I am well over mixed dorm hostels!!! That was my worst experience ever in a hostel. There was no need for my alarm this morning because I was wide awake, but I had to get up at 6am to get a shower and be at the bus stop for 7am. I don't know why I wasn't totally mad, tired and grumpy from only half an hours sleep, I just seemed to get on with it, they were all still up partying when I left so chatted to them all and said bye when I checked out.

I was heading to Invercargill to stay with Margaret for a few nights. I managed to have some toast in the hostel for breakfast before catching the bus. It wasn't surprising that I missed the scenery all the way there as I slept the whole journey. Margaret and Robyn met me off the bus when I got into the museum car park at 10ish, and I must have looked like a zombie as I had just woken up when the bus stopped :)

Today was Robyns birthday and she had the day off work. When I got off the bus we went straight to Smith's department store (where Robyn normally works) for morning coffee and a catch up. They are both so easy to get on with and when we walked into the coffee shop, it turned out these ladies on the table next to us were Henerson relations down the line too. The older lady was a cousin of Margaret's and had flown in from Dallas, USA the day before for her grandson's wedding at the weekend. It was such a coincidence, Maragret hadn't seen this cousin in years.

Robyn was planning having a family meal at hers, at night for her birthday, so she wanted to go home and get organised. Therefore Margaret and I went back to hers for lunch, everything was the same as it was on my last visit. Her house was immaculately kept, and the spare room was just the same :) Hamish was still on his summer holidays from work until the 23rd so he came round for lunch along with Lisa. Lisa was at work thought so she just had her lunch hour which was from 12 to 1pm.

We had cheese rolls, quiche and a muffin. Everything obviously homemade and gorgeous. Hamish ended up staying and the three of us just chatted and caught up. It was lovely to spend time with Hamish and get to know him because every other time I have been with him, Lisa has been there and done most of the talking haha. Before we knew it, it was 5pm and we had been invited round to Robyn's at 5.30pm.

After freshing up and getting changed we went down the road to Robyn and Stuarts. I had already given Robyn her birthday present though and Margaret loved her writing set and hand cream. The age ranged from 91 years to 1 years old tonight. Stuart's mum and dad were there, and it was Stuarts Dad who was 91 but he didn't look it at all. He still drives and plays golf most days, unbelievable really. Jonathon and Serena came round and they now have Amelia who is 3 years and Carter who is 1, so it was great meeting them and I had wee presents for the kids. Carter was a gem and they were so well behaved.

We all managed to fit around the table and had a Chinese for tea. There was a huge selection of dishes and was a great idea, as it was simple and everyone got a taste of everything. It was so much better than any chinese that we get at home. The blue cod was so yummy! Then Robyn appeared with a huge selection of puddings from chocolate trifle, fruit log, fresh fruit salad, ice cream and jelly. She had went to so much work and the puddings were all delicious. Afters we had cup of tea and the home bakes came out. This week is going to be lethal with all this baking and my weight... eak!

Jonathon and Serena had to leave early for the kids, but they were just the same as I remembered. A very quiet family that didn't like getting their photos taken haha. I managed to get some good ones of us all at the table though which was good.

I was shattered by the time we got back and for the first time in ages I couldn't wait to sleep. Margaret had prepared a hot water bottle for me and had found my bed socks that I had left when I stayed in October 2007. I can't believe she still had them hehe.

Anyways it was bliss to be in such a cosy comfy bed. I couldn't wait to close my eyes tonight :) xxx