We were on a road trip in Illinois last week, getting our kicks on Route 66, preparatory for the Travel Shows with Tourism Illinois on Saturday. Great scenery, great history and great characters en route.  Chicago, Mississippi Valley, Abe Lincoln adulation in Springfield...and of course Route 66 fun. Jamie Fish will also approve of our short excursion into Wisconsin as our Tourism Illinois guide got lost and took us most of the way to Madison! Pip has passed his hellish financial planning exam, which was really good news, and Tim is leading a group of young teenagers on a camp/canoe trip into the wilds of Algonquin Park. Hope everyone is ejoying the Olympics - the opening show made us feel very proud expats!

Summer getaway!

Just got back from a fab weekend Dale Hollow Lake Ky tubing and cliff jumping for a day then Gatlinburg to white water raft, and a gondola ride up the Smokie mountains and alpine slide back down!

Happy Big 40 !!

Just a quickie to say a big happy 40 to my 'young'!!! BRO, hope all the celebrating left you feeling 21 again!! - Lots of love and special hugs and kisses for your special day - H J TJ and M xxxx

Madison 8 Today:-)

Madison spent a girlie day turning 8 today, shopping with me and her 'BFF', they bought matching outfits, had their nails painted, did lunch and squeezed in a trip to the movies, then on to meet up with Daddy and Tyler for cake and presents, way to celebrate Maddie:-)  This whole kid thing is great except the years keep rolling by way too quickly and they grow up right under your nose, right when you are not expecting or ready for it!! Happy Birthday to our gorgeous girl:-) 

Be it resolved that the Planning Consultant for the 2013/2014 Family Convocation is in session...
Here are some initial thoughts:
1. Portugal - Algarve villas. I know the weather likely wouldn't be great, but it would be easy access for most, good value and we have resident experts to guide us.
2. A Landmark Trust property for all of us in the UK. Not exotic, but they have some very cool places if we plan sufficiently in advance. Check out their website.
3. Mont Tremblant ski village in Quebec. Good for kids learning to ski and we have a good contact for a group of large, luxury chalets.
4. Cruise. We've done the Caribbean and Pacific Mexico, so how about Hawaii?
5. Costa Rica. There's a good selection on all inclusive resorts or we could source a smaller accommodation to take over entirely. Lots to do for all.
6. Vietnam. Some good smaller and good value accommodations on the beach with day trip interests.
7. Bali. More expensive and exotic but again lots of accommodation options and K&K could guide us.
8. African safari. Prob the most expensive but worth a moment's consideration as there are now several excellent kid-friendly safari companies and the whole vacation style works well with kids.
So...let me know which ones you'd like me to follow up with more detail and I will get cracking!