Well we have done it!! We are now home after a long 42 hour trip via Sydney and LA. Fay and Rich were at the airport to meet us, and as we came through the door we ran to each other, huged and cried. Never again will I leave my family for 4 months. (I will just have to take them with me next time!)
We kept it a surprise for jack and Amber. When they walked in after school thier faces were a picture. And of course we see such big changes, they have both grown and JAack voice has broken so we have come back to a MAN!!! Where has the time gone!!!!
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read my blog. It felt like you were all on this trip with us.
For people who are inspired, go for it ! But be warned, it is hard work!!! We have had our ups and downs. We have laughed and cried and we have also been amazed. It's a big world out there just waiting to be seen, and we have loved the small part that we have visited.
Thank you all again.

Views thermals and a visit to Hobbiton was the order of today. The views of lake Taupo with the sun high in the sky was gloriouse. The thermals were a gamble, but worth the detour to see them. And Hobbiton was cute cute cute. All the little houses and the gardens. The little mill and the pub! The only thing missing was Frodo and Bilbo! Still the new movie will be out in December, can't wait. So yes today has been really good!

Well I will say it again, this country is fabulously amazing!!! We have now driven up the west coast and again we have not been disappointed. The west is known for its rugged coast line, which makes for som fantastic photos. The weather was windy and wet, but that did not stop me from taking photos. The dark sky's just mad it more dramatic. We stopped to view the famouse pancake rocks which "blew Bev away", not literally of course, but he was so surprised and delighted at the spectacular display, made even more fantastic by the weather.
As we continued to travel up to the ferry in Picton, the views were awesome againg, but this time the rain had stopped and the sus was shinning. This made the lakes brilliant blues and greens. I wanted to stop on every corner to take photos but as we had to be at the dock for 12, Bev firmly said no more stops!!! But the drive down into Picton was beautiful. The harbour in all it's glory with the colours and the boats!!! Just breathtaking.
Driving up the west coast of the north island became a little tedious when all we saw was farm land, then as we climed to cross the mountains, again!, we were treated to the delights of an alpin desert with snow capped mountains in the back ground. We drove for miles but not once did we take our eyes from the views. Just mind boggleing!!!
We only have four more days left in NZ. We are sad to be leaving what has got to be the best country yet. I just hope that the next four days will be just as memorable.

Found out that the route we took in the last blog is the highest pass in New Zealand. Also that this route should not be attempted with out the back up of snow chains!! Nobody told us!!!! At least knowing this, any future mountain will be a brezzzz!!!! Hopefully!!!!!

We are heading north now on the west coast. We set out from Te Anua at about 10am in proofing rain, which did not stop allllllll day. We headed for Queenstown which took a little over 2 hours.  Part of the road was along the huge lake that the town is built next to. The views as normal were fantastic.the town itself was vert commercial and geared mainly around skiing. We drove around had a look but didn't stop. We had thought to ride the cable car, but the wind was so strong that I didn't fancy it. So we headed out to Arrowtown which is old gold mining town, lovely, quaint and very interesting. Had a good mooch round, went to the museum and had a late lunch. We then set out for Wanaka which is where my biggest nightmare of the trip started!!! I thought the road to Milford sound was bad but OMG, my nerves were in tatters!!!! This was a snake pass to end all passes. If there is a barrier I don't mind,  if there are trees I don't mind, if it's not to big a drop of the side I dont mind! But this road has none of this. It was steep, hairpin bends, no barriers, shear drop out to open space, OMG it went up and up and up. My ears were popping! Poor Bev knew how nervouse I was and did his utmost to keep me calm and not to show how nervouse he was. I didn't dare look to my right, what I could see made me feel sick, I don't like heights at the best of times, but can cope when all the safty nets are in place! But this road!!!!! How they don't loose tourists over the side daily I don't know, and the thought of driving one of those high vans , makes my blood run cold!!! We climed and climed, and as we got to the top we turned the corner to find we had to still climb!!! One of the thoughts I had was, OMG I have to go down the other side!!! We started to hit snow, not much but enough to worry about the Ice on the road. When the chain laybys counted down to one, we new we were at the top!!!phew!!!! Well as you see we are still here so we made it safe and sound!!!!! And the road down was not bad. it was a gentle slop but still a snakey and very windy. I am sure when the maps say 30 km, that is how the crow flys. This road was far more than 30 km!!!!!! Bev said well done and "you can dine out on that one for years to come," to be honest I don't want to ever think about it ever again!!

This blog has been written so that all friends and family could keep up with what we were doing. Today one persons ears must have been burning all day. Every corner we turned, we both agreed that Dave would love this place! You have to make this trip Dave, and Marg of course. We have never seen such awesome mountains, not even in Norway. The height is staggering. Some mountains with snow, some without. Some with the evidence of avalanche damage, but every one amazing! We choose to take a bus tour, becouse of the distance, thank god we did, I would not have been happy driving this route!!
The pass across the mountains is only one road, bearly wide enough for two cars to pass. It is as if traffic goes into the mountain in the morning and out in the afternoon! And it had been closed for 4 days after an avalanche, so quite busy.
We climed up, went through a tunnel 75 meters long, going down hill in complete darkness! Coming out the other side I did not dare to look down. It was a snake pass to end all passes!! (Coming back the driver had his foot floored. I think he was keeping his fingers crossed that the bus would make it up!!! )
The trip on the boat through the Fijords was breath taking. My camera would not do justice to the views, even tho I tried!!!! Nothing like the postcard tho as the weather was overcast and the water a bit rough, not the millpond I expected! We saw seals on the rocks and just one penguin, one was enough for me to be thrilled!
And that was our day today, another in the long list of awesome days!!!,

Well this country really has lived up to its reputation, we have seen so much we have run out of adjectives and we are only half way into our trip round NZ.
Since the seals we have headed in land and up the snowy mountains I mentioned before.  We headed for a lake called Lake Tekapo. We had heard that is was worth the drive, and boy oh boy it was. As good as my photos have been, I'm not sure they will do this place justice, or even to the surrounding area. At one stage we could turn 360deg, in the middle of full mountain ranges with snow caped tops. How could I ever capture that! We stood at the look out. and as I snapped away we were both in awe. I turned to Bev to ask what he thought, but he was so taken back, that he was having a few tears. He is so surprised that we have even got this far! 6months ago we hadn't even thought about doing half of what we have achieved! The view we were looking at could not be improved on. Mother nature has done her best. And even then as we moved on there were Still jaw dropping views. New Zealand has been great for Bev he is calm and coping so well with his medication. I have even had 3 nights unbroken sleep!!  

Well what an awesome day. We set out from Picton to Christchurch along the coast road. First we went down this long gorge, the road was fantastic but only wide enough for one up and one down!! As we hit the coast the colours of the sea changed from blues to greens and deeper blues. No real sand just black sand that was left over from a volcanic eruption 1000s of years ago. We continued down when suddenly on the right hand side a mountain covered in snow appeared! Wow was all we could say, and try to find a place to stop to take pictures! Blue seas on the left, white mountains on the right. Life can't get much better!! But it does!!!!
On this side of the coast there are brown seals, only in NZ. We searched for them as best we could with no luck, until we came across a layby that was quite busy! Not wanting to miss anything we pulled in. Looking across the rocks we spotted the seals and as we walked towards them, more and more appeared. They are the same colour as the rocks so really hard to spot. There were 100s, 1000s. They didn't seem a bit bothered that we were there, however we kept our distance. I took loads of photos and really didn't want to leave, but Bev said that there was a water fall across the road that must be good because that's where everyone was going. So we set out to see this water fall!! We walked about 10 minuets through forests, when we found it. It was small but beautiful! But the most amazing site was dozens of baby seals swimming, diving, playing in the pool beneath the waterfall. The babys were born Oct/Dec. This apparently is the same every year, but not something they promote so's not to scare them off. It was like one of those sites that you only see on the discovery channel, or with David Attenborough whispering his cometary!!! Really, truly amazing. How could the day get better, so we have parked up in a hotel for an early night. I can wait to see what tomorrow brings!!

I know the English love new Zealand lamb and today I could understand why, the fields are lush green and filled with Little lambs running around!! When I say filled, there are thousands!!!! One area we drove through called itself "Lambing County".
It has been an interesting drive! Up mountains,  down mountains. Through forests and across fields, Miles of nothing, no houses, no coffee shops,  nothing except sheep!! Petrol was a bit of a worry!!! But we made it to the south island. We thought the views on the north were fantastic but from what I can see we are in for a few shocks this side, real "lord of the rings" country. We have a plan, down the east side and up the west. We had some advice from a real south island chap who said do this but don't bother with that!! So we have taken his advice and planed it out, we only have the two weeks so don't want to miss a thing!!
I miss the wild animals! There are none!!!!! When man arrived there was only birds and bats. All animals are domestic and "imported"! Or seals and penguins. On our way in we saw dolphins but they are not on land!!! So seals and penguins hunting it is!

