Well, we're not sure what we're doing but we thought this might be a good way of both keeping people in touch with what we're up to - in case you're the least bit interested - but also creating a record for ourselves as to where we've been and what we've done. May also be a useful reference for anyone who may be mad enough to try to repeat what we've done!
The basic idea is that we're just completing three weeks in Hong Kong, the UK and Ireland, catching up with some old friends and with mary Clare's mum and family here in Dublin.
We had a wonderful few days with Gavin and Judy Brown (old friends from Tawa) in Hong Kong , then the best part of a week in London with Jeff & Bridget Pratley, old friends from Charismatic Community days and their fantastic offspring Hannah, Jonathon and Nick (Aaron is in NZ), catching up with Simon and Nicola - before spending a few days in Bournemouth with MC's brother Paul and family (Carole, Stephanie and Katherine) in Bournemouth.
We arrived in Dublin on Friday 6th and have been staying with MC's mum at the old homestead, Haddon Lodge, with fantastic views over Howth Harbour and Haddon Lodge.
Apart from reconnecting relationships, the highlights so far have probably been:
- The incredible cityscape of Hong Kong
- A trip to the Natioanl gallery in London, with a focus on viewing the paintings donated to the nation by Mary Clare's Great Great Grandfather Dr Ludwig Mond - stunning experience.
- Getting treated by Simon and Nic to dinner at "Gordon Ramsay at Claridges" - wow
- (For Phil) some interesting record shopping in London and Bournemourth - already despatched home.
We've been battling to get on top of a raft of new technology - a new Garmin GPS/Satnav, a broadband dongle to enable internet connection, new sim cards so we don't have to mortgage our soul to Vodaphone to stay connected in Europe and Phil is trying to master a new camera purchased for the trip. Plus interacting with airlines, a ferry, accommodation providers etc etc etc. And Phil has been doing a bit of contract work while things are quieter here in Dublin.
On Wednesday evening Dublin time we fly to Milan where we pick up our lease Citroen for our six-week jaunt. A quick day in Florence is planned en route to Ancona, where we jump on a ferry for two days to get down to Cesme/Izmir in South western Turkey. We've then six weeks to drive back to Milan, of which more later.
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