of Fuji were striking. I notice the hat Alex is wearing (with iguanas on occasion) is very similar to one we had in Venezuela (with woven insect... perhaps a cricket?). xxx
wonderful... ...the land of my yoof (well for a few years in the 70s anyway) - time to go back! Yes, the national parks are a complete (and wonderful) contrast to much of life in the US. It's a land of excesses in so many senses.
Ma'amite (as the current jars here are being called) I realise now how cruel I've been to my marmite-addicted daughter by making her go without when we go on holiday... Am i cruel? Should I renounce my ways?
Fidgeting in Fiji Hi Ya'all
We expect you are on the way to the US of A by the time you get this message. Fiji looks and sounds fabulous. You lucky things. We are by way of contrast 'enjoying' atrocious weather laid on especially for the Jubbly. We visited Jo and Eric, Dave and Lena, Dave Beetlestone and Irene and Alan in a tour of the West Country.
The beaches and seascapes look marvellous in Fiji. Pity about the govenment though. Ah well you can't have everything.
Lots of love to you all
Marion and Len xxxx
Chilling in Fiji Chilling in Fiji sounds wonderful and the flora & fauna look amazing. Alexander just got back from 4 days at Cubs camp and has gone straight in the bath and looks like he might fall asleep at any minute (it's 4pm!) - too much midnight feasting and hiking I guess.... the washing machine will be running for the next 24 hrs by the look of his kit bag. I spent 2 days & 1 night at the camp helping out which was good fun on day 1 when the weather was idyllic but a bit grim on day 2 when it rained pretty much all day making our 2.5 hr hike a bit of an endurance test on several fronts. Missed most of the Jubilee hubhub - not a fan of the institution but I do think HRH has given exemplary service to her country in a role she didn't choose so she deserves some credit.
F x
blue What an amazing colour blue. What wonderful texture and shape. Your blog really set the scene before seeing the pics. Makes me feel very sluggish sitting on the sofa, I now feel I should get up and do something interesting.
Marmite The marmite controversy is indeed world wide. How can they tell us such lies? And then try to further hide the truth by telling us of celery extract. Now there is an opening in the market. Such a privilege to share your photos. I heard that you met up with Lawrence's sister Gillian, she has tried to meet his friends for years and has to wait until they reach NZ. It is so miserable here rain rain and more rain, having said that we have just finished watching the Jubilee concert in front of Buck Palace, fireworks amazing. London was alive with happiness and the rain kept off. love to you all xxxxxxxx
woooof! Loved the Flash-heart story - in fact he immediately came to mind as I read the story - even before you'd mentioned him... Am particularly jealous of this part of your trip as I've always wanted to spend time in New Zealand.
Thanks for the dedication Looks a lot like touching the void Al, very intrepid !
The chill out looks rather inviting too and good to see Ruby and George are now chieftain's
All our love
M amnd L
I couldn't stop laughing about Ruby's comment that mummy thought the woman was mad - I can just imagine the whole scenario!!! Sounds wonderful ... more detail on Cloudy Bay, though please....and are you bringing presents back??? (Only joking).
Loved the old the old movie projection equipment What fun times you are having. I (Len) loved the old movie projection equipment story. The Harborough Movie Makers are envious Thats the kind of cinema I love - only 9 people! The mountains and coast line with its plants and animal life looks and sounds lovely. An excellent treat for all. How's the beer there?
Lots of love
Len and Marion (Nanny and Lollipop)
stunning! Love the scenery, not sure about the St James Swing Bridge - was anyone tempted to pretend to saw through it when the others were half way across?
Impressive blogging! Well done to you all for such studious blogging. George and Ruby will be the best at writing 'recounts' when they get back to school. Still can't believe how much you've done. Al looks dressed for a relaxing hol in 'Interislander Ferry (2)'. Mind you, if you think you're having a 'soggy' time in NZ, just remember it's like 'The Somme' over hear at the moment (apart from the fact nobody speaks French and the croissants are stale). You've chosen a great time to be away from Blighty. Keep up the good work. Love to all. Andy.
NZ Whoopee Hi folks it sounds absolutley lovely. Could we have a pic of Al with a pint of best bitter in the next blog. If it comes from NZ! Local brew of course. Were you scared Ruby when you went ahead of the others? We thought the pigs looked very friendly if a little porcine ....gettit!! The scenery looks amazing.
Lots of love
Nanny and Grandypaaapppyy.....POP!!
