Hi J and J

We have checked the blog several times in the last few weeks and were becoming a little concerned about the gap between blogs .. delighted it was nothing more serious than power problems!

You have clearly had an enjoyable break and spending extended time with members of the family must have been particularly pleasant. The whale watching sounds fantastic!

We were particularly struck by the conversations you described outlining the recent domestic difficulties and the potential for ongoing disputes and violence.

Unless we missed it we couldn't see if you had plans post holiday with Lisa and Simon .. or are you weighing up options?

Looking forward to hearing and seeing more ...

Be safe

Love from us both xx

Hi Jac and John

I happened upon your blog through a google search and have been an avid reader for the past few months. I lived in Wabag, Enga Province from 1982-4 when I was only 21. I married a much older man during my working holiday in Australia and he secured a job with works and supply having spent much of the 70s as an expatriate in the Highlands. I remember Wabag to be a beautiful and remote place but it always considered as way back. Your difficulties with water cuts, power cuts are very reminiscent of my time. There were also problems with the post when rascals held up the mail van, or one time the door to the van wasn't secured properly and several mail bags fell out on the journey from Mount Hagen to Wabag. I remember driving through Kundiawa a couple of times on journeys to Lae, it seemed like a proper town compared to Wabag with decent roads, shops, hotels.

Now I'm a teacher with 20 years experience and children nearly off my hands. I'm wondering about volunteering at some stage in the future and wonder what advice you would give. I'd love to return to PNG but not sure it's the right thing.

Hi guys

We would like to wish you a very happy Christmas and all good wishes for 2010. Do hope you have enjoyed the festive season with family and that - in particular - Jacqui is feeling much better.

Haven't looked at the blog before sending this brief note as time has run away with us but will catch up next week. We were all together for Christmas day, with Emily returning on 28th - Ben goes back to Brum NYE - and we got together with P and A a couple of days ago.

Work beckons far too rapidly but at least we feel rested and ready for the fray.

Happy new year and love from us both.

Crikey what fun you guys are having .. medical capers (hope all is well now Jacqui), spiders and even the opportunity to shop at Woolies! ... and the end of term festivities seem even more exciting than a King Edwards' disco of the 1980s!

Anyway, you now appear to have a chance to catch up, draw breath and enjoy some R and R with Rich et al.

We'll be interested in seeing if anything happens as a result of thre paper you presented.

One more message before Christmas likely so will save Christmas greetings until later.

Be safe and love from us both

D and S xx

God evening from a wind swept Suffolk

Just caught up with the blog .. not being able to get stuck into a cottage pie on a Saturday evening must have been frustrating ... and how accurate is John's story telling?

Like you guys, there is a whiff of the end of term although still lots on and loads to do.

The Boy from PNG (Will Genia) featured again for the Wallabies against Ireland and is clearly a very good international player in the making. England woeful v Argentina though and next week the All Blacks!

What will you be eating on Christmas Day we wonder??

Trust remaining weeks of term and graduations etc go well.

Be safe and lots of love

D and S xx

Hi, Jacquie & John,

Thinking of you and reading your log. Still in awe at what you're doing.

I sent you an e-mail with my new address. Hope it arrived.

Stay well. xx

Good afternoon from Autumnal Melton,

Just had a look at the blog and photos .. nice pink tie John (and trendy little goatie!!) .. interested to note the fast sinking position of PHG on human index of deprivation and Jacqui's closing words ... it would seem major change would be needed in all aspects of daily life to make a real difference ... but without your efforts (and many others like you) one suspects the situation would be even more difficult... you will be making a difference to the lives of some... albeit that things are slow to move forward.

Half term seems to be going too fast here ..

Love from us both xx

Hi chaps, just had to drop you a line having read your moving story re the neighbours Pig! perhaps Letchworth isn't so bad then!

Good to see John sporting a Goatie would have been in good company earlier in the year when the Letchworth office lads attempted to grow them for charity!

I'd keep away from men brandishing large sticks and certainly be more suspicious of the neighbours activity from now on!

All the best from an overcast LGC

Cheers Steve L

Must say we thought you had scrubbed up well for the Governors's Do!!

A number of folk asked after you over the summer and again at our 30th W/A do just before term started .. so we were able to update them .. although this was before news broke of the disappearing jeans and coffee table!

Did you get to see any of the athletics from Berlin - Bolt quite brilliant!! No pun intended!

Hope all is well .. and be safe.

Love from us all

It's great to read your news . Theft is not confined to PNG. In July someone pinched my purse from my bag in the Oxfam shop and then last week Graham went to give blood and dropped his wallet. Un beknown to him a bloke picked it up and handed it to the man in front of him, who took it! And I though blood donors were altruistic...

There is no Indian summer here. It's quite cold and we're off to my godson's wedding in Cornwall this weekend. I've had to buy a jacket to go over the summer frock!