Hi Val!

Hope it's not too hard on you being back in the UK. Sorry we didn't have the opportunity to meet up a little more often, besides the Kunming one....

I'm in Holland for the whole summer holiday, so no exciting stories about Chinese travels. It took me a while to get used to life in Holland again (even felt like a culture shock every now and then), but I'm now very ready to go back for my 2nd and last year in China. It'll fly by I bet...

You'll never be a 'I lived in China once' bore! Keep dreaming, so there'll be more dreams to come true.

Hi Val

I've only just got round to having a look at your website only to find that you have arrived back in the UK! Timing has never been my strong point!

It sounds, and looks, like you've had a fab year in China. I bet it already seems like a distant memory in some respects, though every so often you'll stop and remember some small part of it really vividly and smile.

I hope you enjoy the summer back home and that going back to school isn't too bad. I'm still on maternity leave and won't be going back until Jan but I know it'll be hard after a year off. Although, it only takes a few hours and it feels like you've never been away - unfortunately!

When I last saw Arthur/Tim, we said we'd catch up later in the year so I'll bring Noah over to see you.

love

Lisa (better late than never!)

Hi Val,

it's raining buckets here in Xingyi, great weather for indoor activities like marking.... I'm now taking a break after working my way through 111 writing exams. No words to describe my frustrations. The orals went better though. My hols will start on Friday, the 13th. No, I'm not superstitious. Anything can happen anytime anywhere in China. Glad to hear you're enjoying your last weeks in China. I wish I could have joined you in Guilin but you know, I''ll be travelling in the opposite direction for about 5-6 weeks. 'More about that later, wait, I'll send you a few pics after the Summer.

Enjoy the rest of Guanxi and have a safe journey back to the UK!! (Must be ironic to begin & to end your year off with a terror alarm)

Val, I'm going to miss you and your great blog! Why don't you set up one in England? I'd love to read about your "life after Wenshan" experiences. Ooohhhhh, must be so strange for you having to say Goodbye, I still have one more year thank god, but "how time flies" we always say. Will contact you later, via email, about the Guilin trip. Bye for now!

PS my previous message did not reach your message board for some reason... Ahhh now I see, I should have solved the sum...

Hello Val,

I'm back home now after a long, but good trip from Wenshan. It was so nice to see you and to walk around in your world, which in some ways is comparable to mine but at the same time, different. Yes I've got to say it again, your campus looks a lot better than mine. Nevertheless, it's good to be back home. And my stomach now feels a lot better too. Look forward to seeing you here in Xingyi, with Fridays off and a direct connection between our placements, it's quick, cheap and easy. Exceed the gram, Val!!! Jacq

Hallo Val and maybe Tim too.

Are you in Vietnam now? Life in the chippy trundles along and I do read your postcards but fight with the boys for internet time.!! Devon's great, calm enough and no real hassles in life. Keep enjoying everything.

Lots of love

Anne

Hi ValHope you are still enjoying your working-holiday? Saw your photos on the internet, it looks good also what Tim explained about your trip, possibly Tim is with you now. The green sand grind was good as usual, enjoyed by all only a couple had problems, no names. I unfortunately had to walk but could enjoy the scenery more. Hope to get back to running, had a minor heart attack & blocked artery. Keeping my fingers crosssed. Missed your smiling face, pleased to say the soups made the day, garlic great. Tim did very well. See you in the summer, regards John

Hello Val

I am sending this again, because I originally sent it under the 'contact' instruction and I see Jenny sent it via the msg, anyway whichever way I hope you receive it!

Jenny and I really enjoyed the annual Grayshott Gallop, Tim had excelled himself on the route which in parts we both recognised as having done before but in reverse. The weather was dry with a gathering coldish wind but even the sun came out when we reached the top of Gibbet Hill! We were also incredibly impressed with Tim's cooking, lovely home made soups, home made bread and bread rolls, I see a second career here!

From what Tim was saying, you are having an experience of a lifetime, makes life here at home seem really rather tame!

I am going to be a Grandmother for the 4th time in July, now that really does sound old and boring, but not a bit of it although the last three months have been very tough for me. My brother died on Christmas morning which is something I don't think I will ever come to terms with. Being adopted and he being my adopted brother and some 21 years older than me always had the mantle of being both a Dad and Brother to me, so you can imagine a great loss to me.

Anyway, as always, life moves on and I am about to put a presentation together for rather an important job interview tomorrow, so I will finish now, but now we have your contact details we will keep up to date with your travels.

Lots of love Pamela

Dear Val

We missed you yesterday at the Grayshott Gallop. Tim did a fantastic job sorting out lovely routes

for us, and then providing us with delicious refreshments - what a treasure! Pamela and I went

round together, and I am sure you will be hearing from her too.

You sound to be having a great time in China and having so many new experiences - Tim is looking

forward to meeting up with you again soon. I don't know what to tell you about life here really, as

it is most enjoyable but sounds boring compared with what you are doing. Anyway, I am in training

for this year's London Marathon (no. 10), and I am giving up one of my part time jobs at Easter.

which will give more time for other interests.

Love Jenny

.

Hi Val

This is a bit weird, I'm sitting in your house on your computer looking at pictures of you in China. I have just done my very first Greyshot Gallop and thoroughly enjoyed it . It is a beautifully sunny day and Tim had us running off round the Devils Punchbowl. It really was quite breathtaking. Back at the house I am enjoying a lovely bowl of rocket, garlic and potato soup, homemade bread and a cup of tea - perfect.

I have read a few of your postcards and it sounds as if you are having an amazing experience. I think the website is brilliant. Must go now - Robbie's eating all the soup and I want to try some of the other ones before they all go.

Take care Val

Anne

x