April 1^st was my mothers birthday, always a morning for April fool tricks. Lots of good people have a birthday in April, so all who do "HAPPY BIRTHDAY". In case you were not aware mine is the 16^th April However not only good people were born in April, Adolf Hitler shared the 16^th!!.

Our 2006 travel plan is set. We depart April 24th and return early August.  Stopping in Dubai en-route.  Dubai is a mist interesting location to be respected and appreciated.  Beth and I first visited in 1989, we have seen the amazing growth and business opportunities.  Have a look at the changes shown in the photos using the following link http://photos.hodgedoings.com thanks to Brian Wood who sent this to me.

Australia seems to be getting its share of important leaders visiting, UK, China, Netherlands and all Commonwealth athletes to Melbourne. The games was a show case event costing 40 million for the opening and closing ceremony. We can afford the event but that 40 million is questionable.

Beijing will show case China like never seen before for the Olympics. Did you know China has imposed a further 5% tax on the sale of chop sticks. They are concerned about the forestry industry and its capacity to meet the wood demand for chop sticks. Now here is a potential "chop stick" industry for Tasmania and New Zealand.

India won lots of respect at the games with medals and presentation at the closing ceremony. They will also show the Commonwealth their importance and demonstrate a side of India not seen before when their turn comes in 4 years. The strength of our identity with cricket is a huge advantage. It was interesting that on his recent visit to India our PM associated himself with Steve Waugh. In a small way, on our Beetle travels in India, cricket was so important. Having evidence of knowing cricket personalities in Australia was always an excellent communication link.

In the next decade we are going to have a large flow of tourists visiting Australia from both India and China.

It is the travel season we have itinerary’s for Paul and Maureen Franks, Egypt, Greece and Eastern Europe, Jim and Jeni Herde UK and Paris, Heather Carson, European tour and the UK, Tony Braund Turkey, Croatia and many cities of Europe, John and Mary Bowman Scotland London and Paris. It does not seem that our travel plan will cross with any of our friends. Late May we intend to drive "Bluey" to Italy across to Ancona to Split and head north to the "Plitvice Lakes" a UNESCO declared world heritage national park. This will mean travelling in Croatia, Bosnia and back to Slovenia, which we loved last year. We will head back to London via Germany (Baden Baden) to be back in the flat from early July.

We had the great pleasure to attend weddings in Noosa and Perth. Both spectacularly beautiful weddings. You can view photos that will be posted soon. What was special was the warmth of the family (Beths cousins) with their children getting married, meeting with their friends and the extended family. Noosa to Perth sort of London to Moscow in distance.

Daughter Keris will have our contact details for London should you happen to be passing early May and July.

Early notice, we have booked the NSW Firebrigade Band to play at the Balmoral Rotunda Sunday 8^th October. We can guarantee another fun morning/afternoon. More formal notice in September.

Sincere regards

Ivan and Beth Hodge

April 1^st was my mothers birthday, always a morning for April fool tricks. Lots of good people have a birthday in April, so all who do "HAPPY BIRTHDAY". In case you were not aware mine is the 16^th April However not only good people were born in April, Adolf Hitler shared the 16^th!!.

Our 2006 travel plan is set. We depart April 24th and return early August.  Stopping in Dubai en-route.  Dubai is a mist interesting location to be respected and appreciated.  Beth and I first visited in 1989, we have seen the amazing growth and business opportunities.  Have a look at the changes shown in the photos using the following link http://photos.hodgedoings.com thanks to Brian Wood who sent this to me.

Australia seems to be getting its share of important leaders visiting, UK, China, Netherlands and all Commonwealth athletes to Melbourne. The games was a show case event costing 40 million for the opening and closing ceremony. We can afford the event but that 40 million is questionable.

Beijing will show case China like never seen before for the Olympics. Did you know China has imposed a further 5% tax on the sale of chop sticks. They are concerned about the forestry industry and its capacity to meet the wood demand for chop sticks. Now here is a potential "chop stick" industry for Tasmania and New Zealand.

India won lots of respect at the games with medals and presentation at the closing ceremony. They will also show the Commonwealth their importance and demonstrate a side of India not seen before when their turn comes in 4 years. The strength of our identity with cricket is a huge advantage. It was interesting that on his recent visit to India our PM associated himself with Steve Waugh. In a small way, on our Beetle travels in India, cricket was so important. Having evidence of knowing cricket personalities in Australia was always an excellent communication link.

In the next decade we are going to have a large flow of tourists visiting Australia from both India and China.

It is the travel season we have itinerary’s for Paul and Maureen Franks, Egypt, Greece and Eastern Europe, Jim and Jeni Herde UK and Paris, Heather Carson, European tour and the UK, Tony Braund Turkey, Croatia and many cities of Europe, John and Mary Bowman Scotland London and Paris. It does not seem that our travel plan will cross with any of our friends. Late May we intend to drive "Bluey" to Italy across to Ancona to Split and head north to the "Plitvice Lakes" a UNESCO declared world heritage national park. This will mean travelling in Croatia, Bosnia and back to Slovenia, which we loved last year. We will head back to London via Germany (Baden Baden) to be back in the flat from early July.

We had the great pleasure to attend weddings in Noosa and Perth. Both spectacularly beautiful weddings. You can view photos that will be posted soon. What was special was the warmth of the family (Beths cousins) with their children getting married, meeting with their friends and the extended family. Noosa to Perth sort of London to Moscow in distance.

Daughter Keris will have our contact details for London should you happen to be passing early May and July.

Early notice, we have booked the NSW Firebrigade Band to play at the Balmoral Rotunda Sunday 8^th October. We can guarantee another fun morning/afternoon. More formal notice in September.

Sincere regards

Ivan and Beth Hodge