Home Again.....Sort Of

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Well we have arrived safe and sound in UK and manged to make our way to Whittlesey without incident. For those of you who haven't visited, Whittlesey is a lot like spending time at Barrington Mall ie. the average age is about 76 and there seems to be more 'Mobility Scooters' than pensioners to ride them.

On arrival we were promptly collected by cousin Martin and taken out for dinner ( to the finest pub in all of Whittlesey - it really was a bit like Eastenders) and then on to watch a 'first rate' game of football and once more the willies came out to greet us......apparently joining the Army requires you being stripped naked in mid pitch - we were also thrilled to be included in the actual game by fielding any out of bound balls with our faces (footballs!!!! just to make that clear) our reflexes are not what they used to be.

Since last posting we have travelled from the beautiful Barcelona to Paris ( on another night train - this one was slightly better once Chris had banged on the ajoining door requesting that they keep it down to a dull roar) where we did a frantic ' Tour de France'. This included 'The Effiel Tower', 'The Arc de Triomphe', and Notre Dame railway station, which is where you would expect to find the church but apparently not. Unfortunately the Lourve is closed on Tuesday's (an important travel tip for all you heading this way, also note Whittlesey Library is closed on Thursday's so keep that one in the memory bank) and seeing as we were desperate for clean clothes and Chips and Curry Sauce, we decided to vacate Paris the next morning on the Eurostar.

We travelled in the lap of luxury and enjoyed a 3 course meal and an open bar for our 3 hr trip. Unfortunately we had a unique individual sat across the row from us he felt he was some sort of royalty and drove us up the wall until he fell asleep. Thank goodness for the open bar!!

We have been to see the family and in the process have been accused of being Jehovah Witness' - guess we need to make more of an effort to keep in touch or at least send photos so next time they know who we are!! They are all well and when they finally figured out who we were, were pleased to see us - we are off to dinner on Sunday night hopefully this will include more Yorkshire pudd. We have also managed to squeeze in about as much true blue English tucker as possible - Yorkshire pudding, chips and gravey, good ole english breakfasts and lots of beer... the list goes on!!

Tonight we are being treated to a night of Ping Pong, Booze, Pub Food, Beer, Beer and a liddle more beer - we are being hosted by Martin and Susie so goodness knows what will happen.

Off to London on Tuesday where the plan is to finally try to make it to the London Eye seeing as our last attempt ended so poorly and then to see some more family before we finally start the long trip home. Hopefully the weather will improve the further south we travel as winter is setting in here and our tans are fading fast!!

Alas still no photos, we're working on it , but Susie's computer is only slightly smarter than me and slower than Margaret from number 4 using her walking frame to get up the stairs.

Will try to find another email point from London if not then will speak to you from Australia in a week or so.

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Comments

[Mel]

Say hi to the rellies
Hi guys Great to see that you are perched in an english speaking country......or at least a country where they understand you a little better. Say a big Hi to all the cousins, aunties,uncles etc. I wish I was there with you in London, I went there for a day with Martin, he is really awesome. The weather here has been windy and sort of warmish. Great for getting the washing dry anyway. Kids are back to school on Monday, they are all organised with their uniforms and roman sandals. Finn is playing cricket and has his first game today, it goes on for a few more hours than last time he played. Caity starts indoor netball on wed and touch rugby on thursday, she has also become a cub!! Too old for keas so got farewelled from them and begins cubs on monday as well. Never stops eh. Well hope that your watching the calorie intake on the curry and chips.......but then there is always weight watchers when you get back. Take care and look after each other. Love Mel, Zac, Finn and Miss Caity xxx

[Brenda]

Hi again,
Hi Chris and Chris, Thanks for keeping us up to date and laughing! Just a little note to say baby is still safely in tummy (as it should be, not being due for another week yet!) and all is well here. Can't wait for the next instalment - enjoy all the family catch ups and the Aussies too! Love Brenda. xxx

[Mel]

Hi De Hi
Hiya you travel bloggers. How is it all going over there. Must be good you have not updated your site for a wee while now (hint hint) must be too drunk on beer and eating too many curries eh. No doubt you have done the London thing, isn't the London Eye awesome, I got sweaty palms half way up and of course some dear child is banging the glass and rocking the friggin thing!! All good here, hot day today and was nice yesterday too, getting the warmer evenings now which means only one thing, BBQ's. YAY YAY YAY. Kids are back at school, busy getting into swimming and cricket. Work is pretty much same, same. So where from London?? Back to some tropical Island maybe or have you re-booked Santorini!! Well take care and big hugs to all. Keeps safe. Love Mel, Zac, Finn and Miss Caity xxx

[mum and dad]

arrivals in nz
6pm 12th october dawn rang to say Amy-Lee Gail has left the tummy at 7lb 14oz at approx 1am on the 12th all is well now at rangiora hospital everything else is ok over here will check your place on sunday catch you latter mum and dad