CRUISING ALASKA

ALASKA HERE WE COME

We have just booked ourselves on this cruise for May this year. We were not planning on going overseas this year but the cost of this cruise was so good we decided we would go hang the expense. It will be a long trip just to get to Vancouver but will have a stopover there before we board the cruise and the same on the way home we have a day's stopover in L.A. The cruise ends at Seward and we will be catching the train to Anchorage to catch our flight back to L.A. Although we would have liked to spend time in Vancouver unfortunately the time frame doesn't allow us enough time to spend more than a day there.

BALLOONING

OUR BALLOON FLIGHT

For my 60th the Clark's gave me a balloon flight. Early in December I booked the flight and one for Phil (his Christmas present). We had to be up at 3.30am to check in that the flight was happening and then be at the Hilton on the Park by 5.30am. Once we had checked in and everyone had arrived we were taken to Burnley Park were we launched from. The morning was calm not a breath of wind as we rose into the predawn sky. Must say it was one of the most exciting things we have done and to watch the sunrise over the city was beautiful.

We landed back at Essendon airport and after we had helped to pack up the balloon we headed back into the city to the Hilton for breakfast which was something else. What ever you thought you fancied for breakfast was available. Needless to say we over ate but it was worth it.

Thank you Trish for the great present.

ROCK CLIMBING

JORDJA ROCK CLIMBING

I went with Byron when he took Jordja to the indoor climbing centre to have a go at rock climbing. Must admit it was an interesting morning. I have never been to one of these centres and was quite fascinated at how many walls were available to climb from very easy to extremely difficult. Jordja was fitted out with her harness and then Byron was geared up to have control over the ropes so that he could lower her down or if she came away from the wall stop her from falling. At first she was a bit hesitant but once she realised that she could'nt fall she was off climbing almost to the top of the wall by the end of the morning. For such alittle thing she managed to scale great heights.

CARAVAN PHOTOS

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year to everyone. Have been very slack the last few months but now that I am retired will have to make an effort to keep up to date with happenings in the Hercus household.

The biggest news besides my retirement is that we have bought ourselves a caravan and hopefully will be off in early February on our first adventure. Will post photos of the van as soon as I download them.

We all had a very quiet Christmas spent with family. Santa was good to all and everyone was pleased with their pressies. Ben & Mel got a Wii and must say we had fun playing games on it especially the tenpin bowling. But as I said to Phil no point us getting one we wouldn't use if enough.

Have managed to read several books since Christmas, Val McDermids latest, followed by Sue Graftons new book and then Peter Temple"s new one and am now reading Michael Connelly's Nine Dragons and then will have to raid Trish's pile of new books so see what she has that I haven'nt already read.

Dearne & Bill were over from Tassie for the festive season and we manage to catch up with them both for lunch and the Dearne & I had a girly day to ourselves before they went home.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOO

Happy Birthday Bridgette hope you had a great day celebrating your special day and that you got some great pressies. Hard to believe you are 12.

TWENTY TWENTY CRICKET

We went to a Twenty20 match at the MCG tonight. We met Byron, Mel & Ben at Crown and had a quick something to eat and then headed off to the G. The weather hadn't been the greatest but the rain held off for the match. What a great nights entertainment for $10. We had good time and between the great cricket and the antics of the crowd the atmosphere was electric. Victoria won which was even better but must say it wasn't till the last overs that it looked like we would win.

A very enjoyable night out and would love to go again this Friday but Phil is working so will watch it on the telly.