14 sleeps till departure :)

With 14 sleeps left I have 2 things left on my To Do list to tick off, so as you could imagine I am pretty stoked about that... main thing though is trying to keep the butterflies at bay....

 I pick up the rest of my Pounds tomorrow, can't wait to get that in my hot little (chubby) hands.... I really do need to try on my clothes I have out to pack, but I am guessing that will happen next Saturday when I might actually have a free minute... I have replaced my camera and I love it... poor people on Facebook must be sick of all my practice shots... But I wanted to have it down pat before I leave...

We   have Katelyn having a birthday prior to leaving and lets just say nothing has been done about that yet...So something to add to my list.

The first few days of our trip have been planned and we are all very excited about them.

Day 1 Fri 11th: arrive Heathrow, collect car and proceed to Bicester to meet Ron & Shirley. We will have lunch and check out the general area with them before we all proceed to check in at our cottages in  Godington. R & S are spending 4 nights in a cottage next to us.

Ron & Shirley have been so kind to offer to do a small shop for us so we don't have to worry about that..considering we don't know how we will pull up after long flight.

Day 2 Sat 12th: Spend day with R&S looking around Swanbourne and meeting 2 of Ron's sisters and a cousin. Lunch will be at a lovely Tea Room.. This location was actually scourced 12 months ago. This day will be one of the most rewarding of all our time away.. Definitely a few hankie kind of day.

Day 3 Sun 13th: Day trip into London :-) thought we should take advantage of the weekend to visit this city.

So I hope everyone else with travel plans on the horizon are just as excited as us. Travel is a wonderful experience and I am so very grateful for this opportunity.

To everyone affected by the Christchurch Earthquake, our hearts and thoughts go out to you all <3

Till next time

AJ

Under 4 weeks till departure :)

So all those counting sleeps is starting to finally pay off... too think I started around  300+ and now down to 26... now its time to really start getting excited and a little nervous...

So I thought considering our busy schedule over the next few weeks I better think about pulling out my winter woolies to see if I have enough suitable clothing to pack.. Yes I do, just need I pair of trackies and I am sweet to zip up the case.. I am also proud of myself, as I put half of what I pulled out back! well done I'd say..

On the home front everything is organised, I didn't really have to do much just make sure calender was up to date and write down some menu ideas for Matt to cook. I prepared meals in freezer and that is all I had to do, too easy... Oh I will have to teach Matt how to Skype.. We wont have mobiles with us so will rely on Skype and email plus don't forget Facebook.

My folder, maps, lonely planet book, family tree is already to pack, just have to find my passport. Na jokes I think I know where it is.... oh yes I do... ;)

It really is hard to believe we are going to finish the jigsaw puzzle that Dad/Cliff started 19 years ago. It is sad that he isn't here to share the experience with us, but I think he would be proud that we are going for him. He is always in our hearts <3

Note to self extra hankies....

Our last family photo 2003
Jo, Cliff, Linda
Beth, Grant, Joanne

Mary Currell 27th June 1928 - 13 August 1981

After the passing of Edward in 1936 and Maud being admitted to a hospital in Stockton, Mary went to live with her half sister Maud Ester and her husband Henry James Jackson on their family property “Breawood”, it was a very hard life for Mary. During the week Mary would stay with Dora Salter (McNeill) so she could attend school. She remained with Maud Ester and Henry (Ma & Pa Jackson) and later moved with them to 10 Linden Street Barraba when they retired. Maud Ester passed away in 1979 and Mary then moved into a small apartment.

Mary’s apartment was beautiful, she loved it, and this was told to us my Leila Jackson a wonderful friend of Mary. Leila was Maud & Henry’s daughter in law. Mary was very popular and had numerous friends; this though didn’t stop her from keeping things to herself. One thing that she kept to herself just a touch too long was the lump she discovered in her breast; it was to Leila she first did mention it too.

Mary wasn’t going to let this Breast Cancer stop her from selling her Avon. As the local Avon lady she made sure her customers were well looked after, even when she was struggling to get around she would get herself by car and park outside the local chemist and catch customers as they went by.

Mary remained a spinster for her entire life, which sadly ended on the 13^th August 1981.  Mary lost her battle with Cancer, first breast then on to bone.

Coming away from chatting with Leila on the 8^th March 2010 in her home was exhilarating, to hear someone speak so fondly of our aunt was beautiful. I describe that day as an episode of “Who do you think you are?” The people we met that day, were so forthcoming with information and I thank them for there help.