Day 1 in Athens

The "zombies" woke, ready for the day - had a great late breakfast at the Ava and decided just to walk around town - the sun was shining, the temperature was perfect. Took a pile of photos, but right now am having some MAC issues, or maybe Liz problems with downloading them all of a sudden.!!

Not in any order, but below is the restaurant we had lunch at today - early in the season, wonderful views of the Acropolis and our waiter actually moved to Oz when he was 2 years old, lived in Melbourne for 50 years, but has moved back here with his 84 year old Dad, they live next door to each other, after all they are greek first - he said. Long story, but the little bit of land his Dad owned with 11 olive trees on, well actually they only really own the top 2 inches of the land in Greece, is now in the hands of archeologists searching for evidence of past civilisation - and the theory is that the Helen of Troy was there!!

Decided to be so adventurous, a greek salad and Mousaka with a carafe of their vino - rather nice.

Another view from the cafe.

The blossoms are out in Plaka

The Acropolis reigns high in the Plaka

The ruins at Agia Katerina - 1 minute from our Hotel

Frank at the front door of our Hotel with Hadrian's Arch as a backdrop.

and the "blue and white" flies high at the Acropolis

We're in Athens

I wrote this on the Monday we arrived, however somehow has been labelled on the Tuesday!!

Well we made it - it took around 48 hours from the time we rose on the Gold Coast on Sunday, till the time we closed down in Athens on Monday night. A long but very good trip. Singapore canned their whole flight from Singapore to Athens, therefore to reach Athens, we flew from Singapore to Zurich, then onto Athens. So all that said, Singapore Air "in the air" were still as outstanding as ever. We had a 5 hour layover in Singapore, and that is not at all bad at the super Changi Singapore Airport, so much to do, and very many places to relax. With the cancellation of their Athens flight we did get to fly on one of their A380's to Zurich, absolutely full, and we were the only 2 that had that one extra seat. It was a 13 hour flight and really outstanding again by the air staff of Singapore - a slight amount of turbulence, great movies, very little sleep and I do believe there is more leg room on these A380's, a good opportunity for us really. Next there was another 5 hour layover in Zurich (1 deg.C)- another outstanding airport, plenty of places to relax, great shopping and of course the very courteous efficient swiss behaviour. They are part of the EU, but like Britain they have kept their own currency - the Swiss franc - bit of a pain, as this is where we planned to stock up on Euros - well now we could get a little ripped off in Greece - not good planning Lizzo!!!

The Swiss Air flight on a small absolutely "chocked" full A320 was extremely pleasant on a brilliantly sunny day, two and a half hours of stunning scenery from my window seat. We flew over the gorgeous snow capped Swiss Alps, down over the outstanding Dolomites in Italy (we were only there just under a year ago) then over what used to be called Yugoslavia (confused on all the names it now has) then down over Greece to Athens. English Carl and his partner picked us up and drove us to our hotel, arriving at 6.30pm, after the quickest baggage pick up we have ever had, literally got through Greek Immigration in about a minute - and Customs - where were you on our arrival???

Our hotel is in the centre of the Plaka, with the Acropolis at one end of the road, and Hadrian's Arch at the other. I had chosen the Ava Hotel because of the extremely positive comments on Tripadvisor, and it looks like a very good decision. They had a bottle of bubbly waiting for us - that will be consumed tomorrow evening, and rather than having to go out, they brought up a great tapas type platter of Greek treats. and just to top things up - free WiFi. Had a much needed lengthy shower, a glass of wine from our small kitchenette and next will shut those eyes for a much needed sleep.

These were the Brig's first flights since having the PM installed - special treatment through every Security situation - so that all went without any hitches whatsoever. Off to shut these eyes, and hope my feet have reduced in size by tomorrow morn.!! Well I don't know how to delete this second photo of the Brig on my little Mac Air, c'est la vie!!!

We're Cruisin'

Well the excitement is starting to build, as tomorrow morning we take off for our 3 month trip, starting off with an 11 day Mediterranean Island cruise - felt the Brig really deserved something like this and neither of us had been to these places before - and then the rest of the time will be spent in the UK, with Frank's family, touring and some research of my family's genealogy (few graveyard visits) from Cornwall to the Orkneys. We start off in Athens, then to Santorini, Valetta in Malta, 2 stops in Sicily, 2 stops in Sardinia, and 3 of the Balearic Islands in Spain, disembarking in Barcelona, 4 days there (hope they behave) then we fly from Barcelona to Bristol - hit Penzance in Cornwall for a week and so it goes on.

