Yes, I know it's been a while, but we've been BUSY. Since we arrived back from India, both about a stone lighter than when we left, things have ben pretty full on. There have been visits to London to see Clive's dad who is 92, running the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Society's sales stand (which we have now relinquished - phew), developing new tours for Darjeeling Tours (we've got our own ATOL licence now - yeah!) - plus Clive has started doing contract work for Arqiva - he used to work for them when we lived in Otterbourne...we need the money after a very slow year for the tours company. Le crunch credit has really affected us....I guess people are rather cautious about spending the best part of five and a half grand for two on a holiday.

Still, we do seem to be getting a few bookings in - and it's early days for the 2010 tours...ever the optimist, me.

I've been designing some websites to earn a bit of extra cash - nothing flash, just functional sites - it all keeps me occupied, that's for sure.

At the end of August I will be returning to NZ to open up our home, which has been rented out for the last three years (can it REALLY be that long? Oh yes it can.) James is coming with me for a couple of weeks to help unpack everything. I can't remember what I have got in storage - so it could be quite fun discovering what load of rubbish I have stored for the last 36 months.

I hope James realises that he's there to help me, not spend the time catching up with all his mates!

Then the plan is to set up the travel company in NZ - very exciting - I have a few ideas about what we can do on that front....

Clive will stay in the UK, to be close to Aubrey, his dad....so it's going to be rather strange being apart, but we'll do it - we'll catch up in India or somewhere exotic no doubt...watch this space.

That's it for now.

Sarah xxx