Some of the great people we have met in South America (far from exhaustive!)

Lazing with Glenn (UK) in the refreshing pools of Colca Canyon

Eating guineapig with Jan and N (Holland) in Arequipa

Julia, our superb birding guide at Mindo

Our great group on the Eden at Galapagos: Sara and Isaac (UK), Dave and Shana (Queensland), Di and Karin (US), Eve (Canada), Shaneel and Maneke (Auckland), Natalie and Colin ( Perth)

Our great group on the Inca Trail: Erik (blog and photos) fromCanada, Mami from Japan, Christy and Louis from UK, Claudio & Toni from Canada, Holly from UK, Paul and Mark from Ireland

Fun in the Brazilian Pantanol with Greg (South Africa) and James (Canada)

Wallowing in the mud of Madidi Park (Bolivia) with Sander (Holland) and Isabel (Switzerland)

Leaping over the salt pans of Bolivia with Andy, Neil & Phil (UK), Morten (Denmark) and Rusty (South Africa)

Exploring the rivers and mud baths around Parati with Veronica & Dan (Australia) and Steve (UK)

Hiking with Heather, Brigid and Kyla (aka Hairy, Crusty and Stinky) at Torres del Paine

Nicholas and Victor (from Chile), our friendly hosts, at Pucon National Park

Peter and Donna (from Brisbane) lazing in the Pucon Hot springs and chilling on Isla Grande

Pete (from Brisbane) climbing the Volcano in Pucon

Alex and Dina (from New York) exploring Peninsula Valdes

Meg and Adam (from London) walking amongst penguins at Puerto Tombo

Other people who we don´t have photos for

• Mark - the guru photographer - and Jane (UK) (who we met in Titicaca, Bolivia)
• Frank (Germany) (who I met in the Pantanol, Brazil)
• Anne (USA) (who we met at Isla Grande, Brazil)
• Gabrielle and Hamish (New Zealand) (who we met in Titicaca, Peru)
• Bruce and Christy (Australia) (who we met in the Pampas, Bolivia)
• Doug and Claudia (Australia) (who we met on the Navimag Ferry, Chile)
• Leslie Mybergh (the South African hostel owner in Cusco who we stayed with - small world!)
• Angelica and Jaan (Australia) (who we met in Cusco)
• Kassie (Brazil) (who we met in Parati)
• Marriana and Jesman (Spain, Portugal) (who we met in Colca Canyon)
• Michelle, the Irish kayaker (who met in Madidi Jungle, Bolivia)

Peninsula Valdes (Puerto Madryn)

Untroubling and untroubled where I lie, the ocean below, above, the vaulted sky.

Penguins at Puerto Tombo (Ally)

We arrived in Pueto Madryn safe and sound if a little weary after our bus journey. We found a place to sleep no problem which was a relief. By 5pm we were starving and it was to be my first proper meal after 3 days so was really hungry! We struggled to find a place as everything was closed but we did find a pizza place much to our relief and then were in bed by 9:30pm (on New Years eve). Terrible! At midnight we were woken up by fireworks and fog horns and we watched them from our window - then went straight back to sleep. So not a very exciting new years eve. But we both felt really good the next day.

We did nothing!! But we did meet some lovely people (Meg and Adam from the UK) who we decided to hire a car with them the next day to go see the penguins. Another couple from New York also joined us and we had a super day. It took us ages to get there as it was all on dirt roads, it was raining and they drive on the left hand side here. G is an ace left hand driver!

G has taken loads of pics which he will put on the blog in the next couple of days but I will try to describe it for you. They are almost exactly like the Boulders one in looks and burrows. It is the biggest colony of penguins outside the Antarctic. The burrows started about 500m from the beach and stretched for over a km. We were able to walk amongst them and the noise was very loud and the smell was overpowering after a while! Just the sheer scale of the coleny was mind boggling. They looked so cute waddling to and fro from the beach and they were also very curious about us. Constantly checking us out. The chicks were reaching chick "teenage hood" and were starting to lose their down fluff so they looked very patchy but were nevertheless adorable.

Today G is going round the Vales peninsula to see if he can spot lots of sea birds. He saw many yesterday and was in 7th heaven.

Tonight we leave to go to Bariloche which I am very excited about. I think it will be very touristy but hopefully we can do some walks and some bike rides. After that the general plan is to cross into Chile and then go down south the the glacier national parks.