2am just got up for a call of nature and can't get back to sleep!!!
I feel as if I have been here for ever!!! You could be forgiven for thinking we were driving through English/Scottish countryside. Everyone has said that New Zealand was stunning, so does that mean Britian is also stunning? I have always thought so, and as much as we love to travel, you just can't beat being home!!
Much more relaxed driving a car as a-posed to the van, (which I always felt was top heavy !) the roads are goooooood, so Bev also more relaxed.
Auckland was a strange city. Didn't feel that it had a heart!if you know what I mean. It revolved around 2 long streets that were steep hills. No good for wheelchair users! There was old buildings doted between new, which I always like to see, but nothing of major interest. Maybe I didn't give it enough time to explore. The weather wasn't great and as I said steep hills, not much fun, but we are glad that we went.
Picked up the car and set out. Easy to leave the city, turn left, turn right and we were out!!!!! The weather was awfull, raining cats and dogs!! Had to stop a twice to adjust mirrors and heaters as couldn't get the right settings!! Any way driving through the countryside with hills and fields and cows and the occasional forest, was pleasant except the rain was blowing across in sheets!! just like home!!!
The changes of sceanary came when we hit small towns. Mostly bungled styles, mostly of white washed wood, quite pretty. The business and industrial areas are kept out of the town so sometimes it felt like America. A nice drive but they need more stopping bays to take pictures!!
Rotorua is a nice clean smart town. Loads of money here!! Beautiful old buildings are used for the museums etc, there is a Large lake which when we went to looked at it, it almost seemed tidal as the bad weather was coursing the water to lap over the paths. We will visit again tomorrow if the weather is better.
Having settled into our motel, we both jumped into our private hot tub to warm up! Big thing here, but a bit of a cheat. You would think that they are filled from the natural springs but they not, oh well
can't have it all!! There is also electric blankets on the beds which tell you how cold it can get, but its not as bad as we thought it would be, (yet!) if it wasnt for the rain, fleeses would do!!!
Not wanting to waist the afternoon we set out to find our way around, everything so close and the 
rain had stopped so we headed out to the geysers. the town is surrounded in trees and inbetween hot 
steam rises. It's quite erie. The town has been built to promote the geysers, hence there are restricted areas to see them and of course it's become very commercial !! All the photos taken to promote, of 
people walking on the rocks are obviously staged. It would be far to dangerouse to allow the public to wander! 
Our first sighting was as we turned a corner and the geyser they call "the prince of wells" was just 
going up. It took your breath away. And as we walked closer the steam became thicker. We were very thankful it had rained all day because it made them more active, also the mud pools were at their
 best, popping and bubbling away. (as much as I would like to get ride of a few wrinkles, there is no 
way you would get me to wallow in there!!)  I could have stayed for hours just watching. The whole 
area was covered in geysers, with a warm stream running through the middle, steam rising into the 
sky and the smell  strong but not overly strong. If we get the chance we will go back, but this is the 
"Thermal trail" so I am sure we will see a lot more!!!!

I spoke to soon!!! Bev was in a "frozen state" for most of the day, which makes life tough when traveling, however all over the world airports cater for wheelchair uses and we have had some wonderful helpers! Untill that is when we get to Sydney international airport!!!! Getting off the shuttle bus a nice chap helped push the bags through the terminal doors and pointed me in the direction of the "assisted"desk. Which is where the day went horribly wrong!! Some horrid woman told me that they don't have "wheel chair assistance to take us through to departures". Just leave him their and when you have booked in you can use one of our chairs! The queue was at least an hour long. I saw read. Told her that in all the country's we had been to this is the worse service! And a few other points as well!!! So I marched off to find some one that could help! First found a nice lady in a yellow jacket, (not really her colour!!) she got it with both barrels, but was very helpful and said she would help me find the right person to speak to! Found a nice chap who was calmness itself!! Pulled a face when I told him what the woman had said. He then said she will be spoken to later!!! He then helped me with Bev and the luggage, taking us to an empty desk and booked us in, he supplied us with an airport chair so that ours could be put in the hold. Then asked if I wanted help pushing Bev. I said no now that the luggage had gone we would be fine. And we were untill we got to Aukland! Where the staff helped us off the plane and into the awaiting wheelchair. We were then pushed to the top of the ramp and the abandoned!!!!! I had to cope with the hand luggage and Bev in the wheelchair while trying to get the suitcase of the conveyer belt, there were loads of staff around but know one came to help!! As we went through customs the guy asked if I wanted help, my answer was yes I would have liked that before I struggled through the airport alone, and stuggled with the bags and try to push trolley and wheel chair! my reward was being sent through an empty channel where they scanned every bag again, taking them off the trolly and loading them back on again!!! My next job is to write to the airport customer service and tell them how crap they are!!!!! Great welcome to New Zrealand!!!!!

We have had a good time in Australia but I,m not sure we would do the camper van again. We like space and comfort!!! The last week traveling back up the coast to Sydney was lovely. Found a fab site with kangaroos by the hundreds, even a white one, so I have now had my kangaroo fix and am happy. We also had possums of an evening, if it hadnt been so cold I would have sat outside with then for hours, they were so friendly! They liked popcorn!!! The last 3 days in Sydney were also great, I have decided I liks Sydney a lot. (still not enough to move there!!!) how better to end a holiday but buy having lunch one day on the Manley ferry leaving from the famouse harbour and the next day lunch on bondi beach, with all the surfers,  great!!! And now we are in the airport again waiting to take off of New Zealand, life can't get much better!!!!!

Seems ages since I last blogged. Aus kneeds to sort out thier wifi, we have had that several McDonald, just to use thier free wifi I am sick of thier coffee! Anyway now sat outside the reception on our new camp site because it the only place wifi is available. It's cold and wet so I won't be long!!!
So since leaving Brisbane we headed up to the blue mountains. We took a route recommended because it was a prettier one than we had planed to use. Yes it was better but in some places very scary! Very windy and very step. In my own car, now probs but in this old van wooooh !!!! Didn't feel happy at all. Anyway we are still here so we made it safe and sound!!! First the landscape was large and  brown and flat, so large that no shot I took could really do it justice. It's winter here so the trees were yellow, browns and gold, really beautiful. As we climed, the trees were bear but the bark a silvery grey. And then we get to the top of the blue mountains and the views were stunning. Green forests as far as the eye could see. Rocks that were red, and could hold thier own with the grand Canyons in america. Canyons as deep as the rocks, water falls from top to bottom. We just wish we could have done a bit more hiking, but unfortunately Bev was just not up to the hikes!!!  Stunning is all I could say!!
We are now in Cambra and the drive was just as hairy. The roads have all been very good, but first we climed again till your ears pop. That was fine, but there was a strong wind blowing and I felt I was fighting to keep the van from being blow over!!! Than god it was only a two hour drive!!
But as I said it is wet and cold, and We are just not cut out for this camping lark!! No way will you get us in a tent after this trip. The van is to small even for just two people, every night we have to shuffle around to get the bed made, then all night you are fighting to keep the sleeping bag and quilt on! Can't wait to go back into a hotel that is warm, with a nice bed and proper quits!!!!!
At the moment I am tring to keep Bev from doing himself a mischief! So far he has knocked the finger he broke befor we came, sliced a hole in his thumb while cutting bread, has a foot infection due to "living" in trainers for 3 months, that required a visit to a doctor, for cream and antibiotics. We then made a visit to the dentist, as you all know Bev loves his boiled sweets and has chomps his way cross Australia, not surprising he cracked a tooth and required root canal surgery!!! Then to top it all last night he slipped in the shower and hit his head on the door frame! He came back to the van and the first thing he said was "it looks worse than it is"!! I cleaned him up and stuck a plaster on it. Parkinson's is a piece of doodle after all this!!!!!

Poor Bev! He gets an idea in his head and just won't let go untill the bitter end.!!! We have headed back down south, via the Australian Zoo made famous by Steve Irvin, the crocodile hunter. Bev and I quite liked him. We use to watch him at the very start when he would be hunting snakes, always thought he was a bit o f  a nut case then!!! The zoo was just OK,  although they do an awful lot of Good work for endangered animals, and the hospital is very imprecise. Happily for me,   they had dozens of Koalas. As this is the only way I would get to see one up close, I was thankful for the work that is being done . They are the cutest little balls of fluff. When we first saw them, we could be forgiven for thinking they were just "stuffed" !!! They sleep for 22 hours a day so we were all excited when one woke, scratched and then went back to sleep!!! so cute! But the zoo is still a project in the making, and we couldn't help thinking that SI would not be very happy with the croc show that was put on! Or maybe they were just having a bad day. Anyway this was no' 1 of Bevs ideas that actually was successfull. No' 2 nearly came off! We got camped in the only campsite in Brisbane and sat with a cup of tea, got on the old ipad, to book tickets for tomorrow night for Cirque Du Soleil. We had a rough idea of how to get there, my worries, if you book and can't find the place or would we be to nackard to go!!!! Well the decion was made for us, the seats were $249.00 each, about £175.00!!!!!! No show is worth that surly!!! And bless him no' 3 was nearly as bad. It wasn't until we got here that Bev announced that there was a chance to see the All Blacks play Australia on Saturday, in Brisbane, and did I fancy it??? Normaly I'd say no, because most rugby in England is in the winter and usually to dame cold!! So no excuse as the weather here has improved, we are now averaging 26. Any way I gets on the old Internet to see if we could book tickets!! Only to find that we  ( or they) are in the wrong town!!! They are playing in Sydney!!!! As I said poor Bev!!!

So we have slowly moved up the coast. We have gone inland which is nice for a change of scene. The fields are like our autum, reds, golds and browns, but the trees remain green. Still no kangaroos skipping across the fields, which for me is a bit diss appointing, still I live in hope. we have given up the hope to reach the great barrier reef, we don't want to spend more than a few hours driving each day.
So we have arrived at Hervey Bay and we start heading South tomorrow. Today we went whale watching again, and I think this will be the last time. The reason being that the trip was so awesome that no future trip will match up to the sights that we witnessed today. It started with two whales just swimming, not taking any notice of us, in fact stayed away. There were a few other pods that circled our boat then they also swam away. There were 3 that kept swimming and diving under the boat, which was awesome to watch. At this stage we had the chioce of about 10 pods to go towards, but two young whale decided they wanted to see more off us. For  at least an hour they swam around us, coming so close you could almost touch them. One in peticular just rolled over and showed us his belly, then came up to look at us, wow just remembering sends chills down my back! To add the icing on the cake, a pod of dolphins joined us. They were playing with the whales, almost like kids playing follow my leader!! And just as we thought they were heading away, the dolphins brought them back to the boat to thrill us again and again. We didn't want to leave, but another boat joined us, and the whale went to look at them, so we slipped away. The great thing was that there was NOT hundreds of boats  surrounding the whales. Only one boat at a time. As we kept going into what was an endless sea of blue, more whales we're seen on the horizon . Then to our delight we watched 3 males chase a single female. They went around the boat at great spread chasing and diving. Showing who was the stronger male. Wow  not something we expected in the calm sea! As they continue the chase we headed back to harbour, all agreeing it was a great trip. Even the staff said it was an exceptional day. This day has made the whole trip worth while!!!!

