Robin and Jim in front of one of the Kauri trees. They really are massive.

us learning to sail. The yacht is leaning a lot and before we were through it was leaning a lot more. The bay of islands was beautiful. The captain of the yacht was very patient with us and did tell us that no one had ever overturned this vessell. I think we came close though.....

this is us at cape regina the most northerly point in new zealand

robin learning to surf in new zealand

Jan 19th continued
Well I put my diary on blog quite late last night, was well pleased with myself even though I had not finished the day. After our boat being cancelled we decided to travel northwards to the bay of islands. Went to a lovely beach on the way and robin had a surf and we had a walk. Drove through some lovely countryside and decided to stop in Russell. Went to the pier and booked a sailboat trip for tomorrow. Jim says he would like to learn to sail and they take us snorkeling and canoeing as well so we booked it. Got settled in our campsite and then went to a pub called *the round the corner pub* for dinner. The people here in Russell seem a bit snobby which is strange in this country but perhaps its just the strange campers with kids…the fish and chips is highly recommended though and I tasted my first ever oyster. Quite liked it.
20th Jan
Got up and walked down to the harbour to board our sailing vessel. It was a beautiful boat 40ft. It was ideal sailing weather, windy but sunny. We soon got the hang of it and its easier than the small boats libby used to use, you do not have to tack so often. The area we were sailing in was very beautiful too. We stopped at an island for lunch and went out over the rocks in glass bottom canoes, viewing the fishes. One of the guys went out in a canoe and gathered some greenlip mussels from the rocks and we got the captain to steam them open, it was fantastic sitting on the island eating fresh mussels all we needed was a bottle of champagne….. We also did some snorkeling. We had a race against another boat on the way back to harbor and jim got quite worked up and competitive…..we lost but only because they had a bigger boat. Got off our sailboat in Pairah and said goodbye to our shipmates and had a wander about town. Had a meal and then got ferry back to Russell. The ferry was 50 years old and had character but was not as cute as the ferry in Vancouver…. Went to rec room and harry potter is on the tv so decided to write this blog though robin is watching it. It is great here still light at 10pm and then when the night comes you get so many stars that look soooo close and are so bright and you have to enjoy them as all the electricity on the campsite goes off at 10pm.. ha ha no more harry potter….
21st jan
Up and out, drove our car onto the ferry in Russell and it took us over the bay to Opua. It was quite exciting. We then drove down windy roads to Waitangi which we thought had the big treaty house. Had to go a bit further on to find the place at Waitangi that had the place where the treaty was signed and England got permission to govern nz. At the first place that we thought was the correct meeting house I opened a door and went in and jim and robin followed. Well the maori woman came out of nowhere and asked us to leave. We found out later that you have to be invited in and must take off your shoes and there are all sorts of rules. Well they should have locked their door. We had a great day at the treaty grounds and learned loads about customs and saw the hukka performed and learned about canoes etc. will keep the book to remember it all by. Then back on the road to Haruru Falls. Nice river and falls then onwards again. A few more stops along the way and we arrived at Taupo Bay which is supposed to be a great spot for surfing. Unfortunately, there was calm when we arrived but hopefully it will be a bit rougher tomorrow as robin is having a surfing lesson there and can only do it if we get surf. He is quite brave as I have not felt comfortable in the water knowing there is a rougue shark in the area at the moment. We are still camping as have been unable to find motels/hotels still peak season.
Jan 22
Robin was up nice and early and in the water having his surfing lesson. We could not drag him out of the water afterwards, so when his lesson finished we let him keep the board and wetsuit and practice on his own. He was standing up and surfing though. He thought it was fantastic and so did we. When we finally got going again we were all starving cause we had not had breakfast, only robin. So we stopped pretty quickly as jim gets moody when not fed…. Then we made our way up the coast (west) to the start of ninety mile beach, which was amazing, a long sandy beach the length of the peninsular nearly. You can drive a four wheel drive car along it but not hire cars and only when the tide is out of course. We made our way up to the most northerly point Cape Reinga, which is a scared maiori place. Very very beautiful, the lighthouse at the end was nice but the views absolutely breathtaking. Had a lovely walk but would have liked more walking. Jim said we had to get going, so we got back in car driving through some lovely places and stopping at some lovely beaches but only for 5 mins. Nz is full of so many lovely sights. Reached Kairaia and found a motel for the night. Yes, yes, yes, a motel. A proper bed, how fantastic!!!!!! Used the internet to look up places to stay in aus but ran out of time, went for lovely meal and then into a real bed!!!!!

