17th August 2016 uploaded 25th August :C

Well time has flown, yet again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is so hard to believe that two months have flown by since our last update.  I was having issues trying to get in last month but that has all been sorted .  My issue today is that we do not have great reception (even with the aerial up in the caravan) so will have to upload this (hopefully tomorrow) when we are in better reception.  I must admit that it still amazes me that there are some towns that have really crappy internet reception – with all the propaganda that we get told that the companies are supplying the best and fastest – only to find 2 coast-side towns with crap all service. 

Any way that has been my whinge for the day   I am sitting out the side of the van, under the awning enjoying the beautiful sunshine, cool breeze and looking at a house that is up for sale for a cool - $1,100,000.00!!!  Just a little over our budget but would have great views of the sea!  – now to let you know what we have been up to since our last update…….

We had been due to go to visit our friends Elaine and Rob in Temora on the 20^th June BUT the weather on the day was shocking and the wind was blowing.  We contacted the police to see if there had been any reports of roads closed along our journey – none to report.  We contacted Elaine and Rob to find the rain had become torrential at their end and a road nearby had just been closed – so we decided to leave it until our return journey from Wagga the following week.

On the 22^nd we managed to get some sunshine at 2pm – which only lasted about an hour – but it was lovely to see.

 sun trying to come through

I continued to go to the Weaving Together group at Condobolin and have met some very lovely people whilst we have been temporary residents.

24^th June we headed to Wagga and passed through a weather front on the way.  More rain.  We could see where the road had had water over it in about 6 section before we even got to West Wyalong – so we wouldn’t have got through earlier in the week.

 We were here this weekend to join in with the joint birthday celebrations of brother-in-law Peter and his friend Jo.  What a great night we had at the ‘Thirsty Crow’ and the birthday cakes, made by niece Pauline, were divine.

 Jo and Peter

On Sunday 26^th our niece Kayla, drove Jenny, Lyn and I out to the Lawn Cemetery and we sat and had a coffee with Mum, until the wind picked up and the sun disappeared and we felt the full brunt of the Maximum 4degree day :D

On the 27^th we headed back to Condobolin going via Temora and seeing our friends Elaine and Rob.  What a great visit – and as usual – the time passed way too fast.  Next time we will have to organise to come and stay in their back yard for a few days so our visit doesn’t seem as rushed.

Managed to get most of the cleaning done on Tuesday (whilst it rained) for the travellers return tomorrow.  During our 6 ½ weeks caring for Wendy and Ian’s home in Condobolin we had 250ml of rain.  The place was very wet for their return from Europe on the 29^th June.  We left Condobolin at 10am to be at the airport in plenty of time for their flight, and also to catch up with our friend Jenny.  We did this at the café at the airport so we weren’t stressing about not being there when the travellers landed.  Their flight actually got in 15 minutes EARLY which was a bonus.  Once we collected their bags it was back to Condobolin – a 2 hour 15-minute drive.  Miss Rosey really loved the extra cuddles and snuggles that were given.

  Ian in his Lederhosen

Thursday I headed into town for my final weaving session with the ladies and we were joined by a group of student Physiotherapists – who had been doing a tour of the outer communities and joined us for some relaxation and learning basic weaving from the group.

Saturday 2 July we headed into Condobolin to do the compulsory voting – Well – Ian and Wendy did, Darryl and I had sent in our postal votes about 1 ½ weeks ago!!! :D  We then did a little shopping and everyone was wanting to catch up on Ian and Wendy’s Travels and then we went to a great exhibit called – Waste 2 Art at the community centre.  What great artistic minds some people have and are able to change WASTE into art works.  A wonderful exhibit and whilst we were there we met some friends at the Art Class and chatted to the ladies who were doing the crochet work.  Wonderful work indeed. Our last day in Condobolin was spent with fantastic company and then we had a great roast dinner to end our sojourn of caring for Wendy and Ian’s home.

On Sunday we headed into Wagga with the van in tow, as we had an appointment on Monday to get two new tyres for the car before heading south to Geelong in Victoria.

Tuesday we headed toward Melbourne, stopping for the day at Seymour – a day of changing weather and ending with pouring rain :C

Wednesday we arrived at Torquay going down through Bacchus Marsh and fog so thick you could barely see 100metres in front to come out at the bottom to an overcast but ‘sunny’ day.