Very quick update as we head for the Sunshine Coast, we have spotted kangaroos!!! In fact they were even in the park last night! We went for a walk in the woods next to our camp site and there they were, hundreds, just popping thier heads up high enough to look at us, as we were looking at them. Then they hopped away out of site. I am happy!!!! Good coffe at the golden arches again!!!

We are now in Queensland. In the hungry jacks (just like McDonalds!) with free wifi.  We are about 50miles south of  Brisbane. Looking for a camp site that we could stay a few days. We have driven through nature reserves and on highways, no kangaroos. We have driven along beach roads and housing estates, still no kangaroos! For those of you that have not been to Auss, we're you under the impression that they were over run with Roos? Like the rabbits on the side of our roads, I expected to see them everywhere! We have seen a few on a campsite and two on a golf course and that is it! And yet everywhere there is warnings, just in case one runs out in front of you, we wish!!!!
This country is beautiful, every corner we tur,n there is another fab site to photograph ! The wild birds are abundant , but no kangaroos! Some of the sites have been 5 star others really hick, but everyone really friendly and wanting to talk. They love the  "poms". All except one has first class facility's!!!
We went whale watching in South West Rocks,Only  saw one but it came really close to the boat, raised his tale and gave a karate chop, this apparently means stay away, but none of us wanted to leave, anyway he dived and we didn't see him again. Worth all the worry about the trip and the mad spins our skipper thought we would enjoy. (for those that don't know, I am scared of deep water!!!!).
The weather is not to hot but not cold, however it's all in the news that this is  the coldest winter on record!!! -2 /5 in Alice Springs, and snow in some area that haven't had snow for years!! Trust us to pick this year!!!! On our way back to Sydney we plan to go inland, there are only so many beach pictures one can take!!!!

Now we are sort of in the "outback" of Australia. So you must forgive the fact that 85% of the people don't actually know what wi if is. So to find a campsite that has it and it's free is a god send! McDonald's have been doing very well out of us as they are the only regular place that we have found where it's available 24 day free!!! However this site may let you have it free, but they cut you off every half an hour, so if you'v. Not saved what you have done! Tough, so the last blog was saved but now I can't get back into it to correct spelling etc and to just Finnish it off!!!
What I want to say was that at disgruntled as Bev was, it didn't last long, so I have sent him out to do the dishes!!!
For those of you that fancy the great out doors, taking to the open roads in the "van" then good luck. This is the last time for me, hotels in future. We are also rethinking the new Zealand stretch! Buy the way if anyone knows who designed the interiors of these vans, tell them from me they are crap!! Who leaves 6 inches to open a door or puts a sink next to the sliding door so that you can't get to the handle!! Please tell me it must have been a man, surely a woman would have more sence!!!!,

So today we are in sunny South West Rock. Not sure what to except or whats here as we drove straight to the camp site. Weather is warming up but it's been very frosty in this van!! When we arrived in Auss we were shocked at how cold it was!  Having left Asia with temp at 35-38 we arrived to just 10. In the hotel we had to ask for the air con to be changed over to the heating. Then when we set out on this trip we discovered no heating in the van!!! So we spent our days in Tracky bottoms and a fleece and socks. We then spent the nights in tracky bottoms , fleece , socks, gloves and our hoods up, inside a sleeping bag with a quilt over the top!! Didn't take a shower for four days as it was to cold to take my cloth off! We had gone from walking in the shade to stay out of the sun, to trying to walk in the sun to keep warm, that is of course when we could find it. Now I can hear you all saying "didn't she do her homework before leaving!!! The answer is yes I did. Bev wanted to pack jumpers, but I didnt want to carry them all over Asia so we agreed to buy when we got here. But is is still a bit of a shock to the old system, and also to let you know, all the locals are complaining as well, worst it's been in fourth years we are told!!!,so you can't plan for everything!!!, 
Still we have travelled further north so it is warmer, infant today I went out in 31/4 trousers and a vest, carrying the fleece with me, by this stage I have takhen at least 2 showers!
When I said it was frosty in the van, I ment between Bev and I. This was supposed to be a holiday, but honestly it's been hard work!! So we decided that we would just chill here, instead of rushing around to see famous land marks. I drive for a few hours each day to the next camp site or destination, it could be 60-70-80 Klm or it could be 150. We plan each morning where we would like to go and what we would like to see on the way, heading north of course. Bev find it frustrating that he can't drive, we couldn't cover him on the insurance, so he's our map reader. For those of you that knows Bev this should suit him as he has a fantastic sence of direction, EXCEPT in Auss, the maps here are pants! And we seem to get a bit lost everyday or we miss a turn or something!! This he find unexceptable and lost it today!!! Shouting at the top of his voice, so frost it's been untill he calmed down a bit after we had set up on the camp site. For those of you that fancy the "van"life, out on the open road etc etc etc, good luck. I wouldnt do it again! But we are committed now to the 30 days, but we are rethinking the new Zealand trip!!! We both like our beds to much!!!!

Bless him Bev will not stop for coffee unless it has wifi. Thinks if I don't get my fix I will be ratty! Who me noooooo!
Well we are well on the road to no-where. Just driving, following points of interest, which can get you into a bit of bother but hay who cares!!!
We have already got story's to tell. The first night a raccoon/possum wanted to visit, wasn't sure it was friendly so gently chased him away!!! In the morning wild turkeys and parakeets everywhere! 2nd night, hillbilly tailor park. (men with long beards and playing a banjo! ) joking but it was a bit hick, however the owner must be having the last laugh as the site was in the most fabulous location, on the side of a lake with boats, jettys and cockatoos everywhere. The sunset was to die for. 3rd night on a deserted beach, only half dozen campers. Last night had the best facility's so I could have a hot shower!! I won't continue to give you a night by night discription, but just trying to catch up!
One of our "off road" trips was sign posted to a place called Crowdy Bay, the roads to get there were similar to those of Kenya. Pot holes and mud tracks for miles and miles. When we arrived  there was hardly anyone on the beach!! The camp site was in the middle of the nature reserve, so we had our first sighting of kangaroos. It was a case of pay and park any where!! Would have loved to have stayed, but you know the Keefes, it wasn't in the plan to stay over, just to stop for lunch!!!
I think when we planed this road trip, there was a lot of wishful thinking, honestly the country is far to big to be rushing here there and everywhere, just to see a rock or a waterfall. So we have decided to take it easy and see what happens. What ever we do it will be new and exciting. The Aussie could do with lessons in map making as they are really out of scale!!! Don't know where we will end up tonight, but I am sure it will be close to the blue blue seas, and lots of friendly locals.

Sorry fans!!!!! Wrote a great update today, then this little "old"lady asked advice about here Internet, because she thought we were of the same age!!!!! By the time I got rid of her the blog had gone into space and I can't find it. Been sat in maccy dees for an hour now, so can't stay any longer to re do. Will try to catch up tomorrow. Love to everyone!!!!

Well we are here!!! Honestly, never thought we would make it, only dreamed we would. So different to what we have done over the last 2 months. Firstly we have spent our whole time walking in the shade because the sun has been to hot, 35-38c.. Now we spend our time looking for the sun to walk in because it's "bloody" cold, 10c. Had to go out and but long trousers and fleece tops. Now I can hear you all saying "didn't she do her home work?". Yes I did and yes we knew that's what we would have to buy warmer things. Bev wanted to pack some but I didn't want to carry them all over Asia first, (see did think about it!!!) however it has still come as a bit of a shock to the system!!!
We have had two full days here so far, walked miles, (so hope to have lost a few pounds!)  Darling harbour is "darling". Lots of expensive boats and restaurants!! But love it, has loads of open space for kids and all very clean. They love thier fountains here, one on every corner! (almost).
Today it was the opera house and the bridge. We had planed whale watching but due to rough seas it was canceled, even so there was still loads of idiots that we're walking over the top of the bridge!!! Can't fathom out if they have a death wish or plain stupid.
Both were beautiful, but honestly, the bridge is just a bridge, not a patch on London bridge.
We are finding everything very expensive. (be warned any one that plan a trip here, on par with London.) hope it will get better when we get out of town, else we will loose weight because we will be living on bread and water.
And so the next part of our journey will begin!!!
Ps another warning! Wifi is hard to find, or expensive to buy!!!!

These last few days have flown by. It always seems to take a few days to find your way around a place and then your off again. The hotel is ok but a bit out of town, we use taxis mostly and then we discovered the metro!!! Still the closest stop was a good 20 minuets walk and it's to hot to be going back and forth. I think that more signs and more street directions would help tourists get around. We found that some of the best sights are not advertised very much or hard to get to unless you take a tour. The first day we took the open top bus city tour. That helped to get your bearings a bit. Not having much time ment we had to prioritise the things we wanted to see. But then how do you know what to see if you don't know it's there!! I am confused!!! I wanted to see Raffles hotel and Bev the war museum!! (happy sole!). Again we only forum one map stating HOTEL, and only one stating MUSEUM. Raffles was lovely, I love old buildings with history, and this didnt disapoint. White wall, quiet gardens, pure class. But everyone and it's mother was there, so cueing for aftnoon tea was a no goer! The war museum on the other hand was sobering. It took an hour to get there, in the middle of nowhere next to the prison. We asked several people for directions, but very few new where it was, anyway we wouldn't let it beet us and when we did find it it was very interesting, but not really the type of place to visit unless you have some sort of connection to it!!!
Our high light was the Garden by the Bay. Went there on the off chance because on the bus tour we saw some big sculptures from a distance and thought it would be interesting! UNDERSTATMENT. Fantastic. Only opened last October but it was a wow wow wow, we walked around the green houses and the gardens. I have never been to the Eden project, but if this is anything to go by, we must go next year. However it will have to be good to beat this garden. Please google it as my description would not do it justice. All I can say is, you know how the americans love to be the best, well they would be hard pressed to better this!!!

