9th May 2009 Hong Kong

Well this was our last stop of our great adventure and cant say I am ready to go home yet. We left Phuket at about 12.20pm and the trip to Hong Kong is about 3 and a half hours and we had the daycare plane - there were babies everywhere you looked and they just let them walk up and down the aisle and kick our seats and cry lots so fair to say we were happy when this flight was over. We walked about 5 miles to get through Hong Kong airport and had to catch a train - yes you heard right - a train to get our luggage and then we poured into a Taxi to our Hotel. We were staying at the Harbour Plaza Metropolis and what a gorgeous hotel it was. When we booked in I asked about the Laser show and what time it would be on and she advised that we would not see it from our room but we could be upgraded for $88 and have a full view of show. We were on the top floor - the 21st floor and on the lifts going up you could see outside - freaky! We watched the laser show which was a bit of a fizzle due to the weather and then Tim and I headed into downtown to have dinner and see what we could buy while the kids stayed and watched DVD's from Phuket. Had dinner at the Outback Steakhouse - yummy - then went and bought a new camera - cos we needed one! The next day we had brekkie at the hotel and then did some last minute shopping - phone for Tim and PSP's for the kids. Spent more in Hong Kong in less than 24hours than we did in London and Phuket. Home to Perth on a 3pm flight - 7hours on the plane and got home at 10.30pm. We were tested for our temperature for Swine flu but we made it through ok. The end of a wonderful adventure and now time to save for the next one.

8th May 2009 Last Day in Phuket

Our last day in Phuket and we spent most of it around the pool as even though it was a bit overcast it was still warm and the pool was lovely. It rained twice today with torrential downpours and one was just the time when someones wedding was due to happen so they had to move all of the chairs and tables inside. We off to Patong for our last minute shopping and to catch up with Pat and then it will be an early night as we are off to Hong Kong tomorrow for one night as we couldnt get a direct flight back to Perth from Phuket.

5th May 2009 Phuket

Well we left London and 12 hour flight to Hong Kong and we were delayed and hour from Heathrow which then only gave us 50 mins to change planes to go to Phuket. Our luggage had been checked through all the way and we just had to make the plane which we did. Got to Phuket in our jeans and t-shirts and waited by the carousel to get our luggage and it didnt turn up. I think the fact that we only had the 50 mins between flights they just couldnt get the luggage on the plane. When we went to the lost luggage desk they were aware of it and it was to come to us that night at 9pm. Well that was ok but we had to go straight to the markets to get some summer clothes - shorts, bathers, etc just to get us by til the luggage arrived which it did. I think we were pretty lucky that this has only happened the once with all the flights we have done. It was straight to the pool and that is where we stayed - we just love this place. On the 6th May we spent the day around the pool also then it was into town to do some shopping and catch up with Matthew's friends Pat & Chief - they recognised us straight away and they spoilt Matthew again.

Today the 7th it was once again round the pool and the kids slept in until 12pm which is really great for them to catch up on all their missed sleep. This afternoon we went go karting and did some more shopping then home to the hotel. We only wish we had 2 weeks here but it has been nice to have this time to just relax and not have to do any sight seeing or tours even though we have loved them.

3rd May 2009 Over To Shauns - The Rowland Clan

Our last but definately not least catch up was with the Rowland clan at Shauns place and before that we went past Nan's to say goodbye which was sad and then dropped into Richard & Linda's. place for a coffee and chat. We got to Shauns and had the tour round the house which is really nice and shown his prize collection of Leeds United shirts since 71 - it is wicked! It was fantastic to see Kim,Lloyd and the kids as they had travelled down from Leeds to see us all which is about 3 hours away - awesome effort and we really appreciated it. The day was full of stories and loads of laughs and Michelle and Shaun had excelled themselves with a feast for all of us. We got there at 1.30 and didnt leave until 9.30 that night as so much to talk about and catch up on and the kids got on like a house on fire - it was a great day - wish they all lived in Australia!

2nd May 2009 - More Family fun

Well it was up and at em once again as no time to waste and the boys had organised to take the aussies go karting and clay pigeon shooting and us girls were to be taken up to see Jean's horses and then it would be back to nan's to catch up with some other relies. We got up to the farm and met all the horses and then Emily had a ride on Nellie who was a beautiful 14 hand high horse - coloured - and then we headed back to Nan's. I went over to Ruths and caught up with her daughter Karen who I had met and worked with when I was over 20 years ago so we reminised about those days and then back to Nan's (they live across the road from each other) to catch up with the relies who had come down from Dorset - Susan & Derek and Jenny & Steve. That was great and Jenny and I didnt stop gas bagging. The picture with the 6 of us in it is 3 generations which is pretty awesome. It was getting later in the day and the boys were still not home and I got a text message from Tim asking if they were in the sh#t and they were a bit as they had missed some of the relies but not too much. They had gone to the go karting and Matthew was not able to go on the karts as there were no kids ones left and he couldnt be left on his own so Dad had to stay with him which was a bit rotten as the tickets had already been paid for and they wouldnt give a refund - 40 pounds it cost which is about $100.00 for half an hour - very expensive! Then they all went clay pigeon shooting and they really enjoyed that but both Tim and Dad came back with really sore shoulders and they were all bruised. That night we went to Jean & Tones for a curry and pizza which was great.