 I contacted Bronwyn Razem (who I was to spend 4 days with learning weaving using local grasses) and she invited me to go with her tomorrow to the Melbourne Museum and learn how to make bush toys.  So Thursday morning Bronwyn and her grand-daughter Aliyah, collected me from the van park and into Melbourne we went.  We spent until 3pm showing adults and child alike, how to make toys using straw/hay and wool.  An exhaustive day considering I only learnt that morning :D

On Friday Darryl and I went and had Lunch with Bronwyn and then Darryl went back to the van.  Bronwyn and I couldn’t go ‘bush’ as had been planned due to someone burning out her motorhome, so we stayed in her unit and wove using raffia.  Saturday we went to the local Aboriginal Corporation Centre – Narana – and had a lovely lunch, before heading back to do more weaving.

Sunday we headed into Melbourne to Southbank and the ABC Radio studio – where Bronwyn was to be interview for the ‘Sunday Sesh’ and somehow I ended up being interviewed as well.  It was a very interesting experience.

Monday we headed to the ‘Saltwater Community Centre at Point Cook’ where we spent the day covering nylon rope with natural raffia, so that we could wrap it around a wooden frame to form a tree.  This tree will branch out and have leaves attached to it and a Gugaa (Goanna) climbing it.

Tuesday Darryl arrived to collect me at about 2pm and we headed back to the van.  Darryl stating that the AC in the van could not keep the heat up to the ARCTIC BLAST that was bashing the coast at that time.  When we got back to the van it was to find that he had all the top hatches open and the Windows in ensuite, kitchen and bedroom were opened about 20cm.  Once they were closed it was amazing how warm the van became.  [Silly bugger].

Thursday we met up with Darryl’s cousin Christine and her daughter Erin at Highton.  Another blustery cold day but at least the sun was trying REALLY hard to get through the clouds.  We enjoyed an hour and half walk along the river front as well.

Friday 15^th we left Torquay at 10am and arrived back in Wagga at about 4.30pm.  Darryl has somehow kinked his back over the past couple of days and it is causing him some real grief.  So out comes the TENS machine and the Fisiocreme and rest.  It will be great to spend some more time with sisters Jenny and Lyn and their families.

Sunday I spent a couple of hours with my dear friend Gail, showing her what I had done over the past week and also sitting and yarning about life and what I want to get out of my weaving.  This was a wonderful time for me.

Monday we headed off to have our pathology needs attended for our Dr’s appointments once we get back to Qld.  We also visited cousins and met the new twins.

Thursday 21^st we headed to Condobolin again, to collect my woven FISH and to see Ian again.  Wendy was on her way to Melbourne for her sister’s – Eva Stimson-Clark – exhibition of art in Fitzroy.

We left Condo on Sunday and headed north toward Queensland and arrived at Jimboomba on Tuesday 26^th – just in time for BEN’s birthday.  Our BABY turned 34 – makes us feel really old :D.  We had a great evening with all the Grandchildren and Ben.

Wednesday night we met with friends Karyn and Peter for a nice dinner at the Park Ridge Hotel.  Was so good to catch up with them.

Thursday 28^th July – WHOA!!!!

Today we had arranged to go and see our dear friend Sue Pockson at Brown’s Plains. All was going to plan UNTIL -----  I was ready and Darryl was cleaning his teeth so I thought I would go and start the car to warm it up.  We had had a 1-degree night and a heavy frost and the car was parked where it was in the shade so I thought it would be good to warm it up.  I went down three steps from the top lawn and the next thing I knew was that I was sprawled on the gravel with grazed palms, right knee and a left ankle that felt like I had done something truly serious to it. :C :C  I called out to Darryl as I could not stand and he came out and said “What the hell are you doing down there?” He managed to get me up and after a couple of minutes I was able to put weight on my ankle.  I got back up to the van and treated the grazes and could move the ankle – so off we went to meet Sue.

We had a lovely morning catching up and we also had Beckie and her friend Ev, join us.

Afterwards we went to the Plaza with Sue and as we were heading back to the car my left ankle REALLY started to pain.  So we called into the chemist and got a brace for it and put it on and continued on our way.  When we got back to Beckie’s though – I could barely put weight on it.  So inside and RICE was applied and swelling was becoming quite evident.

