Hi all,

This was my most favourite suprise I have ever been a part of.....

I arrived at the airport in Perth at 8:15am to be greated by Phil, Juli's step-dad. He then took me to Anthony's (Juli's sister) where he and his wife Kate, had arranged to have the whole family over for a champagne breakfast to celebrate Kate's son's birthday. Juli had remarked previously how it was a little bit wierd to have a champagne breakfast for an 11 year old, but didn't think much of it again!

I hid in a bedroom for Juli, Mark and Georgia to arrive. Luckily, as predicted they were the last ones there!!! (sorry guys, but it's true!)

I phoned Juli and had a general chat with her. She asked if I wanted to speak to Mark, but I said no, as I knew she would show her excitement more than he would and by this time I was needing to share my high with someone!!! So the conversation went something like this:

L: So what's my little niece doing?
J: She's standing on the esky (a cooler box) being held up by your brother and Shona (Gerogia's cousin) is next to her.
L: Oh, I wish I could see her again.
J: (sarcastically) well why don't you come over?
L: What now? (pretending to join in the game)
J: Yes now.
L: What right now?
J: Yes.
L: Ok I'll come now. ( I start walking out of the bedroom to where they are in the garden)
J: Good, yes come now
L: I will, I'm coming now.

I can then see Juli looking around, as she can hear the echo from the phone. When she sees me she screams, my brother turned and giggled (eyes lost!) and Georgia looked at me blankly...it seems she has forgotten me already!!! Seriously though it was great and I immediately got lots of cuddles from my niece.

Unfortunately I was only there for four days before heading onto Hong Kong, but a day would have been worth it. I had a great time; we went to Subiaco, Hillary's and the casino for dinner (and bets!) along with a few shopping trips with Juli and I and a diasterous shopping trip, where Marky and I got mugged, but would you believe the muggers gave us 6 dvds, lots of chocolate, a cake, some ice cream and 4 bags of peat...wierd aye!!! (That's our story and we're sticking to it!!!)

Best of all though I got to cuddle my niece for four more days and she didn't mind a bit ( I think she did remember me secretly!) She has changed so much since the last time I was there. Her face has got much thinner, she has lengthened and unfortunately for her she has inherited my brother's eyes, in that they disappear when she laughs or smiles. She is so much stronger now too and although she isn't crawling as such she can move around the floor very quickly, mixing a serious of bunny hops with rolls. I have a video of her showing her excitement one afternoon, by rocking herself backwards and forwards whilst on all fours. She gets so excited though, that she ends up butting a toy way out in front, which brings her to an immediate stop! Very funny, but maybe I'm just being soppy!

The airport was as equally as bad as the time I said goodbye when leaving for Darwin. I had been quite calm all morning and kept saying to myself, and Julianne, that this time we knew when we would see each other again (they're coming over at Christmas) so it wouldn't be as bad, but at the gate I couldn't help the tears from rolling down my face again! And yet again Georgia was completely oblivious to our sorrow! Either that or she was inwardly sighing at our idiotic girliness!!!

So over half a year until I see them all again, in which time Georgia will have changed massively and will have forgotten her Aunty Lynds. (I told Juli that I will greet Georgia at the airport with a large present to buy her affections, before Nanny gets in there!)

At least I come away from theirs with another 100 or so photos to remind me of my little Georgia Betty Evans until then!!!

Onto Hong Kong know to meet my bigger girls. This definitely makes saying goodbye that little bit easier. I can't wait to see Emma, Michelle and Joanne.

Less than a week to go until I'm back in the UK.

Looking forward to seeing you all.

Love Lynds x x