In Earls Court

Thousands of Kiwis on their OE over the years would have said these words; proof that it's never too late !

Anaheim is a great town with Disneyland being a fantastic focus.  We did the outlet shopping experience that I nailed in  20 minutes, however total shopping time was well in excess of a couple of hours !!  I had a lot of time for people watching (as you'd imagine!) and did meet a bunch of NZ volleyball players who had been over for a competition - it's a small world.  We struggled to cram all the goodies into the luggage when we flew to London yesterday and so we'll need to send some home or we'll truly be trouble.  Can't say I really enjoy the American food, but we finally found a great bar that served excellent food and as an extra bonus, had a tv in every spare space available that showed so many different sports that I was in absolute heaven ( and yes - there were heaps in the toilets !) photo below - ESPN Zone in Dowtown Disney.  Even had a game arcade upstairs - cars, fooz ball, basketball hoops, etc etc .... And IPA on tap ( which wan't bad actually )

We were absolutely knackered on Monday so didn't go to Universal Studios as planned, but may see if we can fit it in on the way back.  Good decision in the end as everyone was well rested for the flight to Heathrow.  Flight over was uneventful (after we sorted out or late seating changes).  I sat next to a Swedish lady who had spent the last 6 months in Dunedin which she totally loved.  w all watched a couple of movies, failed miserably to have a sleep however the evening meal was superb - probably something to do with having nothing fried in there !

Wondering if I could sneak away and watch a few overs of the Ashes Test over the next few days ??

Family at California Adventure Land - roller coaster in the background

 I survived California Sreamin' 

Sport heaven with fantastic food as a bonus.

 

Hello from Grace

Hi everyone - I'm waiting in the Koru Club at LAX about to fly to London. Had the best time in Disneyland. Most favorite ride was Space Mountain, the next best thing was Outlet Mall shopping :). Bye for now.

Mum, Kate and I at Splash mountain

Hello from Kate

Today we were going to Universal Studios but we stayed in bed to long so we had a at home day.  The best ride I did at Disneyland was Cars - we did it twice!! I liked all the rides that I went on. It is really hot here - and we have been swimming at the hotel pool. I have been really tired because we have had long days at Disneyland.

Me at the Disneyland parade

Adventures of last couple of days

It has been a full on couple of days. Late start on the first day - Kate slept for 15 hours!! I truly
never remember that happening. Spent afternoon and evening at Downtown Disney and Disneyland. Amazing - huge assault to all of our senses. People, people and a whole heap more people add to that 30 plus degrees and it was pretty tiring. We did a number of great rides - thought we were lining up for Space mountain only to find out at the last minute it was Matterhorn Bobsledge. Very funny - until I figured out it was a roller coaster - I think I screamed the whole way around - girls very embrassed!

Today started at 6am to get down to California Adventure Park by 7.15am to queue for 8am opening. Talked to a great American couple who set us straight about the strategic tactics behind using Fast Pass - fantastic we didn't queue all day. The queue for Cars Land was 2 hours - we walked right in - twice!! Had to do it twice as I created a safety violation the first time by not having the seatbelt over my shoulder - pity their two safety checks didn't pick that up - it was only when we went to purchase the photo they wouldn't give it to us. Have to say that next time felt more secure with my belt on properly!!

Andrew nailed a HUGE roller coaster ride - whilst the girls and I took photos, then girls and Andrew did Goofys air school roller coaster ride - I chose not to do a roller coaster today :). Oops - we also loved the Grizzly Bear water rapids - first ride of the day, not so smart got absolutely soaked - so we went straight around again :).

We all loved California Park - fantastic atmosphere and easy to get around. Day finished with the Wonderful World of Color show - amazing. We will hit Disneyland again in the morning with a Fast Pass plan ..... Feeling much more confident with how it all works.

Tired family - but very happy. Andrew and I were just saying that we can't believe that we are not coming home after this. This is just the start - how great is that :).