The next morning the swelling made my left ankle and calf look quite crooked.  So rested as much as possible as we were going out with Ben for a birthday dinner…

That night we headed out with me hobbling – dramatically – as it really had increased in pain.  We went to cousin Julie’s house at Belbowrie for a fun filled night with the family and she gave me some Arnica gel to massage into my ankle – which was done a few times during the night and the next morning it didn’t SEEM as painful.  Beckie and us two left the next afternoon (allowing Ben to party on with his Cousins) as we needed to get back to feed the pets.  We continued with the regular Arnica gel massages, elevation and wrapping.

Tuesday we had an appointment with the doctor and because most of the pain and some good bruising, was going up the out part of my leg, he thought that maybe I had given myself a spiral fracture of the Fibia :C.  So off to the local radiology for an x-ray to rule that out.  Finally, we got the word – NO fracture BUT the bruising was a concern.  So we continued with the Arnica gel massages and wrapping but now we were concentrating on the ankle and shin rather than ankle and foot.  I found a supplier in Australia for Arnica Gel and ordered some online along with some pilules to treat it from the inside…….

Thursday (a week after the twist) was a Sports day at the school for Gemma – so off we toddled with a chair and a leg support for me to watch but by lunch time it was time for me to go as the leg was throbbing and I needed to lie down :C.  Gemma did well in her events and then on Friday it was Max’s turn.  He came home with two thirds and a first.  Well done to both the Grandchildren.

Sunday I was booked into a ‘Twined Mat weaving’ day at the Botanical Gardens on Mount Coot-tha and I was so glad that Darryl agreed to drive me there and back.  Without his support it would have been impossible.  I had a wonderful day with about 20 other women and young girls learning this wonderful craft and using pandanus fibres dyed with natural dyes in Arnhem Land.  A big Thank You to Rene Bahloo for sharing her story with us at the gardens.

Tuesday Darryl drove me into Capalaba so that I could meet up with the Jajari Jimbaljin Women’s group and yarn and show them my weaving projects.  What a great day I had and it was so lovely to see the women again.  Tuesday was also CENSUS night – so Bradley came for Dinner and we filled in the census with us all there.  We had a lovely night with home-made Pizza’s for all and the company was great.

Wednesday we headed out again – this time we went south to Pottsville North Caravan Park.  We wanted to stay at Kingscliff BUT the first park with a vacancy was Pottsville north.  We had four wonderful nights there and Darryl managed to do some fishing and I completed my pandanus dilly bag.  I then started weaving a basket.

Sunday 14^th we headed further south and arrived at Brooms Head for a couple of nights BUT this turned into 4 and we are heading northward again tomorrow.  Brooms Head is a lovely council run caravan park that goes right along the beach front and the beach is so lovely to walk along between the tides.  Firm compacted sand made for a good amble for my leg.

We are now 3 weeks post initial injury – the bruising has settled but the tenderness on the outer part of my leg can still take me unawares.  I KNOW!!!! It will be another few weeks before it is anywhere near 100%.  We have so much crammed into the calendar over the next few months BUT promise to take care of it :D

Take care everyone.

8th September to 9th Ocrtober 2014

So sorry for being sooooo tardy with the updates to the blog.

We have been having a full-on time and hope that you will understand. J
I will do these updates in a staggered format – otherwise you will be inundated with news.
Hoping that you are all keeping well and safe.
Barb and Darryl.

8^th September  Today we went into the Terminus Hotel at Temora for a lovely lunch with our dear friends Elaine and Rob.  Afterwards Rob took us on a guided tour of the Air Museum and we spent a lovely 3 hours going through the displays and listening to the history of the aircraft from a knowledgeable person.