We will celebrate our 36th Wedding anniversary in Penzance, and Frank's birthday at the end of June with his family around him - including his eldest son who is flying over from the USA with eldest grandson, Jack (a great young ice hockey player) we will spend time with them in York. Also wonderful news, is that our close friends from the USA, Anne and Henry, are flying to the UK to spend a week with us in a cottage in the great village of Castleton in the Peak District. Anne and Henry are the parents of our 2 god kids in New Hampshire.

Last night our neighbour Suman invited us over for farewell drinks, what a delightful evening all our close neighbours, now great friends were there, with the exception of Kumi, she was on the red-eye back from Tokyo, and apparently quite a turbulent flight - she called us today. Just a lovely couple of hours.

This morning to the hairdressers, then some time with Auntie Beryl, Sue and Ash, and yes, they had hot cross buns there for us, then over for an hour with Gail and Steve for a farewell coffee and muffins, then to the Apple store to sort out a little emailing problem. Last week we bought a MAC Air to take away (as my ole Vista girl has just about had it - and too big), anyway I have been having 2 hour lessons on Apple's "one to one" program from 7 to 9am this week, very good, but AFTER my lesson yesterday I found a problem - anyway wandered, NO not really wandered, stressfully marched in, and 2 young men fixed whatever my problem was - so I am tres happy again. How silly can one be buying a new totally different computer one week before she travels - yep yours truly!.

One last thing, when on the Apple course learning how to download photos onto my Mac, I practised with some pics of Italy from our trip last year, and then noticed one particular photo (below). I had taken this inside the harbour on the Island of Ischia (just near Sorrento) - I was amazed at how close this huge ship was to the harbour wall, and then on looking closely at it" this week" I saw it's name - yes, the COSTA Serena!!. Who would travel on an Italian Cruise ship people have been asking - well I guess we are - the Silver Wind is owned by an Italian family.

I will be posting photos etc. on the blog while we travel.

CIAO

Daniel Frank's big day

Well Wednesday was a big day for this little man in Auckland - firstly, the cake had to made with some definite tasting going on as well.

Daniel opening his ozzie wardrobe present - bit boring for little ones, but loads of fun for me in the shops. What Mim and Grandpa - a flashy toothbrush!!!

Playing with his new train set from his Nanna and Noel in Ireland - bit more fun, also received some good books.

And then there was the cake - just great.

Long time since I hit this post

Have many things going on, and just haven't touched the blog for sometime, and hopefully with the next few days I can start using my new petite MAC Air, have had one lesson at the Apple shope and go back again on Friday at 7 a.m. for another 2 hour stint.

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There have been some little birthdays around the world over the last week. Firstly our God daughter, Lynne's twin boys, Dylan and Owen who turned 6 years old on March 22nd, in Amherst, New Hampshire. Below they are checking out their cake.

Lynne with her youngest - 1 year old Greyson

Our God son Scott, holding his nephew Greyson at the same party.

Then young Daniel Frank turns 2 in Auckland on March 28th, however his party was held on 29th, will get photos of his celebration soon.

Then there is Jack Faulkner in Sheffield who turns 9 on March 30th.

Jack went with his Dad to Wembley last weekend, barracking for Chesterfield (who won - they chose the right score - 2-0, and shared the winning prize of 100 of those british pounds.

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Then back here in Queensland - my eldest "very active" God Daughter, Jo, is either diving one weekend.

and at the Grand Prix in Melbourne the next weekend.

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And last week in Denver Colorado, young Caitlin went fishing with her Dad, Jeff.

with a touch of soccer to follow.

Her grandmother says she is a delightful active 4 year old.

Cruising in Cambodia and Vietnam

Another cousin has also just taken off for a cruise - Nal and Ross flew out of Sydney to Siem Reap Angkor in Cambodia to start a tour, which includes a 7 night cruise on the machine below down the mighty Mekong River, they are there now and board this Indochina Pandaw vessel tomorrow.

