|
|
2019 Journey Bob and Margaret Kellett On The Road Again! Life may be short, but it is also long. Live in the present, tread with care, have faith there is still a whole lot of life yet to be lived.
1 Jan 2019 At home in Acacia Bay we make the decision to buy another motorhome and Jeep in order to continue the travels throughout the USA and Canada that we enjoyed so much. Our previous motorhome, a 2006 Tiffin Allegro Bus, suited us immensely, so a similar but later model is what we will now seek. Bob starts searching the Internet for a suitable rig.
At Home In New Zealand.......................Bob and Margie Make Plans 4 -8 Feb 2019 Our granddaughter Kelly and husband Bradley visit from Adelaide. A happy and fun couple. Bradley is a marvellous pianist, you would want him to play at all your parties! It is inspirational how they go off in their rental car and thoroughly enjoy daily excursions. We all enjoy the Huka Falls Walkway starting at Spa Rd carpark. Conversations describing their interesting jobs speak of success and promotion. Finally, hysterical selfies, and they're off exploring other places before returning to Adelaide.
On The Huka Falls Walkway Kelly Margaret and Margaret Kellett 6 Feb 2019 Reunion of the Browns. Some long lost cousins on Margie's dear mother's side [who have not been seen for about 70 years] come for lunch. Beverley and Warren, Murray and Philippa, Valerie, and Ron and Christine. Margie's sister Jan and brother Ross also attend. Jan, being the eldest of the three 'orphans', makes the welcome speech [and later says the Grace at dining table]. Just a wonderful happy, poignant get-together with many photos and stories shared. Ross plays the piano and has us singing along.
A Reunion of Margie's Long Lost Cousins [On the Brown Side] 14 Feb 2019 Visit Bob's brother David in Napier. Then to Palmerston North to attend memorial for Margie's late aunt. It was great to catch up with relatives and reminisce about times gone by. Next day we drive on down to Waikanae to visit old friends in their splendid new home. A lovely jaunt in sunny weather. After much research, Bob has a Eureka moment! Agreement is reached with vendor in San Diego to purchase his rig, comprising a 2014 Tiffin Allegro Bus and a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, subject to a satisfactory pre-purchase report from a qualified inspector. We have a reunion to attend in early May, so the sale cannot be completed until mid May when we will arrive in San Diego to take possession of the vehicles. 22 -24 Feb 2019 Bob's sister, Ellen Rose, visits from Wairoa. Great to catch up with her. Our gorgeous niece Evie is visiting as well, so we have a great old time!
A Hug for Ellen Rose One Two Three SMILE 6 -12 Mar 2019 Our son Paul flies in from Adelaide for a week with us. Great conversations and quality family time. Paul and Margie make the challenging climb to the top of Mt Tauhara, the beautiful mountain in our vista across from Acacia Bay. Paul is super fit, running 10km each morning early. He has big plans for cycling from Melbourne to Adelaide [800 km] next March with his grandson [our great grandson] Riley who will be 8 by then.
Shooting Practice, Bullseye! Paul is a BBQ Pro
Dining Alfresco Huka Falls Walkway Excursion
The Summit of Mt Tauhara Taupo Airport, Farewell Paul 16 Mar 2019 Steve and Heidi, a lovely couple who met and married whilst working in our business [FFFDist Ltd] in Auckland, now live nearby. We just love their smiling faces at the door when they come over to see us. Eighteen years since we last saw each other so there's a lot of catching up to do. 20 Mar 2019 With a neighbour we attend a Vigil Service in Taupo for the 50 people slaughtered in the two Christchurch mosques by a fanatic. Most of Taupo were at this sombre service. 24 Mar 2019 Margie loves the challenge of climbing Mt Tauhara, the imposing feature we see from our home as we gaze across Lake Taupo. Today our neighbour, Meg, accompanies her and they both enjoy the magnificient view from the top, looking back to our homes at Acacia Bay, then South to snow-topped Mt Ruapehu. On a clear day to the north Mt Edgecumbe is visible.
