HAPPY NEW YEAR Amy and Clare - Xmas has been great, lots to eat and drink but strangely haven't put on a pound!!!! Very strange. Last night 3 girlfriends arrived at my house and we downed 2 x bottles of champers before getting a taxi to a great local pub/club where a Manhatten-themed night had been organised - with a Sinatra singalike who was amazing - great to sing along to! Then cheesy DJ songs - always the best - before the New Year was counted down. We saw New Year from Sydned (amazing fireworks) on the TV, as well as other places in the world - really lovely. Fell into bed at 3.30am a wee bit worse for wear, but happy. Now trying to tidy up the mess left by 3 very untidy friends who have just left at 3.30pm.

I'm so excited to hear about your NY Eve - how was it? You must be so excited to be going to New Zealand?

On boxing day I went to the sales and bought an amazing sparkly top from Next - reduced from £50 to £15 - yey, we like that. Am hoping to get out shopping tomorrow to John Lewis to get some sales-reduced egyptian cotton bedding.

Really hope the next leg of your trip is fantastic and can't wait to hear all of your news. HAPPY NEW YEAR AGAIN - 2010 will bring you home safely, really look forward to seeing you.

Huge hug and kisses and love

Carol

xxxxxxxxxx

Hiya Ames - sorry your Christmas Day was so disappointing what with the weather and missing home (and the sandwiches too). We had a lovely day though we missed you Ames, Grandy and Hilary came to lunch for turkey and the usual trimmings. Naomi came over in the afternoon and we played several silly games, great fun! We will have to play them too when you get home!! Los of lovely presents and too much to eat as usual. We have to do this again in March!! Another Christmas Day (without the decorations), but would you like turkey and the trimmings too?

Boxing Day today and loads of the shops were open. The Next Sale was on (remember getting up at 5am Amy - bet you dont miss that!). Debenhams and most of the shops in the arc were open. Snow nearly gone thankgoodness cos it was so slippery , even on Christmas Eve- Vanessa and I went to have our nails and tootsies done. Followed by lunch of course! Lovely! Eaten so much am auditioning for a part in the Michelin tyre ad!!

Heard from lots of people that NEW YEAR is fantastic in Sydney and we always see some of the fantastic fire work display on the news here, so HAVE A GREAT TIME on New Years Eve - not such a family time so there will be lots going on..........AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO AMY AND CLARE! Lots of love, have a safe trip to NZ - only a three hour flight so not too arduous!! Love MUMXXXXXXX

Hi Amy - your recent adventures sounded so amazing, lots of trecking and sleeping under the stars. I would have loved it. As you've read, although the snow's lovely we just can't cope in this country with any extremes of weather. I was snowed/iced in the first day so our boss told us to stay at home and although today was our last working day (24th) he shut the office at 3pm yesterday, yippee, so I'm having a lovely lazy day. Have been really organised this year, got all pressies last week and food shopping on Monday morning at 7am (how sad is that?). I got your lovely postcard yesterday, has pride of place on my xmas mantlepiece!There's still black ice in my road so have had to park about a mile away to ensure I can get out and about tomorrow. I hope you both have a fantastic Xmas and New Year in Sydney, it will be quite different to your recent adventures. And then New Zealand, wow, now I'm really envious. That's the place I most want to go to in the whole world!!! Take lots of photos.

Will phone the Daglish's sometime today, see if I can pay a visit soon.

Much much love and hugs and kisses - stay safe.

Carol

xxxx

Hi Girls, hope you are ok. Well guess wot its snowing again and its the 23rd December a white Christmas woop!!!! I dont think I ever remember it snowing like this at Christmas before. Hope you had a great birthday Clare I gave you dad your money will do same on Christmas day. Well got plenty of booze in for your mom and dad and doing us all a big old Crimbo dinner. Nan is going up to Tony's (well that is if she not snowed in lol). Hope to speak to you over Christmas sometime. Clare have you changed your mobile as tried to text you but didnt go through let me know your new number please !!!!

Well hope you both have an absolutely fab christmas and new year dont drink too much!!!

Lots of Love

Rachel, Jim, Robbie & Abi xxxxxxxxxx

Hey Amy,

Sounds like your getting ready to party, and have a great Christmas and New Year. I'm sure it's going to be very weird to have a summer celebration.

Have a fantastic time, and looking forward to reading some more of your blog. The ladies that lunch say hi and have all read your last postcard - they intend to use fake tan when you get back next year to avoid looking white next to you.

Enjoy Christmas :)

Hello girls, I hope the trip continues to go well. I'm glad that Byron Bay sounds as though it was a big hit.

Clare, I hope you enjoyed your birthday. you'll always remember it as the one you spent in Australia.