1st May 2009 Nan's Surprise Party

So we packed up at the Youth Hostel after an enjoyable stay and then headed to Kings Cross Station in a London Cab. Organised our tickets and the trains were coming every 10 to 15 mins to Hitchin where we were greeted and picked up by Shaun. Mum and Dad were just around the corner and they came to the station and we followed them to the accommodation Highfield Farm at Sandy which was about 15 mins away from Nan's place. Great place as it was an old stables revamped into this really modern 4 bedroom 4 bathroom place - which we were not used to as we had been sharing a room with the kids in most of the places. That afternoon Mum & Dad took us on a tour of the places they lived in as kids and also where they lived when they first got married. We then stopped off at an English Pub the Old George for a bite to eat and a beer. Then it was home to get ready for the evening -the big surprise. We arrived at the pub and had to quickly do a detour as Nan was just getting out of the car and we didnt want her to see us. Then finally we got there and mum & dad walked in and we walked in a couple of minutes later. Everyone, especially Nan was so surprised and a few tears were shed. We had a great night there with wonderful food (the pub is owned by Mandys Parents -Jay's wife) and lots of laughs and meeting some of the relies for the first time.

30th April 2009 London Day 2

Today we did Madam Tussauds and the London Dungeon which where a bit of fun - the dungeon was a little scary but they have a couple of rides in there so that is good. The weather was not as good as yesterday but no rain and not too cold so able to get around ok. We went to Picadilly circus after the Dungeon and the kids went to Ripleys Believe it or not and Tim and I went up Regent Street shopping and then stopped at a pub for a couple of drinks. It was then off to Victoria station where we had dinner and then we went and saw "Wicked" the musical which was an awesome show. We have had a great time in London and covered quite a bit of ground and seen most of the sites. It has been over 20 years since I have been here and it has brought back some memories seeing the names of places. Off to Hitchin tomorrow to see my relies and surprise my Nan - cant wait!

29th April 2009 Tour of London

Had a great day today - woke up and looked out of the window and there it was - blue skies and not a cloud in them - how cool is that in London! So up and at them we went and got some breakfast and then off we set to get the big red double decker hop on hop off bus. It took us right round London and we got to see all the sites. Got off at Buckingham palace which is just beautiful and then we walked through Green Park to the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch. From there we walked to catch the tube to Westminster Pier were we got on a cruise that went down the Thames to Tower Pier. Great to see it all from the water. We then decided to go on the London Eye which was fantastic - great view of all of London and with the weather so clear you could see for miles. It was then home to Great Portland Station where we met up with Shaun - so cool to see him again. Went and had a drink at a local pub and then off to a nice Italian restaurant for dinner. Just like old times and doesnt feel like 12years since we have seen each other. Then back to the hostel and time to do the washing - yippee!! Somethings you cant get out of.

28th April 2009 Paris to London

Left Paris this morning early and we really had a great time there - what a beautiful place! Then caught a flight to London (which was delayed an hour due to fog) which was only an hour long - the kind of flight we like. Caught the train from Heathrow and then the tube to our hotel which was an effort and a half dragging our heavy suitcases up the stairs - no lifts or escalators - what the! We went to get on the tube to the YHA and Emily got on and Tim put 3 of the suitcases on and the doors started closing and we were still on the platform - Oh no!!! So some guy on the tube and Tim pried the doors open thank god as that would have really topped the day off. Any way made it the YHA which is really great and alive with people young and old. Dropped our stuff off and then headed back out on the tube to discover a bit of London. There was a little bit of light rain but then it fined up with blue skies - but freeeeeeezing!! We went to Picadilly Circus and then walked to Leister Square and bought our tickets for Wicked which we are seeing on the Thursday and then walked to Covent Garden via Trafalgar Square. Shaun rang and we are catching up tomorrow night which will really good - cant wait. Home to bed as we are all so tired and we stayed up late in Paris as it doesnt get dark until 10pm.

27th April 2009 Paris Day 3

Today our last day in Paris we headed off to see the Arc De Triumphe and Champs Elycee and the weather held out for us and we actually had some sunshine! We caught the Metro there - great transport and very clean and so often - and when we got to the Arc De Triumphe we decided to go to the top - 284 steps - the calves were screaming by the end of the climb but the view was worth it. Even though Paris is very expensive, we have found the tickets for things very reasonable and most of the time children are free. After climbing back down the 284 steps we went for a walk down the Champs Elycee and ventured into some of the shops. Alot of car showrooms and this why Tim is in the Formula 1 simulator ride as this was in the Toyota showroom. From here we thought on the way home we would have a look at Notre Dame and every one was a bit tired and not real keen but when we got in there everyone was amazed at how beautiful it is. Went back to the hotel from there only 2 stops away in Bastille and Tim and I went out for dinner down the road and the kids stayed home and we bought them back dinner. We are being picked up at 8am tomorrow morning to go to the airport for our flight to London. Weather is looking good for us so cross fingers!