Where have we been??

We have been away for a while...R's dad had a stroke so we have been back to Tasmania for the last 3 weeks. R's sister rang at 2am on Sunday 7 Jan and after a short period of prevarication we managed to book flights and be on a plane out of Heathrow by midday. This now holds the record for our shortest preparation for an international flight! The trickiest bit turned to be getting to Heathrow - we drove down and left the car in the long term car park (Purple Parking - they were really good and we paid for them to wash the car while we were away). It was touch and go for a while though as there was very little petrol in the car and the nearest open service station was down near Stansted. Huge check in and security queues of course!

The only 4 seats we could get together were right down the back by the toilets, which we were a bit worried about, but it turned out to be really good as there are only the 4 centre seats with a little bit of standing room either side so the kids could get up and stretch their legs. Went via Hong Kong and M was upgraded to Business Class for the leg from Hong Kong to Melbourne. Looking at her wreck of a husband she ceded to him and the kids and she felt very very virtuous while Daddy slept off some of his anxiety in luxury. Now he sees the point - pity we cant afford it and academics have to travel economy as a matter of policy - almost enough to make you get a real job.


So kids had a sort of good time in Tasmania, they got to see their grandparents. Made many trips to the hospital and gladly informed all who asked that Grandad was getting better thankyou. Went to the beach in between times. J's Grandpa made him a sword (yes thats right, see the picture for full impact, made of huge piece of steel). Saving grace is its so heavy that it tires him out quickly. Its oiled and wrapped and stored at Grandpas!! Didnt really fancy bringing it back through security (cant imagine why). Little M had a birthday party with her cousins which was lovely. Big M went to Canberra for a few days at the end, which was hot. We all got suntanned a bit (look very European now) but not sunburnt as we managed last year thankfully. So now we are back, exhausted and poor, on with life. R is intending to go back to Tas to see his Dad in May if circumstances permit.