Mt Tauhara From Our Balcony At The Summit
View Back To Acacia Bay Mts Ruapehu and Ngaruhoe 22-24 Mar 2019 Fiona, Stuart and family [with five bikes secured on the back of their car] arrive for a weekend of mountain biking in the Taupo area. They are a splendid family with "go ahead" parents and well-mannered children. The boys play tennis on our local court before we all enjoy dining alfresco in the warm early evening.
Fiona, Stuart And Children Are Always On The Go 25 Mar -3 Apr 2019 Fly to Melbourne. We enjoy a week with our lovely Boyd family.
The Boys Are Growing Their New Kitchen Is Appealing
We're Going, See You Later! Grandad Enjoys Varick's Joke
Peachy Pie and Mum Stephen is Master of BBQ 15 Apr 2019 Notre Dame Cathedral. A shocking, massive fire causes extensive damage to this treasured Paris icon. This 850 year old jewel of Gothic architecture is so severely damaged that it will take decades to rebuild. 23 Apr 2019 Lotta, Spencer and family arrive for lunch. In 1991 Lotta lived with us for a year as an exchange student from Sweden. She married a NZer whom she first met whilst here, now they have two beautiful children and live mainly in Auckland, but with frequent visits back to Sweden.
An Attractive Family! Are You All Smiling? 25 Apr 2019
ANZAC Day Taupo 2019 Boyds On Top Of The World in Vienna 3 -6 May 2019 Victor 3 Coy, 4 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion, Bob's Infantry company in Vietnam in 1968/69, is holding its two yearly reunion in Te Awamutu. Our numbers decline each year but the four day event still attracts strong attendance. Great camaraderie, good humour prevails, plus the re-telling of many tales from the past, some that may even have been true!
With Phil and Larry, Two First Rate Sgts Victor 3 Company, 2019
3 Platoon, Victor 3 Company, 52 Years Later With Evil, Robbie and Peter
52 Years Since Bob Last Saw Manu Formal Dinner Night Fly to San Diego. 10 - 21 May 2019 Upon arrival in San Diego we are very pleased to meet the vendor, Don, and become acquainted with our new rig. The Tiffin Allegro Bus and the Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit exceed our expectations! Don and his wife are very helpful, with nothing being too much trouble to ensure we have a smooth handover.
We Meet Our New Motorhome This Is Marvellous!
Chef's Kitchen! The Ritz-Carlton On Wheels!
Plenty Of Room To Relax! One Happy Chappy is Back In The Saddle! Attend to Sale and Purchase details, insure (with Progressive) both vehicles and familiarise ourselves with the many new features fitted in the rig. We then purchase bedding, kitchenware, mobile WiFi and SIM cards for USA. It is exciting setting up our new holiday home, the Ritz Carlton on Wheels! 22 -24 May 2019 With the Jeep hitched up to the back of the motorhome, our 450 horses bolt out of San Diego. It feels terrific being back in the saddle again as we head for Yuma, Arizona. Two days of brilliant, cloudless days and sweeping views of the glorious Baldrock Mountains, and we're absolutely beaming at each other, so happy to once again be in the USA! Although surrounded by desert in all directions, Yuma attracts thousands of "Snowbirds" [mainly Canadians] who make this area their home during the Northern Winter, accordingly there are RV parks even in the most isolated areas. It's all fascinating! 24-26 May 2019 Overnight stops at Tucson and Deming, New Mexico, on our route to Santa Fe. Whilst in Deming we drive south to the Mexican border to take in the Pancho Villa National Monument. We get caught up in a frightful dust storm on our return home to the 'Little Vineyard RV Park'. But all okay. Pancho Villa interpretive centre explains that in the early hours of 9 Mar 1916 Mexican revolutionaries led by General Francisco [Pancho] Villa raided the nearby small border town of Columbus, New Mexico, killing 18 USA citizens. The US Government dispatched a 10,000 man expedition, led by General Pershing. After six months and several battles they failed to capture Pancho Villa. The USA suddenly became committed to WWI, and Pershing and his forces were withdrawn from Mexico and sent off to Europe.
