The Last Two Years!

So it's been almost 2 years since I updated the blog! Where does the time go!? I seem to be good at keeping myself busy or making excuses to not update. Anyway, here I am! And here's a brief summary of our 2008-2009:

My first trip home to Canada was fantastic! It was so good to see family and friends after a year of being away. I was able to do loads of visiting and hiking and even got in some lobster fishing. What a treat since I didn't get any lobster last year! My cousin Tanya came back with me to the UK and we spent a very busy 2 weeks showing her around Cornwall, Bath and London. We had a blast!

I was very lucky to have a good friend Jamie move to the UK while I was at home. Jamie stayed with us for a few months and we did lots of touring around the UK. We even made a trip to Paris to see Madonna in concert! What an experience! Paris is an amazing city!

In September, I started work at Cornwall County Council as a Programme Analyst. I was originally brought on for 6 months but then I was extended another 6 months. I then moved to an internal 6 month contract. During that internal contract I went through a competitive recruitment process for my job and got it! I'm now a permanent employee. Thankfully as I need to support my travel habit!

End November I went on my second Xmas markets trip to Europe. This year we went to The Netherlands (aka Holland), Germany and Belgium. It was another fun trip but I highly recommend the German markets over the Holland ones. We (including Jamie) spent Xmas in Devon with Dale and Lauren and family.

Most of 2009 was spent wedding planning. It was great to finally be able to have a wedding! We had an awesome day. The wedding and reception were held at the Point Cottages at home in Ingonish.

I was very lucky to do several trips in 2009. In April I met Keith in Muscat, Oman and spent a few days lounging on a beach in 35C temps. After I left Oman I spent a few days in Dubai on my own. What a trip! The Middle East is such a contrast to here and it was amazing to experience it. Keith and I went on a WWI tour with the Canadian detachment to Belgium and France. That was another amazing experience. We hope to do a WWII someday. In August we went to the Lake District in northern England with Dale, Lauren and kids. What a beautiful place! Mountains and lakes as far as the eye can see. Stunning! Then it was home to Canada! Had another great visit although most if it was consumed by wedding planning.

Matthew came back with me this time around and stayed with us for a few months. I took full advantage of having a travel buddy as Keith isn't much of a traveler. Matthew and I went to Dublin, Ireland in November, Frankfurt, Germany for the Xmas markets in December and finally Rome, Italy in January! There was no shortages of stamps in our passports!

In July Keith and I were lucky (along with many other Canadian Forces members) to attend the annual Queen's Garden Party! What a treat to have lunch at Buckingham Palace and see the Queen!

Keith had many trips away last year with his squadron doing the Oman rotation. He spent approx 4 months in Oman over different periods, went to Norway and did some training in Southern England. He was probably gone for a total of just under 6 months of the year.

That's all the big stuff I can think of over the last 2 years. So that's a quick summary of what we've been up to! I'm sure I've missed some stuff! I'm going to try to keep this updated now that Keith away.