Then we headed off for an Oldring/Armstrong/Mieske family holiday to South America. We flew to Buenos Aires, Argentina, got on a ship and hopped down the coast to Cape Horn and made our up the Chilean coast to Santiago. We were 19 days on the boat so we got used to a very high level of pampering. The trip was amazing and we got a chance to spend time with family and watch our new nephew, Gavin, grow up a little. He was the star of the ship and, thankfully, took the attention away from his ill-mannered father and rowdy grandmother.

I took a couple thousand photos so here is a little sample of some trip highlights. So much to see in 3 weeks so it's hard to do the trip justice on our little blogsite.

The harbour in Punta Arenas.
Montevideo, Uruguay

Montevideo, Uruguay

John and I went Scuba diving in Puerto Madryn with a huge group of sea lions. They were so curious and would come right up to you to play. Best. Dive. Ever.

Camarones, Argentina

Camarones, Argentina

Camarones, Argentina

I went for a run in Camarones down a completly isolated stretch of desert along the coast. As I got back closer to town, a family had came down for a BBQ. They insisted I stop running and sit down for a beer and some roast meat. How could I refuse?

Near Punta Arenas, Chile

Punta Arenas, Chile

Down the Chilean Fjords towards Ushuaia.

Getting ready for New Years south of Cape Horn.

Looking fantastic, just waiting for some ladies.

And here they are!

Cape Horn at midnight on New Year's!

Walking through a campground on our way for a hike in Tiera Del Fuego National Park, near Ushuaia.

Lookout near the top.

I went for a run to try for the summit but ran out of time. There were a couple Spanish climbers that were able to take my picture.

Heading back north through the fjords.

Ancud, Chile

Ancud, Chile

Market in Valdivia, Chile

La Serena, Chile.

Gavin and Grandma, swimming in the pool in Santiago, Chile.

Loving the beans. So much.

Christmas holidays were great, I was able to come home a little early and teach out in Morley for a few weeks. Got some skiing in with the mates and had a lovely, early Mieske/Johnston/Dingman/Bawden Christmas. Was so nice to see all three Grandmas, Kerri, Scott and the boys, plus my parents out at the lake.

Fun playing games!

Cole, such an angel.

Right.

Big brother Hale knows just how to deal with the angel.

Puccin with their new hurlies, straight out of Ireland.

Grandmas Mieske, Bawden, and Dingman finishing off the puzzle.

Well...almost the end of November. Today was my last day of classes for the term and I'm headed for exams. Chris has been working on his masters, and teaching at the cultural institute. He's headed home on November 30th and I'll follow December 14th. It's been a very busy few months but we've had a lot of fun along the way....

We arrived on the bus to find our car with a dead battery and a flat tire. We rented a car which I promptly drove it into the stone wall of our parkade entrance...a little spit polish did it wonders!!

Our Irish friends tell us that the summer was horrible and rainy but the weather here has been nothing but gorgeous since we arrived....

These are a few shots taken at the Quays... the view from our apartment. Lucky us!!

Even a few days nice enough for....

relaxing at the beach with friends- Chris Noel, Angela, Maeve and Aine

Camping....

on the cliffs of the burren

with a view of the three Aran Islands

Mom Oldring visited in September. I had some unexpected exams sprung on me so she had to watch me study a lot but we also had some fun and it was great to have her here.

Hiking Mt. Roundstone

Surfing....

The 'road' to the surfing beach

Way to go Blue Thunder!!


I got a NEW SURF BOARD (Barge)!!!!!!!!!

(It's 9'4'')

A couple randoms....

How could you not love this guy??!!

too bad this wasn't a video cuz he was making a hilarious howling sound whilst trying to fly with those big ears (Bosco...you have competition!!)

Something to think about....

I took this photo in Bath, England. This guy was there all day and MANY people took him up on the free hugs. There's actually an organization based solely on this premise (http://www.freehugscampaign.org/). It was established to increase human contact and connectivity (and to brighten peoples days). It was actually banned for a while (huggers were arrested) until thousands of names were gathered in a petition. I think it's a really neat idea...everyone who got a hug left him with a huge smile!!

On that note....big hugs to everyone back home!!
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BRILLIANT, ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!

Some of you may know this already but Kelly works hard in school, is really smart, and has impeccable taste in men. The first two qualities earned her the 1st place Dr. Henry Hutchinson Stewart Scholarship Award in Anatomy and the Dr. Henry Hutchinson Stewart Scholarship Commendation in Physiology!

The university sent us, along with a few other award winners, to Croke Park in Dublin for the awards ceremony and reception.

I was put in the back with the rest of the rif-raf and took some really crap pictures. There were pro photographers at the front so she'll get some non-blurry ones also.

Kelly receiving her award from the Chancellor of the University, Dr. Garret FitzGerald.

Way to go!!!

It was great that her friend Angela won an award also!!

Behind the scenes in Croke Park.