Dear JetSetters
How exciting to hear of some far away and magical places, thank you for sharing the tales and the images - this is the best jet-lag free way to travel the world that I can think of.
I had reason this evening to cross Sydney Harbour Bridge airport-bound and as I glanced at N Sydney I felt a strong Gail-Reiki-esque vibe. Made me wonder how you were and how I should reaffirm that Sydney has not changed dramatically in the last few days despite Vicki's words of looking across the Harbour. I hope that letting your travelling spirit out of the bag gives it a great workout and I can't wait to hear more of the tales as they unravel.
Life in tropical Queensland koala country continues - Shapelle Corby consumes the Gold Coast Bulletin whilst the rest of Australia ponders yet another Costello budget, an interesting reflection really. Not much else to add but I have to say this board is a great way to re-connect with the lost ones from DoH. Thanks for that opportunity. And remember ...in the words of the wise old woman who turned 72 today - "God speed". xoxx

Loved the photos - especially the ones with you in the picture. All well here - boys are great but we seem to be spending our weekends running from one sporting event to another. We have a new au-pair - a french lad named Cyril. Each nite he is teaching me a new french word. I asked how to say 'boss' in french ... chef! So Mr Mcnab will now be called chef Steve. Let me know if there are any particular words you are struggling with and I can ask my new friend! The best news is .... he cooks! Ahhh, the little things in life keep me very happy. Must away and work. lvoe vic.

Bonjour mon ami _ je arrive en Carcassonne. It is an interesting and medieval town and ze are staying in a hotel that was built in the 18 century. This of course will mean nothing to the english _ but to us aussies, it is amazing. Another amazing experience is driving on the opposite side of the road and from the opposite side of the car!!! I now believe that all my friends who have driven in europe are brave heroes!!!

Today we drove about 400 ks from Nice to Carcassone, twas quite a saga. Tomorrow we continue to Jonzac and hopefully manage not to destroy the house of Bedouin Brian. I continue to be astounded by various things - the landscape : churches : the kindness of the people. I have not been abused once for my bad french - which says a lot to me about intercontinental relations!

It is lovely to hear of the happenings of our friends - great to hear from Bedouin and Jonny as well! Thomas - glad to hear that the DVD has not driven your mother mad so far! You must be especially loving to her in our absence.

It is the evening here and ze are about to explore a church built in 1247. We walked by and it was dark and shrouded in mystery and gloom. The ceiling is about 300 feet high - imposing and terrifying at the same time. In case you are noticing lots of spelling mistakes with this message, it is because the keyboard is configured differently to Australia - another beautiful piece of friendism.

We will write again from Jonzac - so until then - all our love. I get to this stage and feel a bit like Playschool - but I do feel we can see Thomas, Alexa, Miclael, Rececca et Mark, Doug et al (has Steve aged yet???), Brian, Jon et Sandra, Chicky Jeg and Nitty _ speaking of zhich can someone tell me if Lola is still alive?), Margarita (who would adore the church) Mum, Dad and Nan, all the Helens et the collective Laws.

All our love

Hi Gail and David! I just wanted to quickly tell you that I LOVE my horses DVD. I watch it at least three times a day, it is so cool. Mum keeps trying to put the other Wiggles songs on, but they just arent as good now that I have seen the horses one. But mum doesnt seem to mind watching it, we sit together and have cuddles, although sometimes I do catch her with her eyes shut. Do you think she is just trying to remember the words to the songs? Thanks so much!

I had Kinda-gym today and it was so cool. I went on this really huge trampoline, and even Mum came on with me today! We jumped and bounced for ages, I just couldnt stop laughing Mum looked pretty funny with her big belly bouncing around! There was heaps of other things to play with too, although it seems as though it takes a little long cause I just cant last a whole lesson without having something to eat. It is pretty hard work and I just get sooooo hungry!

I cant wait to see you again soon. I love you. Love Thomas

Hi!! Great to hear that you are well and having a good time, your photos are wonderful (yes ALL of them!). Sorry that I missed your phone call today I actually had a bit of a mad day with the car breaking down - twice!! Nothing too scary or dramatic but for a pregnant lady it makes for a long day!

We are all really well. I went to the hospital yesterday for a check up, all is going well. Blip is head down bum up, which is great, and all other signs are perfect. We still have 6 weeks to go though so it seems a little long at the moment. I had a mild freak out to the mid wife about the birth (it is finally sinking in that you wont be here!) but she reassured me that with the muscle memory my body has this birth wont be as long or painful. Lets hope so!

Thomas and Michael are both wonderful. They spoiled me loads for Mothers Day: sleep in, breakfast made for me, lots of great presents! And because TJ is talking so great, Michael taught him to say Happy Mum-Mum Day how cool is that? It was really sweet. Mike is home at the moment, and should be all of this week Yah! Things have slowed a little for him so that is really wonderful, fingers crossed he wont be going overseas again until after Blip is with us.