The largest colony in the world outside the Atlantic

We could get really close

Wildlife in Peninsula Valdes (Puerto Madryn)

It was amazing to see all these weird and wonderful animals in the flesh at last - after seeing them all on David Attenborough documentaries.

Sea Lions

Rhea

Armodillo

Maras (Patagonian Hares)

Sea Elephant

Guacanos

New birds seen

• Lessrer Rhea
• Giant Petrel
• Red-backed hawk
• Magellanic Oystercatcher
• Blackish Oystercatcher
• Dolphin gull
• Chalk-browed Mockingbird

Buenos Airies

The English Tower

The Palace

Don´t cry for me Argentina! This is the palace balcony where Evita addressed her adoring public.

Recoleta Cemetary

High walls surround this necropolis where, in death as in life, generations of Argentina´s elite rest in ornate splendour. It was fascinating to wander round and explore this extensive mini-city of lofty statues, detailed facades and earthy smelling sarcophagi, all the while reading the family names of those with enough social points to be buried here. Needless to say, Evita is buried here.

New birds seen

• Rufescent Tiger Heron
• Snowy egret
• White-faced Ibis
• Coscoraba
• Silver teal
• South American Stilt
• Wattled Jacana
• Greater yellowlegs
• Picazuro pegeon
• Eared dove
• Monk Parakeet
• Tropical Kingbird
• Fork-tailed Flycatcher
• Brown-chested Martin
• Red-crested Cardinal
• Black and rufous Warbling Finch

Happy 3rd birthday Matthew!

Cool cake!fx

2006 Highlights

Quality time with our family, exploring South America and our new home, Australia

Best images for 2006
Favourite family photos 2006

Wow, its been a whirlwind and wonderful year. Here is a summary for us to look back on with links to all the highlights:


Xmas in Cape Town

We spent our Xmas 2005 with our family in Cape Town - our first Xmas with them in 6 years. Very special it was.


Highlights included:

• Xmas day with the Botings and Mum and Mike and Russel , jumping on the trampoline, watching mum run throught the sprinklers!
• The reunion of the Hoar family - and especially watching Ally's granny meet her new grandchild for the first time.
• Walking with Mike at Kirstenbosch - and being amazed at his ability to power up the mountain
• Family trip to Seal Island
• Sally's 21st birthday
• Weekend with mum and Mike in Mekanos
• Watching Sammy in her Nativity Play
• Watching the sunset at Langebaan beach with Nicky and Shirly and the family
• Geocaching in Stellenbosch with Russel
• The fantastic Wit Els Hike with Mike and Russel and co
• Walking in HoutBay with Russel
• Sharing Anthony's 37th birthday
• Leaping at Paarl Rock
• Berry Xmas at Robyn's
• Being a very naughty Santa at the Hard Core Hiking Club
• Spending time with the Saunders at Pringle Bay

South America

Non stop highlights. Probably, the most fun 6 months we have ever spent in our lives. Memories for a life time.


Back to Cape Town

Another very special two weeks in Cape Town , having a blast with the kids, packing up all our stuff and spending quality time with family and friends. It was very, very hard to say goodbye.


Our Move Down Under

What an adventure - emmigrating to a country we barely knew! We haven't had a moment's regret - what an awesome experience it has been. The people have been nothing but welcoming, we've already made some great friends, found good jobs and are living in the ultimate city in an apartment with breathtaking views over its most famous icons. Couldn't ask for more.


Highlights included:

• A night in Singapore in transit - where we got to meet up with Lianne and we shopped till we dropped
• Flying into Perth and exploring the city - getting acaqauinted with Australian wildlife, lazing at King's Park and meeting up with Colin and Natalie
• Exploring Melbourne - including having my face painted in Bulldog colours at the famous MCG, the beautiful botanical garden, the impressive flames at the Crowne City Entertainment Complex, the inspiring Leonard Da Vinci Exhibition and meeting up with Isaac
• Buying our new car and our epic journey from Melbourne to Sydney
• Our whirlwind introduction to Sydney by our wonderful friends, Doug and Claudia - how could we not fall in love with it with such a great welcome
• Staying with our Australian family in Brisbane - what a special time it was! Playing with the kiddies, a weekend with Beth and Richard, visiting Stadbroke Island with Glenn, watching the Brisbane River Festival fireworks with Kristin, exploring local nature - the generosity of Glenn and Carleen in having us to stay and making us feel so welcome.

Our move to Sydney

What a beautiful city! And the fact that it was brimming with job opportunities was also a deciding factor in us making this city our home.


