Great Aunt Paulie hosts Dunlop Gals

Whilst Paulie's nephew Toni peddled the Italian Alps as only an olympian can, the guys were delighted to spend time with Kirsten and Ella. Many an experience was shared including Ella's first baguette bite with her first 2 teeth. Toni was kept up to date with calls and videos including the totally fabricated first words (Mum) and her miracle mastery of French (he fell for one).

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June 7- the Dunlop trio arrive in Toulouse from Paris IMG 8074 IMG 8078 And then hit the true cultural capital of SW France - La Cachette
Only to have to put a baby chair together IMG 8084 IMG 1082 IMG 3826
Toni farewells his gals and heads to the airport... IMG 1097 .. where he takes to the mountains in Italy for 10 days. Thousands of metres up and hundreds along (which are snow capped even in June)
035 IMG 3868 Paulie and Stephen are more than happy to help care for Miss Ella IMG 1114
.. and teach her the French ways such as ... .. fine food ... picnics IMG 8107
.. the great outdoors IMG 3838 IMG 8166 IMG 8178
IMG 3887 IMG 9356 IMG 9359 IMG 8289
IMG 3902 ... outdoor cooking instruction ...flora studies .. ornithology
... and social studies with French locals such as Ivan & Beatrice IMG 8149 .. and Aussie locals Indeed, Paulie & Stephen start to fight over her
The "wild" cat becomes more tame (and inappropriate) A strict exercise regime keeps the mind/body balance IMG 8316 Kirsten (who it must be said has run a number of marathons) takes to biking
... may not be as high as Toni's 2,000 m Italian hills, but not bad ... all of which requires some hydrotherapy after a hot cycle IMG 8211 IMG 8222
13th - time to hit L'Aveyron .. with Aussie locals John and Michael IMG 8234 IMG 8236
IMG 8237 IMG 8243 IMG 8247 IMG 8263
IMG 8273 Michael tests the waters Kirst takes to the rapids IMG 8281
IMG 8282 IMG 8286 IMG 8287 Taking in local hot spots like Najac
IMG 8293 IMG 3924 IMG 8302 IMG 8306
IMG 8310 The many faces of Miss Dunlop IMG 3847 IMG 3981
IMG 3982 IMG 3986 IMG 3848 IMG 4076
IMG 3875 IMG 8226 Another outing... up the cobble stones to Cordes .. with it's lovely views
IMG 8332 Miss Ella has her first baguette Back home the gals share some funny memories A catch up with Jan & Jim in Australia
Another hill conquered (to Grotte du Bosc) IMG 8355 Meanwhile, back in Brisbane, Olivia mixes feline madness : Photo Booth under the watchful eye of Rosie
... with serious study. Kirst gives some tips for physio exams ... and mother sends some emotional support 18th - friends Robin & Rosie are over for dinner with a glass of fine Champers care of Kirst
June 19 - a quick breakfast before heading to Blagnac Airport IMG 8369 IMG 8374 Rome, here we come...