They cruise to Kampong Chnang, Phnom Penh into Vietnam and disembark in Saigon, they then spend 3 days in Danang/Hoi An, and then home - 17 days away.

You know this guy above reminds me of what Ross will be doing and looking like over the next couple of weeks when on land!!!! A few stories to be told on their return me thinks. The decision was made only a few weeks ago, they saw a good deal advertised and went with it.

The Big Grey

A couple of weeks ago on Immy's birthday, the kids went for a morning ride on a rather large grey mare.

The "Birthday" girl

Ethan is looking quite confident,

we took him to the same place for a ride last time we were there.

And the little man also climbed up very high for a ride on this big Grey.

A pleasant day - yesterday

We started off the morning early with a cuppa and a very long phone call from the Brig's sister and brother in law in Sheffield - catching up on all kinds of things. Then we did some motoring around, over to Gail and Steve's and then onto Auntie Beryl's for a long chat there. Then as the sun was shining the lawn was mowed, looks so much tidier, then early evening, a little voice from Auckland called, Ethan can really carry on with a great conversation now, and after that Bren called, and we spent about another great hour on the phone. Just a pleasant day with barbequed moroccan chicken with mango and mint for lunch.

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Today Auntie (86) and her 3 kids, Gail, Wayne and Ash, and their better halves, Sue, Ann and Steve fly out to Hong Kong this evening to start the wonderful trip she has "shouted" them. It start's with 2 days in Hong Kong at a lovely hotel, then they board their Cruise Ship, Azamara Quest (photo below) for a 14 day cruise to Singapore.

The route below - They have loads of plans for their time in Vietnam and Bangkok.

And after cruising into Singapore, they will spend another 3 days there, visiting the night zoo, and the girls have already booked "High Tea" at Raffles. It is Sue's birthday while they are away, and Wayne has just had his 65th, so they will be celebrating these while at sea - cabins are also rather nice with balcony and the like. We will miss them while they are away.

A delightful breakfast at Broadbeach

This morning another early rise, and again the sun was shining on the Gold Coast. We drove over to Broadbeach to meet up with Ails and Rod at the Koi Cafe, and had a delightful breakfast along with a good couple of hours of natter, a lovely start to the day. We had some business to do at the Pacific Fair Mall, however arrived just before a movie that Frank has been wanting to see commenced at P.C's Cinema, so sent the Brig off to the Cinema, and I completed the things that needed to be done, and then enjoyed a quiet wander around the many shops at the mall till the movie was finished. Frank had read John Le Carre's book and enjoyed it a lot, I had not - and really didn't care to see the movie, so we both did what we wanted this morning.

Frank loved the movie, but he said there were some that did not catch the whole theme of the story, guess your concentration level had to be extremely high, he said reading the book prior was near necessary, or maybe some knowledge of the KGB and MI6 during the Cold War, would've been handy as well. Anyway it definitely was not for me, BUT the Brig really enjoyed it.

Long weekend at Whananaki

Last weekend was a long one in New Zealand, and the Kiwi crew drove 3 hours north from Auckland to camp at Whanakaki beach in the northland - not far south of the Bay of Islands.

Whananaki Beach

The campground sat above the beach - how nice is that

View of the beach from their campsite

A pair of young snorkellers

The big "snorkeller"

Looks like they had the beach to themselves

and Ethan heads for a board ride.

A really great long weekend

The Sun does shine

Ah, on Tuesday morning the sky was blue and there was some sun up there, we grabbed the chance to take an early morning walk before organising some things to do "out of the house". We spent some time up in Southport catching up on some odds and ends and on the way home we were feeling a tad hungry, so decided to call into a local restaurant up the road to try out their Yum Cha. It is literally within walking distance from home. We had heard good reports, so decided to give it a "taste". First observation at 12 noon was that the tables were packed with Asians - very good sign. The wait staff were so courteous and the Yum Cha dishes came out very hot direct from the kitchen, they also whisked away the dirty dishes very quickly, and continually refilled the tea pot and water. It was an excellent Yum Cha at Dim Sum Delights.

