by | Jun 10, 2018 | Gold Coast Sep 15
Gold Coast Sep 2015 – Day 1 – getting there… Ok, here we go again! Exactly 2 years ago, we were doing the very same thing – rushing around trying to get ready for a week’s worth of Queensland fun. We’re even staying in the same accommodation...
by | Aug 20, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017Day 21 – The EndFriday 18th August Well, I guess it had to happen eventually. The trip is, finally, at an end. The fat lady has sung. The curtain has closed. Everyone has left the theatre. Being the last person out of the building, I’ve...
by | Aug 20, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017Day 19 – Venlo & last full dayThursday 17th August This will be our last full day before beginning the long, and no doubt arduous, process of travelling back to Melbourne and our former lives. We have no further obligations to fulfil,...
by | Aug 19, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017Day 19 – VenloWednesday 16th August With yesterday’s hotel breakfast fracas still fresh in my mind when I woke up morning, I was determined to have a hearty meal and so made sure to get to the breakfast hall with more time to spare....
by | Aug 19, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017Day 18 – KerkradeTuesday 15th August Yesterday was a very long day. Actually, to be honest, every day for the past two weeks has been a very long day. Our stay at the Center Parcs holiday park was to be the holiday within the holiday and...
by | Aug 17, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017Day 17 – Center Parcs to KerkradeMonday 14th August Sandy and the kids were still asleep when I got up this morning. First order of the day, after emptying my bladder, was to see what the fresh roll fairy had delivered this morning. Alas,...
by | Aug 17, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017Day 16 – Center ParcsSunday 13th August It seems I’m getting into the habit of being the first out of bed lately. Everyone else was still slumbering soundly when I found this morning’s batch of fresh rolls in a bag by the front door....
by | Aug 15, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017Day 15 – Family reunionSaturday 12th August Although the kids would have loved it, there was no time this morning to go back to the swimming complex for another splash. On the cards today was a pre-organised family and friends reunion,...
by | Aug 12, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017Day 14 – Kerkrade to Center ParcsFriday 11th August Once again, a gloriously late start to the day was on the cards this morning. We couldn’t leave things too late, of course, since we’re checking out of Kasteel Erenstein. We’ll be back...
by | Aug 12, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017Day 13 – KerkradeThursday 10th August We had a slow start this morning. Since I wasn’t sure whether breakfast was or wasn’t included in our stay, I dressed and wandered down to reception to inquire – in that order. Fortunately breakfast...
by | Aug 11, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017Day 12 – Paris to KerkradeWednesday 9th August As planned, we had a late start to the day. To be honest, I think we were still all pretty lethargic from the past few days. We’re really going to need a holiday after this one. Be that as it...
by | Aug 10, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017Day 11 – Disneyland ParisTuesday 8th August Sandy didn’t sleep much last night. I woke up and found her using the toilet as a seat and the bathroom counter next to her as a desk. It’s just about the only space to sit anywhere here in this...
by | Aug 8, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017Day 10 – Arrival at Disneyland ParisMonday 7th August Since we wanted to spend as much of the day as possible exploring the Disneyland Paris parks today, I was fortunate to have remembered to set the alarm for this morning. I got up...
by | Aug 6, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017Day 9 – Catacombs and Eiffel TowerSunday 6th August We made a conscious decision to not try to cram as much as possible in today and not to worry about getting up and out very early. This resulted in an absolutely terrific slow start with...
by | Aug 6, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017Day 8 – Seine river cruise & Notre DameSaturday 5th August A blissfully lazy start to the day awaited us this morning. Although we originally planned a fairly packed schedule here in Paris, Sandy and I mulled it over and we’ve decided...
by | Aug 5, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017Day 7 – Arrival in ParisFriday 4th August The mood this morning was a tad sombre. Once again, we find ourselves saying goodbye to loved ones. It never gets easy. Fortunately, Sandy had already done most of the packing last night but there...
by | Aug 4, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017Day 6 – Harry PotterThursday 3rd August So, today is a big day as far as planned activities is concerned. Later on this afternoon, we’re going to be spending a few hours at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour to see the making of Harry Potter....
by | Aug 3, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017Day 5 – WestcliffWednesday 2nd August Once again I found myself waking early and without the benefit of an alarm. If only I could do this normally when not on holiday. Breakfast this morning was a muted affair. The kids were pre-occupied...
