Feliz Navidad a todos

This part of our trip was all about my sister and her two children. My sister is incredibly important to me and I loved being able to spend these days with her, Glen, Zac and Scarlett.

Zac has grown! He is shooting up like a bean-pole! He is talking in proper sentences and has the cutest posh English accent at times (this will be an Aussie twang the next time I see him - hee hee!). He has a great imagination and watching him pretend is brilliant fun! Trying to find crabs in rock pools on the beach was so funny. We played monsters/wolves for ages in all the parks and he loved it when I chased and scared him. Reading stories to him at bedtime are very special when Zac cuddles up to you. He loves playing on trains and my favourite moment was going on the train ride with him in the dinosaur park at Torreveija. Was great to watch him get more and more confident on the slides and climbing frames.

Scarlett was a baby when we left and this was a real chance for me to get to know her. She's a real bruiser - she'll bump and bang and not even flinch - but is a complete beauty. Her big brother is her inspiration, everything he does you'll see her trying to copy. You can see her brain processing movements and learning new things (up the step, down the step, up the step, down the step). She took a real shine to Uncky Sean too! There was always room for a cuddle or 'walkies' with Uncky Sean. Can't wait to see how she grows!

We had a lovely Christmas day together (thanks again to Aunty Kate and Bill for our brilliant Christmas hamper of goodies). Putting the sherry, mince pie and carrot out for Father Christmas and Rudolph and then singing carols before putting the kids to bed will be a memory I'll always cherish. The shocking photos of me at 6am the next morning, I won't. But watching Zac jump up and down in excitement at getting a Buzz Lightyear was brilliant and worth getting up for. And Scarlett is quite contented most of the time so was more than adorable to watch opening her presents and, of course, playing with the wrapping rather than the gift.

Besides the children and Christmas Day, I'll remember the Fish and Chips at the Witchery, less than 1 pound bottles of wine, that Spanish towns cater really well for children by always having a playground right in the center, football at P60, Orihuela and its pretty cathedral, churches and buildings, the mountains, the dinosaur park, the bouncy castle.

But we have to say goodbye to my sister until the wedding and we will now be heading back to the UK which we'll explain in the next blog. Good luck with the move Jillo. I'll be thinking of you and hope you and your family settle into your new home really quickly.

Here are the pics:

BT40_Alicante 20 - 30 Dec 2010

Granma's 90th & Francis Christmas 2010

So every year it is tradition for the descendants of my paternal grandparents to gather in Brimfield to celebrate my Granma's birthday and also Christmas. This has, for the last few years, been held at Brimfield Village hall where my Granma has a vested interest and it's big enough to hold us all (she had 5 children, has 9 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren - with 2 more on the way).

And this year was my granma's 90th birthday, so this gathering was even more special. I simply couldn't miss it.

We arrived back in the UK on the Friday night and were gratefully picked up by my mum and Philip who had driven all the way down especially to get us. It was a late arrival (c. 10pm) following a change in Moscow. I have to point out at this stage that we'd heard reports of Heathrow closures due to snow.... well frankly Moscow's airport was literally in the middle of a snow storm with 20 inches and none of its flights were cancelled. I think Heathrow needs to have a word with itself. Oh - and Sean and I were still in our sandals (they're comfier than trekking boots to fly long haul in) which made many a Moscow eye turn in the terminal - crazy people that we are!

After a good nights sleep we spent Saturday lunchtime with my friend Jim and his girlfriend Katherine - and they broke the great news to us that they had just got engaged! Congratulations again guys - so happy for you! Was a great British pub lunch with ale - just what the doctor ordered! Jim and Katherine are such a great couple too that we were gutted to have to leave them, but my sister and her family were due to arrive at my mums place.

I was thrilled to see Zac and Scarlett again (when we left in July they were hoping to have moved to Australia by now, but Jill's visa was delayed). They have grown so much! Scarlett seemed to take a shine to Sean too being one of the only people that she would willing run to for a cuddle. Zac was so tall - he's turning into such a clever boy!

