More from Istanbul

In fact I am in an internet cafe in Odessa Ukraine. Had a great time exporing the city and Phil is having a bit of down time so I thought I would blog for a bit. Funny keyboard and the order of the photos is muddled but you will probably get the drift. The main thin is that we are havng a really good time. The ship is just delightful - such luxury that I feel guilty. The ports are interesting but not WOW!!!! Yesterday was Varna in Bulgaria - and tomorrow we sail to Sevastapol. But it is just so lovely relaxing and enjoying varied company and fabulous food.

This is for Kimberley - the local women wash their fleece and let in dry on the parks. By the way, Congrats on the new job!!!

We climbed this tower on Monday - the first 7 levels had a lift - great views over Istanbul fro the top. Ginny was very brave and came too.
Topkapi Palace


Spice Market



Our ship

A day at the seaside!!!


Ruins

Food glorious food.

From Istanbul

Friday morning in Istanbul - currently a balmy 26 deg on its way to 34 - I think a siesta will be in order. Great city to explore. Our small hotel is right across a narrow park from the Blue Mosque - the plus is the central location close to many of the main sights; the minus is that we are regularly called to prayer, including around 10pm and 4am. Even for people of prayer that is a bit challenging.

We are rapidly ticking off the must see places in Ginny's guide book. These will give you a taste.

The Hagia Sophia - a church built by Justinian in the 6th century which later became a mosque and is now a museum. It has a huge dome which has been an archiectural challenge over the years, partly due to the earth tremors common here. We saw a great SBS doco on it a few weeks ago that increased our interest.









Blue Mosque



Grand Bazaar



We had just finished lunch but that didn't stop us trying something else to eat.


These trendy young ladies still wear the headscarf but with denim skirts and bright tops.

A pleasant spot for our first meal.

A few interesting buildings


The dining room of our hotel is a rooftop terrace but this one must be the ultimate in rooftop dining.


These next two are the view from our rooftop dining room - Blue Mosque and hagia Sophia

I love Skype

Travels 2010

Our itinerary for the next few months:
June 14 Fly to Istanbul
June 20 Cruise from Istanbul around Black Sea to Athens
July 2 Fly to Uk to see Pelagia (and Andy and Christy of course)
July 3/4 Oxford for 400 year birthday of Wadham College
July 5-8 Cotswolds
July 9-10 - Clanfield OX for Lucas' birthdays
July 11-13 Old Methodist Church - B&B Suffolk
July 14/15 Lawtons in Essex
July 16 to August 8 Seaford with Pelagia ( and Christy while Andy is in Borneo)
Aug 8-11 London
Aug 12/13 Seaford
Aug 14 Fly to Inverness to spend week in Brodie Castle
Aug 21 Iona Abbey
Aug 27-29 Glasgow
Aug 30-Sep 2 Lake District
Sept 3/4 Oxford - more Wadham celebrations
Sept 5 - 20 Seaford except 10-12 in Dorset
Sept 20 Fly home
Sept 22 HOME

If you need to get in touch, call or text our mobile or email us on gmail.

Pelagia Pearl born June 8

Christy and Andy had a daughter yesterday - 2 weeks early so she caught us by surprise. All 3 are doing well - and Grandma is recovering. Pelagia was 6lb 12 oz and 56 cms - surprisingly long given that neither of her parents are over 168cms. Her first name is Greek and means 'of the sea'- very appropriate as our family first met Andy back in about 1992 when he spent his Uni holidays as our sailing and windsurfing instructor at the Christian watersport centre on Corfu where we spent our summer holiday. The following year he was at Kos when we went there and he and Christy became 'an item'. The next year when they were both working on Kos in their hols he popped the question and they became engaged. So the greek islands are close to their heart. Those of you who know Andy are aware that he is a watersport fanatic - one reason they live right on the seafront in the UK - so a name with assosciations with the sea is very fitting. Of course it was also the name of the Penelope Cruz character in Captain Corelli's mandolin.

Pearl too has links with the sea as well as the name of Christy's paternal grandmother. And my mother has just phoned up and excitedly told me that the meaning of her name 'Marjorie' is also pearl. How about that for keeping everyone happy.

Now some photos - including Pelagia looking right at home at 8 hours old. I can't wait to see her - 3 weeks to wait!!

Richie and Kimberley's Wedding - April 15, 2010

Just a few photos from my camera. Be warned - there will be more!!!!!
It was a fabulous day - even better than we could have hoped for.

Lunch at Watson's day - the day before the wedding.

Rowan and Shannon's Wedding

Rowan and Shannon's wedding - Armidale March 27, 2010. A beautiful day.

Amira

Amira was born on October 1 - a beautiful daughter for Natalie and Jono and great grandaughter for Phil.