Hello darling, or should I say Sailor!! We have just got your two postcards from NZ and a box which I haven't opened yet, but suspect is full of dirty laundry..nice..glad you are having a good time in Aus obviously we were a bit concerned for you arriving on your own at night etc. but you seem to be making a good job of it well done. Not much to report from here this week and we will try to phone you tomorrow, but from where you are going that might not be possible. FA Cup final today, West Ham v Liverpool - come on you Hammers!! Hope they win as we are dining with Jacqui and Dave tonight which could be a bit of a problem if they lose. We are all OK, just working hard as usual. Dad's off to Berlin next week and I am off to Woking, which I have to say is a bit more interesting than Runnymede was but still not on quite the scale you are living on at the moment. Granny's birthday went well and she loved your card. Speak soon. Happy yachting. Lots of love Mum & Dad.

hey guys. In Airlie Beach now if your reading my posts and having a wicked time. its a bit rainy at the moment but definately still shorts weather (now I've bought my boardshorts I refuse to wear anything else until I get to Sydney). This place is cool-very touristy and filled with backpackers but its just a gateway to the Whitsundays and I bravely booked my sailing trip for Monday (despite my hatred for all things boat like) and am even staying on board over night, so I'll probably be hanging over the side for the entire trip but its worth a try. Met some guys last night who were so much fun, one of them is interested in doing a bit of Thailand with me aswell which is cool. Thanks for your advice on Thailand Sarah, I fly into Singapore on June 18th so I'll mail you nearer to the time asking for suggestions. Anyway, good luck with all your exams people, love to you all xxx

Note to Jenny....not sure how long u have been in Thailand but trust me...the sleazy men dont really go away to behonest!!!but at least they aren't sleazing on u...they are onlu interested in the thai women (not sure why as half of them used to be men!!) if you really want some amusement try and go to a ladyboy competition, where they all compete to see who makes the best woman...its absolutely hilarius even more so because its for real!! its kind of like a 'miss world type thing' altho you do get the odd one whos obviously taking the piss and hasnt even bothered to shave...all in the name of fun. Al if you want me to tell yo the route i took while i was there and the best places to see let me know and will email you some stuff, altho ul prob knowwhat your doing by then!! im itching to go so badly. had bad news yest...all my results have been 2-1's got a terrible grade back meaning ill struggle to get a 2-1 now, bit gutted as ive worked hard, but at least the pressures off in a way, im not gona stress anymore, im more than happy with that...once again we will leave education with the same grade...wierd huh. hope your keeping note of all the best places to go, i am defo dragging you back with me again...now that your an experienced traveller!!!to be honest i wish uni was over now, just not lovin it anymore, wana get home and start living in the real world instead of this bubble!!! anyway have fun in oz!! love ya dude and miss ya like mad x x x

hey everyone, ooh lots of messages today, yippee. Glad the weather at home isn't all that coz its so nice over here. I went to Cape tribulation yesterday to the rainforest and crocodile spotting which was awesome and today I travelled 6 hours south and am currently on the beach at Magnetic Island which is bliss (I think that tops rainy Bmouth, sorry guys). Has been real easy travelling in Oz so far but moving around constantly means I see everything but don't have anyone to travel the long distances with, boo. The Italian guys were not creepy at all mum, they cooked me the best meal last night of anti pasto followed by carbonara (and for FREE). Sel, you should definately go travelling. It does get really costly coz I did so much in NZ but I'm trying to budget now. By the time I get home I will probably have spent just over 7 grand-including the price of the flights etc. I've definately got the travelling bug, think me and sarah are going to try to arrange another trip for 2007!! Anyway, read my postcards for the all the info and I'll speak to you all soon. P.s I left my phone charger and adaptor in Cairns so once my phone battery runs out I'm a bit stuck for contact-will get it sorted asap xxxx

Hey al. Just a quick note from Thailand. Mainly to say, DO NOT GO TO PHUKET!! Its an absolute dump and full of sleezy english men getting themselves Thai brides........and transvestites, though that is very amusing to see! Hope you're good and enjoying the OZ life, everyone's really friendly there and you'll be spouting out 'no worries' before you even know it!