Way hay I have found the paragraph break, much easier on the eyes!!!!

iPad keeps cutting out, anyone have any ideas why or how to fix it??
Well the last week has been a wirlpool! First the great surprise at 1.30 in the morning, when Fay and Luke walked into our room. We were then whisked off to Penange, on day one where we had a week of planed fun to get through. Day two the National Park! More of a jungle hike. We pushed our way through the jungle like natives, just glad we didn't know what could have been in the bushes!! We arrived at a beautiful deserted beach where we all stripped off to our underware and jumped in the sea!! We though this was our destination and was disappointed when we didn't see any monkeys! relieved when a "local"appeared and said "not monkey beach" that's why he looked at us strangly!! Or was it the underware!! To our horror we had only reached half way!!! Too far to turn back!!! Any way another 1-2 hours we arrived at monkey beach and yes called so because of the monkeys that live there!! (dint see that many!!) we could not have walked back so we jump on a boat to go back around the bay and home again!! The boat owners are on to a good thing, just sitting there waiting for stupid tourist to come through the jungle, knowing they would not make it back to the begining again on foot, so its a nice little earner!! We were gone at least 5 hours!!!!
Day three was the temple! "thought, if you'v seen one!!" But this one was pretty impressive and was huge! We wondered round for 2 hours. It is a shame tho as every open space they have filled with a "tat"shop! There is only so many gold Buda a person could buy!!!
Day four was a chill out day. Bev and Fay hung around the hotel, swimming, eating having a foot massage and then ended up in the Hard Rock Hotel next door for cocktails and beer. Why next door you ask? FREE wifi that's why!!! Luke and I took of to the butterfly farm, wonderful! Hundreds of flutterbys. Loved it. Butterflys have always fascinated me, they are so delicate, and colourful. Back to the hotel for afternoon tea.
Day five, a leisurely walk around the botanical gardens, very nice park with lots of different plants and monkeys!!! Saw a big green snake in a tree!! Afternoon tea again in a big hotel on the beach, where Bev had his first Guinness since we left home. Then back to the hotel to pack!
Next morning a good breakfast and a walk down to the beach before our pickup to the airport. The holiday nearly over, a few tears shed and the reality that we are on our own again set in. I am sure this good buy was harder, having experienced some tough traveling, and knowing we still have several months and coutrys ahead of us!!
Still here we are having said our goodbyes, we are in Singapore. We have booked into s "shabby sheik" boutique hotel. Very nice but we are on the front of a busy road with no glass in the windows, just shutters. We didn't get much sleep last night, so for the second time in two months we are going to ask for a change of room!!!!

We have been in Malaysia now for 3 days but it feels like forever!! The first shock came when Fay and Luke walked into our room at 1am the night we arrived! If any of you have seen the Vidio on FB you will know how shocked I was. Bev seemed to be quite calm but later he said how chuffed he was that they had traveled half way round the world to spend a week of our adventure with us. I was completely dumb struck, shocked whatever I felt, I know I must have been the happiest person on earth at that moment! So we took a back seat and have allowed them to organise us, as they seem to have it all planed out!!we traveled by plane to Penang, a town in north Malaysia where there used to be a heavy British military presence, Bev had wanted to see what it was all about, but to be quite honest there is nothing left to say "we were here". (I don't know if he's disappointed or not!) All the Keefe's love to "have a plan!!!!! So the plan for the first real day was the national park and monkey beach. We thought "little foot path, lots of big tropical leaves, and it didn't dissapoint! In fact it was more. The park although "looked after" was hard, like a real jungle!! We climed up and down, swung from ropes, over rocks, through muddy bogs, yes a real jungle. Half way round Bev froze! Which ment that we had to coax him to take every step. Luke was panicking, but bev did fine, then as the drus kicked in, he took off!!!!! Luke panicked even more! Our first evening we ate in a fish resurant "to die for", last night we ate in the local market, both meals were amazing both for quality and the price, two ends of the budget! Luke wasn't happy at the cost of the first, however he enjoyed it just the same! Today we went to visit the biggest working temple in Asia! (Bev and I are all templed out and could have easily have given it a miss, however Luke really wanted to go!!!) in actual fact it was really quit impressive! HUGE! Tomorrow it is a down day, I might take off to the butterfly garden!!

Today is our last day in Viet Nam. Two weeks has been enough, I think it's the holiday syndrome, you usually go home after two week. So for us it's time to move on!! (wounder how we will feel in Australia we plan to have a mounth there!!) We are having a quiet day, a quick trip to the post office first, which cost me another £39.00! However it was quite a treat, the building itself was worth the visit, beautiful, very colonial, high ceilings which keeps it cool, good job because there were no fans and no air con!! Here you don't pack a parcel and send it, no THEY have to pack it for you! It is good to watch a man who loves his job! 1st he selected the box, just long enough to fit the parasol in, he then gently packed the other items, having a good look as he went, asking "for your daughter, how old" he questioned, " why the teddys" when I told him how old Fay was!! Then he cut down the excess height with a very sharp knife and a skilled hand. He carefully folded each side down and stuck it with yellow tape. He then went round and round and up and down with wide white tape! Covering every inch of the box, nice and secure. When you think about this simple job, it gives life to so many people, the packer first, the box manufacture and the sticky tape maker, who going by the use in the post office, they have a job for life! And then the girl that takes the money and so on and so on, A pleasure to watch, good luck Luke when it arrives, you will kneed another sharp knife and lots of patients! Who would know that a simple visit to a post office would justify a half bage blog!!!! We headed out taking pictures as we left. We were planing on a visit to the war museum but Bev decided that it was to hot and to far to walk, so we headed back via the famous Ban Thanh Market. I parked Bev in a nice Hotel with a nice cold drink. (no telegraph tho') I went off for an hour to see what it was all about. You would have thought I had died and gone to heaven, wall to wall materials, clothes ,bags, shoes, but the thought of another trip to the post office reigned my spending in, I left half an hour later having only bought cottons and two new pairs of shorts!!! (I am so board with wearing the same clothes every day!!! But remember "no big size lady") some times too much puts you off!! When we got back to our hotel, Lele asked if we wanted to eat, just a snack we said!! Out came home cooked chicken curry with noodles, to die for, cooked in coconut milk with sweet potatoes, we both wished we could have done it justice but really it's to hot to eat at midday, especially as she also brought out spring rolls, "meat" on skewers, liptons tea (because she knows we like it) and followed up with sweet water melon. Wow all we want to do now is Sleep!!!

The Mekong Delta, what images does that name congur up for you? For me it says American movies, drugged up and mad service men. My favourite was The Deer Hunter. Dirty little bars in the harbors of Sigion, Russian roulette, willing to blow thier brains out for the next fix!!! Well the Mekong is huuuuuuuge so the only place I can imagine the troups wadding waist high in brown water, is through the coconut groves. As we went through on the little rowing boats, you are ALMOST waiting for Al Pachino or Jon Hurt to jump out at you, but that is the end of the similaritys. Really there is no evidence of any war in "recent" years, except every now and again an old face, way older than thier years, has a look of a hard life and you Think and wounder, what did they go through and WHY!!!! The Mekong is big, green and fertile. Everywhere you look there is crops growing or little industries thriving. The people are so friendly, waving as we go by and happy to show us how they make a living. The cynic in me says of course they do, they want you to buy, and yes we do, but not until they have worked for it, and I have knocked the price in half!! The sad thing is they openly beg, our boat "rower" asked for a tip as we were about to land, and yes we would have tipped if he hadn't asked, but it puts my hackles up so I firmly said NO and stuck to it. Tips are given as an acknowledgment of good work or service and not to be asked or begged for. But the Mekong for me was everything I expected. Ho Chi Minh is still being called Sigion by the locals, it's almost like they want every one to know that a name won't change the people that they are, mostly happy and mostly proud. It is only the few that hold thier hands out! The streets are busy and chaotic, colourful and load. It's the type of place that never sleeps. (and keeps us up all night) tomorrow we visit the tunnels, but I won't be crawling through any!!!!

I had a great day today. This morning I spent time booking a hotel in Ho chi Minh. Then leaving Bev in bed went for a wander. Not far just a few streets, but it was quiet and nice to have some me time! I had lunch with Bev then left him sat by the pool reading a book while I went for an afternoon at a craft workshop!!! I loved using my hand again for something other than face book!! Firstly I had an hours painting lesson with a famouse artist.( well they tell me he is, has 2 gallery's and building a third!!!) anyway with a small paint brush and charco paint he taught me how to paint grasses, a boat and a sunset, loved it loved loved it! My second class was making a lantern, the ones you see in the shops or hanging in trees all over Viet Nam! Well I covered it anyway. The bamboo frames came all ready assembled. We just cut squares of see through material and glued them on, most of the hard work would have been making the again I loved it. It was a charity workshop where the proceeds go to help disabled children from very poor homes. Well worth doing. If there was something at home the same I'd like to help!!! It was very inspiring. Anyway I came away feeling relaxed, and about £50 lighter!!!