Pancho Villa and Pershing Meet Early Armoured Car 27 May - 3 Jun 2019 A week in Santa Fe, New Mexico, one of our favourite towns in the USA. Once again we're thrilled to be back at 'Santa Fe Skies RV Resort'. The unique adobe architecture and fabulous art scene, plus the Miraculous Staircase in the Loretto Chapel still fascinates us. En route to Santa Fe is the town with the unusual name of Truth and Consequences, whose inhabitants so liked the 70s TV show of that name they voted to officially adopt it as their town's name! Such is the American spirit!
The Road to Sante Fe Rest Stop En Route
Colourful Santa Fe With Its Appealing Adobe Architecture
Inside The Loretto Chapel is The Miraculous Staircase
Sante Fe Skies Have Attracted Countless Artists to This Area Santa Fe is at 7,000 feet altitude so we enjoy cooler days, awe inspiring sunsets, and sweeping views of the surrounding mountains, especially the colourfully named Sangre de Christo Mountains [Blood of Christ]. We again visit the Bandelier National Monument where the evidence of human presence goes back 10,000 years. Early Ancestral Pueblo People had carved their homes into the rock of the steep canyon walls, accessed by ladders. It is a fascinating experience exploring their settlements.
Ancient Cliff Dwellings in Bandelier National Monument
Trekking Through Bandelier An Early Village Settlement 4 -10 Jun 2019 Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle. Massive thunder and lightning storms cause us to stay a few days in Amarillo (also known as The Yellow Rose of Texas) while we wait for finer weather. However, just as we move off in the direction of Kansas City there is a piercing warning sound on Bob's mobile, with the message "Flash Flood Warning". Flooding has blocked many roads across several States, so we take a wide sweep [two days extra driving] to avoid the problem areas.
Westward Ho The Wagon, Then and Now! 11 -20 Jun 2019 We always stay at 'Worlds of Fun RV Park' when in Kansas City, and are therefore happy to be recognised by staff in the office when we check in again. The weather is now very hot, and we're pleased at how efficient and quiet the airconditiong system is in our new RV. Great shopping centres here. We decide to buy two new Trek bikes [not electric] plus a Saris Carrier bike rack for the back of the Jeep. We receive terrific service from Biscari Bros Bike Shop at Liberty. Margie buys a new sewing machine for patchwork quilting. Our personalised plates, "PLAYTME", arrive from our LLC in Montana, and Bob immediately fits them onto the motorhome. This registration plate reflects Bob's old Army radio call sign. The following day we have "LUVSHAK" park next door to us! One can only imagine what is going on inside that RV!
Sunset At Worlds of Fun Our New Trek Bikes 21 -30 Jun 2019 Driving northwest from Kansas City we experience more torrential rain storms, especially as we cross the Mississippi at Hannibal [where we contemplate the Mark Twain stories about Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn and their adventures along 'old man river'. Heading north through Illinois all is clean, green and sunny. Finally we arrive at 'Sunnynook RV Resort' in South Haven, Michigan. The Kal-Haven Trail follows a disused railway track from South Haven to Kalamazoo, 108 km return, and we enjoy testing out the new bikes over this mainly forest-covered trail. Along the trail one sees deer, squirrels, chipmunks, skunks and raccoons, plus massive blueberry farms and cornfields. All extremely pleasant.
Southhaven Welcomes Us Margie Loves Her Bike
Trying Out New Bikes On The Kalhaven Trail Bob buys a new set of golf clubs and tries them out at Beeches Golf Club, where he has enjoyed a number of rounds during previous visits to South Haven. A happy time therefore in this peaceful part of Michigan.
Happiness is A New Set of Golf Clubs 1 -18 Jul 2019 Drive north to Petosky, Michigan. The 'Petoskey RV Resort' has been purchased by a large group that owns many such resorts, but disappointingly we find they do not maintain the standard of services and ongoing social activities the previous owners provided for their guests. However, it is still a most enjoyable place to stay, especially in the older, treed area.
