Wednesday 15 April 2015 Countdown is complete! But before we left for the airport, the delightful Michael Felgate, Rick and Maggie from the Channel 7 news team visited Mum. What ensued was a special time of honouring her and her strong connection to the Gallipoli campaign. Once at the airport the indomitable Mabel wasn’t too pleased with her daughter for organizing a wheelchair…until the distance covered from check in to gate lounge changed her mind! Oh, that was a good idea! Wheelchairs were provided all the way with a certain passenger giving the royal wave to the delight of fellow travellers! The flights from Melbourne to Singapore then Singapore to Istanbul were smooth and the stewards were most attentive. We saw lights of villages as we flew over India and the snow capped Zagros Mountains. The ... read more

It's now only 22 days until Mum and I leave. Our documents have just arrived and the excitement is tangible. Everything is ready to go. We feel so honoured and privileged to be making this journey to the hallowed ground of the Gallipoli Peninsula, walking in my grandfather's footsteps. Next update will be from Istanbul!... read more