Disneyland 2013/6

Andy here! Bit of a full on day so Alistair zonked out. A few photos of our day though. Back to NZ tomorrow so probably last post for this trip. Thanks for reading!

A ride with a very annoying song:

A bit of Michael Jackson dancing with 3D help:-

Driving Mum around the race course/twist:

On the way out for the evening:

Mickey before the amazing water and light show:

Disneyland 2013/5

It was very rainy today! It was pouring down with rain and we had to get our rain coats.

We went on the water ride (see my video here describing it) , we got some sherbet and went to watch Aladdin.

I also liked this picture of a street that looked very real (click here)

Disneyland 2013/4

We woke up super early so we wouldn't have to queue. 

This is me going down the submarine. This was the journey to see Nemo underwater

(Blogger has managed to cut Alistair's head off on most of these. Again, click on the photo and you'll get full-size --Andy)

We also went with C3PO from Star Wars on a bumpy ride to this planet that was filled with ice and snow.

We went down the waterslide. It was super scary.

There was a man drawing me. He made me look like Spiderman.

Tomorrow we are also waking up early again

Disneyland 2013/3

Alistair a bit tired tonight to write himself but there are some sound bites from him below (you should simply be able to click them and listen although the iPad may ask you to download them.)

Another warm day that saw us at Disneyland California which is opposite Disneyland. Highlights of the day were the "Cars" set along with Lightning McQeen and Mater. Very realistic. Click here for Alistair's commentary on Cars and here for his quick intro to the Toy Story ride.

Mum and Dad loved the Bugs life 4D show but this was pretty scarey and a little too much for Alistair. We all had fun on The Toy Story ride though .

Going for early start to get on a few rides tomorrow.

Disneyland 2013/2

Hot, damn hot! Slightly later start than most but still saw plenty. Only a couple of rides as queues a bit long. Great firework display in the evening and fun trying to spot the person with a slim build. As we are in USA I feel I should be asking lots of questions such as "is the type big enough?" , "would you like the font on the side", "with underlines or not", etc etc. asking for an ice cream provided the biggest challenge with regards the number of questions before getting a single scoop in a cone!


Alistair's writing:
"Today at Disney we have been doing lots of things.

We have been walking to a castle and we bought some coloured popcorn and it is very nice. We went on the Winnie the Pooh ride and it was very very fun. We went through the cave and we saw some skeletons and ghosts. It was very scary

Now we going to see the fireworks at the castle"

CLICK ON PHOTOS FOR LARGER VERSION (too hit and miss to try and edit HTML on iPad)

Disneyland 2013 /1

Travel to LA and first few hours at Disneyland ! 

Travel all fine and blinking hot here. Rather nice limo from airport. Ali busted out some moves on outside dance floor tonight before finally collapsing in a heap about half hour later in hotel room!

(Click on photo for full size)

Bits and Bobs

The first photo is me practising reading in France after skiing.

The second photo is me at a big party with my friends Jack and Harry (they are about 3) and Mummy is in the picture too( but for some reason has been cut out-Andy!!)

Alistair and some animals

This is when to see my Great Auntie Jean and she has a chair to help her up the stairs. I stroked her dog.

I am also holding a baby guinea pig at a farm near Granny and Grandpa's house where I'm staying now.

I am also stroking the kitten called George at my Grandma and grandad's.

Skiing

Sorry for not posting for a week or so but we have been so busy. Alistair will try and catch up now! :


We went skiing at France and we thought it was fantastic.

The first photo was Daddy helping me

The second photo was me about to ski down the jumpy bit with Daddy.

The third photo is my ski pass to let me through the gate to get on the chair lift.

La Plagne again

Dear Room 2, this is Andy this time as Alistair fast asleep after another full on day on the slopes!