Covered Bridge at South Haven Lake Michigan Views Petosky, situated on the edge of Lake Michigan, is a very popular resort area in Summer, it kind of resembles the French Riviera! There are great bike paths, excellent golf courses, plus countless other activities for visitors. The nearby town of Harbor Springs puts on a charming Fourth of July Parade, attracting spectators from far and wide. Once again we enjoy their Parade, and only wish our NZ national day could be celebrated with similar verve, enthusiasm and gratitude.
Independence Day Celebration The Purple People Eater!
We Love Colourful, Enthusiastic Fourth of July
Who Can Resist An Ice-cream! Harbor Springs on Peaceful Lake Michigan
Beachfront Holiday Homes in Harbor Springs Bob plays golf. Margie punishes the bike trails, one day riding the 138 km return trip from Petosky to Mackinaw City, mainly through forest. Afterwards we hear that a bear had been seen on that trail in the morning, but fortunately it had disappeared by the time Margie rode through.
Our Shady Spot At Petoskey Making a Table Runner
Margie's Cycle Trail Map An Unusal Roadsign 19 -20 Jul 2019 Depart Petoskey for Ottawa, a three day drive, with free overnight stops on Walmart carparks in both Sault Saint Marie and North Bay. Beautiful scenery, emerald green forests and sapphire blue rivers and lakes.
Chief Map Reader! Crossing The 'Big Mac" Bridge At Sault Saint Marie we are requested to not park in front of the hitching rail at the South end of the Walmart carpark, because that area is reserved for Amish customers to park and hitch up their horses and buggies.
Parking at Walmart, North Bay Amish Parking at Walmart 21 Jul - 2 Sep 2019 Back on our regular site at 'Recreationland RV Park', approx 35 minute drive from Ottawa. It is just over a year since we last saw the Welburns, they all look wonderful and we are amazed at how much Georgia and Toby have grown, both are taller than Grandma now.
We turn right into Canaan Rd - To Our Regular Spot at Rec'land RV Park
Colin and Tor Welcome Us Welburn Children Have GROWN!! It is a peak period for Welburn Consulting [environmental engineers], accordingly Colin and Victoria are heavily committed completing investigative reports for their customers. Margie is delighted to be useful by preparing several big cookups in Tor's large 'slow cooker'. Also, Margie teaches Georgia [13] how to use the sewing machine and how to make two beautiful quilted cushion covers for her bedroom.
Sewing and Quilting Lessons for Georgia and.......Voila!
Mother and Daughter Enough To Feed The Troops! We have a marvellous time sharing the many and varied activities the Welburn family undertake; Isabel [with her Dad] enjoys Body Combat at the gym, Toby and Georgia are long distance. Also Georgia plays competitive soccer. Anna shows us some of the work she is doing studying Chemical Engineering at McGill University, which is all far above our level. We are greatly impressed with how Anna takes it all in her stride.
Happy Birthday Colin! Anna's 20th Birthday Dinner The fine Summer weather permits many cycle rides, both with the Welburn family and with our old Ottawa friends, Sue and Peter, with whom we also enjoy dinners at their home and at favourite restaurants.
Georgia and Toby Cool Off Impressive Ottawa Backdrop!
Out Biking With Friend Sue Playtime in PLAYTME Anna and Isabel borrow the family car and, with Colin's very old canoe, drive off to Algonquin National Park for a weekend of canoe camping. This involves paddling their canoe and camping equipment across several lakes, with portages of canoe and kit from lake to lake, then setting up camp at the far end of their third lake. This camping method is very popular with Canadians, perhaps in recognition of the lifestyle of the early voyageurs [French Canadian trappers].
The Girls Go Canoe Camping At Mer Bleue, Peat Bog Lake 3 -7 Sep 2019 Weather cooling down in Ottawa, summer here is all too brief. The long school holidays have now ended, time for au revoir [we are coming back in a few months to share a White Christmas with them], then head for Madison, Wisconsin. We cross back into the USA at Detroit and drive mainly the 80/90 Interstate, which is the busiest highway in the USA, however around the South of Chicago we bounce along from pothole to pothole, so it is less than impressive.
