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Coastlands, New Zealand

I proudly announced last week that I had packed and Vernon had not. Then when he started to pack yesterday I rechecked my bag and tried on some of my clothes only to find that my pants had shrunk. There was to be no leeway for the all the gastronomic delights that Europe is going to offer so it was off to town, several hundred dollars later a new wardrobe for Abi majoring on elastine blends and forgiving waists, not to mention a repack.

My bag is heavier and my savings are lighter. We are armed with lots of sporty layering, fine merino and new waterproof Merrell walking shoes. We are set for a wet and wild spring and just hope that there is not an early heat wave for Summer. Then again I know they are relaxed about naturalism in Europe and perhaps that could be a whole new experience?

Time is running short. We have house sitters sorted, dog groomers paid up, insurance confirmed on house and for travel and yet there is so much more we would have liked to have sorted before taking off. I don’t know how people went away before without an IPAD, SKYPE, GPS, Digital Photography, etc. So its take a deep breath, visit our respective parents and hop on that plane in 2 sleeps or will it be 1 and a half because now I am so EXCITED and can’t sleep?

OBTW one hiccup – the ferry we thought we were taking to Croatia is now not running on the days expected. We looked at an early season schedule and booked the rest of our trip around it. Now that has turned to custard so we have had to cancel and change some accommodations, cut out our stay in Bari, and travel two days earlier to Dubrovnik. Eeek! If thats the worst of hiccups though, then its not so bad (heres hoping).

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