Always keen to try new things, we had our first trip in a Hot Air Balloon. As you'll see from the pics - all went well. It's amazing just how big the balloon is - and, in comparison, how small the bucket is!  If you are interested - I can thoroughly recommend this company - they were fantastic.  http://hotair-balloonrides.co.uk/

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Another quick blog post from Cyprus - this time a visit to Kykkos Monestery in the Troodos Mountains. One of the richest and best known monasteries, the galleried murals are just fantastic.  Enjoy!

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Our main trip was to be Cyprus - a chance to take Shanhong to see the country of my birth!  Lots of day trips here to share, all in the main 'reports' section of this site. However, here is a glance at one of the day trips - Kourion. Enjoy!

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A visit to UK would not be the same without visiting family - so we had mini trips over to see Lynn & Chris (and Kimberley) and to see Stephen & Christine. We did see David & Teresa too - but obviously forgot to take pics!  The final family pic is the latest niece... Scarlett Olivia Darcy Hughes!  

We also got the keys for the apartment we bought to rent out - so were in to tidy up after the last owners pretty much trashed it - and and Shanhong got her first taste of painting!

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After Dublin, it was a trip to the South Coast, to visit Devon, another part of the UK we have never visited. Staying in a seafront beach hut, we had nice days out at National Trust properties, model villages - and, as this post shows, Pennywell Farm!

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