Jan 23rd
Left kaitaia and was on 90 mile beach again by 10am, it is absolutely stunning. Had a great drive through forests and by beaches and went on another ferry at Hokianga. Met some people making a film about nz and continued our drive. In Omapere we stopped at a desserted beach that was eroding the coastline and several houses are going to be lost in the next few years. Here we learned about opo the dolphin who made the village of Oponani famous for a while. Then onto Waipoua forest which is home to the oldest, biggest, tallest and widest Kaouri trees in the world. Its like a rainforest with not snakes, how wonderful. Found a campsite, robin went for a swim in the river, and we are going on a night walk into the forest tonight to see what we and our guide can spot, hopefully kiwis etc.

Jan 24th
Saw eels, whitebait, possums and various trees bushes and wildlife but unfortunately no kiwis but it was a great experience walking through the forest in the dark. Makes me glad we did not go too far into the jungle when it was pitch black. Also saw the milky way, orians belt and the southern cross. Very bright in the dark dark sky last night, oh, I nearly forgot the glowworms and they were spectacular. Did not get back to camp till very late but did not sleep any better for it!!!!!Robin went back to the river at the back of our tent, it was lovely they had put up a wooden diving board and a tarzan swing and innertubes in it and it was great fun. We then went to the kouri museam which was fantastic, very interesting have saved the booklet and we bought a bowl there by a local artist and made from kouri wood. We then went to a regatta which was a first for us, then drove to aukland to spend the night.
Jan 25th
Up early and out going to thames, but on the way we stopped at a lovely café for breakfast with all the locals in clevedon and then went to a polo match which was another first. I have always wanted to go to a polo match but have never had time so it was great. Then back on the road all past the seabird coast in the firth of thames and around to thames itself. Had to stop as we were all sick of being in the car. Had takeaway and watched film. It was really nice to just veg out.
Jan 26th
Was in reception at 8 trying to get signal to email the girls. Had a wonderful nights sleep in the beds last night so was up early feeling really refreshed… left Thames and up to Commeral which was quite a nice town, had ice cream there and bought some really fresh plums which were very very tasty. Went to castle rock and climbed up to the top of the volcano, took us about an hour and the view from the top was amazing, it was also a great sense of achievement to climb as it was quite difficult with only one hand to hang on with. Then we went to swim in the waterfall on road 301. It was really beautiful but the water was freezing, absolutely awesome swimming underneath the waterfall though. The rocks we had to climb over on the way out were slippy and I hurt my ankle quite badly. Seem to be quite accident prone at the moment. We then got into the Bay of Plenty and after looking round, found hotel bargain and also booked a fishing trip for tomorrow. Hope Jim catches his marlin. Woulnt that be great but I dare say that he will be pleased if he catches any fish.
Jan 27th
Fishing was amazing, we were out of the harbor at 8am and the views were stunning, I love the speed of the boat and going through the water in the sunshine. Within a few seconds of throwing out our rods we were catching little maki. It was really good fun we caught all sorts of little fish the prettiest being the red sea perch, the only thing was that when I caught my first blue cod ever the bloke (gary our guide/skipper) said it was big enough to keep and promptly killed it. I said to him as long as it did not go to waste but I would rather they were put back as we have no way to keep them and eat them. Then jim felt a great tug and was making such a fuss abouth ~the big one~ that we all had to reel in and watch him, it was a small kingfish he pulled in so I teased him about making a meal of it!!!! It was a beautiful fish though about 10lbs but it had put up a tremendous fight. Then a little later I got a tug that jolted my broken arm quite badly and I knew it was another kingfish. Unfortunately for me but great for jim I handed my line over to him as there was no way I was going to get that fish in with one arm. It was a beautiful bigger than the first kingfish and I cannot wait to go fishing when my arm is better so that I can manage to get one aboard. Robin had a fantastic time and the skipper said at 1pm if we wanted to stay out longer we could and though we all wanted to there had been one man that had been ‘rather unwell’ so we agreed to go in for his sake though I think robin wanted to argue about it… I caught the first, robin caught the most and jim caught the biggest (though it should have been mine) How competitive are we?? On the way out we saw most of the Murcury Islands and he took us up close for a look at the hole in the rock (they have quite a few holes in rocks over here) (caused by volcanic behavior) so that was great of him as they are interesting formations to see.
After breakfast/lunch we went to Catherdral Cove which took about an hour to walk to along the cliff tops but it had stunning views along the way and was beautiful when we got there. The rock formations were awesome and it’s a marine park so the snorkeling was great though I did not do any as I fell asleep on the beach… a gorgeous strip of sand and the boys left me while they explored… on the way back though we went into gemstone cove and robin and I went out snorkeling but it had taken him so long to gget into the water because we had to scramble across rocks that I was getting a bit cold, so when we started swimming out and he started moaning he was scared I swam straight back in instead of encouraging him, if I feel better tomorrow I will take him out and make him less scared, he loves the fish especially the big ones but he does not like the kelp beds or looking in the dark rocks I think he does not want to meet an eel and he did mention yesterday after talking to someone else ,what bit of their body do stingrays sting with, front or back, so I need to put some work into his snorkeling. Could not get any accommodation at hot water beach (no time today but want to visit tomorrow) so drove a little way back on the route 25 and found a lovely place, a farm with ordinary and exotic animals and a pond and stream, its lovely here would stay for a couple of days but we have to move on as so much to see and do. I am going to slow down a bit again though as my arm is aching worse now than when I first broke it, think I should rest it, its also getting very manky and itchy, may visit somewhere and see if they can take it off and just strap it back on after cleaning everyday.