Sunny most of the day today again and with Alistair taking a lesson in the morning ( his instructor can't get him to slow down too much either!) Andy and Maggie had a nice time skiing together. In the afternoon Andy and Alistair went looking for slopes that would allow us to do some jumping- something that Alistair is very keen on!

Tomorrow should see more high speed fun!

The photo is the view from our room tonight by the way,

Take care All

Andy, Maggie and Alistair

France 2012

Room 2 here are some pictures and for Miss Burgess. I am having a great time! Love Alistair

Singapore

Now on last leg of our journey-Singapore.It's hot, damned hot! Looks like a fun place visit though and have already given credit cards a bashing on tax free stuff. We are staying in luxury at Pan Pacific hotel on 37th floor - much to Maggie's horror as she hates heights! Had a drink at Raffles (we'll stay there next time!) and now letting Ali rest before popping out again later.

Went to doctors before leaving NZ and now high on some pretty powerful steroids for my asthma (hope I don't grow another nipple or something)and antibiotics so am feeling much better and able to get around and enjoy sites.

Early flight home tomorrow and then back to that jet lag feeling for a few days -

Hope someone has been actually reading this tripe over last 3 weeks (!)and viewed the photos (of which there are more uploaded to the normal place -see previous links- including some of today in Singapore)

See you all soon

Andy, Maggie, Alistair

NZ Part 2

For all those wondering what's happened to us we are still here ! Mo internet access for a few days and also Andy been laid up with flu and bad asthma for about 4 days ! Mags has had to do all the work. Went up North to Bay of Islands which is truly beautiful but didn't get to see too much due to illness etc .

Now in Auckland ready for staged return home (Singapore for 2 nights).

Only a short post as in hotel reception doing this !

See you all soon

Taupo Day2

What a difference a day makes. Beautiful weather all day today. Went to see some volcanic activity type shift at someplace that I've forgotten the name of. Despite the previous sentence's undersell, this was a really interesting visit. Also stopped at Huka Falls which was also very good. Alistair a little s*d tonight so never got to go back in the outside tub! He'll pay in future years-you mark my words.

Not quite surewhat we'll do tomorrow as have booked a Lodge up north in Bay of Islands in 2 nights but have just realized that it's an 8.5 hour drive from here (!) so we'll have to break it into sections. What looks a fairly short distance on the map is short as the crow flies but rather winding roads and there are no freeways this side of Auckland.

Lots more photos added for Day 3 Sydney, Byron Bag & NZ(finally bought new cable for computer) All available from http://www.flickr.com/photos/andy_and_mags

NZ Part 1

Finally got an Internet connection again so another 10-20 lines of rambling for anyone who has stayed with us this far.

After being waited on hand and feet by our good friends Sam & Damien at their house near Byron Bay(unashamed plug-go to www.breakawayart.com.au or http://www.emporiumgallery.com.au/HTMS/BreakawayArt.htm to see their work) we are now fending for ourselves again. The flight from OZ to Auckland was quite an interesting one with a very ticked off Alistair and rather a lot of turbulence (landed in a storm).

Quick overnight stay in Auckland (best viewed in rearview mirror according to hotel manager-tend to agree with him) we drove down to Taupo. Now in an apartment with great views of lake, an outside spa pool ( on our balcony) and a feeling we are extras in Channel 4'S "Grand Designs" programme .

Went to see volcanoes etc today but saw a load of mist, rain and even snow! The great thing is that off the main drag there are about as many sightings of other people & cars as Dodos

Problem with card reader for camera but some more photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/andy_and_mags/(Byron Set)

Byron Bay area

(TO ALL THOSE WHO STILL CAN'T SEE PHOTOS GO DIRECTLY TO http://www.flickr.com/photos/andy_and_mags/ )

Well, this is our last morning at our friend's house near Byron bay. Great weather mostly and great hosts. Have to move on as so far have been snake free and don't want to push my luck !

