December 22,
2011
Catriona and
I left Edinburgh on December 6th.
We flew via Heathrow and Singapore to Melbourne, where we were met by my
nephew David Hunter, his wife Caroline and their three children, Matilda and
Louie, 4, and Archie, 2.
We stayed in
Melbourne for three days and had a lovely time.
Though I know David and Caroline well, from their days in
Edinburgh, I had not seen them for
several years , before the twins and Archie were born. Catriona met her first set of Australian
Cousins!
From Melbourne
we flew to Brisbane, where Ian and Alison were waiting. It was absolutely wonderful to see them again
and to know that we were not flying elsewhere for a time!
5, Blue
Hills Drive has had a few alterations since I last visited in 1999. The latest is newly finished – a lovely sun
room and outdoor BBQ area, at the rear of the house. Tonight the Christmas tree lights are
sparkling there and a heap of presents lies under the tree. It is strange to be sitting in shorts and T
shirt in the evenings! The days have not
been too warm, though when we visited Townsville earlier this week it was over
30C there. We visited friends in
Townsville and went out to the Great Barrier Reef, where we snorkelled –
amazing!
Tomorrow my
niece Valerie, Mark and the children Laura and William arrive from Sydney. Catriona has not met cousins Laura and
William, 13 and 10. It’ll be lovely for
her to have some younger company! I am
very much looking forward to the next few days too.
After New
Year we head to Singapore and we’ll visit friends there too, before heading
home on January 10th. I’ll be
back in touch after that.
I wish you
all a very Happy Christmas and a Good New Year.
Ann
Catriona
22/12/12:
To my surprise I really enjoyed the
long flights with Singapore airlines! I loved Melbourne with Louie, Matilda and
Archie. Archie is very cute and Louie and Matilda were great fun! We went to
the Eureka tower and (surprisingly!) I wasn’t scared of the height! From there we flew to Brisbane , where Ian
and Alison met us.
We have been to the Darling downs zoo
and I LOVED seeing the Wallabies and Kangaroo’s!
Ian and Alison have had turf laid in
the garden and we have been watering that daily, but no matter what I do I ALWAYS
end up wet!
Tomorrow Valerie, Mark, Laura and
William arrive and I’m looking forward to that!
