Paris 2

We viewed things, then we visited places then crashed.

However it never got dark and before long breakfast called. We strode through the picturesque streets until at last we found it
Today though was a day full of shopping, there were streets and streets and what place to shop but in the Gallerie LaFayette of course with it's
Fantastically guilded and domed extravagance.
But eventually all this shopping thirst was sated and off we went again past the Opera
And eventually to the Louvre. They wouldn't let me go in, fearing I wouldn't re-appear till Sunday so I had to just look longingly at the way in Pyramid and then off to look for lunch. Eventually we found a great stand in the Gardens De Tulieries and devoured our lunchAfter more moseying we finally took the MetroAnd went to the other side of town for guess what!No not the biggest Gazebo in the world, but yes the Tour de Eiffel. Now it was Friday in holiday time so we were not persistent enough for a wait in the 200m queue to spend an arm and leg to go up it. We just looked. Instead we took Jemma's idea of a boat trip up the Seine cos they were parked right adjacent and off we went for a pleasant afternoon ride.After our delightful cruise and taking in all the spectacular bridges and buildings on the way it was over the bridge to the Trocadero where surprise, there was numbers of cafes After gorging ourselves for a while, and Nic is holding up the most beautiful fruit and chocolate morsel it was on to the Metro again for a trip to the Arc De Triomphe, VizNow this is at the end of the Champs Elysees so off we sauntered until realising it is a huge shopping mall, and what shops!
and this
Even more stuff follos in the next instalment!!!

Well We're back. (From France anyway)

I suppose we were away for 3 nights, but it seemed one continuous day! It never seemed to get dark. I think it was a French ruse to get everyone to spend more in the shops as they put the time back by an hour while were in the fast train under the channel. we started off bright and early from Lee and taxied and ferried to the rail and finally to Charing Cross International station. Ever so new and swept up:
A ready, sleepy, eaty rail trip in nice new carriages disgorged us into the Gare Du Nord.

After a kilometre of pulling bags we arrived at our cheapo little Hotel on the Rue Victor Masse at the south end of Montmartre.

The day was still young and off we went, how would you like a front window like this?

Soon we found our way to the Sacre Coeur

And after, took to wandering around Montmartre with its stack of artistry, gift shops, food shops and places.

Weekend again!

Well would you believe the english weather is approaching something like summer? No well OK then, nearly summer. At least the wind's dropped, rain's stopped and it's improving. It's strange to get the sun up before 5 am and not get dark till dont know when. Did a bit of Dadly gardening where I make a huge mess trimming everything and someone else (Alan) mysteriously clears up the debris later. The weather definitely hit summer this am had a lovely walk on the beachfront and Katie and I agreed the water was definitely warm enough for swimming... but it was going out. Tomorrow perhaps, who knows. Of course I forgot the camera for pictures in the park. While strolling along with all the Houghtons Penny and Jemma streaked past to go for the standard 30 min walk to the end (end of what i am not quite sure, probably the end of the beach walkway, after a wall I think it turns into a road or something.) the weather sort of folded later in the day though. Anyway we,d been up to a few things during the week. Katie's sports day, where everyone is not able to win anything, (a bit of communism still lurks in various parts of the system here) which made it a bit tedious really. We did go to "springalings" with little Ben and Charlie Viz:
A bit of fitness training for mums I think. They seem to be doing all the work here!
We went to Portsmouth to do shopping during the week as I said. We interspersed this with walks down the road to get something or other from the local Co-op and actually went at one stage to the local library where apart from a load of kids books heavily influenced by Roald Dahl we picked up just about all the Paris guidebooks! We followed up the shopping this Saturday by again shoehorning everyone into the large car and going off in the other direction to Southampton. Definitely bigger Malls there!
Of course David and Jane came over several times. and today, Sunday, we had a sort of picnic in the garden, look:

And then we had full scale tea. No holds barred.
David seems to be enjoying life here and appreciated greatly by his employer. Last night and this was lots of fun. I think we may pack this little parcel and take it home, what do you think?

