Saying "farewell" to the fantastic location, sporting Jack's new Aussie hat; and one last barbie overlooking the HWBeach
It's goodbye to Frank and Liz from Auckland airport....see you again for sure!
These business class seats are more than OK...CHEERS everyone!!
After watching a few films; taking a few drinks and meals we arrived early in Singapore. We spent a few hours shopping (what else) at the airport before relaxing in the Business Class lounge whilst waiting for the flight.
The flight to Manchester was fine and we refused all offers of food and wine...."nothing til breakfast"...and managed to get the seats into their bed positions, with several hours of sleep awaiting!
The bags came off the carousel at Manchester almost immediately, the taxi was waiting and we were back in Sheffield within 90 minutes of touchdown; sufffering with temperatures of 3 degrees!!
It was great to catch up with the kids and gran'kids -who of course tried on their pressies from our trip....Emily had it all on, from her chinese Pjs, Oz tee shirt to her Ugg boots and parasol. Jack likes his crocodile hunter's hat (which nearly all the school kids have as part of their school uniforms in Oz)
We have had a fabulous holiday!! Immense thanks to Liz and Frank -especially our "guide de tour par excellance" without whose chivvying we wouldn't have seen half what we experienced. From Sydney to Port Stephens, to the Hunter Valley and Blue Mountains, down to the southern highlands and Bowral, down through Kangaroo valley and beyond to Bateman's Bay, onto Canberra and Gouldburn, back to Bateman's bay and then onto Watson's Bay before flying to Auckland...from Auckland to Lake Taupo, then to Rotorua and finally Hot Water beach...what can we say except it's been a BLAST!!
It's been fab too to meet up with Liz's relos and I must also mention Karen and Mark who hosted an evening for us all in Rotorua (Karen is a sister of Sandy..who is one of Liz's friends). It was great to meet Ross and Nalda and Gail and Steve (swampie) and other cousins Susan and Wayne..and Wayne's lovely wife Ann...we really hope all of you guys will look us up when you next come over to the UK/Europe. Gail and Steve/Wayne and Ann -bon voyage on your trip to Canada.
It was also lovely to meet up with Ian and Sarah and Ethan and Imogen and meet the latest Wroe family member...boy did she make an impression!! And good luck with the new job Ian.
Frank and Liz -great news that your house sale is going through OK along with your garage sales etc! Happy house hunting in South Queensland and enjoy caravanning for a while.
Lots of love from us all in Sheffield....xx
Don't Jack and Ems look great in their "souvenirs" from the southern hemisphere. Now, Sophie (she's probably grown out of it), Ems, and Immy have the same pink Koala T-shirt - should get one for Cerys.
ReplyDeleteWe did have a spectacular time in every way, next time (maybe next year) we could do it in the Northern Hemisphere - promise we won't drag you to the Orkneys.
Thanks for the company - it was great.
Keep your blog going Kev, we are enjoying it, this way we see what the little Faulkners are up to, as well as the adult Faulkners, oh, and the Bradway.