40 and travelling

Well I am most excited. Phil and I are planning our next big OS trip.

As most of you know, I turn the big 4 0 in October. I have been trying to come up with ideas for my party etc, but just couldn't settle on what I wanted. Soooo - I came up with what I have always loved more than anything, and that is to go to Europe once again. As my planning evolves, this is how it stands at the moment.

We will leave second half of September and return late October. Staring - 2 weeks in London - Phil will plan this trip. We will go to Manchester (the birthplace of his dad), and of course try to see Man United play a game. Then hopefully we will travel down to Lands End (I want a replica photo of the one Nanna and Poppa had all those years ago). Then we venture back to London and take the train to France and see Amiens and Normandy for some war history. Of course we can't be in France without seeing once again beautiful Paris. From Paris we tour all over Germany starting in Cologne, Berlin and down finally to see dads family in Otterberg. (I'm so excited!!!). We will then venture down to Vienna in Austria, down to Italy, Florence, Tuscany, Rome, Napoli (Pompei) I have always dreamed since I was child seeing Pompeii - it just fascinates me. Then back up the long leg of Italy to Rome and then maybe fly home, or go back to Frankfurt via Milan and Switzerland. Oh I forgot Venice - of course I will go to Venice.

We will also fly home via Hong Kong to see the Janine and Co for a day or two.

I have long service leave and have a whole 9 weeks up my sleeve if I need.

Happy birthday me!!!

Mumma is doing well with modern technology

Just had to let you know, i'm very proud of our mumma. She has done exceptionally well with her new ipod. I have only received 2 phone calls. In fact, I think she managed it better than I. She even has worked out podcasts and can now watch Maggie and Simon any time.

She has copied her entire collection of the Ring Circle Operas and is exceptionally impressed with the sound quality through her earphones.

Well done. She really is G8 @ 68 and she aint too bad for a single muva with 2 daaaaughters! Onya mum!

Audi 2 Diagnosis

We received diagnosis of Audi 2 - it's not all too bad..

Sensor for fuel = $400
Sensor for suspension = $390
Service = $495

We wanted to replace the front head light covers - now wait for it!!!! Audi said they would cost $5,300, but they would give me a discount and only charge $4,300. Gee thanks! Apparantly you can't just buy the plastic covers, you need to buy the full unit. Yeah right! We will see about that.

The following work I will take to normal mechanic as Audi charge like a wounded bull.

Rear brake pads and discs
2 new tyres.

Now that's that - considering the car only cost us $15K - the damage aint that bad.

Any more problems it will be goodbye Audi and hello trusty Holden!

Bloody European Cars Part II

The new Audi No.2 is in the shop just 2 weeks after purchasing. It has broken down now 4 times.

I had an appointment last Friday at St George Hospital and upon returning to the car, again it wouldn't start. Thank goodness I had Carolyn with me to keep me company and keep me laughing. A quick phone call to Audi assist, and our friendly mechanic arrived to get us moving again. It appears there is some problem with flooding and the accelerator getting stuck. Hopefully it won't be a big problem.

Happy Birthday Mumma

Happy Birthday to our mum. Her slogan for the year of 2008 is :

Still G8 @ 68!

Mum, Jim and I had a nice chilled out evening sitting by the fire eating Thai takeaway and mud cake for desert and a very very good bottle of red wine. We watched the final episode of Dr Martin followed by Jonny Depp in Don Juan.

I bought her an ipod to keep her up to date with technology. I've told her to phone Simon for technical support with i-tunes - I just don't think I will cope.

If you are wondering where Phil is, he is in Cairns having a boofhead boys weekend away. Why is there always disasters when the guys go away??? He was walking home to his room when a magpie swooped him and poked him in the eye. He has drops and hopefully this will be all he needs for it to heal. He will be off to the doctors tomorrow when he returns. I really do hope it will be alright so I then won't feel guilty for laughing when he told me.