Wet Wednesday

Did I tell you that the other day must have been Monday we went shopping and I bought a pair of zipp off trousers really useful for Dubai. Probably not. Anywaywe whole tribe went and it was funny going around an almost deserted shopping centre. Young Jem is with us of course and joined in the shopping expedition yesterday to Portsmouth. We had a bright morning and used the Gosport ferry. Of course the weather laid in wait for us and chos the most exposed part of the walk from Ferry to shops for the downpour. Fortunately once inside the precinct the girls let loose their gathering skills. My choice of the day was Jemma's Purple hat. Looks great. Paula you will be impressed when she shows it to you.
Definitely a wet one today and the wind hasn't let up either. fortunately though I can take time to do indoor stuff. forgot to bring my connector for the camera so went to Argos and got a multi card reader instead so I can download those lively pics from so far. While I blog I hear shreiks of laughter from those downstairs working the Wii thing. What fun! Anyway here are a couple of pics Jemma trapped in the kitchen

Walk in the "Browndowns" wildlife place across the road

Hairbrushing time for young Ben
Serious reading here


David and Jane in the wind

Jemma and Katie. Check out Jem's new hair!

More serious reading!

A quick re-charge before more dancing!

Anyway we really do have pics with sun in them, maybe send some later.

Meanwhile before the next instalment, juist a bit of housekeeping. Don't bother to send voicemail. they wont get processed. Text instead!! Better still reply to the blog!

Till tomorrow then HAND!

Monday in England 1

Well here we are. Of course we've been here a few days now, but this is the first time I've really had time to Blog.
First the flight. As you can guess it was long. Flying Emirates meant that we had an extra stop in Melbourne. the 2 hours or so wasn't too bad but of course it added to the trip. actually we thought that the Airbus was going to be the bees knees but it turned out to be pretty ordinary really. Slightly slower than the 747, 800 max as opposed to 900kph and with strangely rocking seats that would have been really good with footrests. The food was good though. th much vaulted entertainment system with thousands of options would have been really useful for the Melbourne leg, but unfortunately they provided the wrong headsets, So dad had no entertainment (but fortunately brought a book to read) While P had a headset that really worked. Having been to so many airports that were huge and clean and uncluttered we were rather taken aback by being bussed to the terminal and the huge numbers of people trying to sleep on the floor at Dubai. It was straight back to the Bahrein of 1989. Surprising really with a HUGE tarmac area for runways. Good old Heathrow Terminal 3 offered yet another surprise. Having been in a "stack" over Southend for 20 mins we descended in a queue of planes and landed in a big crosswind. We then looked forward to the hours of waiting but no sooner had we found the Duty free, in a twinkling we were in the crowds being welcomed warmly by Nic and Katie! Then it was a lovely relaxing ride to Lee and tea on the lawn in splendid summer sunshine with everyone and Jemma. Charloote wasnt sure about Grandpop but is getting used to it. Then bro David and Jane appeared for tea. We had a great time of course but I certainly started to fade at 8pm I think. Well since that lovely Saturday the weather has been like the wewt winter we left in Auckland and my summer wardrobe seems very thin just now. Not that the weather (there's a flash of lightning and thunder right now) as it's been huge family contact. Teatime now. I shall be back

The day before lift-off!

Isn't it exciting. Weve been scurrying around doing all the last bits and pieces before we go. At last I managed to get everything in my bag. Hey its less than 20 kg but its hard to close! And we havent started buying the odd little thing yet.





Anyway after our outing on tuesday and here's the pic:
And today had the usual game of squash to make sure I dont sieze up in the plane. penny didnt go cos she had the KNEE appointment. Sounds like someone (hopefully the insurance) will have to spend money on it after the hols. The good bit is that it isn't too bad. pen will reveal all in due course.
Anyway We'll look forward to seeing you ALL soon.

Up to now plus an evening

Well what do you know. We went to the Oxfam Awards night just to meet up with other ex team members and look what our team won. 3rd Men's! Good going even if I did go over the top in trying to get half our team speed up. Even got a cert to prove it Viz:

Anway after that some of us went to an excellent Thai restaurant off Greenlane to celebrate which turned out great. Now we're home to find that although the Fishtank didn't sell at all, our old bed went for $126 ! However we have to actually get the money and get it off the premises before Fri am!!