Hoi An what a little gem. Why has the world not heard of this place !! We left Hanoi on the 7pm sleeper, well if you could call it that, no one really sleeps!! The trains are a moving health hazard, filllllllfeeeee dirrrrrtyyyyyy!!!!! I didn't take a wee from 6pm on the tuesday till 12 pm, lunch time on the Wednesday !!!! (thank god for a good bladder) We had to share a cabin with two strangers, lucky for us they were English, he comes from Burwell, loves Cambridge and has drunk in the Cock in Gamlingay. Small world. Anyway we turned the light off and settled down. Half way through the night Bev was russeling in the bag between us. I thought he was looking for food, as we had brought sandwiches from the hotel to have for dinner and breakfast, you don't dare eat the train food, else you would have to visit the loo a dozen times, and as I said I don't do Viet Nam train loos!!! In the morning he told me that he wasn't looking for food but the four legged furry thing that came to visit was!!!! So glad I slept through it but Bev didn't get a wink after that. Well the sun shone through the dirty windows, which making photos hard to take. The beach sceens that we awoke to were to die for! Stretches of clean white beaches and blue blue seas. (hay it was 6am and we were to far away to see any rubbish, but I assure you it was there!!!,)arriving at Da Nang was an experience. As we unloaded the wheel chair, the train that was no less than 6 inches (yes inches) away from us started to move. We all had to stand still untill it had moved out, then we stepped over the tracks to get to the platform!! Like stepping back to the 17/18 hundreds!!! We were picked up as prearranged and drove to Hoi An. What a gem. Clean streets, smooth roads, 75% less motorbikes, restaurants that really do tempt you to GO IN TO EAT! Clean table cloths, clean floors, etc etc. 2/3days are enough though, as the only thing here are Taylor's and gift shops, the beach is only 4klm for those that want it but we find it to hot. I think that has been the only drawback, we are finding it a struggle, 36/37c every day, makes you tired. The sweat runs off you, and you just can't drink enough cold water! We look to what we can do indoors or by air con cars, but most things here are reached by bike, and mostly the type you have to peddle. We think about it but not for long!!!! But truly a gem. In my opinion, give Hanio a short stay and move on to the countryside, The real Viet Nam.

Tam coc

We have just had an amazing day out!!! We booked a trip to a lesser Known tourist destination called Tam Coc. 3 hour drive west of Hanoi. They have nicknamed it Ha Long in land, and on a smaller scale they are not far off. We didn't mind the tourist so much on this trip mainly because the town has not been spoiled, stil quite basic and in my eyes quite run down,(but I think they like it that way or just don't know any better!) the boats we traveled in were all man powered, no engines at all. So, we had this lady rower who sat behind us and rowed with her feet!! Must be easier than with her arms! Bev kept calling her mama san, but when i looked at her she only loked about 20. We traveled slowly and peacefully though the lotus fields, bright pink flowers that at the moment are just in bud. Then between the paddy fields, lush and green and ready for harvest. Above us the rock formations was huge, also covered in lush vergitation. Slowly we rowed until we reached the cliff where the caves appeared and we traveled, almost laying on our backs under the rocks through the caves until there was "light at the end of the tunnel". It was quite spooky but the rower new exactly where she was going, and the water was only about 2-3 feet deep, nothing to worry about! When we got to the "end" we turned around and came back, the views look different from a different angle!! At the "turminal!" there were several ladies in thier boats selling stuff, trouble is they take it for granted that we will pay for the rowers food+drink as well! Then after I paid, the seller started asking for money for her, begging its called!! I had already had a run in at a pits stop when this woman wanted to keep my change!! I am afraid I wasn't having any of it and keeps on at her untill she gave me back what was rightfully mine, the money is not the issue, it's the fact that they see us at rich and don't like it!! It's the principle as well, a price was agread on and she wanted to break that agreement!!! It kind of leaves a nasty taste in your mouth. Makes you want to not buy any thing, this was just over a bottle of water!!! Any way it was such an amazing day that we would not let it spoil the day. It was so peaceful, so relaxing. More of those please.

Well today has been a bit of an odd day!! Started well, went out-came back!!! Had a sleep!!(was tired as didn't sleep ever so well on the boat). Went out again, walked to the lake to sit and have an ice cream and just chill. That was ok but the waitress had a face like a slapped ass! As we were sat in the garden, just chilling, something caught my eye, didn't take much notice but then a few minuets later, a dirty great big rat came back and shot down a hole about 4 feet away from us. We did not hang around for the second visit!! It was hot so we decided to give the cyclo a go. Some poor chap sat on a bicycle with us sat in the front buggy while he peddled like mad, through all the traffic to get us back to the hotel, I giggled all the way!! Face time at six with Fay and the family, left me amazed at how tall Jack has grown, he has now taken over Amber, he hated being shorter that her!!! Then we went out for dinner. First we visited about six ATMs before one of them would give us any money. Bev thought that he had take out about 5000000 about £150.00, when we sat down to dinned he checked and had only taken out 5000 about £15.00 but that was ok as 2 sweet and sour chickens, two rice a large beer and a sprit came to less than £8.00. However this was the funny way to end our day! We chose this restaurant that was only 2 doors up from the hotel. We had eaten our way through most of the hotel menu!!! Anyway it looked quite modern so we figured the kitchens should be ok and also it was a sports bar with sky tv, no customers but Wimbledon showing. So we ordered and sat. The dinner took ages but the tennis was good so we didn't mind the wait. The chief turned up then left again. 20 minuets later we saw him trotting up the road with a tray of cooked food, we could not believe our eyes. He had gone to another restaurant and ordered it from there. If you could see some of these street kitchens you would understand our reasons for not eating out very much. Anyway we ate it and it was actually quite good, just hope we don't need the Imodium tomorrow!! So now sat in bed hoping to enjoy the tennis to have it rained off! Why dont they keep the roof on, the amount off rain you'v had this year, it would make sence!, If it makes anyone feel better, we have had rain every day we have been here!! Even thunder and lightening. As I said funny day all in all!,

Ha long

We have just got back from HaLong Bay. It's the place they photograph for all the travel brouchures, but it makes you appreciate the types of cameras the pros use and of course their experties and patience to get that correct shot, (also a bit of set management and I expect a great amount of air brushing!!!). The place was fantastic, there has a been a few places where Bev and I have sat back and thought, yes this is what it's all about, and Ha Long was one of them, awsome!!! I wanted to take so many photos, but I just couldn't do it justice. The place must be on par with the Grand Cannion in size. I am just unsure about the amount of site seeing boats, I know we were one of them, but they are in grave danger of spoilling such a natural beautie. For instance part of the sell is anchoring overnight in a secluded lagoon and watch the sun go down before dinner, yes nearly right, along with 13 other boats anchored overnight!!!! But the setting sun was amazing and dinner was delicious. 2 out of 3 not bad. Midnight came with thunder and lightening, and it rained non stop all the way back to our lovely hotel in Hanio. It was almost like coming home, the staf greeted us as long lost family with cold drinks and our bags,(left in the store room overnight) had already been taken to the same room we had before. Service with a smile!!!! We as a country could certainly learn from it. On the boat were several europeans back packing through Vietnam, very nice people and we exchanged stories and plans. I must say tho they make it sound hard work, carrying those huge rucksacks and sleeping in hostels and eating on the streets,!! Not for me I am afraid!we are both pleased that we have now started to see the real Vietnam and not just the hassle and bustle of Hanio.

HELLO VIETNAM! Or at least from Vietnam. We arrived Sunday, but it feels like we have been here forever. The first night was late so just ate in our room which had been pre-booked. Not a cheap hotel, so we were both thrilled with how comfortable the bed was. In China and hong Kong every night felt like we were sleeping on the floor. I didn't mind and actually slept quit well. But bev didn't have a full nights sleep until we got here, we just sunk into it, and the pillows, all feathers!! The first day in daylight we venchered out to the streets. We were only booked in the hotel for 2 nights so first job of the day was to find hotel no' 2. We almost considered staying put but at £83.00 a night, 2 was enough. We used Tripadviser which has been great, loads of reviews. So short listed 6 to visit. (after Sri Lanka we have learnt not to book without seeing the room first!!) so off we set, 2nd job of the day, new bags. The green one was far to heavy and had started to give up. (coarse that could be something to do with the amount we were lugging around with us, so we have dumped quite a bit and sent home a huge parcel!!) we took a good street map from reception and set ou. We found the one road that seems to Be the road that leads to all roads! But if you stray off you end up in a labyrinth of little roads not even on the map, ( great fun ), wall to wall street shops all selling more or less the same, but know one in a hurry to actually sell you anything! In some shops the owners were asleep in the chair or on the floor, very trusting, but then with so much stock held, would they even know if anything had been knocked!!! Anyway we visited a few hotels on the list and also a few that we're not. We ended up in the Angel Palace Hotel. Anyone planing a visit to Vietnam aim for the Angel!! It is a palace. (photos on FB) once moved in we don't want to leave. Popped our heads out for a few hours in the morning to visit the museums and will wander the streets when it gets cooler later in the afternoon. We ARE the only ones in the hotel!!! They have only been open two months and I don't think anyone has used our room!! We have a terrace balcony that looks out over the city, queen size bed and a jacoozy in the bathroom. All for £41.00 a night. We have booked for two nights but will probably stay for 4 as we need the time to sort out our trip to Hanlong bay and south, and to rest. Buy the way found an amazing market where we got two good bags. I bargained hard and got both for less than she was asking for one!!! (Still have the touch!!) now need to loose Bev for an hour to go back. Trouble is we neither of us feel we want to go out alone yet, it would be so easy to get lost, maybe tomorrow. The streets are as I expected, in need of a lot of repair, so trying not to use the wheel chair. What we weren't expecting was the number of small moter bikes. They out number the cars 10 to 1 at least, of course you have to have a death wish to ride one, as they have no rules at all. They even ride them on the foot path! The shops on the main road all look pretty glam, and at first I didn't go in because I am not into buying designer stuff. However saw a handbag that I liked so just went in to see how much, listen there is no way a real Burburry bag only cost £12.00!!!! I might treat myself after all, I can feel another parcel coming home. If I keep them small I could send them airmail, as the one sent yesterday will go sea mail and will take 2-3 months even then it cost me £26.00. Hanoi is really about shopping I feel, we need to get out of the town to see the real Vietnam. Will keep you updated!