Granma's do was on the Sunday and it was so great to see everyone. Sean really enjoyed this one 'cause it's the first of my family's occasions he's attended where we have been engaged (so no questions about when he's going to pop The Question) . We also have had two pregnancy announcements this year and my cousin Bridget and her family were over from Australia. So it was a really great party. Grandma had a lovely time (and got some great presents - check out the hat). Everyone was on really good form, we had some musical entertainment by the very talented George, Tabitha and Harry - Mostyn was a (quote) "Complete Cuddle Bug" and Elliot charmed us all with his cute accent telling the story about going to the "tippity top of the castle". Christopher looked exceedingly handsome in his suit (as did Uncle T actually). It will be a day I'll remember for a very long time!

This week back in Brimfield was a manic one because this was the only time Sean and I had to finalise the 'big' decisions for our wedding (we did my dress, the venue and the church before we left). Sean and I had scheduled several meetings with caterers, photographers, suit hire companies and needed to find a cake. But I have to say - everything literally fell into place. Jim is a jazz musician and agreed to sort out a trio for the guest arrivals. My Aunty Gwenda was awesome enough to agree to do our flowers (she did my cousin Sally's and they were incredible!). My Uncle Robin says he might be able to swing a deal with a bus company for the guests - hip hip hooray. We instantly fell in love with one of the caterers - booked them. Same with one of the photographers - booked them. The first suit Sean tried on he loved - ok, that's sorted. We had to go to the bank one day and there was a cake shop next to it - the lady was lovely and her cakes yummy so again, we booked her. And my mum had surprised my sister and I with a mini facial/nails session and the lady there does hair/make-up - ok, that's done. And the owner of the Salon also recommended her DJ from her wedding - ok, that's also done. So the only things still to do really are the fun things (like decorations etc) that can wait until we get home for good. My Granma even dragged me off to the local coffee morning where we ran into Sian (who will marry us) where she confirmed she'd been booked to do it and got to discuss the run up meetings required.

We went and visited my Nanny (my mum's mum) up in Wolverhampton. She was on great form that day which was lovely (although she did keep calling Zac a girl and Scarlett a boy and I think she thought Scarlett was mine and not my sisters... but hey).

And finally we had a 'fake' Christmas day with my mum and Philip on Dec 16th since we were all heading separate ways on 17th Dec. It was a fantastic day - we loved every minute. Mum even made her apple pie and jam tarts!

That weekend Sean and I headed to London and stayed with my friend Issy. Sean got to catch up with Drew and Kylie and on Sunday we visited Nick and Miffy, drank too much and sang karaoke on the Wii - classic!

My sister has now moved to my Aunty Kate and her husband Bill's place near Alicante in Spain until my sister's visa comes through. So Sean and I were very lucky to get to go out their for the real Christmas day to spend two more weeks with them before finally their dream comes true and they move down-under. So - Espagne, here we come...

Here are the photos (but we warned, they're very family focused and Clare I apologise for the one of you with the poppadom... that was one Uncle Rob made me take!):

BT39_England 10 -19 Dec 2010

Testies Survival Kit: Glow Stick

ITEM USED: Glow Stick

COUNTRY USED IN: Thailand

CHALLENGE OVERCOME: Full Moon Party

Thailand's Full Moon Parties are legendary amongst "da yoof". Sean and I are now over 30, but we felt it wise to try to recapture our "yoof".

So with the testies survival kit glow stick in hand we headed to the islands of southern Thailand with the intentions of joining in the glow in the dark, luminescent festivities and vomiting.

I lit the glow stick and started partying...

I partied hard until nightfall.

Then I realised something. Where where my fellow companions? I was so engrossed in being a "yoof" that I hadn't noticed that I was all alone in party land.

I looked at the moon...

Only to find...

It wasn't exactly 'full':

The moon did make a great impression of the Cheshire Cat on Sean's shoulder though:

* Due to budget restrictions this post was not filmed on Ko Pha Ngan where the Full Moon Parties historically take place, but instead at a cheaper location of Phuket. All characters depicted are fictional except for the "yoof" who are indeed crazy enough to get into day-glow paint and vomit. Please see Facebook pictures from Matt Emery of Newcastle, UK for proof.