Once More Into The Breach Dear Friends - And We're On The 401 Towards USA This is Margie's second visit to the popular annual Madison Quilt Show and she is delighted to again visit Lori Allison's stand and purchase two Kaffe Fassett quilt kits. It is thrilling to be at this massive colourful quilt convention, the crowds of ladies warm and friendly. Margie, navigating her way to the venue in the Jeep, spends two days in a row inspecting the numerous enticing vendor stands and admiring quilts galore!
Margie is in Her 'Happy Place' At Madison Wisconsin Quilt Show
Fabulous Traditional Themes Here! Beautiful Kaffe Fassett Quilt 8 -9 Sep 2019 Driving South towards Kansas City we pass through Des Moines. Nearby is Jefferson, the small town from which in 2004 we purchased our first motorhome, a Fleetwood Pace Arrow. After kitting it out in Des Moines, we embarked on our amazing journeys, criss-crossing America from 'sea to shining sea'. Little did we imagine then that 15 years later we would still love this extraordinary way of life! Further South we pass through Madison County, of "The Bridges of Madison County" fame, plus the the tiny town of Winterset, the birthplace of John Wayne. 10 - 17 Sep 2019 Back in Kansas City, we have both vehicles serviced and prepared for storage. Sub Tropolis, our previous storage facility, has no space left. Fortunately they direct us to a similar underground storage operation, 'Innerspace Storage', whose owner Mark gives us a fascinating guided tour and explains how his father created this amazing facility built into the limestone hill.
We Store RV and Jeep At This Massive Underground Storage Facility 18 -21 Sep 2019 Homeward bound. With our vehicles are safely ensconced at Innerspace we take an Uber to the airport [KCI] and fly to Houston, where we will spend several days before our Air NZ flight home. Tropical Storm Imelda hits the area just after we arrive at our hotel. Forty inches of rain are dumped in a massive downpour, and the flooding results in a number of fatalities. It is pretty shocking. Most businesses have to close because the roads around the city are blocked causing mayhem for staff and workers.The George Bush International Airport is also isolated by flooding, thus many flights are cancelled or delayed. On a rainy night we celebrate Margie's 74th birthday. Fortunately the storm moves on, flooding recedes and the airport is back to normal. Accordingly our Air NZ flight home is all go. We again appreciate the friendly reception and excellent service for which Air NZ is renown.
Margie Turns 74 In Houston......Back Home Flowers Arrive For Mum 23 -28 Sep 2019 Neighbours meet us at Taupo Airport. Not only have they kept a keen eye on our house whilst we have been away, but also have generously stocked our fridge, plus a gift of flowers and chocolates for Margie's birthday. What a generous and kind reception! The next day, in gray and sombre weather, we drive to Tauranga to attend the funeral of Margie's dear cousin [John L]. However, it is nice to catch up with other relatives accordingly. 28 Sep -5 Oct 2019 Louise, Fergus and Varick arrive over from Melbourne where it is school holiday time. Skiing at Whakapapa is a real blast! Except for poor Varick who has a broken wrist from falling off his bike! He stays home and plays chess with Grandad whilst the others punish the slopes. Louise's cousin Fiona brings her family over from Cambridge and the ten of us enjoy the great luncheon Margie has set out. Afterwards they enjoy tennis, chess or a brisk walk. Several days later Louise and her boys drive to Cambridge to admire Fiona and Stuart's lovely new house. They also visit and are impressed with St Peter's, the school Fiona's sons attend.