by | Aug 2, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017Day 4 – LondonTuesday 1st August As per the usual routine, it was another early start to the day. The irony is that we’re on holiday and don’t really have a need to get up early, so you’d think we’d all enjoy a sleep in, right? Ha!...
by | Aug 1, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017Day 3 – South OckendonMonday 31st We’re starting to settle into a routine now. Even though we don’t have any pressing reason to be getting up early, our body clocks are still kicking us all into gear from around 6 a.m. Even I’m finding...
by | Jul 31, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017Day 2 – BasingstokeSunday 30th Recent events have led Sandy and me to take a slightly different outlook on life. The passing of a close friend – considerably younger than us I might add – has made us both stop and think. What’s really...
by | Jul 30, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017Day 1 – Family reunionsSaturday 29th Today has been full on, as we’ve moved from one activity to the next. We’ve had a blast but I’m now looking forward to tucking up in bed. The day started well with a restful night’s sleep…for the most...
by | Jul 28, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017T-0 – getting thereThursday 27th & Friday 28th July We’re about two hours into our first flight, with another six left to go. Lunch has been served, which was actually a lot better than I expected it to be. I had the chicken curry and...
by | Jul 26, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017T-1 – pre-departureWednesday 26th July ‘Twas the night before the holiday and all through the house, not a creature was stirring…well, Joey was on his iPad, Jennifer was still glued to Youtube and Sandy was busy squeezing more...
by | Jul 23, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017T-4 – pre-departureSunday 23rd July After weeks, if not months, of meticulous planning and research, we’re now into the final few days before departure. It remains a surreal, calm-before-the-storm sort of a situation. As we say here in...
by | Jul 19, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017T-9 – pre-departureWednesday 19th July Shit just got real. Yesterday, I bought some Pounds & Euros. This is a very tangible reminder that we’re now getting very close. It’s also another reminder of just how much this trip is eating...
by | Jul 15, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017T-15 – pre-departureSaturday 15th July Our departure date looms ever closer with now just two weeks to go. It’s kind of surreal. I should be getting excited and perhaps I am but the lurgy that has afflicted me along with some other...
by | Jul 15, 2017 | Letter to Uncle Dave
In 2012, my dearest Auntie Lilly passed away. The following is a letter I wrote to Uncle Dave a few months later…Dear Uncle Dave,Sandy and I were deeply saddened to learn of Aunty Lilly’s passing away recently. Although I’ve been privileged to have...
by | Jul 6, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017T-22 – pre-departureThursday 6th July Today was not a good day. A good friend has become very suddenly very ill. As this isn’t public knowledge and the situation is ongoing, I won’t go into any specific detail here. Suffice to say that it...
by | Jun 12, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017T-46 – pre-departureMonday 12th June My attention to the various details of the holiday has come and gone a few times over the past few weeks. With now just six and a half weeks to go, it’s no longer about the logistics of the...
by | Apr 26, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017 T-93 – pre-departure Wednesday 26th April I dug a hole. If you’re Australian, and thus familiar with that Ozzie movie classic, The Castle, you’ll be familiar with that reference. For everyone else, it means…um…well…Sandy was completely...
by | Mar 31, 2017 | Europe Jul 17
Europe – July 2017 T-124 – pre-departure Sunday 26th March And so it begins. Since we arrived here in Melbourne, Australia some seven years ago, we’ve not yet – as a family – been back to Europe to visit friends and family. It has been far too long. Having...
by | Mar 14, 2017 | Limerick Aug 08
Limerick, Ireland – August 2008 Day 6 – Knoppogh Castle Friday 8th August I collected Darren, Nyree, Jasmin & Tony from the airport this morning. Let’s hope their first impressions of the Emerald Isle aren’t confined to the layout of the local shopping...
by | Mar 14, 2017 | Limerick Aug 08
Limerick, Ireland – August 2008 Day 5 – just chilling out Thursday 7th August This morning’s routine was much as it was yesterday. I say this with some inability to determine if that’s a bad thing or a good thing. Usually, when on holiday, we like to keep...
by | Mar 14, 2017 | Uncategorized
Limerick, Ireland – August 2008 Day 4 – Bunratty Castle Wednesday 6th August It was a slow start to the day this morning. So slow, in fact, that I ended up going back to bed for another couple of hours of sleep. We often ‘shift change’ in the mornings like...