Back again!! Well the surprise we woke up to was where we had docked over night!! It was still raining hard and there was a fog as thick as pea soup, as they say. Mind you that could be pollution , as China is well known for it. They are trying tho and have introduced an electric moped, which every one runs an extension cable from the house to the bike out side, IN ALL WEATHERS!!!!. Anyway back to the "great landing". We were a few 100 mt away from the bank, so we walked, with our luggage across at least 4 floating "bridge" things, with no sides to stop us falling in the Yangtze, they were metal wet and very slippery. ( ever seen its a knock out !!!) once over the landing bridges we preceded to climb up the wet muddy banks, where some kind sole had thought that pieces of plywood would help, whereas they just became soggy, wet and just as slippery! when we made it to the top of the bank,we then had a climb of at least 75 steps. I don't do steps very well at the best of times, and by the time I got to the top, there was only one family behind, they had a small baby and two oldie who were in their 70s, they struggled!!!! ( when they got on the bus the mum fed the baby solidly for two hours, which brought on projectal vomiting, mum who was still not happy about the muddy climb, took the worst,and world war 3 broke out with the husband, as he was sat in the front, 3 rows down, and she was covered in sick, we laughed) any way we all made it to the bus without taking a dip!! We then had a two hour drive to meet up at our original destination and the new driver to take us to the hotel. The next day was the Pandas. This was nothing like a zoo, thank goodness. It was a breeding centre famouse for trying to stop the pandas from disappearing. It was a lovely place, they had loads of room to wander, to climb or just to lay about, which is what they do best to conserve energy, (don't know what they are conserving it for, it's not like they make use of it!!!) they were so cuteeee I fell in love with each one, my camera was steaming at the number of photos I took. I could have stayed for hours just watching them eat and sleep, sleep and eat. The rest of they day was free so we made the most of it and sleeped ourselves. The next day we flew to Hangzuo to see the famouse west lake. We tried to cycle around but Bev was too unsteady and a large part was on the road with cars etc, so we told the others to go on and we just poodles around one end of the lake, watching the world go buy, eating ice cream and drinking cold coke. We loved it. Our final journey was again by train to shanghai arriving early pm where we just wandered and took in the sights. Shanghai is a very modern city, with lots of very impressive buildings. Of course there is also the famouse Peace Hotel where it is said that Charlie Chaplin visited with several different mistresses, all at different times of course. And that was the end of China. The next day we flew back to Hong Kong for our connection to Vietnam. China was definatly a different country and so huge!! I have many lasting memories. Good ones like the villages, the lovely people,, who often came to my rescue with Bev, the gorges, the Pandas and the vastness of the country. A country full of contradictions. I will also take the bad memories, the noise, the smell, the spitting and the toilets, as Luke said you have to take the rough with the smooth. But my final memory will be as I looked back at that dirty rushing river, and thought I must have a screw loose to be doing this at my age. So would I do it again, yes but I would have to be at least 30 years younger.

Having got over our train journey, the village we stayed at was amazing, this country is definatly one of contrasts. The people seem to live poorly, all in one room at the back of the shop. However they all have mobiles,tv, fridges, freezers, and yet each morning the women go down to the river to do the back breaking job of washing the clothes. Thats why all the towels are grey!!!!The houses are of the old style, on stilts. The whole place comes alive at night, but we were the only Europeans there. (All week it was the same until we got to Chengdu and then even we were surprised to see other "white" people.) While staying here we visited a mountain village which was amazing,we walked through to the fields behind and after a tough walk we came across a wonderful waterfall and small lake. While we were on one of our days out we stoped for petrol in a brand new station. They were just opening the shop, they had two photographers hungry to take pictures but had noone to open the store!! So they asked us if we would mind posing for the camera, well being an avide shopper how could we say no, bev said i was a natural!!!! They wanted to give us loads of goods to take away, but knowing we would have to carry it we said no, but we still came away with a few things each, i had a jar of manderins of all things and an iced coffe. I am adding to the cv "avaliable for supermarket openings as seen on chinesse bill boards!" the next day We boarded another train to get to the Yangtze river for our boat cruise, again we were the only Europeans. The Chinese were surprised that we ate every thing the same as them and did all the same trips, they were very friendly, to start just nodding, then asking questions. They loved it when we learned how to play marjone, and stood behind us itching to help, so to keep them happy we asked for help now and again. I loved the game, we only learnt the basics but it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, before we knew it we had been playing for 5 hours!! It was dark out side so we weren't missing anything!!!. This river trip was awesome, every corner was a new view. We took trips out twice, once to see an amazing dam and locks that we actually went through that night, Bev loved it. We also took about trip through a smaller gorge that ended with a walk. This was fantastic, I loved the size of it, and it was just what I expected from the trip. We were sorry to be finishing the trip but as the weather turned nasty and wet the views became hazy. We docked early, not where we should have been, which moment the next morning a big surprise was waiting for us!!!! See you tomorrow.

Hello again. Now left China so able to access blog and face book. I missed not keeping a record on line so wrote a diary every day, something I have never done before. I am finding that as the weeks go by country's blend into one, days are lost in travel. All ready the first week in China is fading and I need my diary and photos to remember. ( or is that the old cronie in me!!) well I will keep china brief, but will start with the first day as that was horrendous, how we didn't pack up and go home I don't know!! When we set out on this trip, we packed light, 1 medium suite case, a small holdal and hand luggage, mainly for Bevs pills, and the travel wheel chair. (thank god we did, as that became our luggage trolly!!!) We had already sent home several things that we hadn't worn in the first few weeks so thought we were doing good! The day our tour in china started we were told that we kneaded to take the subway to catch the bullet train. No taxi I asked, to far she replayed! So we walked dragging our own bags down the street, down stairs to the subway,( very few lifts in these places!) then we changed to train. No'2, then we had to walk through customs into China to board the bullet train. Great I thought if the rest of the train journey is as good as the bullet, we would cope! We were lead into a false sence of security! After going in and out of afew different stations, up and down several more stairs, pushing and shoving, hot and bothered we fought to get onto the sleeper. Our bunk was booked, but we're told that the food was not to good on board so to bring our own, (another thing to carry! Well for those of you that know me, I was not best impressed! There were no "cabins" just open corridors, six to a compartment, as the oldest we were given the bottom bunks, Bev would never have got up and down in the night for the loo! As it happened he didn't go many times and I only went once in 16 hours. I was to afraid of fainting with the smell. They were appalling, and that is an understatement. No air con, just open windows in 33-35c. It was a living hell. People coming and going all night, and they don't talk they shout to each other from the other end of the carriage!! We had bought Chinese "pop noodles" which everyone seems to eat, so we didn't go hungry, thank god as the "chief" went up and down with a dirty old cart serving food, open to every cough and sneeze going. At 4 in the morning, very British we had cerial and a very British cup of tea, also having carried it in our luggage. I couldn't wait to get off, and was very worried that the whole trip was going to be this bad, fortunately it got better as the days went by. But the Chinese are NEVER on time for any thing so off course we were two hours later than expected, all I wanted to do is shower and change out of the clothe we had slept in. before we could we had an hour and 45 minuets drive to the hotel. The driver was a mad man and my placid, calm Bev had just about had enough, and shouted at him to slow down and drive better, we both wanted to arrive in one piece! We had a few minor hick ups after this day, but mostly it did get better and I am so glad I visited this huge huge country. You have to take the rough with the smooth!!!

For those that may not know, WE ATE OFF TO CHINA TODAY YA!!!!!!! There is no googl and no FB so if I don't up date the blog in the next two weeks you will know why. I will catch up as soon as I can, until then my excitement is seeing such a different way of life, the culture, the food, the people!! My concerns are, getting from A to B as always but mainly the toilets!! I believe they are the ones with the two foot prints!! So need to get practising!!! Will talk again ASAP. Cheers!!!

We love Hong Kong. Tommorow we set off for China. I am really looking forward to this leg of our trip because every thing has be booked and organised for us, something that we are use too, and will give me 2 weeks off from planning and researching. For those that have never been to HK but planing too, 5-6 days are enough. Although we love it, each road is now blending into one, and when you can walk from one end of Nathan Road the the other, you know you'v covered just about most of what there is to see. As I said we have loved it here. The food is multi cultal from Chinese to Australian. From Turkish to KFC and I think we tried them all!! Last night, across the road from the hotel was our choice of resturant to eat in, a large family run place where it was so busy they drafted in the nans and grandads to help out, reminds me of valentine day in my flower shop!! It was fathers day so every table was packed with family's. All talking as they do fast and furiouse! The menu was in Chinese so we sat and watched what everyone else had, stemmed fish was the order of the day. We have got use to the fact that no meal comes complete with every dish at the same time, so the fish arrived on a large platter all hot and steaming with spring onions and lemon grass sprinkled on the top, umm it was lovely, once we started the rice arrived. If any one wants to know how to pick up rice with chopsticks, it's because the rice here is stickier than we eat at home.(we are so intent on rinseing out the starch, so that the rice is loose. After this week I realise that our rice is very bland and I think this is why!!) we striped the fish down to the bone, not speaking much, just enjoying the white flesh as we pull it away from its frame. When we had finished the steamed veg arrived! I craved for good old steamed greens, and what I think was "pac Chou" didn't disappoint, soft and crunchy at the same time, what a feast! Happy fathers day!!! Also today having left Bev in the hotel I took myself off to the Jade market, just down the end of our road. Wow the colours, the variety! I bet that most of you thought jade was just green, weeeeeell it is, but this market was an array of colours from the other semi precious stones also on sale, pink, gold, blue, white, red and it goes on. I don't suppose this market is of the top quality "jade" but definatly more expensive than the local markets. I had a field day. I ran my hand through the hundreds of strands of beads, all cold and shinny to touch. I picked up statues that were so heavy I couldnt even think of buying to post home. I tried on bracelet and necklaces, I was in my 7th heaven! Unfortunately for Bev I love to barter, so sometimes when I start, I get myself in a corner, and i have to buy, (fay would say that my house is full of tat that i have bought this way, but to me they are good memories) I have haggled so hard that I don't have the heart to say I don't really want it. So when they start of at 6-700hkd and they agree to sell it to me for 200hkd, I think I've got a deal! (just keeping in practice for when I get back to work, David would be proud of me!!!) I think it's one of the "qualities" that Bev likes in me, he trys bless him!! On my way back to the hotel I stopped to look in the Jade shops, not the shinny, don't touch shops, but the ones more like work shops. Huge chunks of Jade piled in the corner with counters full of pieces being strung together. In the corner of most, was a little old cutting machine where they produce thier magic, being Sunday and fathers day the machines were resting for the day, hopefully today I will wounder in to see a fellow craftsman at work. Today will be photo day.

