I love to travel

Tonight I have returned from Europe. Travelling with my husband, child free and it was fabulous...but it felt like it was longer than 2 weeks. I was fine for a week but then really started to miss the kids. My wonderful family (a mix of mum, sister and brother in law and step mum - but mostly my step mum) had the girls. We are forever grateful for the long stretches they have the girls once a year - not to mention the baby sitting and weekends throughout the years as well. They just move in and it is more of a disruption to their lives than it is ours and we are so appreciative for their support! Usually I am only away for 10 days, this week was 14 days and the girls and I all felt it. We told the girls I would arrive home later than I actually was going to be, so they expected to see me when they woke up in the morning. Nana let them have a treat of watching a DVD lying on our bed, so I was able to tiptoe up the stairs and suprise them. It was priceless and it was so exciting for the 3 of us (Dave not home until Tuesday night!) and there were lots of hugs and kisses!

So...I love to travel, even though Australia is so far away. Dave loves to travel. We always have something booked, even if it is a weekend away. The rest of 2012 is booked up with a week on the Gold Coast, a weekend in Melbourne, a week in Fiji and of course my quilt camp in Queensland in November. That should keep the itchy feet at bay for a while!

Back to this trip though...

3 days in London - I lived there in the late 90's and have been back 4-5 times since then. I always feel right at home. The weather was amazing - bright blue sky and 27 degrees. We caught up with friends, we shopped we drank, exercised, we ate. We enjoyed each others company uninterrupted. I adore my kids, but with all of Dave's travel we don't get a whole lot of quality one on one time in length together!

We flew to Malta for a week. 3 1/2 days at our leisure and then a 3 1/2 day event for Dave's company. An annual recognition event - it was very social and busy but lots and lots of fun. Malta has a fascinating history and we loved exploring the island and learning about it. Event dinners, clubbing, catching up by the pool - all great but has my jeans feeling a little (ok, alot) too tight!

Then onto Dublin for 3 quick days. Felt like I touched down, and took off again. Always lovely to see Dave's family and friends. The weather was abysmal given it is their summer but I wasn't there long enough for it to bother me.

I have flown back and forth from Ireland, UK and Europe many many times - it is always a reminder how far we are away from that part of the world every single time. Though 22 hours of uninterrupted movie watching and book reading makes it alot more enjoyable. Champagne and a flat bed helps too!

Pics to follow once I have unpacked the camera. Fow now I am going to go to bed and hope I make it through until the morning.

A crafty post too. Another resolution has been made - more craft time for me. I am so much happier when I do!