It dosen’t seem that long ago that I was pondering on where for us all to go for Xmas 2007; looking back it was actually last July ! God, how time flies !!  

Well, we all ended up in Valencia, Spain, for the Xmas week and I recounted the nightmare that made up the first 12 hours of that trip so this year I am determined that our Xmas break will be a complete success. I know it is still only June - keeping in mind though that we have just over 24 weeks till Xmas itself (aaahhhh!!) - but already I have decided that we are going to try and get out to Australia for Xmas 2008. And I’m looking forward to it!

My relatives are on full alert as they haven’t seen me for six years and I have two new young nephews for my sister who is waiting with baited breath to get her arms around them both.  Unlike recent trips we don’t have to worry about accommodation as my sister threatens to disown me if we do not stay with her (actually she wants the kids more than she wants me and the man) but logistics such as airfares and transport will no doubt provide the usual stress.

The visit will also give me a chance to update my passport and take care of some other minor details such as my medicare card needing renewing; having that is a plus point for me while I am abroad as I can use it as a form of medical insurance should an emergency arise anywhere.  Hard to believe that when it was issued to me ten years ago the idea of ever travelling out of Australia was almost an impossible dream – funny how life changes direction.