26th February 2016

We've been back nearly a week and its seems like only yesterday we were playing scrabble in front of the log burner and sipping on bubbly with Rosie :-D

The first few days back are always quite hard to adjust especially not seeing the family but I think we're just about over our jet lag and back in the swing of things.

What's lovely is that we have Simon's brother here, Roy.   He arrived the afternoon of the 23rd Feb and we're slowly easing him into island life.  

As I've been away, I arranged some ECO dives with the DMT's (Dive Master Trainee's)  A Drupella snail collection dive (coral eating snails) and then onto our artificial reef, Junkyard to do some coral transplants and cleaning. It was a great day as we used new tongs/tweezers to collect the snails and on just one dive we collected a record breaking 1186 snails.

Coral rope nursery

1186 snails collected

Whilst I've been out diving with the DMT's,  Simon has taken Roy in the pool for a Scuba Review to refresh his diving skills.  He'll now be able to come out and help with ECO and do lots of fun dives.

Longtail ferrying people to
Crystals dive boat

Waiting for the boat

 While we were in the UK, Mae Haad pier collapsed in a storm, so we're now having to be ferried to and from the Crystal dive boats in the longtail.  It takes a lot longer but it's works :-D

Who knows when the new pier will be built.





So apart from diving and propping up the Crystal bar in the evening LOL we ventured out yesterday and did a gentle hike up to John Suwan Viewpoint, one of Koh Tao's prettiest spots.  We'd prepared, well Simon had as he'd packed lots of water and made individual salads for our little picnic that we'd planned the night before.  Lunch was Delicious!!

Boys taking pics

Enjoy our lunch

The view

22nd February 2016

Our first night back on the island was good.  We both slept until 2am and then we're were up for a couple of hours (simon a few more) and then woke the next morning/afternoon, around 1pm  ..a first for Simon.  I remember slowly waking to realizing we're not going to see Rosie and the boys, that's when reality kicked in, also it was very hot! :-D

After being away a month, the gekko poo had built up  ..so we spent a good few hours unpacking and blitzing the whole house.  So everything is now spic and span!   

After a cuppa, I went out for my first bike ride up to the reservoir which I didn't find too difficult surprisingly enough.   It's definitely better riding when the suns almost gone down.  It's so much cooler LOL

While I was out, Simon decided to shave his hair and beard.  

Isn't he looking handsome!!! 

Here are  few shots of the house to remind you of where we're living.

Front door looking at Hacienda

Front door & my bike 

By tv facing frontdoor

From bar area through to rooms

TV area, usually pull out at an angle

Tomorrow is going to be exciting, Simons brother Roy is arriving on the island :-D

21st February 2016

It was a long journey back to Koh Tao.  We left the farm around 10.30 am and headed to LHR, dropped off the hire car and caught the bus to Terminal 4.  Check in was easy and we were fortunate to get our bags checked in all the way to Koh Samui.  Our first flight was to Doha (6hrs) with Qatar Airways. Having traveled business last time, we were dreading the journey but the airline was brilliant. The seats were very spacious, service was excellent and Simon even liked the food.

Big Ted

On arrival at Doha, we had a couple of hours to before our next flight so after walking towards our gate we passed various internet stations, statues and this little fella caught my eye.   Just a little too big to bring back for Iona :-D

Kids playground area

After we'd freshened up, found a charging station for our phones, watched a little TV it was time to board Qatar Airways newest A380 plane which was huge.  2 decks fortunately we got upgraded to economy plus which was upstairs ...YAY!!

Doha Airport

Our seats

Once we arrived at Bangkok, it was a smooth transition to our final domestic flight to Koh Samui which took less than an hour and then an erratic speedy taxi ride to the Lomprayah Pier to catch the last ferry of the day which was so busy, there was only standing room available.  A little too many people on board I think.

By the time we arrived in Koh Tao it must have been 7.30pm.   We dragged our bags back from the pier to Crystal and then had everything crossed hoping that the bike would start, which it did.

While Simon ferried the luggage home,   I popped to the bar to see who was around and had a refreshing G&T.

14th February 2016

Happy Valentines Day!!

11th February 2016

Just over a week or so until we head back to Thailand.  Time flying by now.

Elaine & Emily Rose

Last weekend, Simon and I went our separate ways. Simon was doing the rounds, visiting his Dad, Mum, Brother & then friends in Welling to watch the SuperBowl.  I on the other hand, watched my niece, Chloe, ride at Wellington Country Park then headed back to my sister Fiona's for a sleep over in Odiham, ready for an early start to head down to Sussex to visit my elder sister, Jan and to say hello to the newest addition to the family, Emily Rose.

We arrived just in time for a lovely lunch.  Later on, we had a couple of surprise visitors,  Elaine and the gorgeous Emily Rose.  

I had my first hold and was very pleased that she didn't ball her eyes out.  She's a very contented little baby.  I even managed to get Emily off to sleep.  I do take my hat off to all  mothers out there as you need arms of steel  ...I felt the burn.  Who needs the gym?! :-D

Sammy, Sophia, Fi & Elijah

3rd February 2016

I went out on the bike this morning,  nippy to say the least!    It's been lovely cycling through the country lanes, seeing all the daffodils, snowdrops and crocuses start to come out.  It's slightly early for them but it has been a mild winter, so everyone says.  I'd say bitterly cold out there!

Sunday was our family day.  We had cousins travelling from all over the place popping in, bringing homemade cakes, cupcakes, soda bread and the tea/coffee pot was constantly on the go :-D

It's always lovely to see family ..I sometimes forget that not all families are as big as ours.  That'll be the Irish in us :-D





Last night Simon and I did a little bit of babysitting for my sister Fiona. I'd forgotten how difficult it can be LOL  ...only joking!!!

It was easy peasy.   I was the one being looked after :-D  Iona made me a lovely cup of cappuccino with their lovely new coffee machine and then entertained me by showing me all of her lego creations.  Even when it came to the her Maths homework, she was teasing me by calling out the incorrect answers  ...she's a clever one :-D     So when Simon turned up I took a back seat and watched Simon and Iona take turns to play with a remote control car. It didn't take them long to get bored of racing up and down the carpet, so they constructed an obstacle course from folders, books etc which seemed pretty challenging.    I'd forgotten how hard babysitting can be ;-)

31st January 2016

It's been very windy the last few days but I still ventured out on my bike through Mattingley, Hook, Upton Grey and I stopped off at my sisters in Odiham, for a cuppa and a couple of slices of flapjack  ..mmm very tasty.  I didn't stay too long as I began to get realy cold, so 20 mins or so, I was back o the bike, cycling home, via Winchfield & Hartley Wintney.   The wind in places was pretty intense so I stayed to the country lanes which helped a little.

While I was out, Simon was driving down to his fathers (Croydon) to drop off digi tapes and to do a little bit of work.  He could have done this at home but it would have taken him a lot longer and it's so much nicer to see family.  Once his work there was complete, he stopped in at his mothers (Gravesend) and then drove to his brothers Roy (Hoo), for an evening of beer & curry :-D

I had a very lazy evening with my sister and family.  I finished off last nights enchilada's which were very tasty and then sat with everyone in front of the fire and watched TV.

Tomorrow, Rosie has organised a big family day.  A gathering of all the cousins to the farm for a good ole catch up.  I think Simon and I missed the last one, so it will be lovely to see everyone.  Rosies asked everyone to bring a cake ..so I think we will be all caked out   ...can't wait!! :-D