Back to the house and spent a great afternoon in fantastic company.
9^th September   We said our farewells to Elaine and Rob and then headed off through West Wyalong to Condobolin and set up camp in Wendy and Ian’s driveway.  We all went into Condobolin for dinner as Ian and Wendy had a Garden Committee meeting and then we had our dinner afterwards.
12^th September  Today we were joined by Lyn and Jenny as they have come to stay for the weekend.  We met them in town and had lunch at the Royal Hotel and then back to the Research station.
13^th September  We had a slow morning and then prepared to go into town for the street parade for the Condobolin Pipes and Drums Tattoo and then on to the RSL club for the entertainment for the evening.
A fantastic night was had by all and it was lovely to see so many young members in the bands.
15^th September Said farewell to Jenny and Lyn as they headed back to Wagga and work tomorrow.
16^th September we headed off to Dubbo and our friends Jenny and Doug.  Was soo good to see them and spend a few nights with them both.  Jenny spoilt me by making lots of lovely biscuits and slices.
19^th September. We waited at Jenny and Doug’s for our friends Robyn and Lindsay to arrive and then we headed off towards Glen Innes and the Campertrailer group National meet.  We stopped at Bingara on the river for the night.  A lovely free camp site right in town.  The town offers free camping all the way along the Gwydir river.
20^th September.  We made our last leg of the journey to Glen Innes and set up at the showgrounds.  There are all sorts of rigs here and it is really good to meet up with some of our dearest camping friends.  We have got rigs here from ALL mainland states/territories and Tasmania.  We are going to spend the next week here and participate in different activities and seminars on all things camper trailer, camping, 4WD and maintenance.  We also have some charity days – where there will be markets and morning teas etc with all funds raised going to local charities.  24^th September – it bucketed down ALL day and night.  It wouldn’t be a Campertrailer National Meet without rain…….
28^th September.  We have left Glen Innes after a fantastic week and have headed out to Tingha (SE of Inverell) where we stayed with our friends Sandra and Tom Smith.  Very gracious hosts and was lovely spending three nights with them.  They have a lovely property and we were given a ‘Cook’s’ tour of half of it….. Such a lovely part of the country.  We look forward to meeting up with Sandra and Tom again at the ACC (Australian Caravan Club) National Muster at Lucindale in SA towards the end of October.

1^St October. We said a sad farewell to Sandra and Tom and headed off to find a camp on the Mehi River out near Walgett BUT all the camps were a LONG distance from what should be the river.  Darryl decided that we would keep driving and in the end we stopped at COLLARENABRI.  What a great little place this was.  The free camp had flushing toilets and hot showers – a real treat for all the travellers.

