Happy Christmas 2023
As I write this sitting in the sun in Melbourne with 2 days to go to Christmas, we are enjoying 7 days with our son Matthew, Kara and grandchildren Mia and Charlie and our daughter Hannah. We have just had 5 days in Auckland with son Richard, Holly and grandchildren Asher and Emme. It is always important to us to take up every opportunity we can to share time together and like everyone else with grandchildren - being part of their lives is beneficial and rewarding not only for them but us too.
I am not sure about 2023.
It has provided more than our fair share of tough moments and loosing my dear Aunt Isabel in a car accident in June was so tragic and I miss her terribly.
It also meant the first tours since Covid - although lots of people world wide all wanted to do the same which made the big tourist sites uncomfortably busy. My tour to Victoria Australia during Autumn in April was gorgeous and within 2 hours of Melbourne there was so much to do and see. Italy in September proved my love of travel means I am in my happy place being back in Italy and renting a Villa for the week in Val D’Orcia Tuscany was certainly a highlight.
Our lifestyle in Tarras is ongoing and constant, although why go to the gym when we are constantly walking and lifting. Plus, we have the beneficial satisfaction and happiness of seeing the vision of our garden emerge. We have been endeavouring to complete the last of the hard landscaping which means we can work towards making our garden grow into itself each season. We live in a dry climate and growing without water on many of the garden beds is challenging. I did organise a day out for friends to Jo Wakelin’s garden near Cromwell. She is clever and inspiring and becoming world famous for her stunning dry garden and expertise. Winter is cold and hard - we don’t participate in winter sports anymore and once the garden has been put to bed, our aim is to host 2-3 tours to Europe during the coldest months and enjoy the Mediterranean climate.
2024
France | 28th May - 12th June
Italy | 19th June - 6th July
Turkey | 13th - 31st July
I want to thank the wonderful people who joined both tours last year. You were all so enthusiastic and so easy to take on holiday. I know many of you have made close friendships and quite a few of you have booked tours in 2024. Life is tough at times and we need to take up opportunities when they arise, enjoy the moment and have the memories forever.
Take Care, Best Wishes for 2024 and Enjoy Summer