Highlights included:

• Returning to Sydney to stay with Doug and Claudia for a few days and then stayed in Manly for three weeks with our own spa bath. Best body surfing I've ever done and it was great to meet up with Martin Palmquist - our first dinner guest in Sydney.
• Watching Ally sparkle as she embarked on her new passion, beading
• Moving into our wondeful apartment with its breathtaking views and parrots at our window
• Ally's flying up to Brisbane for Glen's Halloween Birthday Party
• Exploring parts of Sydney including Taronga Zoo, ChinaTown and Lady MacQuarry's Chair, the Botanical Gardens - still so much to see
• Working with the fun people at Agency Fusion (an exciting web company that is growing fast) - and having my first prawns on the barbie experience at the fun Xmas Party
• Doing a photography course - finally getting to grips with my new camera, but lots of learning still to do
• Fishing with Doug and Claudia in the Sydney Harbour
• Exploring McMahons Point
• Xmas with the Fletcher Family
• New Year's Eve celebrations

Family and friend events 2006

• Ally's granny passed away - a very, very special lady indeed. The family tributes were very moving and befitting
• Shirly had a little one - looking forward to meeting here in April 2007
• Xmas day with the Botings (close to 2006!)
• Reunion of the Hoar family

Life goals achieved in 2006

• Do a photography course
• Emigrate to Australia
• Travel through South America
• See an albatross
• Explore the jungles of the Amazon Basin
• Climb a live volcano
• Hike on a glacier
• Try sand boarding
• Do the Inca Trail
• See a condor
• See a hummingbird
• Seeing over 290 new bird species

Favourite movies watched

• Casino Royale
• The Deceived
• March of the Penguins
• Thank You for Not Smoking
• Good Night and Good Luck
• An Inconvenient Truth

Most memorable books read

• 1984, George Orwell
• The Godfather, Mario Puzo
• The Windmill, Koontz
• The Origin of species, Charles Darwin

All in all, a tremendous year. We are relishing our Xmas break to recharge our batteries and we look forward to 2007 and continuing to settle in our new home.



Related

• Spiritual journey (2006)

Christmas in Cape Town 2005 (before heading to South America)

We spent our Xmas 2005 with our family in Cape Town - our first Xmas with them in 6 years. Very special it was. Some our our Cape Town highlights were:

• Xmas day with the Botings and Mum and Mike and Russel , jumping on the trampoline, watching mum run throught the sprinklers!
• The reunion of the Hoar family - and especially watching Ally's granny meet her new grandchild for the first time.
• Walking with Mike at Kirstenbosch - and being amazed at his ability to power up the mountain
• Family trip to Seal Island
• Sally's 21st birthday
• Weekend with mum and Mike in Mekanos
• Watching Sammy in her Nativity Play
• Watching the sunset at Langebaan beach with Nicky and Shirly and the family
• Geocaching in Stellenbosch with Russel
• The fantastic Wit Els Hike with Mike and Russel and co
• Walking in HoutBay with Russel
• Sharing Anthony's 37th birthday
• Leaping at Paarl Rock
• Berry Xmas at Robyn's
• Being a very naughty Santa at the Hard Core Hiking Club
• Spending time with the Saunders at Pringle Bay

Event highlights (Cambridge years: 2004 - 2005)

Cambridge life

• Watching all the movies on the IMDB.com top 250
• Punting
• Botanical Gardens
• Library and crepes
• Sally visit
• Mum and mike visit
• Caroline visits
• Granchester

Day and weekend trips

• London sightseeing (including Buckingham Palace)
• Turner Whistler Monet exhibition in London
• Last Night at the Proms
• Mamma Mia in London
• Cheshire Triathlon
• East Bourne
• Fri night skate
• Jessie's wedding
• Sandringham Estate
• Suffolk with Amanda and Johnathon
• Visits to Gus and Carol
• Sailing with Gus

Holidays and trips

• Diving in Egypt
• Prague
• Canada
• West Australia
• Jersey & Guernsey

Business Trips

• Gothenburg
• Stockholm
• Copenhagen
• Salzberg
• Dublin
• Munich
• North Carolina (training for Volvo trucks)
• Belley
• Amsterdam
• Madrid
• Lison
• Brussels

Create

• Life Trove
• Gramps eulogy
• Volvo site + Strategy documents + Denmark SPM map
• Volvo CE web strategy
• Ally board presentation

Hiking

• Myburgh Ravine (Russell)
• Edith Pass (Banff)

Spider Man´s younger brother

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Matthew devouring ribs

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