Hello dear friends we have just returned from a few days in south west England and it is delightful to read the messages from you all. Lola - beware of that cupboard - we were hoping we may have returned home to find you a little svelter - no hope of that with cupboard raids... It was also really great to hear from the Laws and Chris and Bea, Steven and MJ, Andre and as always the lovely Helen!. We are enjoying the travels, but it is really great to hear the thoughts from home!!!

Anyway, we are now back again wth David's sister - the lovely Maureen in her wonderful serene and tranquil home! So since our last blog we have done some touristy things - Stonehenge (which David left standing - unlike Chevy Chase) the Tate in Cornwall - slightly disappointing in terms of the installations but great in terms of the building and the locality. We visited David's childhood village and I realised that he comes from a place that is straight out of the Lord of the Rings. Really delightful countryside - we have walked up a couple of Tors in Dartmoor and the Quantocks. Helen you will be pleased to know I met a nice hill pony - called Blitzen - but just as I was about to touch him an old man came out of the woods and mentioned to me that they bite savagely - so no touch was recorded. It is foaling time on the moors - some really gorgeous little arrivals this year. We had the best meal of the trip with David's friends John and Sandra - hung meat and a blue cheese sauce to die for. Alexa you will understand it when I say that my cravings have started already - speaking of which it was lovely to hear from you on the phone! Keep up the spirits and baby Blip will be with us in just the right time. It was wonderful for David to catch up with his friends - especially lovely to meet up with Sandra, who spoilt us rotten! Over to David now for his blog - but LOVE TO YOU ALL!!!

Well the west country or as Gail calls it south west england is a place I spent my miss spent youth, it was lovely to go back to places I had not been to since I was in my early teens, some had changed beyond recognition and some had changed only slightly but some had not changed at all. It was at times really quite emotional but lovely to see again.
Crowcombe Park Gate, I didnt remember the hill to be so long I literally pushed my bike up there with a load of other people on our way to summer camp.
Milverton, lots more houses, they've cut down the big Oak tree, it was a land mark.
Hay Tor, wind blowing, cold but sunny.
A trip on the river Dart and I am sure we passed the place where I attended a Scout Jamboree, the slope of the field (paddock) seemed just the same and there were canoes up on the bank.
I could go on but I wont.
The best all for our trip so far and especially to the west country is that we have had sun every day and temps in the high 20's most days and I have even got a tan.

what a trip you guys are having. Just walked past the computer and have sat down and been reading your travel blog good fun . We have had a lovely weekend down at woonona/wollongong with the ladies going to Illawarra antique shops and the blokes going to Albion Rail Aerodrome to visit the the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society Museum. They have an airworthy Lockheed Constellation decked out in Qantas colours, 3 DC3/ Dakotas 2 Neptunes and lots of other stuff. Good for the boys. Kids just went swimming . Water temp 20C air Temp 22C
Steve and cathy

Hi Guys hope all is going well. We are having a great time at Marrickville and we thank you again we don't want to leave. Everything is great although we have not spent much time there with work and a few weekend trips. We have only spent a couple of days wondering around but stillwould like to do more so stay away a few more weeks.
Hows the hols??? hope you are having a great time.
Sorry we have not contacted before this but it has ben frantic
Steve, MJ & Sam

Hi mum and dad sorry I haven't contacted you before this but we have been busy. MJ and Steve are treating me well. They are taking me on regular walks they are feeding me lots of bones. Gee they don't get home from work till late. I got myself into trouble not long after you left I got into the cupboard and ate my treats. I hope you are having a great trip and have brought me lots of presents.
OK must go come home soon

love Lola

how are u guys, the law family misses u heaps and wishes for u to come back soon!! on the long weekend we went down to woonona and I found a new horse and i named it ginger, some other horses in her paddack are merrylegs and black beauty!!! I miss u so much and so does lola and lucky and easy and every1 in the whole wide world.
Love From Me (helen)

Gail thanks for the postcard. We received it today. the pictures are lovely of your trip it brings back memories. Youhave manged to capture the beauty of Europe. Glad you're enjoying the trip. Cheers Chris and Bea

Hi David and Gail
nice to hear that all is well, I have seen mum and dad last week and they are in good health. The weather has been very cold here (Tassie 0 overnight). I ahve been very busy with quince paste, have just completed 3 tonne and have just started another 1. I will call soon.
Andre

Well we survived the Channel crossing, our ferry was a Tasmania made boat, you know the ones that are lke hydrofoils, I kept a weather eye on Gail though because she is not a good sailor and I had on my best clothes. The actual ferry trip was 21/2 hours, none of your overnight stuff. It was jammed to capacity with our little car stuffed right up the pointy end with all the other cars around us.
We had a little excitement while we were waiting at the ferry terminal, an unmarked police car came speeding down the road lights flashing, siren blaring, then we heard very agressive dog barks and growls ans as we drove to our appointed waitng spot exactly opposite us were a number of police with the very agressive dog opening the covering of a truck waiting to be loaded on a ferry then two men appared out of the cargo on the truck and the police got them down to the ground were taliking tothem then put handcuffs on them and took them away, they were your actual illegal immigrants.
Aftre that out ferry ride was quite an unexciting event.
Arrived in Poole, it was raining and cold, I couldnt remember the road we had to take, but eventually we found our way to my sisters place here in Andover, where we are this morning.

Today, it is NOT raining, we will try and get some more pics up soon.

Hello to all - this is Gails section of the blog - and can I say first of all how great it is to be back to a normally configured key pad! As David mentioned we are now in England - staying at a lovely town called Andover - with David's sister. We met up with David's nephew Michael, his wife Sharon and lovely daughter Louisa last night. It was wonderful to see how Michael has growed up - we last saw him about ten years ago. We intend to do some local tripping and a visit to London - hopefully the Tate and the Globe will be a couple of our destinations. It is lovely as always to hear the news from home. Alexa - maintain the patience / Pip - great to hear that the work is rolling in - if a little slowly. Chicky - keep taking the red ones from Mum and Dad - our love to you as always.

Soory abiout the delay the oldies have put me on valium for the past week because they reckon I keep them up all night!Love the postcard hope you are both well and livi'n it up!Time to go its nap time!All my love Chicky!Meow meow!

hey guys guess what, I went in a aerobics comp. and my team came 3rd in our section now were going to states!!!!!

We have received your latest post card. And I'm back in therapy. Imagine sending a post card that has peskies on it, and then drawing my attention to it!
However, your holiday sounds wonderful, and don't cry too much, especfially as you go through that lovely wine country. (bring some back for us in CPS!)

Hi there!! It certainly seems like you are having a wonderful time! I am very well and enjoying some incredible weather over here. We have been doing lots of outdoor things like camping. Last weekend we were camping at a place called Tobermory and we were on a hike on the Bruce Trail when I nearly stood on a rattlesnake!!!! No kidding! They are actually endangered and of course I don't know any Canadians that have ever seen one - it takes an Australian! I have been working at the Ministry of Labour for the Canadian government in Toronto on a contract basis. I must say working for the government is very different to private practice - none of the pressure or deadlines and doughnut breaks are mandatory....the work is okay, not really my cup of tea (I am analyzing applications in relation to some new legislation - Employment Standards Act). I have a few other job opportunities in the pipe-line at the moment. I like Toronto much more than I thought I would, although we are still keen to go up to Ottawa - mainly for lifestyle reasons. Scott is very well and things are really great!! Anyways I miss you both and look forward to your next news update! Love Pip