have added my first photo, it was robin and i at izagu falls, argentina

14th Jan
Well have not written for a few days so will try to remember but it has been so busy I am sure I have forgotten loads already.
After I sent an email in Fiji on the 15th, I checked the long range weather forcast on the computer which said things were not going to get any better so I phoned air new Zealand who said if I could get to the airport within an hour we could get on a plane. The next flight out with spaces was on the Saturday, so I took the hour challenge. It was quite good fun stuffing everything into the rucksacks and arranging cab etc and we made it to the airport. Soaking wet but we made it. There were people there trying to get flights and not able to so we were really lucky to get out. Bonus was we were not charged for changing our tickets as it was an emergency situation and they were trying to get all tourists out……

Arrived in Auckland, warm and no rain, yeh… Had to wait till the following day so went to motel and washed all the damp smelly stuff in the rucksacks, of course, they had got wet from the airport to the plane I suppose. We chilled by having showers, you do not realize how nice it is to shower until you cannot for a few days. We then had a meal and I felt obligated to begin sampling the new Zealand wines, but one glass was enough.
15th Jan
Picked up car (please do not book through ‘aboutnewzealandcarrentals” as they seem cheap on the net but add their own bits and pieces in (read small print) and there are loads of cheaper alternatives at the airport information place and they pick you up as part of the deal.
Anyway we decided not to explore Auckland as we wanted to be in some wide open spaces after spending days in the hotel in Fiji. So we had breakie and headed down their route one. Turned off towards Gulf Harbour and Shakespere Park. Beautiful open countryside and the weather was great. Swam in shakespere park beach, a beautiful day, empty beaches and sparking sea. Walked along the rocks looking in the tidepools, loads of wildlife. We were worried about sunburn so left the beach and started looking for somewhere to stay. After seeing all the no vacancy signs and asking in various places we decided to go and buy a tent, so we drove 30mins back the way we had come on the advice of the girl at the campsite to get to a shop that had no tents left. However the 3rd motel that we went in after that had a really nice guy on reception who happened to say he had a tent, so I said I would buy it off him. Jim was confused when I came out of reception and told him to come in as I was buying a tent.
Well back to the campsite and we agreed robin and jim would put up the tent and I would sort out the car. They had it up in 20mins, mind you, it is only a small 3 man tent. We were settled so could relax. We took a walk along the long sandy beach that starts where our tent is pitched.. the fish here are abundant and we met a fisherman who said we do not need licence to sea fish but you can only take home 6 per day from this beach but each area has its own quota rules. I would like to get jim a fishing rod and all the campsites have bbqs so we could cook any he might catch…
Had dinner at the ship and anchor.. great . then a walk in the dark back to our tent. Jim was making such a muttering that robin and I could not help but giggle. Jim cannot believe in his 50s he has started camping…. Well we already had the sleeping bags so it seemed like fate when we couldn’t get a motel..
16th Jan
Had interesting night, robin and jim had erected the tent on a slope….Well it’s a learning curve…I was up early so went to the kitchen to make tea. Everything on the campsite is kept really clean and the showers are lovely, cleaner than some of the motel rooms we have stayed in. Robin was having such a good sleep it was hard to wake him up. I like this camping lark,, both boys were up and out early for a walk down the beach to the café for breakfast. It is so beautiful here, I hope the rest of nz is as nice. Robin realized that he had left his game boy and games on the plane but he is putting on a brave face as he realizes it is his own fault but I do feel a bit sorry for him. Will treat him in hong kong if they are cheap there.
