Round the World

Dear JIAGGJ,
The great Barrier Reef is so big it can be seen from the moon. It is made up of thousands of different corals, all beautiful shapes and colours..
AND I have snorkeled over it!!
As I don`t like being underwater, it was a challenge, I was of to a very shaky start and Grandad knew I ws panicking when I was clinging round his neck with my flippers flapping! Eventually I managed to get my mouth closed over the snorkel and kept the water out.
With heads underwater and holding hands (aah - but I wouldn`t let go!) we spent an hour watching the beautiful fish darting around us and the coral which were waving in different shapes. Once we had a huge black fish beneath us (the size of Jack lying on the floor) - I was finning away from it and Grandad was finning to get nearer. A baby shark had come into my mind but it was onlya grouper!
It was a fantastic day and I`m proud of myself. Grandad was a very good teacher,
Love you all lots
Grandi xxxxx

Dear JIAGGJ,
We met Ros Rolls (who used to live in Little Brickhill) and Dale and did a tour around the city together. It was lovely to see them both and Grandad and Dale could talk Golf! There was a Pop concert on in the park, we don`t know who was on but all the people queueing
to get in were young and dressed in grunge!
Last night it was a masked Ball and Grandad enjoyed creeping up behind the ladies with his mask on,(only the pretty ones!) I think he is going into a second childhood!
We think of you all and love you lots and lots,
Grandi xxxxxx

Dear JIAGGJ,
We have had a wonderful time here. Last night we had a memorable visit to the Opera called Sweeney Todd. It was about a mad barber who cut up his customers so his girlfriend could put them into pies!!(But it was only acting!)
Today Neil, Cathy Chris and Sarah met us at 9.00 and we were straight up to the top of Sydney tower- very ,very high up. then throught the Botanical Gardens to the Rocks, lots of little narrow streets and shops. Sarah took us to an Ice Bar were we wore thick coats, boot. gloves and drank out of cups made of ice. The room had ice sculptures and very cold.
We were sad to leave them.
Lots of love my darlings,
Love Grandi xxxxxxxxxx

Dear JIAGGJ,

Fantastic sail into Sydney harbour! Boats everywhere, people everywhere, absolutely mind boggling.

Super day with Neil, Cathy, Ian, Oliver and Charley. Cathy and Neil picked us up at 9:30 from the boat and took us to see Ian, Oliver and Charley at Nielsen Park (almost opposite Balmoral Beach). We had coffee while we watched the kids swim.

Then we went to the Gap. We had super views of the Bridge and could see for miles. We went to Bondi Beach for lunch and had a paddle. We are now at Neil and Cathy’s house.

We will see “Sweeney Todd” at the Opera House tonight.

Love and hugs, Grandi xxxxxxxxx

Dear JIAGGJ,
We have met up with our special friend Dorothy and we are guiding her around the city! We have been on a vintage tram around the outer edge and are now working our way in the centre. Grandad is in great form, nice coffee stops and plenty of toilets!
Great fun.
Love and hugs to you all. Love Grandi xxxxxx

Dear JIAGGJ,
Lovely day with My schoolfriend (and bridesmaid) Sylvia and Philip.
Turkey eggs for breakfast from the market below their apartment. They are also close to the harbour and there were wooden sailing ships in.
Went to the top of a mountain where there were the sacred grounds of the Aboriginals (the original occupiers) and into jail, but only for a visit. That must have been a terrible place with tiny cells and a flogging yard. People from England were transported to Hobart for simple things (such as stealing a loaf of bread). In those days it was a dreadful place but now it is a beautiful place.
We were at the farthest point away from you so now every day is on our way back.
Thinking of you all as I write.
Love and hugs,
Grandi
PS hope all the spots are up to date I will be checking!!

DEAR JIAGGJ,
We have had an interesting walking tour around town - very cultural. Grandad has returned to his home on sea while I am still wandering!
This city is so like England. The names of streets are familiair, Worcester St Gloucester St, Durham St etc but no Milton Keynes St because it didn`t exist when the first settlers from England arrived here. It is warmish and nice to walk around. I am in a Arts Centre all locally made things. We went on the old tram but not very far
Ready for a quiet day at sea tomorrow, the photos are piling up!
Love you all lots and lots,Grandi xxxxx.

Dear JIAGGJ,
Lovely day yesterday with all the family.The new baby Kate is very pretty. We all went out for lunch up in the hills with a view of the sea in all directions. Later we walked on the beach & Grandad fell over the rocks. I was busy collecting pretty shells so didn`t see it but I believe it was quite spectacular! We came back on the 10.15 ferry and then went to see Zeta . We waved off Auckland at 1.00 & I felt very sad that I probably wouldn`t see my brother again.
I`ve put up the pictures Abi sent me, it is great to see Jack walking.
Lots of love , hugs and xxxxxxx
Grandi

Dear JIAGGJ,
We`re here at last! At this moment I am with Audrey and Gordon , Gary and Kate ,Simon and Kelly Braedon and baby Kate and Kelly`s parents. It is so exciting for me as it is 14 years since I saw my brother. Will send a long one from Wellington in 2 days.
Love you all lots
Grandixxxxx

Dear JIAGGJ,
We`re here at last! At this moment I am with Audrey and Gordon , Gary and Kate ,Simon and Kelly Braedon and baby Kate and Kelly`s parents. It is so exciting for me as it is 14 years since I saw my brother. Will send a long one from Wellington in 2 days.
Love you all lots
Grandixxxxx

Internet place.
DearJIAGGJ,
Well what a day! We had a lovely drive in a bus with no windows and both of us stuck to the plastic seats! But it was lovely countryside, very green with hills and mountains in the distance. Some of the houses are small buildings with tin roofs but others were still single storey but more luxurious. We saw fields of cows for the first time and the place is more developed than Tonga.
We saw an interesting folk show and the fire walking ceremony when they walk over hot stones in bare feet without pain!(auch!)
Then a tropical storm and the bus back had plastic rolled down over the windows. It was very hot, like sitting in an oven.
Now we are back in the town amid the traffic and shops and people. Not very inspiring but Grandad is having a nice rest next to me while I am busy trying to find the right letters. We think of you all.
I wanted to buy you a fork that was specially made to eat people(a long time ago) one was smaller for the eyes ears etc and a bigger one for large lumps of meat but Grandad thought it would not be popular with your Mums and Dads!
Love to you all
Grandi xxxxxxxxxx

Dear JIAGGJ,
The God Maui picked this island out of the South Pacific sea and then stamped on it so it is very flat!
Alot of coconut trees, pigs (often running down the roads) and churches. Although a poor country,a lot of houses are tin-roofed shacks, there is a school in every village.
The tour bus was ancient, bought 2nd hand.
Lovely friendly people. Very very hot.
Love to you my darlings.
Grandixxxxxxx

Dear JIAGGJ,
Fabulous small island opposite Tahiti.
1 road all around the island 1 to a viewing point(S-bends) The rest are dirt tracks. 1 hospital, 1 police station 2 fire engines and a few schools which means children have to stay there all week!
Incredible scenery - high mountain peaks covered in greenery.
Perfect South Pacific island.
Lots of love
Grandi xxxxxx

Dear JIAGGJ,
We drove all round this island - no trains few buses lots ot cars in the city.
Mountains covered in lush vegetation (like jungles). Went to a "blow hole ) that took my hat off! Grandad "cultured-out" and only looked happy getting back on ship!
Tahiti was fabulous.
Tomorrow the next island and another tour for poor Grandad.
Love and hugs to all my special grand children,
Grandi xxxxxxxxx