I thought that I would not have much to say since the last blog, because everything seemed to be going so well. However according to Bev, if HE had planned the whole trip nothing would go wrong!!! He forgets that I ran everything by him first, before we booked. (he is still breathing -- just!!!!) I don't want to have a moan but really that's how I feel! My day started ok. I found a hair dressers that could cut my hair and someone to do my nails! (the nails are ok but never as good as Jeanetts!) it was pissing down with rain when I got out, so much for the hairdo!! Went to pick up the dress I had made, no time to try it on as we had to check out by 12, got back to the hotel and then tried it on!!!! Disaster, I hate it not one part fitted correct, in fact the only good thing is they never trimmed the seams so I should be able to take it apart and start again!! Guess I will have to find something else for the Christmas do!!!! Bev was quite agitated when I got back (haveing an moment!!) he had got a print out of the hotel bill to make sure we had enough cash as at this stage we only had 2 days left and we didn't want to get left with to many HKD. Out of the mini bar we had 1 beer and 2 bottles of water. NOW to buy a bottle of water in the shop cost 8HKD, about 65p, we drank gallons of the stuff!! The hotel charged us 38hkd per bottle, about £3.50 each!!!. Of course he sent me down to argue the case as we had bought water to replace what was in the fridge!! They were taking the piss just like the weather. Well couldn't be bothered to argued, paid the bill and never left a tip!! Jumped in a cab to take up to the next hotel where we start the china trip on Monnnnnn- Tuesday!! There is now a tunnel linking the 2 islands together, which cost $20 toll. The taxi asked for $40 to pay for the return trip, he didn't get a tip either. Now we are here and yes they are expecting us, for 3 nights not 2!! It seems that the china trip starts on Tuesday. Oh well Bev will have to put up with one more day surrounded by shops an the Jade market at the end of the road, muuum might do some Christmas shopping!!!!

All services back to normal!! Today we took a day trip out on the local bus, to see the other side of the main island. What a difference! Very pretty and very green. As we climed one side and left the city, the view over hong kong was awesome, but nothing to compleat with the decent. Blue seas and a long clear beach, (however don't get too carried away because a few 100 yards out from the beach, in the water was a long row of yellow boys bobbing away, holding the SHARK NET in place!! No I didn't go swimming!)we continued down into the village which is famouse for its market. It is a very western place, spotless and plenty of public spaces and loos. We sat for coffee and croissants before attempting the market, in fact it wasn't busy at all, the rain had kept most away. We wandered, for a few hours then sat and had lunch, very civilised. We then went home, where for me it all went wrong!!! Bev went back to the hotel so that I could continue to browse the market and shops on our street. Picture the Scene, a self confessed shop aholic, alone at the shops, with money to spend!! I browsed, lifting this lifting that, wondering in and out of the shops, not in a rush to buy but willing if I saw something that I really want. AND THEN IT HAPPENED!!!! I went into a shop with lots of colour.I started moving things on the rail, browsing peacefully, when a dragon woman came from behind the counter and said in broken English "nothing in big size, nothing fit" and rudely pionted at my boobs!!! I kept my dignitie, said thank you and left the shop. Devastated, not because she was right, but because she ruined my browsing. If i had bought nothing, it wouldnt have mattered, i was enjoying my "space" after spending every hour with Bev for the last 3 weeks, it was my breathing space!! I went back to the hotel and Bev couldn't believe that I hadn't spent a penny! I will save my money for else where!! Mostly we have found the local people very polit and always wanting to help when they see us looking at the map, or when Bev is having an "episode" they take him by the arm and help throught a door, (which can be a pain) or off the bus, or just standing back an letting us get on with it! They really are lovely people.

Trying so hard to sort out the problems with the blog on the iPad. I visited the apple shop in the city, oh my god! Must have been over a 100young "genius" as they call them, all sat at their stations waiting to solve every problem, guess what this is one that they couldn't solve. She kept trying to reset everything but the system would not except my pass word. It may be that I might have to open blog two, will let you know. Cheers

Way hay we are back on line!!! You would have thought with a place like Hong Kong we would have no problems with wifi at all oh well we are back!! I love Hong Kong. It is so diverse. The hotel we are in is good with a lot more room so don't mind spending time in it. The street we are on is "interesting". If you go out the door and turn right the street becomes quite formal with offices and restaurants, if you turn left its "local" restaurants, bars with british football louts singing till the early morning after the football and clubs where ladies of the night sell their wares. I prefer them to the footy crowd!! Most of the streets are spotless which surprise us as there are not many bins around. The buildings are awesome. You can walk for mile through centres leading from one to another, Hugh marble halls and walk ways. Out side you walk looking up all the time, at Hugh buildings of coloured glass. Money is every where, Harvy nicks, Prada, Gucci,again large marble shops with more staff than customers, also not just one shop but one in every mall! These malls are so large, with so many floors that you could get lost for DAYS! We don't go into these shops, if we did I would spend a small fortune and when Bev is in a state of involuntary movements he would knock down stands and displays, I would have to work for the rest of my life to pay for repairs!!! LOL!!! We traveled up the walking stairs to the top of the Island yesterday. We lost count of how many escalator we went on. It was interesting because it went between th blocks of flats, if they didn't keep the curtains closed we could see what they have for dinner, it was that close! I am not sure if we were suffering from "altitude" but we got horribly lost so jumpy on a bus to get down again. We then road the tram to get back to the hotel. Took us 2-3 hours to walk there and 30 minuets to get back!!! Like the tram it's cheap!!!! In the evening we went across to Kowloom to watch the lazier light show, which having seen it before we were a bit disappointed. However it's one of those things you have to do!! Bev is on my case to get dressed to go out, even though we agreed we would spend the day around the pool, so must go. (the pool is surrounded by high rise so that will be interesting! Will take pics for FB ).

Has anyone noticed that blogs don't have paragraphs? Sorry I do put them in when writing!!

Oh my goodness the front page has all the instructions in chinese, can't under stand a thing so hope that its only while we are here, it didn't have Indian words the last few weeks! Oh well we will see. Let me know on FB if you are receiving all this in Chinese, that would be funny!!!! Before I tell you about our last few days I must say that in the last hotel there was no wifi in the rooms, only in the restaurant, they closed that at 5 pm!!!!! I felt suddenly completely out of control, no contact with home and no way to research our next hotel. I was like a bear with a sore head, then Bev had an "episode " as we now call it, couldn't walk so took him out "to walk the streets" in his wheel chair. this was the better option to sitting in the box they called a room!! We were both hot and tired. As most of you know, I am half deaf, Bev was mumbling so every time he tried to talk to me he had to turn around, which made pushing the chair hard work!!! If you hear about the mad woman shouting "for god sake keep still" in the streets in hong kong, that was probably me, gave up in the end and went back to our box!!! The days have stared to all blend into one. Thursday we traveled all day back from Sigeru, got to the airport for 10.30, took off at 2.20 am. Food an hour later, slept an hour then landed in Bangkock. Stayed on the plane for 1 hour, (while the cleaners cleaned around us!!!) (which felt odd,) took off had breakfast (are you keeping up with me,what time/day is it?) slept again, except Bev kept waking me so that I didn't miss the food or to help him to the loo! Landed in Hong Kong with no hotel booked. !! Keep up! We have been having wheelchair help at the airport, which has proved invaluable but quite funny. With traveling Bev gets a bit stressed, so I sit him in the chair and load him up with the hand luggage, well it saves me carrying it and it makes him feel "helpfully"!! Of course we ask for the help at the other end as well. 9 out of 10 times we don't kneed it getting off, however, as I explained to Bev, some chap is banking on our tip to feed his kids today so having booked it we must use it,(but the real reason is that we get taken through passport control much quicker! Express lane no waiting!) with this also in mind, if Bevs legs are fine, I tell him to limp, (well there has been a few times where have needed it!) there is also a reason why Bev is not on the stage, he's not very good at "putting it on" hence it being funny him trying it limp!!! Now, on getting to Hong Kong a rather large lady was waiting for us to get off, she almost ran us from one end of the airport to the other, finally leaving us to sit and catch our breath with a cup of coffee , (what day is it?) over the coffe the iPad came out to book a hotel. HK is such a busy place, the cost of a Saaturday almost doubles the rate, even so most of the places we looked at were fully booked. We decided to go back to the reservation desk and book there, we booked for one night in a hotel Called Silva Seaview (you could only see the sea if you hung out of the window ,19 floors up and strech your neck around a few sky scrapers!!!!) and ended up in a room the size of a shoe box!!!! Couldn't unpack, not enough room to open the suite case!! If it had been cheep then ok but it was £77.00 and no breakfast, I hated it. So today we paid for breakfast and sat there for best part of two hours searching the net for a decent hotel, this was the only place the wifi was free!! Finally found somewhere with a room available for 7 nights and not at £77! Oh god I though what is it going to be like, anyway We booked in after lunch and felt at home immediately, I am definatly a 5* lady. The drive to the hotel is another story for another day, we are now going out to eat. Have you worked out which day it is yet!!

