Hello from Queenstown.

[Jude59]

Oh lovely drive.  We often go on up to Paradise.  My grandmothers parents owned Arcadia - she was brought up there. Stunningly beautiful area especially Diamond Lake.

[Mama Fergie]

What an amazing place your grandmother was brought up in.
It's stunning up there.
Won't go that far thinking of driving arou d to Kinloch Lodge for lunch.
Hopefully the weather is nice today

[Jude59]

I know  what you mean about Scotland and NZ being similar. We took a visit to Scotland this year.  Never been before - we both have grandparents etc that originated from Scotland. Highlands for DH and lowlands for me (only visited the Highlands, next time Edinburgh etc).  Was great and loved it far more than we thought we would.  Stayed at Inverness, Nairn, Thurso and Ullapool.  Took a trip to John O'Groates and visited the Queen Mum's castle.  Then off to the sun in France haha.  To be honest we did get really good weather and were expecting anything by the way people described it.  Had some lovely times sitting in the sun at various establishments

[Mama Fergie]

You must have been extremely lucky with the weather in Scotland Jude which was great for you 
It is a very beautiful country and the drive to Ullapool is lovely.
I love the western isles and Edinburgh is a lovely city.
I did my nurse training in Aberdeen which is near Balmoral.
The countryside around there is lovely too.
Lucky you going to France.
We honeymooned there and have been many times.
We spent 5 weeks there last year 

[Jude59]

5 weeks would be lovely, especially if its summer there and winter here, haha!.  We generally go mid may til mid June, have a week in England somewhere and then 3 weeks in France. 3-4 nights in Paris always then choose an area. This year was back to Loire Valley and St Remy, both favorites.   Always spend time in Provence even if its just a few days - love it so much!  Next year we are branching out and trying the Basque region in both France and Spain.  Flying into Barcelona instead of Paris or London.  It's a wonderful world but to be honest I didn't realize how truly beautiful my home country NZ is before I had a look around.  Been in Australia for over 30 years but so close to NZ and easy to get there so not too much suffering due to homesickness.

[Mama Fergie]

The basque region is lovely Jude and Barcelona is a beautiful city.
It really is a wonderful world. I love Italy , France and Greece are my favourites in Europe. Love Switzerland as well.
Went to Portugal last year after France  as my friends daughter lives in Praia da Luz on the Algarve.
Was lovely as I hadn't seen her since she was a baby and now 30.
We are so lucky to live in this era as going back to our grandparents era not many people travelled the world 

[Mama Fergie]

A quiet day here today. A nice drive on the northern side of the lake late morning.
Lovely lunch in town then had a meeting followed by pre dinner drinks overlooking the lake.
Had a nice Italian meal then a couple of glasses of wine on the balcony.
Tomorrow our last day here. It's gone so quickly but will be great to be home.
Missing my DH and all my family and my dogs

[Mama Fergie]

Well our trip in beautiful Queenstown has come to an end. Mum had a great time and is very relaxed. She doesn't want to go home  
Yesterday was wet so we didn't do much in the day except some washing and packing. Think it was good for mum as we haven't spent much time in the house in the daytime. Had a lovely dinner out and an early night.
Thanks everyone for sharing our trip with us. Your comments were greatly appreciated. 
I am excited about seeing all my family and so happy that DD 2 's baby didn't decide to arrive early while I was away.  

[mcmich]

That seemed to go so quick MF. It's been wonderful to follow your holiday. How long is the flight back home?

[Mama Fergie]

Flight leaves here at 2.40 pm.
Go home via Sydney Michele as no direct flights from queenstown to Perth.
Leave Sydney at 5.50 pm and arrive Perth 7.45 pm.
That works out at about 10 hours actual time. 

[mcmich]

A long day for you both. You'll have to do a bit of duty free shopping to pass the time. 

[Mama Fergie]

Now that's a great idea 

Glad I slept well last night and mum still asleep now.

We actually only have 2 hours in Sydney and have to change terminals so the time will pass quickly 

[mcmich]

Yes, forgot you would have to get over to the domestic airport. It's an overcast drizzly morning here.

[Mama Fergie]

Yes not too long to hang around especially as mum walks slowly due to arthritis.
Thanks for weather update. Cloudy here too 

[goldfish]

Safe travelling MF - Sounds as if it has been a wonderful holiday for you and especially your Mum . . . thanks for sharing it all with us.