A Lot in a Year!

Ok, now where to begin?! I suppose the best thing is to think back to Friday 19th August 2005. The day myself and Kevin stood up in Holy Trinity Church, Warrington, to declare our commitment to each other.

We had a superb day, with so many friends and family there to support us and witness our "I do's" - It was a fantastic start to what, unbeknown to us, was to became the most unimaginable but amazing year of our lives...
We, along with various relatives from both sides, went to Ireland for a lovely few days after the wedding before embarking, barely a fortnight later, on our much anticipated round-the-world-trip.

This year, we have seen things, done things and met people we would never have had opportunity to without this trip. We not only visited but made the most of our visits to Canada, America, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and back into Thailand. Believe me when I say, not one second has been taken for granted. However, every second was jam-packed with activities from surfing to hiking, snorkelling to bungy-jumping, camping to eating out, playing Uno to kayaking, visiting temples to riding elephants... you name it... we did it!

Of, course, not all of this was easy! Have any couples out there tried living in each other's pockets 24/7 for what turned out to be 13 1/2 months?! Its not easy! Somehow, with some very rocky moments we not only made it through but became very much a stronger couple as a result. One thing that we know and was noticed by the people who took the time to get to know us, was how much fun we have! We both have a daft sense of humour and watching back over our videos of the year has been a laugh a minute!!!

So, that was our first year of marraige... well not quite! We had an unforgettable turn of events, when I got pregnant in New Zealand, found out in Australia and gave birth 9 1/2 weeks early to everyone's surprise (but no-one's more than ours!) in Thailand! Nathaniel came in at 4lb6oz on Wednesday 16th August 2005 - just three days before our first wedding anniversary!

This was definitely the most precious and wonderful gift we could have ever given to each other and after a worrying 16 days in hospital - 13 of which Nathaniel spent in special care - Kev and I had the joy and anxieties that come hand in hand with parenthood - in Thailand!!!

We gratefully accepted support from both my dad and mum who were able to get out to us to ease the anxiety parts. Also again, we were inundated with support from friends and family who sent cards, e-mails, baby clothes and even Galaxy Chocolate bars to us in our hours of need! After initial delays, our insurance company really pulled through and we were put up in a fancy hotel for a month and a half until Nathaniel was old enough and well enough to fly home. This was a welcome change from the back of a car, or tent, which had been our main options for the last year! We welcomed our luxury suite (not room!) with fabulous views over mountain ranges and the Mekok River with open arms. In addition to this, our room included all-you-could-eat-buffet-style breakfast, free use of the outdoor pool and the gym along with the most courteous and lovely staff you can imagine.

So, there we were, with our backpacks and our various souvenirs picked up along our way - conical hats from Vietnam, sarongs from Malaysian Islands and undoubtedly, our most treasured souvenir from the whole trip... Nathaniel Elliott Hay. Yes, it was official...

We had become the Travelling Trilogy!