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Published: February 5th 2009
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Well what a few months it has been. Since my last blog we have been back to the UK where we had a really amazing time catching-up with family and friends. It has been a very special time to see George with his cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles. I did think that, though we might not see them very often, when we do it is a quality length of time. Whilst there, I went to New York with my mum whilst George and Ivor stayed with his parents. We all also went to the Lake District and we had George Christened. Of course, it was also Christmas and New Year too, so we were able to join our families with the festivities relating to those events too.
We had been dreading the 30 hour plane journey somewhat, however, we needn't have worried. Other than the inevitable frowns of other passengers who were worried about spending any of a long haul flight next to a small baby, the flight was great. George was very well behaved and if ever there was the hint of discontent, we gave him a 'Crackerbread' which he loves. We managed to squeeze him into the bassinet
though sleeping with his bottom in the air was the best way he fit. We were a little concerned by that as we didn't want to have him on our laps the whole way. We were in Business class from Dubai. Blimey....how the other half live. We had used my points to upgrade and it was wondeful to have proper plates, cutlery and fully reclining chairs.
The arrival was very emotional. We got our luggage quickly as we had Business Class labels on it..............and soon we were through the doors and greeted by my mum, brother's mother-in-law and ivor's parents. We were all in tears hugging each other, rather oblivious to the crowds around us. I half expected Ivor to come out with........."Well the flight from Aberdeen was crowded" or some such quip but even he was tearful. We all shared a coffee before Ivor's folks returned to York and we went with my mum back to her place. A load of people came round that night...........and we managed to fight the jet lag enough to enjoy it all.
The cold and darkness hit us a little as we had left a Tasmanian Summer behind us, though I
had been looking forward to a cold Christmas. Christmas just doesn't feel the same in the heat.
We spent the next 6 weeks flitting between families. Christmas we spend with my mum which was brilliant. Christmas Eve we went to the Christingle Service where my dad was Rector. They have been doing the same Nativity since I was 3 and as a consequence I know the whole script. My friend Alison and I were called in to be the narrators which felt a bit surreal after all these years....with her daughter one of the angels and my nephews in there as kings and shepherds. I had to fight back the tears a bit as I couldn't help but think how dad would have loved it - all his family there.
My brother, sister and their families (4 nephews) all came round to mum's house for Christmas Dinner which was great. As ever, we ate and drank too much. Having lots of children around adds another dimension as they were madly opening presents. George looked a bit non-plussed as he was surrounded by the mayhem. Sam, the 10 year old - oldest nephew - was wonderful with George and also
his youngest cousin, Rafael who was only 10 weeks old.
During the evening, we all piled round to my brother's house for further fun and frolics. Ivor spent most of the time on the 'Wii' playing football and getting more and more frustrated by the minute.
Other highlights were the Lake District........we went with Ivor's family. Unfortunately, Ivor's dad fell and badly injured his ankle, so Ivor and I went off walking by ourselves a few times. The weather was very cold and icy but we managed to get up Wetherlam and nearly up to the top of Bowfell. We bumped into an Aussie on her way up Bowfell (bizarrely). She was working at the Old Dungeon Ghyll pub in the Langdales. I could have killed for a couple of pints by the real fire in the walkers' bar there.........but sadly, we had to make it back to the 'cottage'.
It was nice to catch up with Ivor's sister and family whilst we were there and for George to meet his only girl cousin.
I really enjoyed New York...........it was a bit of a break from 'being a mum' (though I obviously missed George) and it was
wonderful to spend a bit of time with my mum.
George's Christening went well................lots of family and a great party at my brother's house. It was a little emotional at times, as it is obviously at those times that we miss dad. There were lots of babies there so George had a great time.
Ivor took George to "Bolton Wanderer's" grounds for a tour. I had to chuckle to myself as Ivor puffed himself out with pride when we put the poor little lad in a Wanderers Shirt !!
All too soon, it was time to go. The parting was horrific, though I think it is worse to be left behind. We had a mammoth amount of luggage which we got away with as we were in Business Class again for the first half. The journey to Dubai was ok except George was very very sick, all over us and everywhere. We mopped him up, changed him, went to sit back down and he would throw up again !The hostesses were excellent and when we got to Dubai we spent a fair while in the medical centre where George received an anti-sickness drug just before we boarded
our 13 hour flight to Melbourne. He was fine after that.
Blimey, from the sublime to the ridiculous. -10 at one point in the UK. 46 degrees in Melbourne. The hottest 3 days in Melbourne's history happened to be the 3 days we were there. Our friends, with whom we were originally going to stay, had a baby the day we arrived so they hired a cottage nearby for us to stay there. It was great but there was no air conditioning. I swear I now know what it feels like to melt. Their little baby was another gorgeous little girl 'Harriet' (we have had a bit of an ongoing 'competition' of who could have a baby girl first and call her Harriet........they won!)
George's birthday was hot but a nice day. We took him to the aquarium where there was air conditioning...he loved looking at the fish and various other wildlife that they have. The penguins were particularly comical to watch.
Before long, having paid $200 excess baggage, we boarded a plane back to Hobart. Ivor has gone back to work though has no children until next week. I have been in for one day but
start properly next week. We don't have children in until the week after which is a noce leisurely start to the year. This year, I am back in the role that I know and love which will hopefully make for a much more enjoyable job.
(I have thrown in a couple of random pictures that were taken before we went on our hols)
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