This restaurant is tucked away from the busy coastal precincts in a small, but most unattractive "bitty" shopping complex - a little bit of something here and a little bit of something there - absolutely no flow to it what so ever, however it has some outstanding little restaurants - including a wonderful french cafe - La Porte Verte, a great Thai al fresco, a Tavern, a couple of italian and so it goes on.

We were so pleased with this Yum Cha we mentioned it to one of our neighbours, and low and behold he told us it was owned and run by the chinese couple we bought this house from - they opened the Dim Sum Delights just one year ago - small small world again!

The Big Wet

There has not been a lot of action out of this house for awhile, in fact not much going on anywhere - why, well in 29 days we have endured 25 INCHES of that wet stuff, over most of Queensland and well down into New South Wales. Unfortunately there is some flooding occurring in some places, one has to really check what roads they are taking, quite a few are under water etc. etc. Fortunately for us, the Cricket was on - with a mighty win for Australia against India, then there was the tennis - the mens final being outstanding, would've like to have seen Rafa Nadal actually win though, and I have returned to the geneology research, and of course the Brig is wading through many books. Unfortunately no walks have taken place, and that's "showing", however we have no leaks or drips, so we are okay. I do really feel for those who rely on reasonable weather to work, this has been going on for so long, and all the holiday makers who have paid good money out for accommodation and they have been rained out, the Theme Parks must be really suffering, along with many many "al fresco" restaurants on the Gold Coast. Then of course the worst of all are those who are being flooded again, feel just so sorry for them. As I say we are okay, but this dull wet sky is becoming a tad monotonous.

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So looking forward to the sunny Gold Coast again.

Immy's 4th Birthday

Young Immy has just celebrated her 4th birthday in Auckland, a pancake breakfast first, then a "fairies party" after kindy with some of her friends.

What a delightful cake!

Bet that didn't last long!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IMMY.

Australia Day

Today is Australia Day, probably about my favourite day back home, bit like the 4th July in the USA. Great celebrations are planned, many people take out citizenship, barbeques flow, country western (Oz style) cries out and so it goes on. This year up in Queensland loads of the celebrations have been washed out - so much rain again - 300 mls in 2 days, but still those who survived the rain celebrated this day.

Most of the other states were dry, except for northern NSW and they partied on.

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY

Northern Lights

Well those wonderful Northern Lights - the Aurora Borealis created a dancing curtain of shimmering lights not only around the Arctic Circle, but this photo below was taken far south in Gairlock, Scotland, a couple of nights ago. Apparently people across the length and breadth of Scotland have been enjoying the breathtaking beauty of the Northern Lights.

Tourists pay thousands to trek to the Arctic tundra for a glimpse of one of the most spectacular displays on earth - but this week I think it also stretched down to the Yorkshire area in England.

Ice Hockey

In St Paul, Minnesota, eldest grandson, Jack and his team have just won their groups Ice Hockey award.

Below is Jack in his hockey garb, with that trophy!

Congratulations Jack

How big is she?

I received this today, thought it was an interesting introduction to the actual size of our huge island continent - it stretches about 3700 kilometres from north to south and 4000 kilometres from east to west. She is the Earth's largest island, but smallest continent, and the lowest-lying human-inhabited continent on earth - highest point being Mt. Kosciuszko at only 2228 metres.

In area - Australia is the 6th largest nation after Russia, Canada, China, the United States and Brazil. It is about twice the size of the European Union or the ten nations that make up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Its ocean territory - the third largest in the world - spans three oceans and covers around 12 million square miles.

The outline below shows her size compared to the USA, without Hawaii or Alaska, but Oz only has less than 10% of the USA population.

I was talking to Col in New Zealand last night, and they are contemplating an "around Australia" cruise this year - which would be great. We have done from Broome to Darwin, and Cairns to the top of Cape York, but right around would be superb.

Mangawhai

The Kiwi Wroes went camping for a few days to Mangawhai north of Auckland - they did the whole thing - no facilities, no electricity - the kids loved it.

How lovely does Mangawhai look They set up tent back away from the beach - 6 minute drive

And with luck there was an Animal Rescue Centre not far from them, so the 3 kids had a great time with a load of different breeds of animals - including one of those large Emus.

Daniel Frank happy with his bath up high on the hill.