Hi Amy (and Clare) - I won't bore you with stories of nearly killing myself on the M1 on black ice, being housebound for 3 days, the UK coming to a standstill because of the gorgeous snow etc etc. Thankfully the thaw has happened and normal life resumes. I came back to a MOUNTAIN of work today so thank goodness it's Friday. I'm cooking a last supper tonight for two of my very best friends who are emmigrating to Australia (Perth) at the end of this month - a good excuse to pay a visit. Your travel stories are so fantastic, they just come alive in front of you, so keep em coming. You haven't written about Xmas/New Year in Sydney? Or did I miss that one? With much love and keep each other safe.

Love

Carol

xxxx

Same message as Naomi but with more Snow last night .Road chaos shools closed and Rachels water froze and Boiler broken down .Stay away till Sring comes. Good to see you on Sunday ,Love Nan & G`dad XXXXX

NEWSFLASH, NEWSFLASH.... UK COMES TO A STANDSTILL

Roads queued... Schools and colleges shut... People off work... No grit left... Lakes and canals froze... Birds struggling to find food and water... Paths like ice rinks... Drving tests cancelled... Events and clubs cancelled... Heating failing... Accidents.

Don't worry though everything is hunky dory!!!

-x-x-x-

Ames ps Your grandfather and I counted road kill when we were in NZ- so many dead possums!! You can see their eyes in the dark. They are vermin out there and do a lot of damage to plant and flightless birds, so NZs dont think they are cute - they are hunted and there are traps everywhere -look out for disgusting souvenirs made out of possums -yuk. A possum bag/purse still manages to look like road kill!!! xxxx

Hiya girls!

We did go to aqua, but there were only 11 of us, including me, Naomi, Naomis mum (Tina) and Kelly. Only the brave went! Or foolhardy!? Still it was fun!!

It is SNOWING AGAIN!! ALL the schools in Bury St Edmunds and surrounds are CLOSED!!! So we are not working - only half a day yesterday came back cos of the snow - heavy Mildenhall way........

Dad at home - Harrys gone on a walk/slide into town waith Naomi.

Hope its stopped raining! Te Anau is beautiful, you will like that - the lake has pumice at the bottom which is why its that gorgeous colour. Try and go to Hamner Springs - lots of different natural pools of various temperatures though the warmest has the strongest smell of sulphur. Wear your oldest cossie though as sulphur will damage it if you are in too long. You are chemists so you should know that!! Milford Sound is amazing - a fjord so deep there are mini earthtremors every few minutes (but you cant feel them)- an absolute must!! Lovely to speak to you yesterday!! Speak to you soon, Lots of Love Mumxxxx

Hello Amy and Clare,

Just to repeat what your mum has said Amy it is freeeeeeeeezing here! The UK has come to a holt. We are expecting more snow later but boooked in for aqua tonight so hope it's not cancelled and that we can still get there! My feet are cold :(

Started back at at college yesterday but I get Wednesdays off so haven't got it today. Got Friday off too as some of the lecturers are away. Looked at some pics on your blog yesterday that I must have missed before! one of a train in a forest looking landscape... looked fun!

I've decided to push the snow and frost your way... Hope that's ok lol.

Take Care both of you

Much love, Naomi -x-x-x

Hi Amy and Clare

According to the news today you are missing the coldest winter for 30 years!! brrrrrrrrrrr, as if you care!!! Still frosty during the day - expect more snow, ice everywhere, so slippery. You should see the pictures of Manchester - trams not working, snow covered streets, shops not opened in the Trafford Centre, etc cos staff cant get in.. Airports closed. Think of us back home whilst you are lazing on a beach...Naomi and I went to aqua last night - first time for three weeks, cancelled last time cos of the snow. slippping on ice going to the pool, must be mad (Harry had more sense - went to the gym). Should be hibernating............if you dont hear from us for a while WE ARE HIBERNATING......XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hi Girls,

Happy new year t you both hope you had a fab time in Sydney. Glad you arrived safely in New Zealand and Im sure you with have a fantastic time. We had a party new years eve with fireworks the lot you should have seen the state of my house next day not good especially trying to clean it with a hangover !! Well its freezing here gave the rabbit a hot water bottle in her cage lol hope she doesn't bite it or will be a bit wet lol. Im back on the job hunt again gotta get out of the place im in at the moment its not good.

