2004: The Final Year

Hi there. We're finally back in London, UK, to sort out any last minute details (plus earn a bit more money) until christmas when we will be heading home to New Zealand for good. It's been a great run but it's time to go home. We desperately want a house of our own...
Our trip to Africa was the adventure of a lifetime. We are currently working on uploading our travel journal plus photos to the 'adventures' section of our homepage, but without access to a computer, this may take some time yet.





June has come and nearly gone (2 more days) and has brought us ever closer to the end of our 6 year voyage throughout the world. With only two outstanding trips to come, we find ourselves both excited and somewhat sad to be leaving. We have made so many friends over here, and although we will see many of them again, for many it will be the last farewell. We only have 30 days left in our flat, most of our stuff has been culled and we await shipping boxes to send the majority of what remains back to NZ. With the rest turfed away, we will be left with 2 backpacks worth of worldly possessions for the next 5 months. I can't wait!!!

What have we been up to? Well, we went to the Church one final time with Karen and Paul and some of their mates. A great time was had and Paul had to take the next day off work as a result. Been to heaps of BBQ's lately at peoples houses so that's been really cheap and saving money for upcoming travel. We both marked over a thousand test papers for extra money over the holidays. Not as many as we would have liked, but every penny helps. We've had a few final drinkies sessions over at our place, much to our neighbours probable dismay. Soon we wont have a house so we wont be able to do it anymore. Paul's been going to the gym every day lately, so he is always tired, but the results have been good. Tina's second week into her Atkins diet and has lost heaps too:)





May is upon us, bringing with it an outstanding bout of great weather as well as our good friend Karen (left: back from canada). Had a bit of a wild last few weeks (involving too much partying: see right) and we are starting to realise how little time we have left before we finally return home to New Zealand. In 80 days we will be setting off for africa, returning only to jet off again to Munich for the beerfest with several of our mates. This last excursions will be the last such ones on our extended adventure. Any future trips will be started from New Zealand, and hense will be very expensive :( We only have 2 months left in our house (see photo left) and will soon have the arduous task of cleaning it up so we get our bond back. Paul has already culled most of his stuff, Tina has quite a bit left to do. In a month we will be getting boxes to ship the majority of our possessions back home. We have a weeks holiday starting 29th may during which we are marking SAT's papers for extra money. We need it desperately for Thailand: Our return home excursion.




We are finally recieving a break in the weather.. The rain is still regular, but there have been some spurts of extended sunshine, making for a promising next few weeks. The photo to the right is the back of Patrick and Nicky's garden. Had a few parties in in last summer, and will be making further use of it when we get the good weather. With Pat and Nick leaving for NZ (they got engaged) the other housemates have asked if we would like to move in on our return from Africa in late September. We would have to doss for a week or two, but it would be a last week to spend time with our friends before they fly away...





Had a great month with both work and social activities. Both of us have been going to the gym on a regular basis and Paul still has managed to ride out the winter to work in his shorts dispite several further snow storms. As a result, neither he nor Janey win the prize for being the hardest kiwi at work.






We had a very cold month here in London. Temperatures below zero allowed for a multitude of rain, hail and snow storms which mad the already dismal mornings and evening even more depressing. Yet another snowstorm (on the 2nd) ground transportation to a hault and forced most workplaces to cancel the day. A great day at home for Paul, Tina's school made them all go in :(



Two of our mates, Clare and Matt, we heading up to Liverpool to visit her parents. They knew Paul was born in blackpool and offered to take us there as well as liverpool. A very kind offer, which turned out to be well worth the effort. A few great nights out with wonderful company. We also got to check out the lake district and even climbed a moutain (Helms Crag).









Had a quiet new years eve. We to the Crown pub with Pat, Nicky, Megan, Bradley, and Kirsten then back to theres for further drinks.

Tina had ofstead inspect her school this month. Stressful beyond believe, but she passed with good results.

Paul has still been riding his bicycle to school dispite sub-zero temperatures, freezing winds and torential rain. That's his bike and waterproof jacket on the left...