First week - Aug 28, 2007

Had a very pleasant stay in London with Derick and Renie, who kindly took us to Waddesdon Manor (the Rothschild Mansion) - amazing place, and even the kids lasted the two hour audio tour, with their own version to listen to. Photos can be seen at the national trust website www.nationaltrust.org.uk by searching for Waddesdon
Next day went to Polesden Lacey in Surrey - we've had beautiful weather ever since we got here. Search for Polesden at the National Trust site.

We caught a bus to Stockport (near Manchester) on Sunday 26th, which took most of the day - the 15 minute walk at the end to my brother's house took us about half an hour pulling our heavy bags - we did not heed the old adage of pack what you need and then take half of it out! Grant is not here at the moment, as he is on holiday himself, but it has been really great having the house and car to ourselves to completely relax and chill out.

Did spend yesterday (Monday 27th) out and about visiting Lyme Park - fabulous house and gardens where Pride and Prejudice was filmed. Spent hours there and the kids loved it. Search on Lyme on the National Trust website

Went on to Blue John Cavern, which is a cave in the Derbyshire hills where the rare Blue John stone was mined (one of only two known locations that it is found), and 2000 years ago, the Romans apparently mined lead there.

Finally found a supermarket, thank goodness, so that we can stop relying on expensive cafe food (although the soup at Lyme Park was great), and have found that the costs are surprisingly low - I spent a lot less on a trolley full of groceries than I would at home, even with the exchange rate accounted for. Tonight we dined on superb Scottish Salmon (like our Atlantic Salmon), which we picked up for the equivalent of A$12.50/kg - half the price we would ever see it at home! And a whole bunch of bananas for 72p - luxury after our outrageous banana prices at home.

Today has been a total chill-out and catch-up day, although I don't feel very caught up yet! We did go for a long walk through the local suburb and got quite lost at one point, but found our way again - good exercise, as well as practise for the kids at looking out for landmarks.
Tomorrow we head off the the Lake District, to stay in a little cottage there with my Aunt from New Zealand, and to see my brother and his family who are holidaying nearby. Let's hope the weather holds!

48 hours

Just got back from friends who kindly had us over to dinner (almost no food left at our place) even though they are both about to get on early flights themselves tomorrow. We will really miss them, and our other friends. But with the wonders of modern communication, we'll probably end up talking even more often to our friends than we do now! I've just been on MSN with Christopher in China (and he had already e-mailed me 4 times!) And when I think that 25 years ago when I was an exchange student in Germany, I rang home only twice in the entire year!

I'm finally pretty much packed - still need to help James with his packing and still need to finish off paperwork. Have put together folders of information for all the wonderful family and friends that are helping us with the logistics of moving two teenage boys around to the right places at the right time - emergency contacts, ambulance, medicare and health insurance numbers, asthma action plans and medication, authorisations, instructions on who needs to be where and when and with what. It's all quite complicated!

Had a pleasant weekend spending time with friends as well - the great thing about going away is that you make time to catch up with people (although not enough as there are lots of people we just haven't caught up with for ages), and you get the house all organised. Thank goodness Rob has finished work - he is doing wonders with the house, sorting out accumulated debris and fixing bits and pieces that became neglected during this past incredibly busy year. He had a great send-off at work - they are obviously going to miss him, and seeing how productive he is here at home when he has the time and focus, I can see why they will miss him there! Mind you, we've missed him here too as he has been really busy with school projects and soccer, so it will be nice to have him to ourselves for a while!

Only a week to go!

I'm sitting at the kitchen table surrounded by paperwork, trying to get all the bills paid and the finances sorted out, with far too little time left. We're also tripping over bags, having taken out almost every bag, backpack and suitcase we own to try to sort out the complicated logistics of three separate travelling parties, and multiple different activities in the lead up.

Chris is almost packed for China, leaving the day after tomorrow, so he has only one day of normal school left for the year!!

James is probably the most complicated in terms of logistics, with having to take school clothes and books to his friend, then a separate bag for the Yarra Junction school camp, where he'll require clothes and shoes that can be trashed - or at least cope with mud and water. And then his bag for Europe needs to be deposited at his grandparents, with some instructions as to which items need to be transferred from the school camp bag during the weekend changeover(preferably via some soapy water!) As long as we don't end up with his school uniform in Europe!!

Everyone except me seems to be coping well with the lead up and taking it all in their stride. I on the other hand am probably best kept clear of - the kids can attest to that! A nasty cold over the last 5 days hasn't helped my mood, but I am on the mend now and starting to make some headway with what still needs to be done. The trip itself is the easy part - it's the paperwork back here and sorting out the house that is the hard part!

My brother has been on the ball with car insurance and accommodation, in spite of being excessively busy himself. Am starting to really look forward to getting on that plane, when I can finally relax.