I hope you both have a great Christmas!

Hi Amy - its SNOWING here!!

Snow so thick didnt go to works do today (last day of term). Shame because the people in the team are great, Harry and Jack built a snowman of sorts in the garden, its that very powdery snow. We had a bit of a snow fight too. Gave your number to Jaynes daughter katie - she has been travelling and has recently arrived in Sydney and will be there till January. She went a different route, Thailand and Cambodia I think.

Making mince pies this weekend (mmmmm). Christmas trees up and decorated (present under it for you, but you can have it in March!!! Got lots of food in, Grandy gave me the crackers......having my hair done tomorrow, seeing Kelly for coffee tomorrow (feeling better at last) seeing Vanessa on Sunday for lunch.........Christmas has arrived!! Dad will have lots of time to rest, hopefully, he needs the break. Got most of the pressies..... Lovely to read what Carols up to, I dont blame her for staying cosily at home...

Have a fantastic time both of you sunning youselves on the beach while we freeze. So jealous!! Missu lots!! Mumxxx

Hi Clare & Amy its cold & Frosty a little Snow but down the east side of Britain there`s been alot more Snow ,so at Amy`s home I bet they have a lot. Well BCFC still keep winning its all changed since the Chinaman took over, He must be working a bit of Chinese Magic??? Well Clare Your 24 Tomorrow the 19th.So have a Happy Birthday and celerbrate but do`nt drink to much !!!! or you will make yourself ill. So your Nan & I wish you a very Happy Birthday also have Merry Christmas Happy New Year and lots of Love from us Both.

Hey Amy - lovely to read your news and to see you're on the move again. You both bring everything so alive in your descriptions, so keep em coming. Party time is starting here in London - the pre-fun to Xmas. I'm staying in London this year as I just can't face any driving over the holidays, will be with friends Xmas day and then a few days of going to see some bands in local pubs here before planning NY Eve somewhere lively. Life's pretty good at the moment, not a lot to tell you, so I'll save it for when I have more news to send you. You'll be ready for chill-out Xmas and New Year after all of your travelling again? Haven't managed a visit to Bury yet, have been recovering from the flu from hell and now it's so close to Xmas it will probably be in the New Year.

Lots of love

Carol

xxx

Hi girls, how jelous am I of your wonderful weather when its done nothing but chuck it down here for weeks I think we gonna need to build an arc!!! Hope you are enjoying your travels make the most of it you will remember it forever.

Well Clare am still in my horrible job but looking for something else I cant tell you how much I hate it the people who ring are sooo rude and I have to bite my tounge to stop myself telling em where to go lol.

Abi wanted to let you know we have a cat now called Nelly she is black n white (I know I got talked into it again!!!). P.s she also wanted me to tell you she got one of the lead roles in the crimbo play at school so I will try and video it for you for some interesting watching when you get back (LOL).

kids wana know when you coming back and if you bringing a kangaroo home with u.

Clare will give your dad your birthday and christmas money.

Spk soon xxx

Girls, very envious of the itinerary you have lined up for the next few weeks. I never got to Ayres Rock when I was out there but I'm sure it will be a great experience. You'll love the Reef, and the whole trip down the coast. My favourite spot was Byron Bay, the beach there is absolutely beautiful, you have to walk along it and try and fing the Beach Cafe (best breakfast in Australia). It's a big backpacking town and has a large hippy population.

Blues did win, 1-0, thankfully. We are going to see them at Wigan in a couple of weeks. Clare I left for birthday and Christmas money woth your dad so make sure he passes it on!

I've got India again on Jan 4th - going to Delhi. It's not as appealing as going to New Zealand but it will have to do. In NZ try and get to Kaikoura for the whale watching. Enjoy yourselves!

Hello Amy and Clare,

How r u both? Can see from the blog that you are getting alot crammed in! well done! You lucky people having Katie Price out in Australia with you for I'm a celebrity get me out of here! It's been good so far tho she has done every challenge which is begining to get boring! I've not been very well as i've had a cold and have now got a really bad cough!

Clare I agree with your grandad! you don't want too be here atm... it's chucking it down outside! I've got my next driving test booked coz as you may have heard I failed my first one! I'm absolutely bricking it coz I feel like there is more pressure to pass as it's my 2nd time. Whoo christmas is almost here... got a list of stuff lol so Harry better be prepared fo a shopping spree in aid of the one and only hehe! Bury lights were crap again this year amy... big surprise!

Oh my word when you get back I will be 18! Cannot wait! Will have to go out... not that u will want to hang around with an 18 year old learner lol!

Keep having a fantastic time both of you will write again before crimbo!

Lots of Love Naomi xx