And Finally, HOME!!!!

I should have updated this earlier, and closed the final chapter, but its been a pretty hectic few days.
We Got home safely, and sweatily.
Garry and Sue organised Cameron, a friend with a Limo company to collect us from the airport, and we were home at 8am.
and it was hot and humid, and lovely.
Tania and Mel were here, the house was perfect, and all is good! Thanks to all who house sat, very very much appreciated.
Unpacking is almost done.
Mark did most of it. I headed down to Mum and Dad, as Mum was having some surgery so Dad and I had some good chatting and some lunch then back home by 5pm.
Today,
Surreal.
Life is back to normal.
Jacob went off to school camp. Hannah to school, and we started tackling various chores, banking, bills, washing, grocery shopping.
It feels as though we have never left!
So thats it.
The Holiday is over.
It was a trip of a life time, never to be forgotten
I think I will find a way or a site to print the blog and pictures off, in a book form, and put it away, for the Kids, incase it gets lost in the Cyber Wilderness somewhere

Singapore!

We left Impruneta, early, caught the bus to Florence, over to the train station, and caught train to Milan(this was last nights bottle of wine,, we had the same one for 10 days, it was so good!)

The train station in MIlan. It was so cold up there!


Finally, changed to train to Zurich.. Once again Hannah sat next to the train creep. This one was weird, but there is a better story on the plane flight!

View out train Window, travelling through Switzerland..

Blustery freezing cold in Zurich! we had to get to the airport, so snuck out in the freezing cold to take this pic for Simon, of the restaurant where he worked in Zurich


then 12 hour flight to Singapore.

Behind us were a family from hell. 3 poor kids, all girls, and a Mum and Dad who screamed obscenities at each other and fought and screamed and swore and yelled, and I mean really really swore all the way to Singapore.I took a sleeping pill and got 4 hours sleep before I woke up to her wrestling the battery out of his noise cancelling headphones, whilst he loudly told everyone about her recent promiscuous behaviour.. NICE.. and 3 little girls crying, trying to make it right, begging Mum to move and change seats with one of them.

Then she announced she had called a Lawyer, and it was really on, because apparantly he had already, and she didnt know, and was only bluffing him!

HORRIBLE.. they were heading on to Australia, so it was a good thing to get ff in Singapore

booked into Hotel, showered, changed, and headed off to Newtons centre to the hawkers Markets, where we had fried rice, laksa, satays, steamed rice and pineapple juice...such a brilliant meal!

then walked along Orchard Road, bought some supplies, looked in some shops, and back to the Holiday Inn, Kids are watching a Movie.

We leave for the airport at 6pm tomorrow night for a 9pm flight back, getting in Tuesday Morning
at Newtons food stalls

Newtons food stalls, Singapore

Goodbye Impruneta

We walked down town to get Jacobs watch fixed, and to buy some snacks and chocolate for tomorrows big trips.

Florence to Milan, change trains, and on to Zurich, then change trains, onto Zurich Airport, then fly out at 9pm to Singapore.. Its going to be a big day.we will buy a bag for all our winter boots and jackets etc, that just dont fit ,,, but we will need them till Zurich, so thats OK.

Hotel is booked for Singapore, and will drop bags and head off to Newtons Circus, for some good Asain food at the hawkers stalls

Kids craving rice and satays

we are all packed, and have eaten the majority of the food we bought.

I am bringing back some of the Italian Cocoa,and the Glassi Balsamic dressing.

Now Jacob wants to say something

i just thought i might mention one of mums quotes han didnt mention
it dosent matter what you see it only matters what i see
classic then again i wouldnt be in a good mood after pushing bikes uphill for 2 1/2 km
the other day it was so foggy you couldnt see your hand in front of your face and guess who decieded to get lost in the olive trees......me any way i gotta go by

There had to be a list,

7 socks lost in transit
1 pair of shoes lost on train
24 books purchased
40 books read during trip, and passed around
70 chargings of Ipods
60 movies watched on ipods and psps
3,000 photos taken
14 different accommodations
4 bottles of shampoo
3 bottles of bodywash
6 bubblebaths
2 tubes of makeup
2 bottles of moisturiser
4 toothbrushes
6 train trips
9 plane flights
2 car hires
4 mountain bikes
4 pairs of shoes worn out and thrown away
3 hair cuts
1 trip to a hospital
1 sprained wrist home treated
2 travel agents
36 laundry loads
2 bottles of cointreau
unknown red wines
unknown caffe lattes
8 km average walked each day(620 kms total)
13 days of rain
4 days of snow
1 plane delay
7 catch ups with friends and family
8 jackets bought
3 pairs of jeans bought
7 pairs of boots bought
1 birthday
5 countries visited
1 phrase book lost.
1 christmas
1 new year
2 kiddie vomits
4 colds
1 man flu
23 tours visits to shrines monumnents or museums

Mark says something

Hi all , first off all may I say sorry for the lack of posts during the trip. I think it has been a combination of fear of competing with Ruth , (She is a very entertaining blogger)And the fact that the pace set by ubersturmbahnfhurer Schmitt (Ruth) during the day usually has me passed out like a girl on the couch at the end of the day!

We have been reminiscing the last few days (yes we've been away that long we can reminisce about the holiday were still on ). Mostly about what was our favorite site hotel moment etc.

I think the kids a fairly unanimous about New York and Times Square being the most memorable . Jake I think probably has fondest memories of the Garmin toilet thingo in Times Square . Meeting family and friends for Me was a hit and I think Ruth got sick of Me saying "I could be related to them , and Him or Her" in St Albans .

My low point was I guess when I was sick in Champrey . I was so looking forward to Skiing and Caro , Oscar and Ruth looked like they were having such a good time in the evenings . I just sat there and shivered , on the couch , like a girl! See a pattern here ? The days I did ski were great and watching the kids come good on their chosen discipline. Hannah really surprised me with Her skiing skills.

In Italia , ah Italia , it is a frustrating yet charming place , the best part is the food and the coffee . Even when it's bad it's good . I have had a great time with all the Roman history stuff loved Campania and Rome , not much evident Roman history here in Tuscany , but the stories of the various families that ruled the place have been intriguing . Missed Sandra here , She would have been a great tour guide .

So this being My first and only post let Me say Thank You ,to all the people who were so generous with their hospitality. I cant list You all but I'm sure You all know who You are . You really made the trip special for us . Thank You again !

See all the Aussie brigade again soon .

Cheers Mark

Last Day in Italy

This means some washing, and trying to pack everything into our bags.

Mark and Jacob have started.

There is no point expecting Hannah to do hers, we now know its just not on her radar, so she is sitting outside, drawing.. But I will ask her to come and help a little later

last meals will be a mish mash of left over ingredients

Lunch, pasta with tomatoes and garlic in cream.Dinner, roatsted potatoes, toasted cheese sandwiches. need some wine though