New Zealand Hi guys,
very much enjoying your messages popping into the inbox and providing a bit of escapism from a very grey and damp London. We've wellies drying out on the radiators and bulging tunnels on the tube - oh the glamour! New Zealand sounds great - as do all the places you've been to. Some of your Vietnam and Laos posts reminded us strongly of our time there - especially with the traffic chaos. Can't wait to see some pictures of the New Zealand landscape. All the best, Paul, Di and Milo
'Allo NZ Land Glad you all arrived safely in NZ land and seem to be continuing to enjoy much hospitality from your generous hosts. The scenery and views look good but the more breathtaking are yet to come (mountains etc) but the view form the high building was enouigh to make my palms sweat too (Grandpop) especially when I saw Ruby standing on a glass floor. Aghhhhhhh!!
Love to you all
Nanny & Grandpreppy xxxx
NZ Dear Carla
Sounds like you are having an amazing time in NZ and I'm very jealous! Would love to spend some time there. My Mum loved NZ when she spent a month there about 10 years ago and Sandy & Marilyn thought, after a holiday there, about immigrating after GW Bush II got in for the second time!! When my Dad was in the Navy he spent quite a lot of time in NZ and also thought about immigrating us to Christchurch.
Here, in usually dry and semi-sunny East Anglia, it is raining (again !!) - it's been like this for 3 weeks and getting a bit much, perhaps we should think of moving to Sydney... I guess we are in a drought so the rain is probably a good thing long term.
Love the sound of the $2 shop!
F x
G'Day All Well those yachts are sheer luxury and if its good enough for Elton John!!! The kids seem ver happy and obviously Clare and Pete have made you all very welcome. Give them our love. By the way Marion's Birthday postcard arrived today. It is very thoughtful of you to worry so far in advance. Many thanks for that.
Lots of love
Len and Marion ( Nanny and Grandypappy) xxxx
Dear Carla
Loved reading about your time in Sydney. Thoroughly approve of the Cambria II ! No loits in drunken pig t-shirts on that baby I'm sure!! Pleased you had such a wonderful time in the Blue Mountains, it was funny seeing the sky walk and 3 sisters again! The hotel I stayed at, Quay Grand Suites, is just to the right of the building shown next to the Opera house in the first 'In the City' photo... that was definately my peak moment work expenses wise! Was taken to dinner at the top floor restaurant at the Shangri-La and remember being very glad I wasn't paying...
We're all booked in accomodation wise now for Nova Scotia so now starting to focus on what to do & see.
Love to all
Fiona x
Sydney Dear Carla
Loved reading, and looking at your photos, about Angkor Wat - definately on my "One Day" Travel List! Also loved the photos from your boat ride along the Mekong - kept thinking the next one would show you pulling into Kurtz's encampment!
Bet you are having an amazing time in Sydney. Loved the place when I visited for 10 days in 2004 for work. Have to add my hotel room over looked the Harbor Bridge and was a couple of hundred yards down from the Opera House ! - actually, looking back, I think this was my peak moment perks wise re. work... even had a suite with my own dining room and laundry room and bath tub big enough for 4 (I hasten to add I didn't try this out!)... all courtesy of a lovely heart device company who were based in Sydney and doing great work. Australia (well Sydney anyway) reminded me a lot of the US with all the good bits but not the bad (good standard of living for most, pioneering spirit, most people warm, open and welcoming but much smaller gap between haves and have nots compared to US and less obsession with guns).
Try and visit the Blue Mountains outside Sydney - went for a wonderful day trip there and also to the wine growing Hunter Valley. One of my favorite spots in Sydney was The Bathers Pavillion on Balmorel Beach, Sydney. Also loved the cafes, shops and markets of Darlinghurst. Just starting to plan our 3 week summer trip to Maine and Nova Scotia!
All the best
Fiona.
Lovely Temples We thought the temples looked fantastic and Marion loved the trees with their roots growing over the buildings. We were also glad Al had a good birthday. He seemed very pleased with his cards from Ruby and George and present from Carla. So now you are in Oz and it seems you are having a good time. Nice that George and Ruby have some friends (cousins) to play with and the surfing looks wonderful. What a cheeky old possum!
lots of love
Nanny and Grandpop and Marion and Len
Happy Birthday to Alex A rather belated message of happy birthday wishes. I hope you were not sick for your day. I love the poem and the drawings. Interested to hear about the mad traffic in HCM as it resonates with our experience from many years ago. Can't imagine trying to cross with kids! Strangely, a work friend who has just come back from HCM thought it was easy there but harder in Hanoi. Maybe she's got them the wrong way round!
anonymous
non-member comment
Always wanted...
...to travel on Route 66 and also route 1. Ian Hickey