Our first stop was goats island which is a marine sanctuary. If you paddle in the sea you can see blue cod and various other fish, if you snorkel you can see loads more species, I even saw a moray eel, it was fantastic, I swam right out along the stony reef to the island and it was awesome but a bit cold. If you dive you can of course swim right around the island and into caves and see loads more. Everyone was happy with the amount they saw. The sea is quite cold though, once you are out there and everyone here wears wet suits. We were tired and hungry after our adventures so we got in the car and drove to Leigh for fish and chips out of newspaper….. did you know you can get fried oysters here? Strange eh.
We then went to the thermal springs at Waiwera where the springwater comes out of the ground at 53degrees and stinking of sulpher, so they have to add cold water to it before you can jump in. Robin and I loved it as it had water sides and different kinds of pools. Thought I would be ok on the slides so down I went, forgetting about my broken arm but whilst protecting the arm I scraped my knee so decided to give the slides a miss….
Quite late when we left so it was back to our campsite in Orewa to park the car, then out for dinner. Will have no trouble sleeping tonight…
Jan 17th
Awake early, slept quite well but jim rolled on to my arm and it is still aching now. Packed up tent, it went down quicker than it went up.. still, I daresay they will get quicker and quicker the more they do it. Took to route 1 and headed north. Went through Warksworth, then stopped in wellsford for breakfast. Then went to manawhai heads where robin enjoyed the surf. It is very hard to get him out of the water and he is pestering us for a surfboard again so we will buy him a bodyboard tomorrow and get him surfing lessons soon. We then went to aungakamea caves but could not get very far inside as the only torch we have left is the crappy one and the caves were very dark so we gave up and headed for Whangarei which is the most northerly city in nz. Went shopping looking for a bodyboard but the only places open had none so will have to try again tomorrow. Found campsite, erected tent, sat in sunshine at 8pm!!!! And drank nice bottle of red wine with our neighbour camper, a very interesting character, the went to local pub for dinner. The pub was also the betting shop and there was night racing on, it was not very busy but all patrons were maori and jim is very good at making friends with characters so a lovely evening ensued. Then home to our tent, it looks so small next to all these flash one that are about. I am sure we will sleep well tonight, I personally was worn out and plyed with red wine, content…..

18th Jan.
It rained last night and the tent held up well. Jim and I awoke early and waited for the rain to come in. it did not and we did not want to go outside so we went back to sleep again.+++ when we did get up we went to the museum and kiwi house in heritage park. We learned loads about kiwis, I did not realize they were endangered and that their worst enemy is the dog. The museum had an exhibition of rugby in the northlands so jim went straight to that whilst robin and I learned about the taonga maori and early settlers of new Zealand. The gum trinkets made from the kaori trees were really beautiful. We also saw glorat which was a kauri villa built for an early settler dr. Clarke complete with terrible wallpaper and nic-knacks of the age. We also saw the oruaiti chapel believed to be the smallest chapel in nz and it was cute cause it was octagional. Jim and robin locked me in the early womans jail but I did not stress and they came and let me out…… jim and robin also went to look in the railway museum and had a ride on a steam train.
Then we went to Whangarei Falls and had a lovely walk to the bottom and then back to the top, took loads of photos as was quite beautiful, (and we nearly did not go cause we thought nothing could compare to Izagu, and nothing could but it was a lovely sight and glad we went) I love the sounds of the waterfalls.
Went into the town basin and jim went into the clock museum (Robin and I went to play in the park then had drinks while waiting for jim) Robin then got his bodyboard and fins that he needs here.
Spent evening at campsite (after McDonalds) chatting to everyone in the tv room while robin watched film on computer screen. Raining outside.

