Amsterdam

Hi all, it seems we got out of Cairo at the right time. We spent Saturday afternoon at the square (picture) where the bombing was on Sunday! From Cairo we arrived in Amsterdam early Sunday morning and spent the day in the city. We visited the Anne Frank museum - worth a visit. We also went to the Van Gogh Museum, although we were very tired by then, it was a excellent exhibition. It included Starry Night, The Potato Eaters, Sunflowers and The Irises. We arrived home in Cardiff about 10pm very tired.

Checkout the Egypt(more added) & Amsterdam albums.

Egypt

Egypt

Hi all, we have had a busy time in Egypt so far (Thursday). We have done all the typical tourist's things..Pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum, Perfume factory, Aswan, Abu Simbel, High Dam, Lake Nassar, Luxor, Valley of the Kings and Queens, etc...

I think I could teach Year 7 Sose unit on Egypt now!

There are new photos on the web albums - Best of Egypt!

We are currently in Luxor awaiting a train (overnight) to Cairo.

The first train trip (Cairo to Aswan) was about 13 hours - the toilets were only to used by the very brave or those who've had both the sense of smell and sight removed!

The traffic in Cairo is something to see! The white lines for the lanes must have been a good idea once but have no purpose anymore! A city of 23 million people and 10 million cars (all at once). I think I know where my father (PK) - those who have driven with him will understand - learnt to drive now! The worst thing that could happen to a driver in Cairo would be if his horn stopped working.

Kristin is enjoying the haggling at the bazaars, but the boys and I are definitely over it. It is almost impossible to walk more than 50 metres without being touted for a horse ride, t-shirt, boat ride kid, etc.. I don't think there is a person in the country who isn't looking for an angle to extract money from you - This includes officials, ticket sellers, anyone!

We have a few more days left - from Cairo we go to Alexandria - back to Cairo - then a day in Amsterdam on the way back.

CYA

Doctor Who

SNOW!!!

Hi all, I know most at home have been dealing with 40+ degrees but we have been snowed out this week. School was closed for 2 days (Tues & Thurs), which sandwhiched a Parent-Teacher day. So School has been good this week! The boys enjoyed the snow - snow fights and snow men. Lots of roads closed due to ice and snow. We have had enough snow though!

Kristin has worked every day this week and will be working most days next week, then we will be off to Egypt on Saturday(14th) for a week.

Today we went to Cardiff Bay and the main event was the Doctor Who exhibition. If you are a Dr. Who fan it is worth a visit - all original pieces from the show. Billy & Declan also went 10-pin bowling there. We had lunch at a all you can eat Indian buffet - Billy ate enough for all four of us!

Everything at the moment is based around the 6 - Nations Rugby. Wales plays Scotland tomorrow (Sun) - just watched the Poms beat Italy and currently a very close match between Ireland and France.

It was good to see the Pies thrash the Eagles (I hope a sign of things to come for 2009!) - Can't wait to hear from Jo Goldie!!

Checkout the Web Albums for all the pics!

Cheers!

School Cancelled

Hi all,

Sitting at home because school has been cancelled for the day because of snow. Checkout the web albums for shots.

Penarth & Cardiff Bay

Penarth & Cardiff Bay

Sunday arvo - cooling down quickly here - snow coming in a day or two - went for a drive to Penarth - nice area and around Cardiff Bay area. Check out the photos online.

Oxford

Hi All,
Been a tough long week at school, but there is light at the end of the tunnel (or is it a oncoming train?). Kristin has done a couple of shifts at some Nursing Homes and is doing some more this week.
Declan played for the school Rugby (union) team during the week and they won. He played outside centre (?) and enjoyed himself. He is supposed to play rugby and football (soccer) again this week but there is snow forecast for Monday & Tuesday, so the games maybe called off. Billy is playing Rugby for the school also this week. Does anyone want to send an Aussie Rules footy to us?
Saturday morning we set off to Oxford. It was charming, full of history and very sedate. Joggers and bike riders everywhere! The Pitt Rivers Museum was worth a visit. Once again the architecture was outstanding.


From Oxford, we went to the Blenheim Palace (The Churchill family estate - Winston etc..),but only the grounds were open, so we didn't bother. From there we travelled towards Gloucester. Another city with a cathedral. King Edward II was buried here.

We then headed back to Cardiff via Ross-on-Wye (where the rivers Severn and Wye meet).

Check out the Web albums for pics.
Hope all is well with everyone and can you tell me what is going wrong with the Aussie cricketers!!
Cheers.