Shirley Christieson Awe you are a star doing that whole trip solo!!! Thanks so much for coming to see me, loved having you here!!! Maybe se you on Friday before you leav3 on your next holiday!!! Love you loads.....Shirls xxxx

Elizabeth Robertson It's been great following your adventure. Your blog has been so informative. If the P&J are ever looking for a travel correspondent.... We were just commenting the other day that it has gone so quick. Glad you've enjoyed it. You've certainly been able to experience a lot of different places/cultures. Look forward to lots more stories of your trip when you get back - yes I'm still in office.

Michele Beattei Glad you enjoyed your trip away. Hope you have a nice relaxing holiday with Erlend in the waters. xx

Diane Bowie I remember well from Dubai how the Indian men stare at you ALL the time, I found it wierd at first but got used to it eventually! Glad you seem to be in a good group. Can't wait to hear all about your travels. Loving your blog . Enjoy yourself but stay safe always with people from your group, not alone (know you will already know this tho). Diane xxxx

Karen Hello - no time for an Ashram unfortunately Claire - sorry! Trace - food is disappointing to be honest and beer is beer the world over so that is tasting good - although we are in a dry !!?? hotel here in Jaipur. Diane, remember you saying about the Indian men, but don't think I will be here long enough to get used to it - it would take a while I think;) xx

Donna The men staring is akin to The Albyn on a Saturday night lol! India so far sounds quite scary. The Taj Mahal no doubt made up for all of the not so nice parts you have seen so far. Take care xxx

Claire christie Can you please go to an Ashram in India for me, it's my dream xx Love hearing all yr stories xx Stay safe xx enjoy every minute xx

Carrie Hi Karen, A welcome read when I arraived into work this morning! I remember a ferry trip which was about as bad on my travels, htere were about 2 million forlk on it and all hte locals got on and straight away lay down, Hmmm! We coulndn't work out why until we hit the sea and the bumpiest ferry crossing in the world!! Within 5 mins we copied the locals, pressed on the pressure point by your thumb and by the end of the crossing our hands were so numb we couldn't pick up our rucksacs ha ha ha!! I'm pretty sure that boat wasn't built for sea crossings but you just have close your eyes and hope for the best sometimes ha ha!! Now real news from Liverpool, life plodding on, Archie is loving getting out and about, and as the park has been really quiet we have tried letting him off the lead, ha ha! He's absolutely great and I was beiging to think I was indeed the dog whisperer until Archie saw some other dogs and that was it!! Ha ha!! Scott's loving him though and he gets to play footy in the park so it's all good for him too!! Hope Inda is good for you, enjoy and as always stay safe!! Love Carrie xxx

Christine HI Karen how are you ever going to settle down In abz after this? I see Carrie has been giving you our news so nothing to add. We are fine, its about 4 in the morning, the morning of my birthday I may add. Hate to think of yet another year added on. Should be like your mum and not go past 48. Ah those were the days. I was on the phone to your dad and as usual he was saying that he should have come down. But I guess I understand in a way, I don't like living anywhere else either. Maybe its the 'old age thing' Your time certainly coming close. Your dad says you home on 1st July, our 53rd wedding anniversary. My god hardly credible where they have all gone. Take care my lass you've been sailing too close to the wind for my liking but like Carrie, you think you 10feet tall and bullet proof. Love

Carrie Lowthian All sounding great Karen, you've down a good thing and enjoyed doing it (most of the time) can't be bad. Hope you are enjoying your manicure!! I have indeed just turned on the computer so it's another week at the grind for me!! Archie has started getting out now, he's fabulous, really likes getting to the park and has a real swagger when he's trotting along on his lead. We had him out for 3+ hours both Saturday and Sunday so I think his little legs are an inch or 2 smaller than they was on Friday ha ha ha!! Fairly tired him out though, so peace perfect peace in the evenings ha ha ha!! Had Mum and Dad over for lunch yesterday for fathers day and they came to the park with us too for a bit. Mum is begining to get used to Archie, but it's gonna be a slow process! Ha ha! Dad just loves him to bits though which is is great as we have a few nights out coming us where good old Scotty is on child/puppy minding duties ha ha!! Enjoy your time back in the civilised (!!??) world, the availibility of lifes little luxury's is great when you aint had them for a while!! Take it easy, and, as always, stay safe. Lots of love, Carrie xx

Shirley Christieson Haha Karen, we didn't quite finish off that last bottle now, we are not that bad, lol!!! :) Love having you here and yes the wine chats are very good for the soul!!! :)) xxx

Donna What an experience Karen also nice to be appreciated for what you have done. It must have been great seeing Shirley again and well done to her doing a 25k race! Enjoy your time there xxx

Fiona Boyne hi Karen, wow - what a time you're having - tugs at the heartstrings! Great that you've been able to meet your sponsored family. It's kind of hard to believe what you're doing out there - while we're sitting here ......... So - in our parallel world - it's a really hot day today - was away to the gym at lunchtime(!) - new keep fit initiative - and as the air con was broken ended up being taken to the park nearby and had to run about - managed to avoid having a coronary, but it was close! Getting close to summer holiday time (hard to believe - this year has passed so quickly) and there are a few teambuilding invites going round. SCM are doing a "top secret" one ....... invite has just come through - sounds interesting! That's enough about work!! Not sure where your next adventure is taking you, but the leaving night out sounds like it will be fun. lovely to hear what you're up to take care Fi x

Kirsty Saluja Hello there scrumptious You sound like you have made a huge and really fantastic impression on the children you have been working with but I can't say that I am at all surprised as you are such a super, warm and engaging person - how could the kids fail to love you just as much as we all do. I'm sure that I can just imagine how excited I was to see your new blog picture - I do love orang-utans and will have to read your previous blogs again to find out more about it. They are so gorgeous. You, Mel and Loudy will be able to exchange stories of the hairy ginger ones at the Games (the guys spent Christmas with them in Borneo). We were delighted that your lovely husband was able to come round for BBQ dinner last night and do hope that he had a super time (we certainly did). Treasure keep having loads of fun and see you when you get back. Loads of lovwe Kxx and Sean

Donna Skinner Hey Karen, I just had to post a comment and say that your stories are just brilliant, you are doing such amazing things!! I can just imagine all the kids loving you and the family you have sponsored are so lucky to have you as their sponsor! I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back!!! Take care & Enjoy the rest of your trip! Donna x