19th Jan
Up and out early as raining. Went to the place to catch our boat to Poor Knights Island from Tutukaka only to find out it had been cancelled due to strong winds. So we decided to make our way up the coast a bit.

8th december
went to the hospital in vancouver for an x ray, just to make sure that my arm is fixing ok, which it is. then went to the aquariam which was fantastic. it really is good the way it is set out and we learned loads, the best bit is how it shows you local areas and what you might find should you visit these areas. went into enough detail to actually get you out there and exploring the areas they told you about. they also have international projects some of which are amazing. they are trying conservation projects in brazil and in fact world with and they are hand in hand with the university here so loads of investigating going on. even more educational than seaworld. i of course loved the dolphins and whales and sea otters and made jim go to the talks on these animals. jim liked the local area exhibition best. we did not want it to close and was asked to leave while learning about the frogs of the world.....
went for drinks and dinner next door to hotel in morriseys pub and had a great time chatting. jim and i thought it will be nice when we can stay out late and go grown up places together, but it is lovely doing things with robin and he is really good fun.

9th dec
have posted all letters and a parcel and got organised for leaving tomorrow. will chill when have finished sorting out papers and bills...

7th jan
went on a ferry to the telus science museam. the ferry was the smallest ever a very cute little boat that has to be seen to be believed (i have photos) very colourful and cute, we saw quite hugh yachts in the harbour but our ferry was very nippy and they run every 15mins. fantastic experience as was the childrens science museam. robin loved the museam his favorite bit was the dinosaurs so he says but we could not get him off all the hands on games. both jim and i enjoyed all the hands on stuff as well and we also enjoyed the films they showed. we were there nearly all day. we then went on the skytrain to get back to the hotel. it was rush hour and completely easy to use, just like the dlr about 10 years ago. we then had a drink in a nice bar and then went to white spot for dinner. they were showing a hockey match and jim said he had been to the hockey at the london arena years ago with me but i cannot remember ever going (perhaps it was another bird!)
we are going to watch a film on the tv and chill and then get up early to go to hospital tomorrow.

6th Jan 2009
Went to Capilano suspension bridge today. caught an old fashioned comp;imentary motor tram/bus there. the driver pointed out lots of places of interest the most memorable being the building used for superman clark kents entry into the offices of the daily planet for the series of smallville. we went back there afterwards and it was one of the most beautiful buildings anywhere.
capilano suspension bridge was quite impressive and the canyon below was very deep but the most memorable thing about today has been the rain, it has not stopped and before we even walked across the bridge we were soaked through. we were wet and freezing by the time we finished the treetops walk after the bridge and when we got back we had chinese to warm us up. this afternoon the boys went to get their haircut and now we are chillin and the boys are watching a film.

5th jan
went down to canada place, they are very busy building and getting ready for the 2010 winter olympics here. roads being dug up and fantastic buildings towering so its quite interesting for jim. we tried to book a cruise but everything here shuts in october, they either do not get enough tourists or do not like the cold. would like to come back in summertime and do things like the cruise to alaska, the ships park right by the convention center, its state of the art, i am well impressed.
uploaded all my photos onto my new computer (may put some on blog when i get time to learn how)
went to the pictures to see a film jim fancied. robin and i are never going to let jim choose a film again. Benjamin Button was a very wierd film and do you know that one man in it got struck by lightening 7 times!!!!!(robin and i have same thoughts)

3rd jan
did a reckky of vancouver after a bit of a chill out and lay in. bought laptop......am excited but have not had much time to play on it yet... its freezing outside and its a wet damp cold. they have had 3ft of snow here in the last few days and everyone is moaning as they do not usually get 3ft a year in vancouver. there seems to be loads to see and do so do not think we will get as far as whistler being as i cannot ski anyway.

