As we are away for Christmas, we had a pre-Christmas celebration with family. It was a lovely evening at Mum and Dad's boatshed on Pauatahanui Inlet. Great company and we were all spoiled.
We've spent the last few weeks preparing. There was more to it than simply closing the door on our flats in London... this time in addition to all the travel planning, we had a house needing a decent clean before our house-sitters arrive, a garden to tidy (a partial success) as well as arrangements for Thistle the dog and Hodgson the cat.
We're lucky to have great neighbours and my parents keeping an eye on the house while it is empty and that Thistle can stay with Mum and Dad, and friends down the road, while we're away. Hodgson will no doubt be a bit put out at being in a cattery until the house-sitters arrive, but both he and Thistle will be very well cared for.
I love this part of a holiday... everything is done (or not!), we have closed the door and can relax into it. The trip stretches out in front of us. I think of it as like a diary with only a few headings in place and all the details - sights, sounds, smells, foods, conversations - still to be filled in. An amazing feeling; we're all extremely excited!
We had an early start for the 6.40am flight to Sydney. It was also early for Mum and Dad who came in to the airport for a quick farewell coffee before driving our car home - thanks again!! We were a fairly well-oiled travelling machine three years ago, but are feeling a little out of practice... hopefully it is like riding a bike!
Our first stop is in Sydney for a couple of days with good friends the Cranney and Kassis families. Yay!
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