hi al its great to hear from you after so long. hope you enjoy the rest of trip better than the sad state depicted by your blog. luv paul and julie

Al

Sounds as if there are many changes since you were last there - the lack of funding is particularly bad news. Maybe we can chat about what we can do to help when you are next on skype. I can easily imagine the kids remembering you as it was clear when we visited how much you contributed to them.

Spoke to Rob a couple of days ago on a pretty flaky line from Nepal - he looked like he needed a square meal again!

Enyoy your travels!

Moray

Hi Ali,

Great to hear from you. You story was full of sad news but there was some better too (about the babies).

It is all over the place in the financial world. Trying times... The chalet is finished and looking fab ! We are very happy about it. You will have to come back to Europe for some more skiing...

Enjoy Vietman

x

MC

Sent you an email also. Just to say Birthday Wishes. I'm sure you've enjoyed a few beers!Your siblings are out at Edinburgh Festival. Robbie missing you for a few pints! Take Care.

Lol,

Shonaxxxx

hello alistair, any news?
paul

Hello Ali
your Mum and Dad are coming to Braemar om Monday for a few days - we will be meeting them in Aberdeen on Tuesday. Jamie arrives from Singapore soon and the rest of the family arrive in Eninburgh on 2nd July. On 6th July Gran and Grandad join Moray and family o a trip to Mull - we will be staying in BALAMORY right on the seafront and Sophie is very exxcited about that ! Next saturday we re going to Golspie, north of Inverness to a birthday part in Dunrobbin castle so your Gran is agonising over what she will wear - perhaps she thinks Hello magazine will appear. We hope you have managed to get a job and are anxious to hear from you - even a few lines would be welcome Love Gran and Grandad

Hi Ali,

Hope job hunting going well. Sorry about the NZ Ski job. Poor Grandma fell in garden and broke her arm and bumped her head so not feeling so well just now. We.ve still snow on high tops at Braemar but weather been warmer. We're missing Jessy. Looking forward to the Mavor's move north. Alvanside a shell inside just now but seems to be going well. It'll be beautiful when finished.

Take care Alistair. Missing you,

Love Shonaxx

Good photos and blog update. Fingers crossed for the NZSki job.

The Old Man

Hello Al
Great to get your blog and be able to track your progress in NZ. Gran and I are keeping our fingers crossed for you - hope you get the job you want. Winter has ended at last and we have hadseverl days promising better weather. Gran and I are going to Guildford on 23rd May for a couple of weeks - our last visit to Morven before the move to Edinburgh. We saw your Mum nad Dad earlier this week as they were up for a few days at Braemar - we also saw your aunt Pat and Liinda. Your doggies are fine - Jess has a lump on her neck but it does not seem to worry her overmuch. We have had painters in so the house is somewhat shambolic - also I must get started in the garden which needs a tidy up. Only a week t go before Polling day - this election is the most engaging and interesting I have experienced (which is a lot!) as there is much more TV coverage with the Party leaders appearing together in debate. Good fun and good TV. Let us know as soon as you hear about a job - keep in touch Love Gran and Grandad

fatboy

Hi Ali, Your desperate for winter and we've just got rid of all the snow here after about 4 months of it. We are all well and all the building work is progressing slowly. Dutch barn roof fell down with the weight of the snow ( thats how bad it was) so we are now partialy in the new shed. Still haven't got Skype sorted (sorry). Boys are both well and enjoying the longer days although its getting really hard to get Finn to do his homework and chanter practice as he just wants to go outside - Keir's a wee swot! Can't wait til the scorching summer months. ha ha. If we don't have a decent summer your Mum and Dad will be moving back down south again. Take care and keep us updated. Love Lynda, Dave, Finn and Keir xxxx.

Hello Al
Great to read your blog and that you are loving NZ so much. For us, this year has been fairly routine, and unspectacular. We had a lovely time at Morven over last Christmas and the New Year - our farewell to Guildford. However we are delighted that Mum and Dad have chosen to move to Edinburgh. Th new house is close to the river (Water of Leith) were Grandad went fishing , unsuccessfully, 70 years ago At that time the river was greatly poluted with effluent from paper mills further upstream at Juniper Green and Balero These mills are closed and the now clean water providing a friendly habitat for a diversity oif wild life - even salmon are returning, as are otters.
We were in Bridge of Allan last weekend to meet up with Moray who was over for a short scam - pleasure disguised as business ! Scotland although beaten at that time, have redeemaed themselves by a deserved victory against Ireland. At last their play was all joined-up and if they continue to play in this way, they can confidently face anybody.
Shna is coming to staytonight, enroute to Switzerland to meet up with the Guildford Mavors for a skiing holiday. Her travel plans were somewhat disrupted due to the strike of BA cabin crews - she had to rebook, this time with with KLM, so will be flying via Amsterdam. We are hoping your job-seeking is successful and that you land the ski job. i
There are signs heralding the arrival of Spring ( The weeds are beginning to apper in our garden) but, on the high ground, snow is reluctant to depart - sufficint remains to allow skiing at Braemar.
Gran and Grandad are looking forward to summer - your Mum and Dad coming to Edinburgh. Jamie coming from Singaapore for two weeks on his own, to be followed by Moray and Lila with wee Sophie. We are also going to Golspie in the far north of Scotland for the 90th birthday party of your Gran's sister - Dorothy's Highland Fling. The venue is Dunrobin Castle and we have alerted Hello Magazine !
Plod on Alastair - you are doing well. Try to find time to blog more often. We think about you a lot and enjoy hearing your news.
Love from Gran and Grandad