Lovely Cousins Come For Lunch Fiona, Margie and Peachy Pie
A Blue Bird Day At Whakapapa with Louise and Fergus
2 Weeks and Plaster Goes! Serious Monopoly, Who's Winning? Because all our children live far away, Margie and I do all we can to help the younger generations to grow up knowing their cousins. Opportunities such as these are to be cherished, because in the end family is everything! Louise has arranged to take the early flight, Taupo to Auckland. Thence onward to Melbourne. Taupo Airport is a tiny terminal in a small rural town, accordingly it operates in the low-key, informal manner that was the norm 30 years ago. As such, it is quite different from any airport Fergus and Varick have previously experienced, and they leave with big smiles on their faces. 6 Oct -5 Nov 2019 With warmer weather we enjoy more regular early morning bike rides into the town. Also, whilst Bob is at golf, Margie enjoys the challenge of climbing nearby Mt Tauhara, she has climbed it six times this year,sometimes accompanied by Meg, our next-door neighbour. A welcome surprise one day when old friends Gordon and Marjory come for dinner. Fifty years earlier we lived together in Terendak Military Camp, Malacca, Malaysia, for two years. Subsequently though our paths seldom crossed. A delightful evening of friendship and reminiscences. 6 - 18 Nov 2019 Desrae arrives from London. She will ricochet around family and friends, then return to spend more time with us. Great conversations, coffees, and many laughs. However a highlight is when Margie and Desrae are joined by their three other siblings for a day together at Rotorua, remembering parents, and missing both dear Cherrie and Warwick, who have now died. Coming from a family of seven children, anecdotes are countless, causing both laughter and poignant rememberances.
Desrae Arrives From London We Enjoy Cafe L'Arte
Brother and Sisters Meet for Lunch The Gang of 6 Visit From Auckland 24 -26 Nov 2019 A group of old friends from Auckland arrive for the weekend; Chantal and Bob, Glenda and Ian, Sandra and Don. The first night we enjoy dinner in a private room at The Vine Eatery, an excellent Taupo restaurant. The following night dinner is at our place, having first apologised in advance to our neighbours for any rowdiness that might ensue! As usual when we all meet up, wonderful discourse flows covering all manner of subjects! 3 Dec 2019 Drive to Whakatane to see Evie, Will and their new baby, Lucia, a happy wee 6 month old who enchants us all.
Evie with Sweet Daughter Lucia - She Radiates Happiness! 7-8 Dec 2019 To Napier to visit David [Bob's brother]. We enjoy alfresco lunch at the famous Mission Estate Winery set up on a hillside with fabulous views over Napier. Later we call on Len, one of Bob's comrades in Vietnam all those years ago. Spend a cheerful afternoon, then drive home loaded with citrus fruit from Len's prolific orchard.
Two Brothers, David And Robert Kellett Bob With His Old Mate Len 9 Dec 2019 White Island Eruption. Volcanic White Island sits about 48km offshore from Whakatane, Bay Of Plenty. It's last significant eruption was in 2000, but with several smaller eruptions since then. However, it explosively erupts at approx 2.00 pm today. There are 47 people [incl tourists and guides] visiting the island at this time. Twenty one die either at the scene or later in hospital. The remainder suffering terrible burns from the superheated sulpher dioxide and ash which covered the island, are slowly recovering. 13-15 Dec 2019 Chantal and Bob's Christmas Party. In Auckland to attend a lovely party hosted by our good friends. The rest of the gang are also there, and what a great evening we enjoy. Broadway, Newmarket has changed since we lived at The Pines in earlier years. The recently completed Westfield 277 is world class and we relish the shops and cafes enticing us in! 21 Dec 2019 White Christmas in Ottawa, Canada. For some years Victoria has wanted us to experience a White Christmas with them in Ottawa, and this year it is arranged. The Welburn home is large enough to accommodate the five Boyds, however we will be in an air B&B apartment, conveniently only 300m along the road. The Boyd family depart Melbourne on 20 Dec 2019, whilst we depart Taupo on 21 Dec 2019. From Auckland we fly NZ28 on its 14 hour flight to Houston. Air Canada flies us to Toronto, thence a short flight on to Ottawa where we arrive at 1.34 am local time on 22 Dec 2019. It is minus 16 degrees outside, blinking freezing, but Victoria and Colin have brought us warm jackets, hats and gloves. Once ensconced in the spacious modern apartment, we can go to bed after the long journey.
