Bankok - Wow

Well, packing got done, and you can guess who had the biggest suitcase ,  not sure if there are many clothes in it... but a girl needs her stuff apparantly,  especially when away from home for 6 weeks... !

So, stage one of travelling done -and as the old song goes -'  One night in Bangkok '... well two actually....We arrived to a stunningly clean and modern airport which is an architectural masterpiece on the grandest scale we have ever seen..... after 10 hr flight which was much as you expect....... not much sleep to be had except Lowenna who managed to stretch out over  me and Tim over 3 seats  !

 The Shangri -La Hotel is uber, uber smart , not a Penny's sort of place really- but actually a fabuloso treat for two nights pre - 3 weeks in a camper van ... !

Its just huge and shiny and marble and plants and things everywhere right on the river, lovely swimming pool already enjoyed so we are sitting on our balcony watching the river boats and taxis - all lit up - its sheer magic...

So to tomorrow -  off to Grand Palace and some amazing Thai Temples... bit of culture to balance out the over indulgence at Happy Hour in the Cocktail Bar tonight  !!

24 hours to go

Packing dilemma number 1 - so how many pairs of knickers do you need for a 6 week trip ??
Tim reckons 2 , I reckon 6, Lowenna -well she packs it all herself and none of us have been allowed to see whats in hers so who knows !  ... the great plan of two smallish cases plus hand luggage seems to have multiplied at an alarming rate - but at least I won't be spending my hols doing washing !

I was wondering today, as i was sorting out the last few bits... what an amazing chance we have , to escape as a family, to discover, feel, breathe, and absorb a whole new world... I wonder how the dynamic of being with Lowenna at 11 and a very independent William at 22   will work... i wonder if we will , for the first time in 10 years since moving here , be able to really and truly find that relaxed and easy humour and oneness that has been so masked by the pressure of running and building a  totally customer focused business, being on call 24/7, 365 days a year ...

I can't wait to see the excitement and pleasure on the faces of my kids when they are able to have our sole attention for once and be able to truly enjoy relaxed family fun together... sounds a bit like the sunshine cornflake family but this is going to be very special... i just know it...
tomorrow the adventure begins

mungo at Christmas

Mungo and Tim getting prepared for Christmas