Hello Everyone,

How are you all? I just thought I would let you all know that I completed a top secret mission this week! I decided to book a plane ticket home to Aberdeen to surprise all my family and friends for Christmas and New Year. The only person (apart from Rachel) who knew about my plan was one of best mates, Claire, who picked me up from the airport on Tuesday morning in Aberdeen. Denise too was let in on the secret and met me at arrivals with some butteries and a can of Irn Bru! The best welcome home present ever. When Claire dropped me at my Mum and Dads house and I knocked on the front door and my Mum answered she got the biggest shock of her life! I never pull off surprises but I certainly did this time : )

In the evening I phoned Andy from my mobile (he too thought I was still in OZ) and then knocked on his front door of his house : ) He too got a big surprise to see me standing at his door! Hee hee. On Wednesday Claire drove me into town to surprise two of my best mates, Iona and Rebecca B, at their places of work! It was brilliant hiding round corners and jumping out to surprise them. In the afternoon Claire had organised for some of the girls to go round to her house for champagne and cake. I hide from Rebecca H, Michelle and Tracy and jumped out from behind the door to surprise them. Their faces were a picture : )

I surprised my Granda, Aunt Irene and my cousins April and Kyle on Boxing Day at their house. I was the last person they expected to see! Today I took my other Granda and Gran by surprise! I think it is fair to say that I successfully pulled off my top secret mission. Thank you Claire for keeping my secret. It feels fantastic to be home again with all my family and friends, despite the cold weather!

I hope you all had a good Christmas and I wish you all the best for 2009!

From Gayle x x x