News Flash

I've just booked my tickets, i'll be coming home from the 20th July till the 29th July. Will be good to see everyone i havn't seen since last time.

100th blog

hi guys this is the 100th entry on our blog. must say though that some of the bloggers are getting a bit slack at writting on here again though.
i had my first night shifts last week only 3 in a row though as i had an accured day off. 4 night shifts constiute a week as the shifts are 10 hours. i handled them well stayed awake all night and slept well during the day. The nights were busy so it made the time go fast. i am now awake at normal times of the day until i go back to night duty on wednesday for 4 night shifts. then bex will be here and the shopping begins!
the sword family will be in australia by now; have an awesome time exploring the warm gold coast and catching up with claire and phil. hope liam and kady were able to sit still for 3 hours on the plane! you have will to wirte on here and tell us about your adventures and put some photos on of you guys at the theme parks
its queens birthday here today but hayden still had to work he has just got home. i have made lasange for tea yum ok going to go and eat it now.
looking forward to hearing what you guys have been up to.
love from gemma and hayden
p.s the victoria ski fields have opened

Back from the Sunny and Warm Europe

Hi Gemma and Hayden - have just caught up on the lastest news - had coffee with Paul and Rosie this morning and now read the blog since we had been gone. Sorry i didn't have your email address for when we were away, else I would have included you in the emails. It seems like you have been having lots of visitors and trips home - when do you ever get time to miss NZ.
Our trip was awesome - will have to send Ernie over and he can fill you in - would take 3weeks of full-time talking on his part. We had very warm weather - no rain until the day we were leaving for the airport home. We liked Spain the most - slightly less people I think and we spent more time out of the cities there than in Italy. The driving went well - especially when we let Dave drive in the cities and the rest of us took the straight roads in the country. We probably did more cities than when we needed in the short time as it only left us with 3 nights in Tuscany - but still in such a short time it is hard to get everything in. We also went to Gibralter while in Spain - which was really interesting as I had learnt all about it when at school (ALL those years ago) and was a bit disappointed in that it is now losing some of it's uniqueness, as being on the coast it popular for tourists ans as there is only a limited amount of space - they are just reclaiming heaps of land and building tall appt blocks. Also I think I shall write to Queenie - it is a British country and yet they drive on the RHS of the road and use Euros as currency not Pounds - the Queen I feel has let things slide somewwhat:)
Our new packs/suitcase were fantastic and apart from Ernie being "touched" in Heathrow airport - no problems with pickpockets at all. We did see the gypsies in Spain who approach with sprigs of "Rosemary" and try to engage you in conversation - We knew better than to trust anything associated with "ROSEMARY"
In Venice we briught a very expensive glass sculpture for the new house - so I hope you and Hayden like it as you will need to look after it when you come home to house-sit - mind you there will be enough room in the house for you to live while we are there!!!!! - it is being shipped home and should be here this week coming.
The Cartwrights are in Greece now - and it was fun travelling with them - a bit like PRAM we get on so well.
Apart from Ernie getting some Spanish bug and giving it to me - and we are still coughing and spluttering - it is in a way good to be home and now focus on the house. The roof is not on yet - but should be ready by the end of this week - although I think the odd day of rain is forecast so could slow it down a bit.
Brianna and Melissa came to the airport to meet us with Uncle Dave - and she is walking now - can you believe - it is also only 2 weeks until her first birthday - will send you pics from the birthday party.
Off to bed now with my coughy husband - Take care\\xxx Mummy G and Ernie

oh and it was skippy the bush kangaroo not skippy cornflakes. And he did taste pretty good.

Willamstown Pics

This photo was from somewhere near where i was working at vic gardens. I took it when i was training this morning pretty good view.


This is from Gems pier at williamstown looking at city.



Also from gems pier at williamstown.




And here's gems pier at williamstown.