4th jan
breakfast, then vancouver toured on foot... went to check out downtown and the harbour area and then stanley park. was dissapointed that there were no horse and carriage rides in the park. found out they only work in the summer but saw 'the girl in the bathing suit' statue, which i had read about. alsdo enjoyed the views of the mountains, sun tower, canneries and exhibition centres, we walked loads, learned loads it was fantastic. robin complained his feet ached and instead of going into the aquariam (may do tomorrow) found a cab and went to gastown to the spag factory for food... then went to the imaz theatre to see space 3d and sea3d which were enlightening. It was snowing when we left the imax and i tripped and jarred my arm so we caught a taxi back to the hotel. i would have gone on my new toy (computer) but my arm hurt too much. while we were at the park jim and i discussed some books we could write so it seems he would like me to write too. perhaps park bench inscriptions throughout the world, perhaps kids books or cook books but with encouragement i think i can, just not yet......

1st jan

went to ty and davids for breakfast then vacated hotel and went to lake louise. by the time we got back from lake louise and got a new hotel (cheaper) it was time to say goodbye to ty and david so it was really sad. they had been such good company and were so happy and content together that i had to cry as they went. i know everyone wishes them well in the future but i think they already know they are together forever come what may. the next time i see them they will be three, feel so excited for them, all three. hope all the webbs can spend a bit more time together when we get back.
the inns of banff was a very helpful hotel, sent faxes for me, made tea for us and ordered taxi etc all done for free and by very happy staff, rooms were good too. would recommend.
had dinner at a place recommended by ellie, bumpers, great. emailed yvonne who is amazing by the way and is organising my insurance etc. missed everyone then watched a film and fell asleep.
sad day.

2nd jan
at bus station at 8am waiting for greyhound to vancouver which was late...... but great when it did arrive and we got on. The scenery was amazing and even jim took some photos it was so great. stopped at golden. kicking horse for some coffee, david would love it here. in fact seeing whats out here i think in future visits anywhere we will only stay a few days in any one place as there are so many places to see and ski.
just outside a place called salmon creek a stone hit and smashed a window of the coach and we had to pull over and wait for a new coach but was something that could not be helped. got into vancouver about 10.30pm, the scenery had been beautiful and the stops interesting but once it got dark it started to seem like a long journey but met some interesting people.

31st dec

got up with robin early. robin and david had booked a private lesson at lake louise at 8.30am. we left rocky mountain about 1/4to8am to make sure we were on slopes at right time. jim and i could not get on the slopes until 9am so we went to cafe and made some phone calls to say happy new year to paulina and libby then went out for a short ski meaning to do more phone calls later. we had a short ski and met robin and david for breakfast. they had really enjoyed their lesson and it was a beautiful day really warm and sunny and not crowded. we decided to have a bit of a ski together. it was to be our last ski of the day as we had to get to banff to be picked up for the hockey game the flammers v the oilers in calgary at 5.30.
on our final ski, i fell down and heard a bone snap.. the boys were at the bottom of the slope looking at me looking really annoyed. i felt gutted and embarrassed. picked up my arm and tucked it into my coat. did not have the nerve to shout or call in case i cried so i got to the bottom of the small slope and told them. jim skied off for help as by then they realised i was hurt and david stayed with me. am a bit ashamed to say i cried, however david was fantastic, keeping me warm and not taking the micky as jim libs or anyone else would have done..... i was skied down on a stretcher again,,, and david drove me to the hospital in banff where i got enough painkillers to be able to remove my coat and glove.. everyone was great but i felt very guilty causing everyone to miss the hockey. david and ty were great, in fact ty would make a wonderful nurse. we went out for dinner then back to the hotel to see in the new year.
They shut the bar at 11.30, we could not believe it, so we took our drinks to reception to see in the new year. ty and i had difficulty staying awake but am glad we did. the male staff all ran around the grounds in their underpants and christmassy hats around midnight. thought our boys might have joined them, but we all behaved. it was good company new years night and with all the painkillers and alcohol i slept very well...

Dec 29th

went to sunshine but had to turn back as the queues were so long and the girls molly and laura had to be back at the hotel for 3pm to catch their bus home. david drove us to the fairmont in banff so that we could toboggen instead of skiing. we all got out of davids car and hired toboggens while david went back to get keely and anita. we had a fantastic time and we all loved toboggsning. the kids were really funny and quite brave too at times and i suppose jim was also brave careening down the slope. we had fun in the sun and snow, we put toe warmers in tys boots but evenurally all got a bit cold so went to take toboggens back and bumped into david and anita and keely who had missed out on all the fun.
We then all went to breakfast together (david was an angel ferrying us all in shifts) we waited for over an hour for our food but it was great when we got it.... we then said our goodbyes to ania keeley molly and laura who were going home.

jim robin and i went to the cinema in banff to watchchristmas stories which was really funny. robin had his hand over my mouth. must have been laughing too loud....it was really funny though i could not help it. then we caught bus to rocky mountain and had a drink in ty and davids room on the way home to ours.....

