Almost Home Via Helsinki

Yes you heard it right due to an impossible connection through England on our British airways flight ( a discussion with our travel agent upon our return ) we were bumped onto a FinnAir flight to Singapore through Helsinki which would have been ok if we were not in economy the entire flight!! 15 hours in total and poor Sammy is a wreck as they are the flights she dreads long haul no room to move, the girl at the counter did her best to make it as comfortable as possible by leaving a seat free next to us on both flights but when you are trying to sleep the lack of recline makes it nearly imopossible ( the reason we purchase business or premium economy seats! ) anyhoo we are now in Singapore it is around 2 in the morning and i am wide awake and decided to come down to put up our final blog.
Sammy is sleeping in the room as she has been from 7pm Singapore time so hopefully a good night sleep will help her as she is battling off a cold at present, we are happy to be coming home now so that we can all be together over the coming week, I went out to the shops last night to secure my payload of back heat patches and bought the store out, he promised to have some more in today so i will probably need a shipping container to get them back!!.
We are going to have a lazy day today as we have bought our flight forward a day to try to get some recovery time in Australia before we head down to Adelaide on Thursday,
Cant wait to see you all upon our return it has been a trip full of memories some good some not so good but that is what life is all about its how you handle both situations that makes all the difference.
Love every single one of you and cant wait to share our memories with you all ( oh no not 2000 photos again ) yes all of that as well !
Love Ralf, Sam, MM xxxx

Mountain Climbing in Florence

Hello everyone, well as we wait until we get home, and having walked throught the city centre, today we decided to explore the outskirts of the city using the hop on hop off bus tour. First we went out of the city 8km to a little town called Fiesole, which is nesttled above the hills surounding Florence. After an invigorating 10 min hike up a near vertical slope we were rewarded with stunning views of Florence. The walk down was tricky too, but as alwayys Ralf was there to support me and I lent on his shoulder all the way down.
Back into the city and we got off at the station to walk a short way to the Mercintile markets. Inside has all the fresh food that locals come to buy early in the mornings but outside there would be over 400 stalls selling, leather goods, scarves, jewellery, trinkets etc. We walked around here for about and 1 1/2 hours and then made our way back across the city where we had to sort out a glitch we have had with the bank. mmmm not so easy but working on it!! Now we are back at the hotel where Ralf spent 1hr on the phone to 'which bank'?? The chambermaid is very happy with us tonight as we have just let her in to turn down our sheets, supply fresh towels, etc (we have sent her away the other nights and she is so upset) and then we are off out to get some dinner.
Lots of love coming across from here to you all, thanks to you all for your support, we will see you soon,
Love Ralf, Sam and MM

mountain

Photos of Florence

Just some more photos of Florence... please refer to earlier blog, ciao

Hi everyone, thank you to you all for following our blog it means a lot to us, actually more than you know at the moment. It is difficult being away from home for a long period of time and at this time it is especially hard when all we want to do is be home in Adelaide with family and do whatever we can to get through a very difficult time for Ralf's side of the family. We are proud parents to talk to our two beautiful children and watch them deal with their grief, support their Nanna from Qld and our frustration of being helpless in this beautiful city.
Today we went for a walk around the city as we needed to be doing something, rather than pondering our inability to make time move faster... we saw some beautiful buildings and Ralf and I were not fit for papparatzi, so MM features. The city is very walkable and it was good to get out and help to clear our heads. Enjoy the photos of Florence over the next couple of days and a big thank you to all of you who are supporting us and the kids in so many ways, we love you all. XXXXX

Rest in peace Lothar.

Under the Tuscan Rain!!

Hello everyone I am writing this blog from possibly the most beautiful hotel room i have ever been in!! Sam is in heaven, let me try to describe it to you, firstly the entire first floor is exlusive Tuscan suites around 16 I think so you enter through a special secure door into your private lounge which has food and drink replenished all day ( we have just returned from champagne fruit and nibbles washed down with Perrier water ) you then access your suite which has a King size bed massive wardrobe and sitting area a writing desk a bureau with mini bar and TV and a fabulous bathroom with toilet and separate Bidet large bath and shower and double hand basin shelf all in marble of course, the bed has a velvet hanging pelmet over the top with lots of brass and the ceiling has the mandatory massive wooden beams ( Sandra is nagging me to say that she would like a dress made from the curtain material ) so it is exactly what she was hoping for here in Tuscony and has fulfilled her dream.
Now to tell you of our trip from Venice!! It all began well with Fabio picking us up at 7.30 and taking our bags down to the Rialto bridge where the water buses leave from, we asked the Concierge for his advice on what bus to take for our car pick up and he was magnifico!! put us about 50m from the office, now Sammy had forgotten to read the paperwork and had forgotten that we werent supposed to pick up the car until 10.30 mmmmm It is Italy and the Dude said eh itsa ok itsa ready to go now anyway!! so off we went after programming Narelle to get us to Verona and on to Juliets House, mmm we dont have an address that Narelle likes no matter just punch in Verona and away we go, oooooppss right hand side Ralfy must remember that!! got to Verona and could quite happily had a Valium and a lie down as the stress levels were in overload and the concentration required to drive the narrow city steets on the right hand side whilst listening to Narelle who im sure had as much idea as me of where we were going!
We did finally get to the little city in Verona and to her house which for me was a little dissapointing however the puppy dog look in Sammys eyes told me it was another dream come true for her, i did manage to get a handful of Juliet's right breast ( considered to give you good luck in love " Heres Hoping " ) so the trip wasnt a total bust mmm interesting choice of words.
Then onto the long trip to Florence or Firenza as it is known here, our hotel is in the middle of the old city and can only be accessed by licence ( Which the hotel gives you ) but the pathetic map we had and Narelles growing intransagence became a real problem as we got hopelessly lost and had to resort to phoning the hotel and having them talk us in, we were very stressed when we arrived but after a shower and the Champagne we are felling a little better, I have also spoken with the Concierge and i now have maps that i can follow and easy ways in and out as well as launderette details so we are about to head out into beautful Florence walk our cars route in and out of the city and find the Launderette as well as having a little dinner.
Walking day through Florence tomorrow and relaxing prior to a trip to Pisa on Wednesday, ok I know it reads like a novel but it has been very Cartharthic to write out the day, sorry if it was boring i will try to do better tomorrow!!
Love and miss you all Ralf, Sam, and MM xxx

St Marco Bacillia

Just a quick little post to show you St Marks Square it was packed!! today was 38 degrees with 100% hunidity ( Trish you would have loved it ) I basically swam everywhere today in my clothes very comfortable and then at the end of the day it rained and made it even worse!!
Still we had a great day and after our Siesta we travelled to the square and looked at the wonderful buildings and the bridge of sighs, following that we went to the Rialto bridge and there was a big festival under way where the various suburbs of Venice race their boats like Dragon boats down the canals it was very colorful and lots and lots of people there to watch, we are back at our hotel now and are watching it on TV so its obviously a big deal.
Trish will try to skype tonight ( your morning ) if you send me a text message on my phone when you are about i will boot up the putey as i have limited Wi Fi here, ok enjoy the pictures and Steph i didnt cry it is very humid here and i am sweating a lot!!
Love to you all Ralf Sam & mm xxx