by | Mar 14, 2017 | Limerick Aug 08
Limerick, Ireland – August 2008 Day 3 – St. John’s Castle Tuesday 5th August Despite the full-on past couple of exhausting days, my body clock got me up earlier this morning than I might have expected. I’ve come to expect this phenomenon and have put...
by | Mar 14, 2017 | Limerick Aug 08
Limerick, Ireland – August 2008 Day 2 – Limerick Monday 4th August I slept uneasily through the night. My sore throat was causing me no end of grief. By morning, Jennifer had developed a severe case of constipation and was breaking out into consistent fits...
by | Mar 14, 2017 | Limerick Aug 08
Limerick, Ireland – August 2008 Day 1 – getting there Sunday 3rd September We think of ourselves as rather adventurous people by and large. We’ve travelled around the world (and then some) and have been to some far off, exotic destinations. But it’s also...
by | Mar 14, 2017 | Lake District Sep 07
Lake District, UK – September 2007 Day 7 – the final push Friday 7th September Daddy was handling the morning routine today. Mummy was enjoying another relaxing start to the day with a few more blissful minutes in bed. I’ve had fun trying to keep the kids...
by | Mar 14, 2017 | Lake District Sep 07
Lake District, UK – September 2007 Day 6 – excursions into Durham & Northumberland Thursday 6th September There are only so many points of interest dotted around the country that we would think of visiting. Buggy access and child-friendliness are...
by | Mar 14, 2017 | Lake District Sep 07
Lake District, UK – September 2007 Day 5 – further exploration of Cumbria Wednesday 5th September Sandy ‘insisted’ on kicking me out of bed to tend to the children this morning so that she could enjoy a few more minutes in bed. I didn’t complain (much), as...
by | Mar 14, 2017 | Lake District Sep 07
Lake District, UK – September 2007 Day 4 – another fun day on the road Tuesday 4th September Despite the full day from yesterday, we were all up and wide-awake relatively early this morning. This phenomenon is something we’ve experienced before when...
by | Mar 14, 2017 | Lake District Sep 07
Lake District, UK – September 2007 Day 3 – a day without the kids Monday 3rd September We were in full-on holiday mode today with an action packed day out and about on the road. We started earlier than we did yesterday, and resolved to be up, fed, dressed...
by | Mar 14, 2017 | Lake District Sep 07
Lake District, UK – September 2007 Day 2 – our first day on holiday Sunday 2nd September We had a rather gentle start to the day – in so far as that is now possible to do so with two children that are going to wake up early and start screaming until...
by | Mar 14, 2017 | Lake District Sep 07
Lake District, UK – September 2007 Day 1 – getting there Saturday 1st September The journey up to Cumbria in the far North of England was to be a lengthy one by British tourist standards. Although Google predicted a journey time of just over five hours, we...
by | Mar 14, 2017 | Kent Apr 08
Kent, UK – April 2008 Day 7 – Warner & Deal Castle Saturday 3rd May After the now usual morning ritual of tending the kids and getting them fed and dressed ready for the day, we set off Westward in our continuation of the English Heritage trail of...
by | Mar 14, 2017 | Kent Apr 08
Kent, UK – April 2008 Day 6 – Bayam Abbey, Bodiam Castle & Rare Breed Centre Friday 2nd May With the weather just getting better, it was clear that a full day on the road of exploration awaited us this morning. We were all fed, dressed, packed and...
by | Mar 14, 2017 | Kent Apr 08
Kent, UK – April 2008 Day 5 – Dickens World & Upnor Castle Thursday 1st May A timely nudge in the ribs this morning was my signal to get up with the kids. It doesn’t happen that often so when Sandy indicates to me that she wants me to get up first, it...
by | Mar 14, 2017 | Kent Apr 08
Kent, UK – April 2008 Day 4 – Ruckinge Village Wednesday 30th April We got the best night’s sleep yet last night. Jennifer murmured a bit at around stupid o’clock but went off again shortly thereafter – bliss! Sandy took care of the ‘early shift’ as...
by | Mar 14, 2017 | Kent Apr 08
Kent, UK – April 2008 Day 3 – Dover Castle Tuesday 29th April Since Sandy was up half the night last night with Jennifer, it seemed appropriate that it would be me this time around should the need arise. Sure enough, come 3 in the morning, Jennifer was up...