Dec 27th
Robin started ski lessons at lake louise and really enjoyed. did loads of jumps and black runs.

Dec 28th
Robin had lessons so i had a lesson too.

dec 18th
sang picked us up and we all went to the bus station to find out about busses and trains to vancouver and onwards. we then went to the science museum to educate robin, but we all had great fun as it is a very hands on place. jim is made up because on one of the experiments he beat me and robin but i do not think the machine was working properly (otherwise he would not have beat us, he would have lost!!!)

we went up the calgary tower in the afternoon, has fantastic views but should have gone up a bit earlier as the visibility had deterioted during the afternoon. we then went with sang to see madagascar 2 at the cinema. it was really nice of sang to drive us about for the day, it was such a good day. we ate at tony romas which is the same chain as in california...

Dec 19th
up early, did washing andemailing. Woke Jim who phoned david. Then Sang took us to chinatown for dimsum which was lovely though we were not sure about the chicken feet.. afterwards we went to the museum of calgary and were quite impressed by their war history. for me the letters written home by soldiers in ww1 and 2 were really interesting. it was very sad that some of them never came home but it was lovely to hear how the ones that did come home spent the rest of their lives.
the rock/crystal collection was awesome and the native indian exhibition good but they had filled one room with the marilyn munroe collection and i personally thought 'what a load of rubbish'. should have used that room for something else. went out in the evening with sang again, great company good food, we rolled home stuffed and content.

Dec 20th

Went to the greyhound bus station, bought tickets to banff and queued up. sang had collected us from our hotel and stayed with us until bus came. unfortunately when the bus did come, late we were taken out of the queue (we had been near the front) and told to wait. Then the bus went without us. we were all quite upset but we got our money back and sang drove us to banfff, checked us into our hotel and then took us to the supermarket so wecould fill our fridge then dropped us back at our hotel. sang was fantastic he has given us such a good time in his city and nothing has been too much trouble.
Our hotel is luxury. robin has his own room and we have a kitchen. was in swimming with robin when jim got a text to say the weddding party had landed so we got dressed and went to wait in lobby. It was lovely to see everyone after soo long. Sooooooo exciting. Had bit of a drink in *peppers* while they ordered food. great to chat in english and have englidh dpokrn all around . did not realise had missed english so much. feel really relaxed. so good to see them all.

Dec 21st
Noisy breakfast, absoutely great, everyone talking laughing and catching up, then off to the ski hire shop!!!!! Did 1/2 days skiing at sunshine, lovely to be on slopes again but very very cold. Hot tub great in the evening!!!

Dec 22nd
full day on slopes, so good to be with everyone again.

Dec 23rd
breakfast buffet with everyone, then into car to lake louise, checked into fairmont and dressed for wedding. ty and david looked stunning and the venue and views out of the picture windows were unbelievabely fantastic. everything went brilliantly and then they were husband and wife. they were both so happy and it was lovely to share that happiness with them. dinner was great sand then the announcement that they are expecting, it was so lovely and everyone is so happy for them, it was very emotional. they are going to be three, one small but very very happy family.
A wedding and a baby, how great does it get,how great life is.
we all enjoyed the enterainment, the band was good and trevor brilliant!!!! we danced and sang and talked and had a great time until late when i had to put robin to sleep but jim stayed till the end and had a fantastiv time.
really brilliant day

24th dec
up late as everyone was a bit hung over...had breakfast with yvonne and family then vacated rooms and gathered in lobby. santa came by the treee and gave presents to the kids and they also had carollers which was lovely. then we went back to banff and toboggening, fun with ellie and lou. Ate at yvonnes met up with others in ty and davids room. had lovelyh evening and to bed early so santa could visit.

