McLays in Europe

Saturday 3 November; travel to Magdenburg, Germany by train for 2 night exchange with Michael and Kerstin who are planning to visit us in 2008.

Monday 5 November; travel to Berlin by train

Thursday 8 November; fly to Mikanos, Greece and then travel by ferry to island of Syros to stay for 1 week in Edna's house. Edna will be coming to stay with us in early 2008 soon after we return home.

Thursday 15 November; fly to Paris. Looking forward to Moulin Rouge!

Sunday 18 November; fly to Norfolk, England for 3 week exchange in Great Yarmouth with Mike and Janet.

Sunday 9 December; travel by train to stay 5 nights with my cousin John and his family who live in Chartridge, Bucks between London and Oxford. Looking forward to catching up with John who I have not seen for around 22 years.

Friday 14 December; fly to Madrid, Spain

Saturday 15 December; commence Trafalgar Tour of Spain, Portugal and Morocco

Sunday 31 December; fly from Madrid to Bangkok, Thailand for 3 days

Friday 4 January; fly home arriving Alice Springs 5 January

Sunday 30 September; fly from Alice Springs to Darwin to Singapore

Monday 1 October; full day in Singapore being escorted by Shiling, student dietitian who kindly offered to be our tour guide, flying out around midnight for Frankfurt, Germany

Tuesday 2 October; arrive Dresden, Germany for 3 day house exchange with Katja and Chris

Friday 5 October; travel by train to Prague, Czech Republic for 3 days

Monday 8 October; travel by train to Munich area where we have a 2 week house exchange with Horst and Margarete. The first week is in Schofweg in the Bavarian Forrest and then 1 week in Meisbach

Sunday 21 October; travel by train to Treviso, Italy near Venice. We are taking a 3 day hospitality exchange here with Monia and Luca who will visit us in Australia next year

Wednesday 24 October; travel by train to a ski chalet in Crans Montana, Switzerland for 3 day hospitality exchange with Peter and Rosy who will be also visiting us in 2008

Saturday 27 October; travel by train to Frankfurt, Germany for 3 night hospitality exchange. Regine has already stayed with us in Alice Springs and we are looking forward to seeing her again

Tuesday 30 October; travel to Goslar, Germany by train for 4 night hospitality exchange with Hartmut and Doreena who we hosted in June and took on a weekend visit to Hermannsburg and Yulara. Harmut has promised us a visit to the mountains.

Well, after around 18 months of planning for a 3 month trip to Europe we are almost ready to go! I have been on leave now for 7 weeks visiting close relatives, spring cleaning the house and garden and putting the final touches on our itinerary. Ian has been helping out on the weekends as has been busy getting the end of year finalised at work so that he can go away with a clear mind. Stuart's starting a new job with City of Greater Geelong, Adrian has just found out he has vacation employment at Australian Submarine Corporation in Adelaide, Melissa is all organised with a licence to drive and staying with friends and family and the blind dog has a special carer so we are off!
We will be away from 30 September until 5 January and have organised 9 exchanges over that time.