Dec 7, 2011 - Home Sweet Home

Hiya Just a quick note to let you all know that I am now back home - all safe and sound. We were a bit late landing (2.50 pm) but had a lift home and was back indoors at 4.15pm. Had forgotten how long the return journey would be - AKL to HKK 11.30 hrs, HKK to LHR 12.50 hrs. Thankfully we got to Hong Kong okay so I was able to get my shower and seated massage :o). Must say Economy on Air New Zealand is okay although being offered wine with breakfast was one thing I couldn't do - but others did! Seats were good size too and they kept coming...

Dec 3, 2011 - Nearly time to pack the suitcase

Hiya Well its Sunday here and its the first day that it has really poured with rain. I think the Auckland Art Gallery did well today and even better for us - it was free!! I caught up with Wilma and said 'hello' from all the family. Caught the bus over to Mission Bay and met her by the clock! Went back to her house for a coffee and then off to a local restaurant for a bite of lunch. Afterwards I took a walk along Tamaki Drive which goes along the waterfront - beautiful day. The Dolphin & Whale Safari was good. Bit choppy out to sea but we...

Nov 29, 2011 - Back in Auckland

Hi - sorry you haven't heard from me. I arrived safely although we were delayed leaving LHR due to the fog. For the past week I have been holed up in Taupaki which is northwest of Auckland and out in the sticks - reminded me of rural Wales! Only had my mobile and - you guessed it - hardly any mobile reception at Andrew's gaff - converted stable! Beautiful countryside and plenty of wildlife on the doorstep - hawks, grouse, bunnies, ducks - and Beary the neighbours black labrador. So plenty of time to relax and at the weekend he took me to...

Nov 19, 2011 - Suitcase Nearly Packed!

Well it will soon be time for the off. Just a bit more shut eye to get and then hop onto the plane for a long long flight. I have a 2-hr stopover in Hong Kong - have got myself booked into the lounge and therefore I can loook forward to a shower, change of clothes and a 15-min seated massage to unwind the body! Then I step back on the plane again for another 11 hrs!! Looking at the weather forecast I should be greeted with a temperature of 22C in Auckland :o). Will let you know what my itinerary is once I get there and have sorted myself...

Sep 10, 2010 - arrived in London

We arived in London on time, as we were wealking off the plane we noticed a passanger talking with the police, but thought it was a friend. They let us through immigration quite quickly and then there was the wait for the bags, again, we saw this young lady with the police, the helped her get her bags and then escorted her out of the airport. When we got to customs, we had to declare the food we had brought with us, but the customs office wasnt really concerned. When we continued through customs, there were no customs officers at all. We...

Jul 24, 2010 - Lattitude Induction Day

On Sunday the 18th of July 2010 i was required to go to Reading in England for an Induction Day with my volunteering organization; Lattitude. After getting to at 5am, a delayed flight and my sat nav taking me to Brighton (1.5 hours off course!) i arrived 2 hours late at the Town Hall in Reading where the Induction was been held. I got to meet all my fellow volunteers, they are all really nice people and i was surprised by how like-minded we were, kudos to the Lattitude interview process! Ex Volunteers gave us talks on what to expect from...

Jul 2, 2008 - Saying Goodbye to the UK- Part 3 and Final!

An ugly 5am return flight from Ibiza to London Gatwick brought us back to reality for our last day or two in the UK. Our good friend Huisee though had not yet had her baby. It was due on the 29th June, and was now a few days late. Both concerned that we were not going to get to meet the new addition, we delayed our flight. We managed to squeeze one extra day in the UK and within this time, Huisee my dear friend managed to squeeze her first baby boy Oscar Yao Palmowski out also. We were so happy to be able to visit the happy family at...

May 22, 2008 - Saying Goodbye to the UK- Part 1

The last week of Sam’s work in Europe was in Barcelona at a tradeshow. Given that Heidi had just become a lady of leisure, she decided to finally see what Sam does on his so called business trips. As she expected it turned out to be not very much. Sam protested that this was because it was his last week of work and he was slacking off, but Heidi knew better. We visited Gaudi’s famous works, such as the Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell and Casa Batllo and we were also treated to a beautiful night out on the Barcelona seafront with Guillem and...

Feb 18, 2008 - UK - Back Home

Well after the best 3 months of our lives we have arrived back home safely. We cant begin to tell you just how amazing our trip has been and have loved every minute of it!! Thanks for reading our blog Ciao Gem and Ive xxxx PS by the way, in the next 5 to 10 years, American Airlines are going to be short of air hostesses when the current coven hang up their broomsticks and retire. Just thought you'd like to know.

Jan 3, 2008 - Traveling is tiresome!

Well, we had a 10 hour non-stop flight from San Fransisco International Airport to London Heathrow International, and WOW 10 hours on an airplane = a sore bottom!! If at all possible I recommend upgrading to at least business class. We flew United and Josh made friends with a nice stewardess who snuck him an extra sandwich when he was starving between meals. They actually served us two meals that were pretty good. Luck for us, we managed to whiz through customs in about 25-35 minutes, then head straight to the baggage area where we...

Jul 25, 2007 - Floods in England

We watch tv for news on the closure of trains in our area and we have just heard that our box of stuff is on its way thanks jeff, Tom and Linda Redmond. Well the box arrived and we are busy tonight trying to get wrinkles out of suits and dresses folded in a box for over 2 months. We are off for Southhampton Fri noon to get ready for the cruise. It is hard to believe that all the traveling is over. It is a lot of work and we get tired after the 11hour days but it is fun. We will do a photo and London update tommorrow. The floods have been...

Apr 13, 2007 - Salisbury, a brief history

Salisbury is heaped in history if you look down to the bare roots. Salisbury isn't the original name for this pretty part of the South West, it started off on a hilly Bronze-Age hilltop which was called Soverodonium by the Romans after the invasion. A small city was begun here, then the name changed again after the Normans came in 1066 & it became Serum. For a good look into the history I recommend Serum by Edward Rutherford, it gives a in depth look into the distant past of Salisbury & how it began. There was a much smaller cathedral at...