After leaving Dalry, and because the weather was so bad and we could not drive up to the highlands, Laura, David and the kids went through to Edinburgh early. Linda and I flew to Belfast for two days to do some family history.

We arrived back in Edinburgh on the 8th, Laura and David did a ghost walk on the 9th. We visited the Castle, Mary Kings Close and walked all over the old town.

Stopped at Loch Lomond but the snow was too heavy to even go outside so we travelled through to Stirling Castle later we visited Jim in East Kilbride, believe it or not, he said we are having a bbq.

We were booked into the Holiday Inn at Glasgow Airport for a New Years Eve party. Driving there was a challenge and finding parking was a nightmare. Got into our rooms in time for a shower and relaxing drink, which I needed after the drive. I finished showering and was dressed, Linda finished showering just before the power dropped out. The fun began. The staff were in a panic about 4 hours before new year with our floor in darkness. Eventually the people on our floor made it to the main reception. We were ushered into a large conference room and offered either a transfer to another hotel or stay here. Some people took the transfer but we were booked in for dinner and a party, plus Laura, David and the kids were here. Their floor had power on.

Linda ended up going up to their room to finish getting ready. I had a drink at the bar and about 30 minutes before dinner the power was back on. I think all the hair dryers must have come on at the same time🤣🤣🤣

4th Jan. 2010. Drove from Dalry to New Lanark. We visited the mill, old tenements and the school.

During this part of the holiday we caught up with some family and friends as well as visiting Laura’s first school, closed over the holiday period. Linwood, Glasgow, The Doctor Who exhibition at the Kelvin Grove Museum and the transport museum.

Arrived at Heathrow very early on the 23 December, then caught the shuttle to Glasgow. Where we had hired two cars and drove to our rented cottage.

Finding the cars in the car park was difficult because the snow there was about 4 inches thick. You could not see bay numbers, car number plates and even when I pressed the car remote you could not see the lights flashing. Eventually located the cars and drove to Dalry. The major roads were fine as they had been gritted but when we turned onto the minor road and I stopped the car to check direction, but then could not get traction to move again. Luckily a local resident with a heavier vehicle managed to tow me the last couple of hundred meters.

Our 2009 family holiday itinerary is Perth to Hong Kong, Scotland, England, Singapore then home to Perth.

First night and second day and night in Hong Kong Everybody is excited getting ready for our long planned holiday.

After Disneyland the kids ready for another big day out.

Part 1. Hong Hong: Linda and I arrived the night before Laura, David, James and Jorja. Our trip was going to be Perth to Hong Kong, then Scotland, England and finally Singapore

Took a short trip to HK just for a few days R&R

A little while after Paul was born and after much consideration we decided to return to Australia. Everything looked like it would be easy and straight forward until they said: Me, Linda and Laura were free to return but Paul had to emigrate. We were thrown into a panic but it turned out to be just a formality. He could not re-enter because he had never been there in the first place.

It was really hard telling the family but when we did my mum said that she was sure we would be heading back to Australia.