We spent a few days not doing much, swimming, eating and sleeping mostly, but can't do that for much longer so we headed up country agian (with a different guide!) to take in a bit of culture!!! We attempted to clime the lion rock yesterday, all the pictures of Sri Lanka show this rock as their ancient history, where they have frescos paintings inside. Well it really is huge, and steps that are so steep and so narrow that even my little feet didn't fit on them. The must have been lovingly laid one at a time, and over the years they have been rubbed smooth with all the feet walking on them. It is said that the king lived on top of the rock and from the sky you can still see his swimming pool. I can just imagin all the slaves carrying a pot of water to the top, one at a time!! The rock was surrounded by a natural mote alive with crocodiles, so they probably lost a few slave to the crocs as well as from being totally knackerd!! Bev made it up about half way. There was quite a strong wind and he is so dating now that he was worried about been blown over the side if he went further! I wanted to see the paintings so went on. The wat to get into the cave was up a mettle spiral staircase bolted to the size of the rock!! Well call me stupid if you like but I made it up about 20 steps then turned around and came back down again, I don't like heights and although there was a "cage" around the steps I still didn't feel safe!! ( besides the way this holiday has been going, anything could have happened!!!!!). Still I continued around the rock to the lions feet. The view was breath taking but enough was enough, my poor old knees would not have made it any further! This time it would have been up another metal stair case at least 200 steps high, zig zagging but this time with no cage. Time for me to decend I am afraid! Now my legs did start to wobble, you don't realise that you have to use different muscles when you come down that was almost as hard as going up, but at least I could see the ground coming towards me and not going away!!!! It was amazing (and surely I must have lost a few pounds!!!)

So it's jubilee day with street party's everywhere. Partly I am missing all the celebrations, however this trip couldn't be put off any longer. We have had a complete role reverse. In the past I just turned up for the plane and although I knew where we were going I never really new the details. I would have my own " pocket money" and Bev would do the rest. This time I have done everything. ( I hope Sri Lanka is not a sign of what is to come!!) Of course we talk all the time about what things cost and where we are going, and then I have my own way!!!! I feel quite "empowered" and in control, I should have burnt my bra years ago!!!! However the boobs really would be hitting the floor by now. We are "resting" at the moment in an "ok" guest house. With our own patio, lounge and kitchenette. However this morning we woke and Bev paddled through to the sink to make tea, yes paddled. The tap connection had been leaking all night and flooded a river across the living room floor. (dangerous on marble tiles) no he didn't fall again but so easily could have. I was not impressed that at6.30 we were using every towel in the place to mop up the tsunami! With that sorted we sat out on the patio with our cups of tea, 2 union jacks stuck in a bottle and toasted the queen on her 60 years, do you think she will log into face book to look at the picture? So having had to do a days work all ready we felt we had earned a good breakfast. we left Our "ok" hotel walked across the road to the 5 star hotel and ate a full breakfast, tea, fruit, cereal, omelet, French toast, spring rolls (whe in sl do as the sl!) sausages, fruit juice and more tea all for £4.50 each. I was born to go 5 star!!!!

Yahhhhh it has worked!! Just wanted to update you all on our evening out! Ladies don't ever complain about a quick drink in the pub, that would be a preference to my evening. We decided not to be lazy and sit around all night, we would go into the town about 5 miles away!! Went to the lady on reception to ask what the best way to go was. "the bus at the end of the lane , just wave and he will stop" ok we thought and wandered down the lane. True enough we waved to the bus and he stopped and we jump on. Only one seat so Bev took that as his legs were about to "go"! Have you ever seen the old American movies where black was segregated from white? Well it felt just like that and we had jump onto the wrong bus. We were feeling very obviouse and the bus was very Dark, dirty, cheap and very nasty!!! We didnt really know where we were going so we sat tight until at the bus terminal we were all told to get off. Now this is just the sort of thing Bev and I will do, but just the sort of thing Fay would be worried about if she knew we were doing it!!!! Still the ride was only 10p, and we are watching our penny's!!!! It is a four day holiday here because of the full moon, so not all the shops/markets were open. Thank goodness as even I, a hardend shopper would have found it too much!!!! Tut tuts every few minuets, beggars with thier hands out and I seemed to attract a bit of attention.(I thought it was the red hair but bev said it was the boobs!!) Bev has always had a good sence of direction, he insisted that the shops were at one end of the street and I was positive it was the other, after we had had our usual domestic I gave in and went Bevs way! After the bus terminal became a blur behind us, and wilderness in front,he agreed that we might be heading in the wrong direction, about turn, another domestic and a route march back into the town, we found a few shops but all were about to close!!!!!! BUT all was not lost because I found a haven of beads and ribbons!!! Bev sat outside in discuse. The town had had a heavy down pour an hour before, and you can imagine, no drains and no foot paths, and mostly mud for roads. We had both had enough by now so headed back to the bus stop. Domestic no 3, Bev said the bus would turn right so we had to stand on that side, no I said when we came in we turned right, so we have to stand on this side. Now remember I said Bev used to have a good sence of direction. So for the second time tonight he was wrong! This will now go down in history as a first, and I will bring it up as often as I can! Wet + muddy feet we managed some how to get the correct bus back, not sure we will ever return.!!!!!!!

Evening all. Not sure if this will show on the same page as goggle seems to want me to reset"???????? Not sure what's it all about but hopefully this will just follow on. I will test first as don't want to waffle on and not have it published on the Sam page!!!!!

Friday drove to Kandy, really not sure why, second largest town in Sri Lanka is all its got going for it. Roads and streets really busy,hot and dirty! Hassle from guys trying to sell you stuff etc etc. The drive was good we stopped of at a tea plantation, sampled the tea and have become a convert to black tea!! Saw all the ladies in the fields again, plucking away, took some awesome photos, but you will have to go to face book to seem them. Not sure how/if you can put photos on a blog!! We poped into a spice garden, some chap explained all the different spices and what they are used for, had a massage and the the guy proceeded to try to sell us pads of their products, would have I suppose if we were coming straight home, but $80 is a lot to spend on ageing cream when it already too late. mind you they Did have something that would make you loose weight, I was tempted but don't want to spend the next 6 months running to the loo!! We then washed the elephants in the river, awesome is all I can say. Wanted to bring the big boy home. Booked into a posh hotel for the night, on the beach in Negombo. Expensive for here nearly 8000 rp which is about £40. However to pool was not in use and the room not very posh! This morning we wandered along the road and found a nice hotel, clean, with a little kitchen area, toilet clean but not posh and a fabulouse pool in full working order. We checked out of the posh place and moved in here for just 4000 a night, about £20.00 a night!! Think we will stay here about four nights to relax and get the washing done. Then the plan is to head up north again (without Cedric!). Will do a bit of cultural sight seeing. Ps if the spellings are bad in this blog, the reason is that I can't spell ant the iPod changes the spelling to suit it!!!!

Yesterday was mainly filled with the drive from Yala to somewhere I can't pronounce!but it was a nice drive except for the drivers constant drivel. We took it in turns to catch up on some sleep. As we climed the mountains the scenery changed and the tempeture dropped. This came as a bit of a shock, we both wore jackets and long trousers out in the evening. When we got back the "house boy" had brought us a heater and some extra blankets. Funny little place, overlooking a lake. Our house boy is a nice young lad who can not do enough for us. He's brought us tea three time without us asking. (I expect we will still get charged!!) but he really is a hard worker, and there are not many that will do something without hanging around expecting a tip. we have already agreed that he should have a good one!!!! Today was a bit out of the ordinary. We woke at 4.30 to go to a "view" in the national park that is best seen as the sun rises, however before we left Bev made us tea, after as he got out of bed he slipped on the carpet on the tiled floor, if it hadn't been a concern it would have been so funny, flat on his back with legs and arms up in the air, still holing the cups up, but the remainder of the tea all over him!!!! It became a concern when he realised that he doesn't have the fat that he use to have and his back felt quite bruised. Any way not letting that spoil our plans, off we went with a flask of tea and cheese and egg sandwiches for breakfast, complements of "the house boy" We had an hour drive up mountains and through remote villages. The views were wonderful but supposedly nothing in comparison to "worlds end" so called because you can go no further except down, a 1500 mt drop with no protective fencing! (what health and safety asked the Aussie who fell to his death last month, taking a photo! Back a bit and a bit more!!!!) Anyway we arrived at the gates where a nice chap asked for 6000 rupee entry, I dug deep into Bev wallet to find that we only had 4500 between us!! So yes the view was supposed to be out of this world!But we will never see it! We turned around and headed down again taking in a few sites, water falls tea plantations and a cow farm, who the guide is very proud of and wanted us to see. I didnt like to affend buy informing him that we have 1000ss of cows at home. The afternoon we rested then Cedrik decided that the best thing for Bevs back was a massage, so he drove us to someone he knew!! Very strange, very shabby, in the front of some woman's house!!! Well in for a penny in for a pound. We both lead On the beds next to each other, without a stitch of clothing on, except for a very small thin sheet!! In came two girls, Bev got the little dainty looking one and I got the one with the muscles!! Oh my god they started at the toes and worked up, 1,1/2 hours later I felt that I had been in a scrum with a rugby team(or was that what I was dreaming off!) we finished off with a steam bath or at least I did, Bev refused as it looked like a coffin with your head hanging out or even the French guillotine!!! Anyway I tried it, as you lay (naked) On the wooden bench type bed the steam got hotter and hotter!! The bed was covered in dried leaves of some sort which kept sticking to your bum so it was best not to wriggle!!!! Finally £20.00 each and 1.1/2 hours later we both felt very relaxed, so much so that Bev fell asleep at the dinner table! ( or is he board with me already, you will have to keep reading to find out). Good night campers!