Arriving at Sunnyside Ave For Our White Christmas 23 Dec 2019-7 Jan 2020 Ourselves with the Welburns and the Boyds enjoy an absolutely marvellous White Christmas. Ottawa is extremely picturesque covered in snow with colourful Christmas lights adorning houses and trees in every street.
Family Welcoming Dinner Issy's 18th Birthday We are massively impressed with, and grateful for the tremendous effort Victoria has put in to prepare for this family invasion. With flair and efficiency she has planned a programme of activities for each day that everyone absolutely loves.
Colin Scores a Kiwi! Guess What We All Received For Christmas?! Additionally she has produced a detailed menu plan covering the whole period of our stay. Many dishes have been prepared and frozen well in advance, therefore, every night tasty, ample meals appear on the dining table for the 13 of us. Tor is a wiz and we're all so impressed! Outdoor activities include skiing at three different skifields; Volage, Edelweiss and Mont Ste Marie, several happy sessions of ice skating at the Landsdowne Centre, plus snow sledding at Moony Bay. When it is snowing heavily we all enjoy some of the Welburn's favourite board games, including Four Person Chess!
Margie With A Daughter Either Side! The Skating Went Well
Stephen Skating on Thin Ice Frosty the Snowman!
Toby at 15 Is A Talented Artist! Four Person Chess - Ethan Won! Other highlights include watching Ottawa defeat Kingston 8-4 in a hockey game at the Landsdown Centre. Visit to Parc Omega, a wonderful wildlife centre which features bison, deer, caribou, ibex, arctic foxes, wolves, black bears, etc. On 31st Dec we join with the local community for a magnificent Scottish Hogmanay celebrating New Year's Eve.
At Parc Omega in Quebec Province Oh Deer, I Do Love Carrots!
Magnificent Bison Hungry Wolves Drive to Montreal. Early January the two 'people movers' take off with the 13 of us aboard. Anna guides us around the campus and grounds of McGill University, and shows us her Hall, plus her student apartment.This interesting walk takes place in a 'blizzard' which to the Canadians is just a regular occurence, but to us antipodeans all this white stuff gently falling from the sky is quite novel! McGill University is a public research uni founded in 1821 by royal charter, granted by King George IV. The main campus is on the slope of Mount Royal in downtown Montreal. One of the leading universities in the world, students come from over 150 countries and it is recognised for the excellence of its teaching and research programs. Our grandaughter Anna is in her second year studying chemical engineering. We are immensely proud of her. All too soon it is time for the Boyd family and ourselves to head home, leaving with lasting memories of a fabulous time spent with the Welburns. We were so delighted and appreciative of the warm and energetic hospitality that and Tor and Colin enveloped us in to ensure our White Christmas in Ottawa was such a successful, happy family occasion.
Anna Shows Us Around MCGill Uni In Montreal One Last Photo, Tomorrow it is Au Revoir 7-9 Jan 2020 Depart Ottawa at midday on 7 Jan 2020, arrive home in Taupo at 9.00 am on 9 Jan 2020. We are already missing our family! Since selling our business in 2001 we have arranged family reunions at least every second year to ensure our grandchildren, who all live overseas, grow up knowing each other. Nineteen years later and our Turnbull grandchildren are now all married with their own growing families, whilst the Welburn and Boyd grandchildren have become young adults. All are developing their own separate lives. Accordingly it is now getting very difficult to find times that suit everyone for a family reunion. However keeping our family ties strong is our priority, accordingly our travel plans for next year must include as much family interaction as possible.
2019 has been a fabulous, exciting year. Family, friends and new motor home journeys. But with our family scattered far and wide here is a consoling thought to remember: The greatest gifts one can give one's children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence - we feel we have given those gifts to our lovely ones! |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Home | 2004 Journey | 2005 Journey | 2006 Journey | 2007 Journey | 2008 Journey | 2009 Journey | 2010 Journey | 2011 Journey | 2012 Journey | 2013 Journey | 2014 Journey | 2015 Journey | 2016 Journey I 2017 Journey I 2018 Journey I 2019 Journey I Margie's Quilts | Contact Us Copyright @ Bob and Margaret Kellett. All rights reserved. |
