Dec 24th 2011 Christmas Eve and I am so missing having our family around us but there we are. We would have been alone this year even if we'd been in the UK and that would have been miserable!!! But there are compensations. Thank goodness they are all healthy, happy and doing well. And we have wee George now too. Not only that but it's a year now since Pete finished his chemo & he is so well. In fact he has improved while we've been over her - in the sunshin...

Dec 20th 2011 Can't believe it's so near Christmas & yet it doesn't feel like it here although they have decorations, trees etc the weather makes it all a bit sureal!! By now I would be in a panic with Emma's birthday 3 days away and then Christmas Eve with family arriving, cake to decorate and vegies to prepare!!! Must admit it's quite nice in a way as we've had a pretty rough time of late and it's good to chill out this year!! We look forward to having the...

Dec 17th 2011 Moving to Queenstown today. Left accomodation at 9.45am & headed towards museum to see the Tuataras. These creatures were around in the Jurassic Period. Although they look like reptiles they display some 'bird like' features. They have a pineal body in the top of their heads & this is thought to detect changes in light intensity with the seasons. Their skulls also have bird like features and along the backs of their heads & part of thei...

Port Douglas (Australia - Invercargill (NZ) Dec 12th 2011 Up early and left Port Douglas at 8.30am. V hot 34 degrees C and extremely humid. We had more bites as well despite lashings of 'Bushman' repellant! Arrived at Cairns airport around 10am & returned the Holden Commodore SV6 - -Pete v sad to see it go & it was a lovely comfy car. Our plane left on time & trailfinders had ordered us some lunch Got to Brisbane at around 3pm & had 3 hours to w...

Whitsundays to Port Douglas Dec 5th 2011 Airlie Beach Annie's birthday today. Gr8 to see her & Ben &Beth & Barry last night on Skype and be able to speak to them. Cloudy today but warm and not raining as it forcasted. Sat by pool for most of the day - v quiet hardly anyone else around. Pete swam a few lengths. Good to chill out for a while. Wrote some post cards and got George's Christmas presents ready for sending tomorrow. Dec 6th 2011 Journey ...