andrewsfamily.id.au

We were out of our house last friday, after a frantic morning finishing off.  Then over the weekend we stayed with Mary and Lance in York.

Now Edward and children have gone away for their holiday to Florence we have moved into their house.  We will spend the next couple of week sorting through our things so that we can fit it into the suitcases we have.

I have now accepted a job at Onesteel in Newcastle which will start on 20th November, so we have cut our camping trip down from 10 weeks to 6 weeks after we’ve arrived in Australia.

We have had and been to a few wonderful parties of first was out Girls Night in.  All of us spent the evening here on the 1st of July.  Sara Marsden from Sydney was travelling around the UK and was staying with us.  Jack was spending the night with Edward and family in York.  (as no boys were allowed) Will was away on the Saunders Mountain Marathon.  Grace was here, supposed to be asleep but came down stairs to join us in a few little sips of wine.  It was a late night for her, but she slept well!!

Luke and Abby had a joint 4th Birthday party in Horbury Bridge Church, which was lovely. A very hot and sunny day loads of yummy food and drinks.

Jacob has his 4th Birthday a few weeks later at home in the garden with bouncy castle and more yummy cakes and sweets, food and wine.

We are going to miss these children growing up! Tears are welling up just thinking about it. All my 1st time Mums, friends and families have been hugely supportive and a major part of mine and the childrens lives.  We love you all very much and shall miss you!

While I am writing this, the removal man are emptying our house into the back of a van.  It is amazing how quickly they are getting through everything.

We had a panic yesterday morning, when Sarah phoned to check what time they were arriving only to find out they hadn’t put our booking down and now couldn’t make the agreed days (Wednesday and Thursday).  After a few stern words, they made some changes and fitted us in today and tomorrow.

So, after a long hard day yesterday, we were just about ready for them this morning.  We still have a lot of sorting to do, but are managing to get this done while they are wrapping and packing.

I also spoke to One Steel this morning, who have offered me a job when we arrive in Australia.  It is probably the ideal job for me, working in the same type of industry I am in at the moment.  I shall be in discussions with them over the next couple of days negotiating a package and a start date.

While Sarah was in Edinburgh I took the kids over to Wales to join all the rest of the Andrews clan in Ffestiniog.  We stayed in the same house that we used last year as there are very few available that are big enough for us.  There were 15 staying in total.

On the way over the met Mary and Lance at Chirk Castle and had a look around here.  Jack and Grace were fascinated in the dungeon.

Over the next few days the weather wasn’t great but we were still able to do some walking, some beaching and a lot of playing.

Jack had a good time at a circus in Harlech and was very taken by the clowns, while Grace enjoyed looking for shells with Granny.

Sarah arrived (after a long delay) on Monday night and the kids were very pleased to see her on Tuesday morning.  Then we took them and Granny and Grandpa on a walk up the Roman Steps.  Apparently this is where we went as young children, though I do not remember it.  Both Jack and Grace did very well, Grace only being carried on the way back down the hill.

On Wednesday, Edward, Toby, Jane, Andy and I went for a longish walk along the Nantille Ridge, just south of Snowdon.  This was not too difficult but a lovely walk along the top of a narrow ridge.

Thursday was our day of hot sun, and most people went to the beach.  Sarah, Grace and I first went to Criccieth Castle on the other side of the bay before spending the afternoon on the beach and in the sea.

I took Edward and his children climbing on Friday afternoon and they all enjoyed the 3 routes that we set up.  There is a superb little crag near to the house that is ideal for beginners so we set some top ropes up there.

After a last dinner on the Friday evening, Katharine, Simon and family set off home and the rest of us left on Saturday morning.  We stopped at Chester Zoo on the way and had a very good time.  And then went to a nice Italian restaurant in Chester before driving home in the evening.

An Aussie (Sarah), An American (Erin) and A Pom (Toni) went a  Scotish YHA…..

Erin, Toni and I had a fab weekend in Hadrian’s Wall and Edinburgh.  Toni trusted us with the driving as she has a new Volvo!  1st stop was Hadrian’s Wall, the Greenhead YHA. Built in 1886 as a Methodist Chapel… With a pub straight across the road. (Only reason we booked it)  Ventured out on the Wall the next morning and had a leisurely lunch at the pub. 

Arrived into Edinburgh late in the afternoon, settled in had a bite to eat and walked into town to check out the jazz club.  Sunday we took two open top bus tours, walked the Royal Mile and visited the weaving mill and the Queens residence, Holyrood.  A spot of shopping and lunch by M&S on the Citys Park lawn.  Out to dinner for another lovely meal.  Late that evening we make it back to the Hostel to catch the last of The Truman Show and shared a bottle of wine.

The drive back down south.. I did the first leg and we breaked for lunch at a tiny old chapel just of the M6.  Then ‘leadfoot’ Erin took over zooming down the M6 at 100 mile an hour … I think this was when Toni had fallen asleep in the back!  I made it to my train in Huddersfield by the skin of my teeth to start my long journey to North Wales. Meeting Will, Jack, Grace and the rest of the Andrews Mob at a rental holiday house for the week.