Well speak soon hope its not too hot there. Enjoy yourselves.

Love Rach, Jim, Robbie & Abi xxxx

Hi Girls Happy New Year. Are you in NZ yet ? as we are not sure when you are flying. Latest Football news ManU 0 Leeds1,West H 1 Arsenal2 and B`ham play Eveton away if they win there replay against Forest.We do`nt have snow about now as our last few days have been very sunny and any snow has melted but the Temp` at night is very cold and Frosty -5 or -6. School are back this week but Abigail is back on Tuesday as Monday is Teachers Training Day so no lie in for us !!!! Your Mom & Dad have given us a nice Christmas present ,in April they are taking us to see the show Hairspray in Cardiff, So somthing to look forward to. We hope you both enjoy NZ and see all the Sheep!! look out for the native Maori people and Drive safely . Will speak to you soon, God bless you both lots of Love Nan & Grandad G XXXXXX

Hello girls, and a Happy New Year to you both. I hope you did get to see the fireworks in Sydney as they looked amazing, definitely th best of any I saw on the news. I think you are in New Zealand by now which I'm sure you'll like as much as Australia.

Clare, your Nan and Grandad did make it up over Chreistmas and we had a good time with them. We had to dig ourselves out on Boxing Day as the path and road were like skating rinks. I had Grandad on all fours 'walking' through the local park. Sam and Ellie took everyone to the cleaners playing cards.....and the snow has now returned.

I'm escaping to warmer weather as I'm off to Delhi tomorrow with work - some good curries coming my way.

Looking forward to hearing your next Blog to see how Whitsundays and Sydney turned out.

Keep safe!

HAPPY NEW YEAR AMY AND CLARE! Continue to have a great time sounds amazing!

Lots of love Naomi -x-

Happy New Year Amy and Clare!!

How were the fireworks etc in Sydney? Did you get a good vantage point?! Camp early enough?

We've got snow again and it was snowing when we came back from Rob and Wendys party. They had a James Bond theme and Dad went as Oddjob with the bowler hat, etc. Never seen so many James Bonds!! Pete went as the amphibius car (cant remember which film) which he made himself. Struggled to get through the doors and went in sideways. Hilarious!! Mandy came as the Russian baddie. Vanessa (Miss Moneypenny) came with Martin (Bond). Had a great time! Katie Smith was there too as she is friendly with Ceri in Manchester, lovely to see her again. Lots of people, lots of food and lots of laughs. Jack came with us. Naomi and Harry went to a party aound the corner and had a good time. Of course Grandy and Hilary couldnt come to Robs as Patrick and WIngSee are still staying with them. As you know we had a big family lunch on Monday with Hilarys relatives and Rob Wendy and the little ones - Avis came too which was lovely. Wendys Brother Paul - his wife Fiona had a baby boy yesterday morning - they have called him Hugh.

Vanessa is going to NZ at the end of January - north island first - she has relatives there. She is going with James. Simons a bit miffed but he is at uni and has had a lot of treats (Thailand, etc last year). They are a bit nervous but she has always wanted to go. So you could possibly meet!!

Jack goes back to uni tomorrow, his research project starts on Monday, His last year!! He has had a fairly relaxing holiday I'm pleased to say.

Glad from Carols message that she had a good New Year night out too!!

Enjoy New Zealand - will speak to you there next!! Lots of love and Happy New Year again!!! Mum Dad Jack and Harryxxxxxxxxxxx