Grace and Kate on their roller coaster ride

Wendy after the river ride

Safely in LA

Exciting start to the trip!  We got to Auckland and walked to the international terminal to wait in a queue for way too long to get through Customs (one person on the counter), finally got through to see that the gate had closed for our flight which caused a wee stir in the crew :).  We weren't the last on the flight - but close !  With all the rushing about Wendy has now got a blister on het foot from her brand new Minnie Coopers ( Kat - thought you'd love that !)
I'd forgotten what 12 hours in a plane was like - the girls were fantastic and we made it (enough said !)
Got to LA to be greeted by a beagle who 'found' the bananas that we'd put in the bottom of my day pack - I just had to laugh as my sister in law has an ex MAF dog called Jet that I don't really get along with, so this was quite ironic and 'Jet's revenge' as the girls pointed out to me.
Had a 90 minute bus ride to Anaheim where Kate and I immediately found the hotel pool and cooled off.

 Stereotypical Denny's dinner and straight to bed.

What a start !

Received a helpful txt from air New Zealand at 2:15  to say that our flight to Auckland has been cancelled.  Sent a wee shiver of fright through me - as you'd imagine.  Derailed before we'd even begun !!!

All sorted now ( hopefully ) we're booked on the 6:55 so while it'll be a wee bit tight time wise, we'll still make our 9:35 international flight. Phew.  No surprise to anyone that it caused a few anxious moments at St Andrews Square - all sorted now ( cross fingers )

We've been busy cleaning up the house as we're renting it out while we're away.  An absolute pain while we were doing it but an excellent result in the end coz we've heaved or donated or re-gifted enormous amounts of 'stuff'. Good for the soul.  Having said that the kids playroom is still chocka with boxes !

Better go - I'll keep you posted  !

7:10pm
And still in Christchurch.  The plus is that the very nice lady at Koru reception said that they have delayed the LA flight ( not just for the Devlin's - there are 40 of us in the same situation)

We'll get there !  Quick photo of us ...... still in Chch :)

Itinerary

Finalized our trip a wee while ago so here it is in a nut shell - a couple of special gems and so, so fortunate to be meeting up with friends in a few locations.

25 July Auckland to Los Angeles
30 July Los Angeles to London
7 August London to Paris
12 August Paris to Rome
16 August Rome to Palazzo Bortadosi Hotel and Spa, Montefalco
17 August Montefalco to Greve Chianti Tuscany
24 August Chianti Tuscany to Da Baranin Cinque Terre, Manarola
27 August Cinque Terre Manarola to Camping L'Etoile D'Argens Frejus
31 August Frejus to Provence (Saint Remy de Provence)
7 September Provence to Domaine Treloar Trouillas
14 September Trouillas to locaboat, Canal du Midi, Argens (cruise to Negra)
21 September Negra to busquet d'en haut (http://www.vrbo.com/319671)
25 September Busquet d'en haut to Barcelona 
28 September Barcelona to London
28 September London to Los Angeles 
30 September Los Angeles to Auckland 
2 October Auckland to Christchurch 

Can't wait - will post some more about what we're doing in the places we stay, but things are kinda frantic around here at the moment - but I'm sure it will all be ok on the day.  

Two weeks to go!

We got all our tickets and vouchers yesterday which made things very real !  Can't believe that we'll all be in Paris this time next month.  Last day of school for the girls tomorrow for almost 4 months but the wonderful teachers at St Pats have mapped out a series of neat learning tasks (including blogging on here) and so they'll be kept honest :)  tripping around and seeing what they'll see will be an education in itself .  Louie goes down to the farm this Sunday and I'm not sure that he's impressed although I'm sure that  Calv and the crew will look after him - meantime he's making the most of his time at home !

Looking forward to seeing Kat and Zach this weekend and Kate is beside herself with excitment.  More scrap booking lessons planned I'm sure.