What a blast What a good read it has been all these weeks. I could almost feel the changes you were experiencing and was so proud to read what a balanced view you took of things - not all rose-coloured and picking out the positive when you could.
How it will change you remains to be seen. All change involves losing as well as gaining. To move on requires leaving something behind. In the end it comes down to pluses and minuses.
Take your time. In the meantime we are all here for you.
Love, Dad.
missed ya So enjoyed all of your news and the photos over the year- but nothing beats having your mate back home.
So glad it was all you had hoped for- but so relieved that you have come home- though having done it once sure that it wouldn't be as daunting next time- keep saving the pennies!
What a fantastic adventure! Well you've really proved it to me this time! You were always your own person - intelligent, enquiring, yet knew what you wanted! You've achieved something I would never have been able to do! I'm so proud of you for setting off alone on a journey across the other side of the world. I'm sure you have discovered so much more than you thought, not least strengths you never knew you possessed! We're so glad it all went so well and that Australia was every bit as welcoming as you hoped it might be. Moreover you didn't waste a minute and proved it's never too late to follow the dream! Thank you for the magnificent blog which you shared with us along the way. It made us feel part of that dream. However we're so glad you returned home to England leaving only a little part of you behind! Many many thanks and Congratulations!
Enjoyed your blog and great pics. Dear Jo.
Just to welcome you home, it must seem like Ice Age to you! We're so pleased you have embraced all that Australia offered you. Your blogs were always interesting and really gave a brief flavour of all that you saw and did. It also bought back lots of happy memories for us. As you say, its the place to live, if only it weren't t'other side of the world from our friends and families!! love Anita x
Fabulous! What an amazing set of photos to record a fantastic adventure Jo. I would love to have been there. I'm so glad you achieved your dream, despite many obstacles to be overcome. I can't believe you've done it, though you have those super photos to prove it, and to remind you in future times! Your description of the journey is v honest and illuminating. It must have been quite strange to visit Uluru and then travel to Perth where most of the Brits choose to settle. Well done for coping with the heat!
Red Centre eh? Sounds amazing Jo but am finding it very hard to imagine 'warm' let alone 'hot' whilst we get another snow flurry outside. Hope Perth going well. Rod x
Adelaide etc Glad to hear all is going well. The photos are great!
Ann would sympathise with you about youth hostels - we stayed in one in Belgium the year before we got married, and she said " Never again" - she was in a four person bunck bed with loads of noisy girls in the room. And she had to scrub a staircase as her job with a bucket of cold water! Give her a hotel anyday!
+
We look forward to seeing you back (next month?) and will give you a job, please, as Audit examiner to our charity, as we are over the £25000 limit this year.
Joe did very well in his exams and interviews and has accepted a place at Haberdashes Askes-7th highest placed independent schoolk in the country. All very pleased!
See you soon, Love, Ann and John
Always a good read Jo...... and yes, you should be out there enjoying rather than blogging but it will serve as a lovely reminder. My daughter Steff kept a diary on her travels and it is fantastic to read her adventures day by day. Don't waste a moment. Rod x
curry when you get back Wow- I think you are very brave driving such long distances- just you, Miss Sat Nav and a bottle of water.
When you get back you will be able to tackle anything.
As you missed your mates when having a curry- lets make sure we plan a curry night on your return.
I got a good feel for Melbourne from this blog Jo. Put together with the Grand Slam fortnight I felt as though this would be my other choice of city when visiting Australia. You seem to have found the right places to visit and had quite a rounded visit. I enjoyed the photos and look forward to hearing more about your preferences on return. You seem to be finding your way around very well, and seeing all the main places I had heard you mention before you set off. Did you ever assemble the flat packs?
Sounds Great..... So glad you are meeting people and making friends. No newws here other than its b....y cold all the time. Weeks are flying by................. Rod x
Still very jealous! Ta for the update - glad you're still enjoying it - you should be an expert BBQ er when you get back so I will look forward to the invite!
Catch Up.......... Hi Jo - well yes, that was a whole chapter but a good read. Fantastic experience. So took me back to my travels in the US all those years ago!!! We have at last had a couple of nice days here altho still quite cold. The odd neighbour is venturing into the garden. I have been on the DIY and dec trail - spent quite a bit of time turning my loft extension into quite a large room - all now floorboarded. Would make a great place for the train set or scalectrix! Last week I was at an employment tribunal for four days which came as a shock to the system - really long days. I have another 1 day hearing in a fortnight where I will be in pole position for a client. But the big news this weekend was another trip to Roehampton on Saturday and the first chance to really test the return and the coaching. Plsd to say it went so well. I finished the matches only second to Andrew and did not lose my serve all evening which I think is a result! Back here for fish and chips and a Ransom cheesecake. Good time. We spoke about you and miss you too.