3^rd October – As we were travelling we were seeing the Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone (FFEZ) signs and thought that we had until AFTER Mount Hope to dispose of our fruit and veggies BUT as we got near GILGUNIA, there were disposal bins and big signs – so we pulled over t the rest area for lunch and whilst there stewed up the apples, ate the Mandarins, finished off our salads and then continued on.  We arrived at Mt Hope and set up a camp opposite the pub for the night.  Decided to treat ourselves to dinner – what a dismal excuse for a meal this was L  VERY disappointed.  Even Darryl was disappointed with his meal.  I could understand to a degree about mine because they had to cater to Gluten Free request but a small piece of overcooked steak, 2 slices tomato, 1 slice of cheese, 2 slices of cucumber, ½ a lettuce leaf and 3 slices of beetroot was not worth what was charged.
4^th October. We travelled the short distance down to Hillston and camped at the Caravan park.  We were there early but I wasn’t well and it was sooo warm that it was best just to pull over and let me sleep off the Meniere’s and the heat.  In the afternoon we managed to go for a walk along the street and have a look at the town.  A nice little place that is struggling (like a lot of others) but the people are just so friendly and willing to chat about the local area.  I remember from doing the LEDWIDGE tree for my cousin Rhonda, that some of the family came from here – and found a listing for F. Ledwidge on the Memorial in the main street.
Unfortunately the 5^th October was NOT a good day.  The world kept tilting on its axis and I stayed vertical for the majority of the day.  The’ brainfog’ that followed was not nice and took a few days to disperse.
6^th October.  We headed off today, although I wasn’t 100%, and travelled via Merriwagga and stopped off for a looksee.  Here we found Frank Ledwidge on the memorial in the main park of town, and then continued until we made it to HAY.  Here we found a lovely camp in town at Sandy Point.  Right down near the river and easy access to the swimming ‘beach’ on the river.  Lots of picnic tables and shelters and access to flushing toilets.  During the afternoon we saw about another 4 vans roll in that had the ACC stickers or wheel covers on their vehicles.  It turned out that these people were all heading to Lucindale in a tag-a-long from Sydney.
We enjoyed a great happy hour with new friends, in amongst the strong winds and dust.  It took a whole ten minutes for the van to be completely covered in dust. L
7^th October, Darryl has hurt his back L.  How???? Who knows!!!!  I had him laid up with the TENS machine on and I went into town to get a new hot pack as the old one had sprung a leak.  I know the NEW recommendation is to put ice on the muscle but Darryl finds this increases his spasms and prefers to us heat.  This afternoon he managed to come out and join in the Happy Hour – albeit with his TENS machine attached.  We had gone around the surrounding vans in invited them to Happy Hour as well – so we ended up with about 30 people sitting in a circle.  We have been asked by the Sydney City Slickers group if we would like to tag-a-long with them for the next couple of days before we go our separate ways on our journeys to Lucindale.  So we have agreed.
8^th October.  Darryl and I headed off at about 9am (I was driving as Darryl’s back was still causing him grief) to go and find the dump point and then went into town and filled up with filtered water at the Information Centre and then out to the highway for fuel before pulling over and waiting for the rest of the group – another 6 vans.  We waited for about 30 minutes before thinking that we had missed them – so headed on our way.  We travelled west towards Balranald and then south to Tooleybuc and then west again to Manangatang.  A lovely little village that has got a ‘travellers rest’ area in town that offers flushing toilets and hot showers.
We visited the local takeaway and made a donation for the use of the facilities and then waited – as none of the other vans had arrived.  It took about an hour and then the others arrived and they ‘rounded the wagons’ in the parking area and set up camp.  It was quite comical as they really did look like the old western movies where they circled the wagons in case of Indians attacking.   That night we went across to the pub and had a fantastic meal with great company.  When we left the pub it was to realise that TONIGHT was the night of the RED MOON.  So for the next hour I took photos of the moon.  In the end I gave up waiting for the eclipse to pass and went to bed J
9^th October.  We went on our way at about 9.30am and headed towards Ouyen.  Here there is said to be AUSTRALIA’S BEST VANILLA SLICE.  We were meeting up with another van from Canberra and Peter was already in Ouyen and he was directing us to a good parking space at an old service station very close to the Ouyen Bakery.  We all parked the vehicles and headed up the road and most of us had vanilla slices (I had a lovely fruit and yoghurt muffin GF) and a coffee.  We then wandered the street and checked out some of the shops and then the renovated ROXY theatre.  The local ladies opened the building so we could have a look through and inform us of the works that had been done.  Once we were back at the vans we said our farewells to the Sydney City Slickers as they were going to Bendigo and we were continuing across towards Pinaroo in SA.  As we drove out of town, Darryl and I agreed that the Vanilla Slice was not the BEST that we had ever had, and the story at the bakery even admitted that they had NOT won a GOLD medal for their vanilla slices in the past 14 years.
We made it to 25km NW of Naracoorte at a large camp spot with two other campers.

