Bedtime Story

Castle Coole, NT

Gunnera love, The Argory, NT

New York, Summer 2018

 I don't even know where to start on my weekend in New York. Safe to say it was 'totally awesome'!

Passing through the airport solo, not having 4 children, a double buggy, snacks and all the excess that travelling with kids requires. It was just me and my small rucksack. Flying 7 hours where I watched a movie, had food, snacks and drink provided for me, read my book in quiet and took a nap when I felt like it...although the reality was that I was far to excited about my first time visiting America to take a nap. 

On travelling into New York centre I made friends with a lovely German girl and American girl so we helped each other along with buying tickets, catching trains and carrying suitcases. It was a fine way to start my experience.

After a couple of hours of wandering past the Empire State building, Macy's, Chrysler I ended up at Central station to meet M. Central station was my first real 'Wow' moment. 

After checking out our hotel we headed north to the Museum of Modern Art to have dinner and check out the plethora of famous artworks.

Saturday we started out early with 'Top of the rock' at the Rockerfeller centre. Then a walk through Central Park, taking in the Bethseda Terrace. Walking in circles a number of times we reached The Met and the Guggenheim.

After a rest and lunch we took the subway to the southern tip of Manhattan to see the statue of Liberty and the 911 memorials. I was pleasantly surprised to see the new Calatrava subway station by the memorial.

From there we headed back to our hotel for a rest before setting out again for some Times Square entertainment and dinner in the Hell's kitchen district at Bareburger.

Sunday found us out walking early again with a start at Rustic table for breakfast. We walked the High line to Chelsea markets and the meat district. M spotted a Tesla showroom and scored a test drive...perfect for a birthday treat.

 With energy running out we took our time wandering through Greenwich village and Washington Square Park. Stopping in the Strand for a few presents to take home, we headed back to our hotel to pick up our bags. 

With thunderstorms as we reached the airport our flights were delayed and we had a long wait before boarding our separate flights, heading home for me and back to work for M.

Calvin is One!

We celebrated at Portrush beach with a few of his cousins. Lj made and decorated his chocolate cake.

Summer 2018, St Simeon, France

 Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios, Paris

Lj and her Nana, ready to enter Fantasy land.

MJ and Lj after a long first day.

View over the park from Alice in Wonderland's maze.

Lj's favourite ride. A simple life. After she went on it with Nana, she insisted that I go on it too. I'm glad she persisted as it truly is a special experience.

MJ and I getting ready for 'Big thunder mountain'.

All of us on the Buzz lightyear ride. Ezra was very unsettled by the noise in the shows and rides. Near the end of the first day he said 'Go home'. Near the end of the second day as we climbed on another ride he said 'No, again'!

For me, the best part of the two day experience was the shows. Magical Mickey, Superheros, Car Stunt show and the princess waltz. I think these captured the magic of Disney.

The ice cream was pretty good too!

Outside of Disney we spent our days resting and swimming.

And before we knew it, it was time for home once again!

Summer 2018, Bishop's Stortford

Our summer holidays started with a trip to Bishop's Stortford to stay with my sister and see our old friends.

Our first trip down memory lane was to visit Hatfield Forest.

Waiting for a train back to Bishop's Stortford after visiting our friends at our old church.

I used to take MJ to this spot in the river by Grange Paddocks swimming pool when he was just a toddler to play 'pooh sticks'. This time we enjoyed the cool water on our hot feet.

A game of 'Settlers in Catan' with Auntie Corrie and Uncle Jamie.

Photo taken by Ezra and the only one I have of our afternoon on our old street, hanging out with our neighbours.

This photo was taken on the sly as MJ caught up with his old friend, Joshua. It might be the first time in 4+ years that they have seen each other but they clicked straight away.

As usual we walked lots, stayed up too late, had lots of memories triggered, absorbed lots of vitamin D, caught up with lots of treasured friends and felt like we had never really left this special place.