Everything else is just business as usual. I am missing you heaps though. Look forward to your next update.

Love Lexa

Thank you for the postcard. The plane look lovely, thought that it might have been bigger.

Loving the pictures of Dubai. Looking forward to seeing more.

Hi Dave and Gail, Glad to see you are making your way around the world..won't be 50 degrees here, you'll be lucky if it's 20 so enjoy it while you can!! We will be en France on the 19th of May at St. Jean de Monts for a long weekend, but don't suppose we will bump into you as we are a fair bit further north! Will 'phone you by mobile when we are there, but really looking forward to seeing you in sunny Devon sometime in June. Hope you enjoy France and Spain.

Hi Brian....glad to hear you are still kicking!!!
Jon and Sandra

David and Gail
misaa alkhayr wa assalaamu 9alay-kum. It was really nice to see you both and after some 20 years David you have not changed at all apart from a few grey ones. Thanks very much for a great weekend sorry we did not get into the burja arab. Good luck in France enjoy the house taste the wine, watch out for the hare hunt and good luck with the plumbing. ma9 assalaamah

Brian

Hi Gail and David,

Sounds like you are having a fantastic time. We arrived safely in Penang and have spent several days by the pool sipping cocktails and havign massages. We leave for KL tomorrow, then onto London and Ireland.
Look forward to reading more of your adventures.
Love
Rebecca and Mark

Bonjour mon ami - we have uploaded about a million photos of Dubai. Sadly we have not figured out how to delete photos, so be prepared to experience the slide night from hell...

Today we had another spectactular day - we discovered more perfumery deals in the Souks - remind me to tell you about the extraordinary deals they have!!! We hired an abra and sailed along the Dubai Creek - such a strange name for what is an amazing river. You will see from our pictures the strange juxtaposition of sea shanties and incredible buildings. The dhows sail mainly to Iran and Pakistan and deliver entire households as well as commercial goods. You may see some pictures where a crane is lifting an entire truck onto a dhow.

It is excitement par excellence. I have also added a couple of horse photos for you Helen. We are just awaiting the arrival of David's primary school friend - Brian is the one providing us with his home in France.

As Beaudelaire says the best holiday is 'luxury and calm' this has to be it - great shopping - room service and 5 star relaxation.

All our love as always - special almost birthday wishes to Steve at work - can someone (maybe you Doug) give him a big kiss for moi!

Yask again - probably from France.

Dear Gail & David
It already sounds wonderful - especially the perfume and the $3UAE to $1Aust (exchange rate surprise stories are usually around the other way!!!). What about a little side excursion to Switzerland or Italy (as well as Spain)?
Love, Margaret

Hello collective darlings - we have arrived and survived the 14 hour arduous plane journey. Thank goodness for 700 channels of back of the seat entertainment - video / music and games managed to quell our excitement.

Anyway we are in Dubai. Today is it 40 degrees and we visited the Souk area. Spices and gold abound, though sadly the gold was not too much to our liking, so we didn't purchase any pressies to adorn Lola. It is an incredible environment - any land that is uncared for remains as sand. Despite this, there is much verdancy and many elegant drives. Not sure how things manage in the 50 degree heat that apparently commences in the next month or so.

Today also we visited an incredible perfumery. We purchased some arabian musk (just wait till you smell it Mum) and experienced a lovely transaction from an arabian woman who bought some incense blocks. Twas all very Dubaienesce.

We had a lovely jet lag experience where we wandered around for the first day thinking the money was about the same exchange rate as at home. Having slept last night (for the first real time in 48 hours) we realised this morning that the exchange rate is almost 3 UAE dollars to 1 Australia dollar. Yee HAA - everything seems like a complete bargain now!!!

We will post pictures at the next cafe visit - probably this will be in France.Our pictures this morning were of the spice centre and the Dubai Creek, where hundreds of dhows (boats) await. The dhows carry all sorts of good around the Arabian sea - computers, carpets and even cars! The boats look quite asian (as you will see when we upload photos).

It is great to hear the news from home - delightful to hear from Vicki (tell Doug there is something coming to him from Sydney airport ha ha ). Alexa - we will indeed say our prayers and send healthy wishes.

It is also great to hear that Chicky (my brothers cat) has embarked on a cross species relationship with Lola. We were worried about how she would get on (speaking of which hurry up and log on Steven - if anyone is speaking with him, give him a hurry up as we want to know how he is getting on). Also Jeggy - we just discovered today that we will probably be in the air for the entireto of Mothers Day - so don't worry about calling - but do have a drink for us.

Helen, we too miss you - but will have great stories on our return - have you scheduled in your next ride?

Thanks for the tips Don and Mozzie - we do plan to sneak into Spain, so fingers crossed for the Guggenheim.

Anyway - we are in the middle of a Dubain kids bowling alley and the call of jet lag rings in our ears. Send our love to Mum, Dad and Nan (try to get them to log on Jeggy).

Love to you all and yack soon.