We'll be back soon...

The longest 9th birthday in the history of birthdays began around 8am with an excited Louis opening some presents! 

There was time for a little more packing and a quick play with Gryff the dog before we headed into South Yarra, near the MCG, for birthday brunch at a cafe called "Hard Pressed":

Brunch was a treat organised by Granny and Popps and we were joined for the yummy celebrations by Auntie Anna, Uncle Jack, Auntie Norma and Uncle David. Here are the children with their grandparents, waiting for their grub:

The coffee and hot chocolate was particularly good and here's a picture of Josh's  flat white - we were very impressed by the milky artwork!

And here is Granny with her sister Anna and her sister-in-law Norma:

Here is a picture of Louis with his birthday cake/muffin!! 

And another snap of Granny and Popps looking very lovely:

We will miss all our Oz-family and friends so much...

After brunch we went back to Anna and Jack's  house for a few hours - there was just enough time for a last minute swim and a final lounge by the pool. With much reluctance, we exchanged our shorts and tee-shirts for jumpers and track pants and prepared for our epic journey home. Louis wore this special tee-shirt to the airport in hope of a birthday treat of a different kind:

We said some very sad goodbyes to our hosts and set off for the airport. No luck with the upgrade but lots of smiles and congratulations for Louis!

The first leg of our trip was an eight hour flight to Singapore.  Even though it was the evening and everyone should have been tired, there was much excitement and great movies to watch so not much sleep was had! Halfway through the flight, one of the attendants called us all into business class at the front of the plane, where he said there was a surprise waiting for us. We were greeted by the pilot and several members of his crew who presented Louis with a cake, a card signed by them all, and a big present! Louis was so excited he was speechless! When we returned to our seats, the crewbrought  Josh and Nush champagne and more cake for us to share!

Immediately after we touched down in Singapore we were all ushered to the front of the plane and into the flight deck to meet both pilots and have a quick look around. It was awesome!! Best birthday ever! 

Even though we landed in Singapore at 1215 on 2nd Jan, it was still only the afternoon of the1st back in the UK so we decided to carry on celebrating! Our next flight left at 1am so there was little time for anything other than a drink before we were in the air again, this time for a 15 hour night flight to London.

A little sleep was had by some of us, others watched 6 movies back to back!  We landed at 630am in London with very mixed feelings. It was great to be home , knowing we would shortly be reunited with Poppy our cat and also with Grandma and Grandpa, but we already missed Australia, a special place with incredible memories for us. We know we'll return someday soon but until then: 

Thank you to Anna, Jack, Ben, Kate, Norma, David, Kira, Sarah, Ra, Andrew, Hugo, Sylvie, Dan, Jules, Ant, Mim, Emma, Damien, Tom ,Lise, Cahn, Eliana, Jacob, Sylvie, Alice, Dave, Jack, Fay, Reesey, Bailey, Gryff, Oska and everyone else who made our trip so incredible, we love you all xxx 

Last day as an 8 year-old

On your last ever day of being 8, there's so many things to do for the last time before you turn 9. Like, waking up for the last time as an 8 year-old, eating your breakfast for the last time as an 8 year-old, annoying your sister for the last time as an 8 year-old etc etc. In case you were worried about what had happened to our mascots Scott and Charlene, well they have had a fabulous holiday and here they are riding the train in style, for the last time on Louis' 8 year-old head ( although Abigail will turn 8 in 6 months' time so they can look forward to that I suppose...)

By 9am it was already 28 degrees outside but we were determined to visit the Victoria Market before the end of our trip. Nush and her friend Ruti used to ride their bicycles here each week, very early in the morning, fill up their backpacks with fresh fruit and veg, have some churros and coffee then brave the (wobbly) journey home!

We couldn't believe how busy it was in the market. People were probably stocking up for New Years Eve meals but given the heat it was particularly chaotic! We were grateful we'd only cons for breakfast and cheese!! 

They sell literally every ingredient you could imagine in the market and it's really fun looking at all the stalls, sometimes having a little taste, and trying to to identify what everything is! 

We had some yummy pastries and drinks and then ventured into the other part of the market where they sell clothes and hats and toys and other accessories. Louis and Abigail were impressed by the number of different clicks and watches in offer at this stall!

There was so much to see! The children spent some of their Chanukah money on various souvenirs and nik-naks.

By 1115 the temperature was 36 degrees and rising quickly. We were all melting so we decided to head back to the air conditioned train station and set off for Anna and Jack's lovely pool!!  This was the sign we saw on the platform whilst waiting for the train:

Louis getting excited about his last swim as an 8 year-old:

Nush showing off her new hat:

The afternoon was spent in and out of the pool - it was simply too hot for anything else!! Granny and Popps arrived back from their travels down at Sandy Point with Uncle David and Auntie Norma  around 530pm and they joined us round the pool. Here are Josh, Jack and David engrossed in a conversation about electrical engineering or maths:

Whilst Anna and Jack were hard at work preparing our evening meal, Granny, Nush and the children played a hilarious game of consequences...

Here is Abigail looking decidedly cheeky at the dinner table in the garden: 

And here is Josh telling a very funny story  :

After dinner Granny and Popps entertained us with a brilliant and funny song, then we played Cuatro (a very fast cars game) right up until the clock struck midnight and the fireworks began across the CBD.

Happy 2016 everyone!! And happy 9th birthday to our Louis!! X

Lazy day

Another scorcher of a day! We thought we'd make the most of the sunshine and open space to test out our boomerang skills so after brekkie we headed down to the oval again, armed with hats, water bottles and strong throwing arms:

Louis' first attempts were pretty good! 

Abigail asked for a little tuition from Josh:

... And then put us all to shame with her throwing abilities!!

She enjoyed a little victory dance on the way back to the house:

Then, of course, it was time to swim (still celebrating!)

Louis looking excited about the prospect of more pool time!

Ben came over after lunch to join in the family Cluedo competition (and promptly won)...

... Then Kate joined him for more games and a spot of babysitting.

Meanwhile, Nush and Josh went down to the very hip and happening Chapel Street to meet Antony and Mim for dinner at Morris Jones. The menu was very strange but everything was delicious. Josh and Antony began their meal with Mad Cow shots - deconstructed Wagu beef, gravy and jelly, plus alcohol, in a shot glass:

And Nush sampled air-dried Saltbush leaves, freshly picked that morning, with salt and vinegar. They melted in the mouth and were divine!! 

After the meal we went next door to sample gelati from the famous Messina. A very sweet and tasty way to finish off a great evening with fabulous friends.

A little taste of Italy

More pool time today. Here, Nush demonstrates the most elegant way to enter the water:

A quiet day spent in and out of the water. A bit of underwear shopping for Nush and Anna and some more boomerang practice for the kids.

In the evening, the Plauts and Van Weels headed in to Carlton for an Italian meal at Ti Amo on Lygon Street (the senior Plauts were down at the beach with the Levins for a few days).

Look how excited Abigail is at making a photo stop at Nush and Josh's old flat (330 Drummond St) en route to dinner. 

Another Abigail picture taken 10 minutes later after some bread and olives. What a difference a few calories makes!!

Our pizzas and pastas were delicious. Here are Ben and Kate:

And Super Auntie Respect and Uncle Jack:

After a delicious meal we headed to Brunetti for ice cream:

And we were joined by the lovely Gavi and Eliora Morris and Lucy: 

Another great evening was had by all!