15 August to 7th September - No Photos

Well here we go again J
Sorry for the delay but the time has really slipped by……..  Amazing what spending time with family does.
15^th August
Today we are having some really thick FOG.  At 8am it is so thick that you can’t see the van that is three sites away.  It will be quite dangerous on the roads I think.  We finally left Healesville at 10am and the fog is still hanging in there.
We drove to Yarra Glen and then up to Seymour and the fog was still in Seymour at Midday.  We had fairly good visibility on the main roads (because the movement of the traffic stirred the fog) but the smaller roads the fog was still heavy.  We chose our own site in the van park and then had lunch.  It is such a beautiful day and we are going for a walk up the town.  We went to the Information centre which is in the old Court house and have been told about the Memorial Wall to the Vietnam Veterans.  This is a reasonably new Memorial and takes up quite a lot of space in the median between two of the streets.  All the names of those people who went to serve our country are listed there (or at least all those who wished for their names to appear) and are listed by service served.
We then went and found the supermarkets, they have Woolies, Coles, Aldi and IGA.  So variety of choice :D
Back to the van and a relaxing afternoon.
16^th August
A reasonable day weather wise, cold but sunny and we headed out to the Seymour Markets at Kings Park and we had a great time.  Gluten Free foods galore and lovely local crafts were the main thing with some clothing.  Local butchers and food vendors were also there.  A couple of younger people said it wasn’t as big as usual BUT it kept us entertained for a few hours. 
When we returned to the van we decided to give the van a spring clean.  There are no other vans close to us so the manager has told us that we can spread out as much as we like.
We have managed to do most of the cupboards in the van and will finish them off tomorrow.
19^th August.
Ray came and said that he thought we had done a good job and has given us permission to wash the outside of the van – as long as we don’t flood the ground.  Not a problem J
20^th August
Today we did doing a trip into Craigieburn to check out the shops and visit with some friends.  Had such a great day that we did not return to Seymour until 7.30pm.  We arrived to find a HUGE van next to us.  Must have been at least 30 feet long and had tri-axles.  HUGE.  The next morning the chap couldn’t drive out of the drive through site as the van would go over the garden.  He reversed it back towards the cabins and then drove out the entry rather than the exit.  Seems such a big van for two people.
Sunday 24^th August
Darryl’s cousin Christine came up from St Kilda and we spent a lovely day with her in the park.  We went for a lovely walk to the Goulburn River and down to the old trestle bridge across the river.  Unfortunately someone decided that it needed to be burnt down L The local council is now repairing the bridge so that it can be used by pedestrians for exercise and walking leisure.
She stayed overnight in a cabin – so didn’t have to travel far for bed. J
25^th August
Today we went for a walk to the Information Centre and went through the Art exhibition on in the next part of the old Court Hours.  We then wandered over to see the Vietnam Memorial – WOW – what an amazing tribute to all the young people who served our country and most of them were conscripted.  We are very proud of their efforts.  We then walked up the town, had a coffee for morning tea and then up the main street and down past the RSL and back to the old highway and back to the van park.  This walk took us about 4 hours.  We then went back and had a sausage sizzle in the camp kitchen and it was time for Christine to head back home. L  We hope to catch up again in the not too distant future. J
26^th August
Today was the day to get all the washing done – sheets, towels and clothing as we will be heading off to Wagga tomorrow.
27^th August
A rainy day to start today but our drive to Wagga was nice.  VERY green all the way from Seymour to Wagga.  A lovely warm welcome was received on our arrival – great to see Peter and Jenny.
28^th August
Took the car into All things Off-road to get the shockies and springs checked as Darryl  feels they are a bit soft.  We have had them in the car for 4 years and they have been over some rough terrain. J
And the verdict is that we need new shockies as the back ones are very soft.
So will get booked in when the Shockies come in.
We went to dinner and Trivia night at the Sportsman Hotel with Jenny, Peter, Lyn, Megan, and some more friends of Jenny and Peters.  What a great night we had.  Good food, great brain strain and fantastic company.
29^th August
Today we went and joined Lyn, Ken, Meghan, Jason, Jaden and Charlotte for lunch.  Great to see them all together.
Jenny, Peter and Pauline headed to Melbourne this evening to spend the weekend with Kayla.  And unbeknownst to Kayla they left earlier than planned so will surprise her when they arrive.
30^th August
Joined the Chalker family for a BBQ dinner which was a lovely way to spend the afternoon.
1^st September
Today is Darryl’s Mum’s birthday and has been a day of reminiscing for him.  We miss both his parents every day but more so today because of Mum’s birthday.
Got a call at lunch time to take the car in for the new shockies – so we spent an hour and a half there whilst this was done.  We then went and spent a couple of hours with Pam – my cousin.
We had a lovely time chatting and catching up.
4^th September
Lazy day around the house and doing some craft – made some baby burpers for a friend who is expecting the arrival of a grandbaby in November.  Ended up with bits of terry-towelling in places where you would never expect it to get J  Amazing how many times I had to sweep the floor to get it all.
We then went to dinner and trivia again with the family and their friends and had another great night.
5^th September
Wandered through the shops in Wagga after posting the parcel to our friend Anne and then went to visit a lady to see her beautiful basket weaving and art work.  What a talented Aboriginal woman she is.  The weaving is so fine and delicate and her paintings lovely.
6^th September
Today Stuart and Kris are visiting from Canberra, so we are all getting tonight for a BBQ at Jenny and Peter’s.   What a great evening with family.  So good to see everyone and have a really good natter, and catch up with life events.
7^th September
FATHERS DAY.  Jenny cooked and I assisted with the preparations of breakfast for Peter and Darryl.  Bacon, eggs, tomato and mushrooms with toast – went down a treat.  A lovely way to start the day.
Darryl and I then travelled to Temora and arrived at our friends Elaine and Rob’s new home.  So good to catch up with them after travelling with them in 2012.