So this week is a bit more normal. Steff is back from Bath for a long weekend so spending time with her today and catching up with house chores of which there are plenty! Hard to believe you are back in six weeks so make the most of every day. Rod x
A lot going on Heya
That is quite a lot going on and glad you are getting to see loads of the tennis which was the plan in many ways and also that the accom is working out, I can imagine it is nice to know where you are heading.
Where you off to next? Glad you are having a great time and great to hear it is going well.
Mike
So pleased..... ........... everyone looking after you so well Jo and enjoying it. Blog is great. Lets see what you can do to see Andy Murray to another Grand Slam win - would be great to see him do it on both occasions you were there! Have sent you a gmail re one of my own 'adventures'!!
Take Care, Rod
blog, etc Good to get your news, keep it coming.Neighbours at 22 sent a note to say drains playing up. No sweat, they are getting S. Water round to seek long-term guidance! I have bit of a throat and snuffles today.
I was there! All true!! It's been a fab trip so far. I just hope you can keep up the same pace! You've been a great tour guide Jo - perhaps you should consider a career change on return to the real world! Keep it up - I'll be reading with interest. And now I'll know what you're talking about. Xx
if I must What a stunning piece of stunning descriptive prose. Very nice detail of your experiences. You're having a stunningly good time in a stunning continent. Chinese junks and koalas are strange bed-fellows but probably reflect the breadth of your experiences. What did Kev cook to whip up a storm?
Mental note when back in UK: make a longer list of stunning adjectives. Sorry, only joking.
What a start! Lovely to read up on the trip Jo. You are already getting it ticked off. Gill, Elaine and Eli are organising a Christmas tournament on Saturday and have asked me to do the match play - as a non-member I should get paid!! Threatens to be fabulous if we get decent weather - its been very frosty recently! I have also now had three lessons back on court and looking forward to getting back proper in the New Year, but all good so far. Take Care. x
Sounds Like a really Good Start Alrit Jo jo
This is all looking very nice. today we have woken here to the first proper frost and so we will be off to spread warm water on the car to get the old beast working. Sounds like the first couple of weeks couldnt have gone better which is great to hear, sounds like you are determined to walk around country as well - does that mean you are off on a walkabout being the native that you are?
we are not at all jealous of the warmth as we of course love to be cold and miserable - you know how we stocky English are ;)
The time share comment shows then you are taking it more and more seriously though! I am glad that the hostel went well, i think they are going to be great for you as a great option for cheaper stays and meeting other people doing the same thing. Other people I have spoken to seem to have done the same thing in often meet a lot of people doing the same thing and doing similar routes and so meetup with them again and again.
Have a great time and look forward to hearing more - Time for work and frost clearing
Well done ! Hey Jo - great to see the blog has finally got going - I wondered if I had registered against the wrong person !!!
Glad you're having fun.
Paulx
G'day Jo & Pam (aka Thelma & Louise) Saw Frank on Friday, he seemed well and lively. Just so impressed you 2 climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Our hotel was near there in the Old rocks area, and we regularly saw people belted on climbing the ladders, scarey stuff so RESPECT! Enjoy. A & A xx
Having taken the leap to leave my job in order to take some time out / a career break / gap year, I am about to embark on the last and biggest trip in my initial plan - Australia. I am setting up this blog so that family and friends can keep up with my travels if they would like to - I hope you all enjoy reading my posts. Please feel free to comment as it will be really great to hear from everyone when I'm so far away. I expect I will also post a bit on Facebook and send emails - loving the technology!
The plan is to travel to Sydney initially, then Melbourne, Adelaide, Uluru and Perth. It wi... full info
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What a blast
What a good read it has been all these weeks. I could almost feel the changes you were experiencing and was so proud to read what a balanced view you took of things - not all rose-coloured and picking out the positive when you could. How it will change you remains to be seen. All change involves losing as well as gaining. To move on requires leaving something behind. In the end it comes down to pluses and minuses. Take your time. In the meantime we are all here for you. Love, Dad.