Phuket

We debated long and hard about the best way to get from Siem Reap to our final destination of the Asian leg of the Big Trip. Having had a not so great experience from Laos to Cambodia on the Guest House organized bus we were wary of the same thing from Cambodia to Thailand. We had several options 1) Get a bus from Seam Riep that is supposed to take you all the way down to Phuket (which has risk of being dropped in Bangkok and not taken further thus losing cash), 2) Bus only to Bangkok and they fly to Phuket (costly, but quick, but have to get to airport again which involved 2km walk between stations if you don't have money for taxi) or 3) Bus to Bangkok and then hop to local bus station and get another bus to Phuket.

We chose option 3 and it was by far the right decision.

The bus from our guest house to the Cambodian border was full.... so they put us in a taxi - luxury!

We had a guide all the way through the border (a really seedy border btw full of casinos and dodgy looking people drinking lots of Guinness strangely...)

We were in a VIP minibus to Bangkok and arrived AHEAD of schedule.

We then managed to share a taxi with a Russian couple from our minibus to the Southern Bus Station (which saved us some cash)

Then since we'd decided to save money by not flying we 'splashed out' and treated ourselves to the VIP bus to Phuket since it's a 12 hour journey. This bus was amazing. There were only 3 seats across, and they were huge. I felt like that woman in the Cadbury's Hot Chocolate advert where her armchair expands into this luxurious sofa.

We had obviously chosen wisely!

We arrived on the island of Phuket at 5am. We are very fortunate to have a friend, Chris, living in Phuket who was kind enough (or crazy enough) to allow us to stay with him for a few days. We figured out where he lived and decided to slowly walk to his house so that we would at least arrive after the sun had risen. So off we trotted past hundreds of rubber trees being 'bled' by the locals for their rubber.

Upon arrival we had been told very strictly NOT to enter the gate without Chris or Da (the gardener) otherwise the dogs WOULD eat us. So luckily Da was already up and he went and got Chris.

Chris' home is incredible. It's 12m x 12m x 12m (apparently the magic number in the building industry), has its own library, fish pond and swimming pool and even a forest of banana trees with yet other fruit trees in growth - including avocado, coconut and papaya. He also has a fridge that NEVER runs out of Singha (is it magical?), loves football (he's a Newcastle supporter) and 4 dogs (Ella, Tricksy, Tony and Kimmy). Heaven? I think we just arrived.....Not to mention that Sean and I were just impressed to be able to a) flush loo paper again, b) have a shower in its own cubical rather than the wet room type that we have gotten used to and c) sleep on a proper mattress and not foam on wood.

We have basically spent the last 2 weeks sat on the deck in the sun, swimming in the pool, watching sunsets on the beach, have read all 4 books of the Nightwatch Series, drank hideous amounts of Singha beer, watched some excellent films of an evening including District 9 and Planet Terror, ate out at some excellent Thai restaurants (Black Cat, Chili, Lemongrass...), cuddled dogs and basically been the laziest pair of people that you have ever known. It's been bloody brilliant.

We also managed to get in a trip to see Phuket smash Bangkok 2-0 in their local football league - was a very noisy experience, but was hysterical to see the flares and fireworks let off from the stands by the crowds at the end. I will miss the lack of Health and Safety - makes life much more fun!

But tonight our heaven ends and we fly back to Bangkok to get a flight home to the UK in the morning for my granma's 90th birthday (via Moscow 'cause it was cheap as chips) which will see the end of Phase One of the Big Trip. We have been told that it's zero degrees in the UK at the moment... with snow... and I forgot to pack winter coats cause was planning on a July UK return completely forgetting this intermission... doh! So I will sit here in the sun until the very last second...and maybe have another beer... or two. Thanks for having us Chris - we've loved every minute.

Here are the photos:

BT38_Phuket 26 Nov - 9 Dec 2010