Dec 25th
++Went skiing at sunshine. its getting warmer and skiing was great and its nice seeing everyone in between the skiing. I feel homesick and tearful as i am missing the girls soooo much. Also felt a bit bad cause i had told robin that we would be getting a computer for xmas, a family gift that was being delivered. i should have bought one in calgary but didnot know it was not arriving till i got to banff. robin was great about it really fantastic and he loved his ds game and his books but i felt bad. what a good kid i have all he got from santa was one game two books and some pokeman cards and he was happy.
Had a lovely xmas dinner with everyone and had a bit too much to drink afterwards. It was great just chatting to david and chris and jim. missed everyone else, thought they would join us as they finished dinner but i think everyone was tired. robin played on his game and was really good. I walked robin home, just the two of us and he shed a tear, and i had a lovely cuddle. \he is such a good boy we are so lucky to have such a great kid.

Dec 26th
Had to say goodbuy to Yvonne, trevor, louise and ellie today. Will miss them loads. \its a bit of shame for us they had to go early. it would have beenlovely to have had the new year with them too. went to norquey to ski but it was very busy and the skiing. wasnt very good and very very icy. we are all going to lake louise tomorrow, cannot wait. came back from norquay early and went in hot tub then just chilled and watched tv etc. lovely day

dec17th
asked at our hotel reception for directions to a mall so that we could buy some winter clothes. they gave us very funny looks but told us the mall was two blocks away but that dennys was only up the road. so off we set and arrived at denny before we got too cold. robin ordered 3 sides of bacon (12 rashers) cause he has missed having bacon soooo much and i am very please to say he ate them all as well as his toast and milk.

well there were no taxis so we put on what we had and sarted our walk. we were a bit cold but we had warmed up at dennys so we thought lets go for it. well we walked quite fast to keep warm but it started getting very cold very quickly. so i jogged with robin leaving jim behind. was quite worried about the cold then saw the shopping centre so robin and i ran, to keep warm and get there. we had forgotten the blocks are soooo big here. by the time robin and i got into the centers 1st shop safeways our fingers and faces were tingleing and it was quite painful as they atarted warming up.

While we waiting warming up we started to worry about jim and i was just going out to look for him when i saw him across the car park so i went back into the warm.

We went into that shopping centre about 9.30am and didnot come out again till about 3.30pm. never shopped so long, the boys were really fed up but it was mostly their shopping. robin looked really cute in his suit for the wedding. Caught up with our fried Sang (from tour) in the evening, apparently he phoned the hotel this morning to offer us a lift to the mall and the reception staff had told him the mad english had gone shopping......, Sang took us to a chinese restaurent the siver dragon, lovely food and great to see him again, good company.

Dec 18th

Dec 14th
spent day on beach because robin wants to bodyboard, was told by lifeguard to get out of the water and move down the beach as tides too dangerous where we were. Am very sad to be leaving rio tomorrow as it is such a lovely place. has everything except family.

Dec 15th
up early and packed our stuff into a cupboard at the hotel and then out for the day. it was raining so after internet cafe i went and got my nails feet and hair done. all done for about fifteen pounds and that included highlights, how far our money goes here, its great. robin went swimming in hotel pool and then we made our way to the airport for our long trek to canada. at the airport realised jim had left our only jacket in the internet cafe. well one between three in cold was not enough anyway. At the airport the man over the tannoy system was a male version of the marks and spencer voice (sexy food) and we had a very sexy voice calling out plane numbers and gates. he made us smile at every announcement.....


Dec 16th
arrived in canada about 6pm as we had quite a few delays. the american airports of atlanta and salt lake city have no decent shopping. just loads of food places. robin managed to sleep on one of the planes but they were too crowded for me to sleep. the first plane was ok but crowded then we rushed through atlanta to connection onto next plane which had no films so very boring but it was snowing and we looked forward to the film on next plane.. 3rd plane was tiny,old and falling to pieces, when the wheels went up it sounded rusty and i did not think they would come down again.....but when they did go down again we felt the air rush in....glad we are safe...it was -27 on touchdown and we have no coats or hats or gloves,,indeed just summer clothes////

Some more photos from the Webbs tour. This time swimming with Dolphins at Sea World!!

Click on the link and look through the other albums too.

You are invited to view Paulina's photo album: SeaWorld, San Diego

SeaWorld, San Diego
Jan 5, 2009by Paulina
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