We've had a great day by the coast and a couple of days simply chilling out. Now looking forwards to putting a sweater on and dealing with the brit typoe weather in NZ. No activities planned there apart from a few days in Taupo and a few in Bay of Islands on the North Island. Thinking of booking Mags a bungee jump or similar so long as I can push her at the start. (Note to self - check holiday insurance)

Alistair couldn't give a monkey's where we are so long as there is as many bananas on tap like there is here (hanging on the veranda in massive bunches)

Sorry for lack of photos but the uplink here is very slow so will upload some when I can 'borrow' a wireless link in NZ.

Sydney-day 3

( I'VE FINALLY CHANGED PERMISSIONS SO PEOPLE CAN SEE THE PHOTOS !!)

So, final morning in Sydney. Had a great but short visit to the China Gardens in Darling Harbour. Poured down with rain but still quite fun.

Had a great time in Sydney but will be very glad to leave the noise behind. Everything is noisy ! The traffic, the aircon, the bustle ........

Flight to Gold Coast a pretty short one (1:20) with quite a lot of turbulence. Hired a car in Gold Coast which would never still be used for hring in UK ! Rather high mileage for hire car (50k) and seats have seen better days but will serve the purpose. Arrived near Byron Bay at friends house and rather unbelievable that it has been 7 years since we were last here. Not a great deal seems to have changed and feels like only last year that we saw them. Will probably spend a few days chilling out before or trip to NZ.

(Apologies for dull post but not a great deal happened today !)

Some photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/andy_and_mags/sets/72157594358586657/

Sydney day 2

Hmm, the issue for Alistair is not the long fight etc but the jet lag! Mum & Dad like zombies at different times of the day due to lack of sleep.
‘Never mind, still had a good day walking to ferry terminal and catching ferry to Manly. The ferry journey is one of the best for views of the Opera House, the bridge and Sydney. We remembered enjoying the ride 7 years ago. Manly not fantastic but beach, good weather and 20 minutes from major city isn’t bad. Alistair liked ferry & the bridge but non too plussed about the Opera House (see photos)!
Off to Byron Bay tomorrow to see friends –should be good as remember it being quiet and rather a hippy town! (Apologies for lack of sarcasm today. Have made note to try and redress tomorrow )

Today photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/andy_and_mags/sets/72157594356936717/

Day 1- Sydney

Alistair, not being able to contain his excitement, meant a poor night’s sleep & a late start. Went for a walk along , Darling Harbour and had lunch there. Very similar to Coventry there if you discount the sun,water, views ....Alistair flirted again.

Mags persuaded Andy to go into Wildlife Centre snakes (not being Andy’s favorite thing in the world (argument for snakeskin handbags might be supported here) and behold, snakes in abundance! Love the Ozzie boasting about the sheer numbers of things that can bite, sting or kick /scratch you to death followed by the inevitable “they usually hide and only attack if provoked”. Unfortunately the word ‘usually’ and the lack of guidance of what constitutes ‘provoking’ has not reassured Andy that much.
Alistair checked his shares later at coffee shop (see photos) and early crash out.

Today’s photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/andy_and_mags/sets/72157594355284935/

Travelling

Well, Australia is no closer than it was 7 years ago when Mags and I were last here. Door to door it’s about 8 nappies and a lack of sleep. Alistair too busy laughing at female passengers & stewardesses to bother about serious sleeping but this also meant a lack of tears.He played with his bricks on or flying over 3 continents and finally lost the will to flirt or play any longer at Sydney Airport.

The new baby carrier that we bought for the trip got to Singapore absolutely fine – trouble is we are in Sydney.
Appt quite nice & we are ready to start save exploring tomorrow –Mags wants to tour Sydney on back of Harley Davidson (note to self; Ask Jon if they are in line triples or 15 cylinder bikes) Andy might try climb over Harbour Bridge. Alistair thinking of putting 2 fingers in mouth to stop teething pain.

(Photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/andy_and_mags/sets/72157594355279240/ )