Every single person we have spoke to lately have said that 2011 has passed by so fast, it went like a blur. But when we take time to reflect and assess what we have done we're quite surprised what we fit into 365 days.
We've had the most wonderful time touring to all parts of Australia and in total we've clocked up 71,455km during the year. One might say we could rewrite the song... "I've been Everywhere Man". Australia is a big country when you get to visit all the little out of the way isolated towns and the bigger towns and cities. We have had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful people and have been made to feel so welcome - community embrace is alive and well out there.
In January we invested in a new Iveco truck and a 22 foot Roma caravan, after looking at what we spent on motels the previous year this was a much better option. The van has paid for itself this year in what we saved on accommodation and we just love it. It's so comfy Rob calls it our Penthouse on wheels - we wake up to different scenery daily. With 2011 having such a horrid start for so many people we are blessed that none of our family or friends were affected by all the disasters. We hope 2012 is going to be a much better year for everyone.
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We had a very successful year in 2011 and it's thanks to the great team behind us. With Gerry running the home office here in Cabarlah, Kim working from her home in Aberdeen (no not Scotland) NSW, Jane in Perth (yes Canada not WA!!) and also Gerry's husband John taking care of the garden, everything runs smoothly.
Our two precious grandchildren, Lannah and Dean, are growing so fast that every time we see them they have changed so much. They have a little pony they call Cream Puff so Jason has been teaching them to ride. They are both really enjoying it and very confident in the saddle. Mind you the saddle is bigger than they are and when they finish riding they have to put it back in the saddle shed. It's really a laugh a minute to watch the pair of them doing it - one on each end waddling along to the shed.
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Jason and Vicki have both been very busy. Jason has been away from home with his contract mustering and he is in huge demand. Vicki has had great success with all the children at her school. She has done an amazing job since Jason is away most of the time, with the two children, all the animals and a school to run. She is so looking forward to a great rest over the holidays. They employed a nannie this year to help look after the children and such a lovely girl. It is a shame she is unable to continue with them next year. Lannah is off to prep school in 2012, so she'll be going off to school with Mum a few days a week. Dean will be with a day care mum.
Both mine and Rob's mum are very well and enjoying their bowls and social craft groups. We've been lucky to have travelled through Armidale and been able to spend quite a bit of time with them both. We are heading there to spend Christmas with both families, and as Jason, Vicki and the children will also be joining us, everyone is very much looking forward to having a great time together. 
Thank you to all the quilters and groups who have helped make this past year so enjoyable. We look forward to travelling once again in 2012, and meeting old friends and making new ones.
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic 2012.
Pauline and Rob
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