Hey gorgeous. You have definately inspired me....i'm busy trying to sort my travelling plans out at the mo.....hoping to leave end of 2006, beginning of 2007! How much money would you recommend taking? I know you worked your arse off for months before you left! Is your money lasting or does it seem to be running out quite quickly? You're gonna have an absolute ball in Australia....I've only ever heard really good things about it! Thinking of you and miss u....lots of love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sorry me again, meant to also say look out for sharks, particularly great whites, snakes and doggey men (non Chelsea supporters).

love you

Hi darling, so glad you arrived safely. Aren't you lucky it's warm, it isn't very here, but it is still only Spring. We had a really hectic day on Saturday, firstly Granny's 90th birthday bash, 21 people turned up in the end and we didn't leave the restaurant until nearly 5.00 p.m. I think everyone enjoyed themselves (tough if they didn't). Then two hours later we were off to a 60th birthday party (black tie) which was fun too. The good thing about getting old is everyone can afford quite civilised parties!! Not much else to report apart from the ducks are back....What are boardshorts, they sound huge and flowery are they? Glad you DIDN'T accept a lift with two Italian guys, buses sound far better. Football season has ended, apart from the FA cup final, and we are now being inundated with programmes about the World Cup. Presumably you heard about Rooney getting injured, but have you also heard how the Tottenham team all got food poisoning whilst staying overnight in a hotel prior to their final game against West Ham. If they had won the game they would have finished fourth and had a Champions League spot, but because they were all ill they lost and Arse have overtaken them. Don't know whether to laugh or cry as I can't stand either team!! Please do take care and have a great time, but look out for the funnel web spiders, if you see one you could send it home for Lucy, she would love that. Love you lots. Mum

Hey dude,
the heat is on....my exams start a wk today!!! not cool, so naturally im stressing out big time and we are all winding each other up something rotten in our house! my phone got stolen the other day, but i have another one now, that will teach me to go out on a nite when all the towny chavs are out. im so glad ur loving it on your own, i have to say its soooooo much better that way cause u can just do what u like when u like and no one can hold u back or stop u from doing what u want. fair play to u for carying on alone, everyone is really proud slash jealous slash impressed!! ur pics are awesome, i especially like the sky dive ones where u are pulling some hilarious facial expressions...what i dont understand is how u seem to be struggling to smile quite lot but in every photo the dude with u looks like he's taking a stroll in the park...he looks so relaxed and smiles in each picure...did make me laugh!! anyway just came on for a quick break so gota get back to it!! hope u like oz, what sort of temp is it as i guess its coming up o their winter by now (altho that will prob still beat our summer!!) ul be glad to know sunny bournemouth isnt really living up to its rep, yr two we were sunbathing and revising at the same time, this yr we have had two glorious days and today i woke up to rain...good. well take care and email soon dude, missing u lots and lots,
speak soon love sarah x x x

hey sel, thanks for keeping in touch. Just arrived in Australia and already loving it. Its a very good temperature here so I'm going to bin the jackets and fleeces I think. I'm not sure you should be proud that I did a bungy jump, it was more crazy than clever (but yes i was very brave). Really enjoying doing all this on my own, it makes me feel like a proper traveller and you can be completely selfish hehe!! As for organising the trip, only the flights were pre-booked with STA along with our first weeks accommodation in the USA. Since then I've been sorting it out myself, going wherever people say is good-I think its the only way to travel. Do try to organise some stuff in advance so I have a destination but its all quite spontaneous-you at all tempted to do some yourself??? xxx

Hey u.....hows it going? Babe I am so proud of you....you have done so many amazing things.....sky-diving, bunjy jumps.....it all sounds so cool. Please keep the photos coming.....its great to see you and the exciting things you're up to in all those exotic locations! Who did you book your travelling package through my lovely? Did you organise flights and accommodation separately or did you book everything together? Miss you lots....feel like I havent seen you for years :-( Take care baby, look after yourself, lots and lots of love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

hey dad, yeah i'm afraid i did go and do the bungy despite being certain I wouldn't-call it peer pressure. not injured or anything though so no worries. Just had a thought, me and mum made the weekly call time Sunday I think but I'm flying out on Sunday and don't want you to worry if you can't get hold of me. Give it a try anyway, otherwise ring me saturday instead. Love you byeee xxx