Hi Ben,

 I've been on a course today so finished early-hence I was able to go home and walk Jack. I have now come in to school early for a meeting at 7.30 so thought I would have a quick peek at the messages first before I get 'stuck in'. Hope you have had a good week end. As Barb says the party went very well-but it was quite an effort tying to drag myself up and down the pool after all the food and wine-we had great fun!

Jenny was going to Leatherhead to see Hailey today. I am hoping she will be back home when I return from the PTA meeting. She goes back to work on Thursday. The weather here is still really wet and it is so slippy on the common it is hard to stand up. Sorry we couldn't talk much on Sunday but we will be in touch soon. Good to here that all is well with you.

Lots of  love Mum xxx

Hi Ben - lovely photos and you sound so happy. The dive boat sounds great and what fantastic experience.

You were missed at A M's party yesterday but it went quite well.  I think she enjoyed it. The meal was delicious as you would expect from Jean - you wouldn't have complained about the roasties!  It was really lovely to have some little people running around. It was rather strange looking around the room and thinking that we're related to all these random people in some way or another.

Chris is back at school today so we're gradually getting back into routine. Ian's still counting  down the days. he's sent off for his Oz tourist visa and now only needs to sort out his NZ paperwork (not that it's important or anything!) the other slight inconvenience is his psychology exam but he doesn't know which day that's on.........

Anyway Ben, housework calls. take care in all that deep water and have fun.

Lots of love from us here at Tinkley Corner. xxxxx 

 

Hi Ben,

We are unable to get onto your site from home at present so this is a quick message from school. I love the photos, it must have been a marvellous experience to see the harbour bridge lit up by fireworks-probably just beats being at Minchinhampton Golf Club! Anyway all your news sounds exciting-off to Cairns again etc. Will you be on the boat that you mentioned ages ago?

I am delighted that you managed to meet up with Sue and Chris -what a shame that the cricket was so disappointing but it must have been a great experience none the less. I expect they will be home soon so we will be able to meet up  and get the news. Have you managed to meet up with Alex?

We have got the big party on Sunday. so it will be a very busy weekend. Jacko has been unable to go shooting because Harriet has had to take Tilly so we have been trying to give him extra walks to make up. Jen is still at home until next week but I am now back on the tread mill.

Anyway I will go home now and get ready for swimming -the first swim since Christmas-it will be quite interesting!

Take care-it's good to hear you are so happy and active-with love Mum xxx

New years eve photos!!!!!!!!

 

Hello everybody happy new year! sorry its so late I have been so busy. New years eve was great and the fireworks were fantastic.Then the next day i went to rachael and Carls again for a BBQ and swim which was fun.Then I have been working like mad at the dive shop then drinking and having fun then working and so on. I met up with the Partridges the other night and they took me for dinner in darling harbour which was very nice, and they then gave me a ticket for the cricket. So i had a great day out,shame about the result or what it seems like it will be. Anyway i am going to be busy working for the next week or so then it looks like i will be going back to Cairns to work on the boat (Mike Ball), as i am now a divemaster!

 I will let you know more details when I do.

Speak to you all soon Ben

 

We just wanted to wish you a "Happy New Year" Ben.Better late than never they say!!  It was lovely to hear you and to be able to speak to you on Christmas day at Kevin & Barbara's.  It sounded as if you were only next door!It sounds as if you had a great time anyway, and you will surely have some wonderful memories to bring back with you.  Ian is the next one to go off on his adventures, so we shall be posting messages to him then!  We are thinking of you,  with more than a little envy, Ben.  It is great that you can have all these wonderful experiences while you are young. Love and good wishes from Jill & Barry x

Hi Ben, We hope you are well and recoverind from your new years celebrations. Dad went back to work today and Mum is back at school tomorrow. Mum has been frantically cleaning the house so there is no chance to sit and relax! I am going back to work in Bath for a few weeks with the same family which should be really good. Have you decided what you are going to do next? Have you decided where you are going? We have got no new gossip yet but we will let you know as soon as we get some (we should have some after Aunty Marys birthday party!) lots of love from Jen and Mum xx

Hi Ben - Back at work so at last can send you a message ! A belated very Happy New Year!! Having major problems with the broadband at home so it was extra special to hear from you on Christmas Day. Had a lovely time with all of the boys as you heard, they were very spoilt and had some super presents. You'll be glad to know the next generation of Lego builders has been born!! Brilliant to see you cooking your Christmas lunch - it all looked very professional. Still seems strange to see you all in shorts and Tshirts though. Boxing Day looked fun - I guess that's the same wherever you are in the world - lots of booze!  Ian's birthday today and A Mary's party on Sunday so no let up in the celebrations yet.Wshing you lots of luck for 2007 and take care . Love from us all xx

Happy New Year Ben! Hope you had a fantastic time watching the the fireworks although it cant be as much fun as "I feel like chicken tonight, like chicken tonight!" Take care love n&n

Dear Ben a very happy new year to you. I have just had a chat with your mum she told me to have a look at your new photos they are very good it must be strange having Christmas in the sun. I am back at school on Wednesday it has gone by very quickly. Hope it continues to go well, love to you and a great 2007, love Liz.XXXX

Hi Ben, lovely photos and messages but it was especially good to hear you on Christmas Day.  We're probably a bit late to wish you a happy new year as it's already NY's eve here but here's wishing you a wonderful 2007 anyway. We were thinking that this time last year you were busy decorating! - such a lot has happened for you in 2006.

We've had a lovely lunchtime gathering at Scarhill with all the usual suspects except one! We've all come home early to get ready to go out for New Year and do you believe it there was no tea!!!!!!!!! I don't know what the world is coming to!

Ian is working behind the bar at the R&C tonight so hopefully he'll have a fun'ish time while earning some cash for his travels. It's only 36 days until he leaves (not that he's counting!) We hear that the pub has already been sold but I don't know any details.

Anyway darling boy, have a wonderful celebration and we'll be thinking of you as always. Lots of love from all of us xxxxx 

Hello everyone it was great to speak to you all is it was very strange being so far from you all. As you can see christmas day went very well but boxing day was fantastic. it was spent on the beach with my diving friends drinking and fishing. Carl and I went out spearing again but ther was no action so we decided to drink instead!(good job they had sausages). We then went back to Carl and Rach's to carry on partying.They also got engaged so there was plenty to excuses for champagne. I have put some photos for you all to see so that you know who I am talking about.

Hope that your all well and I will speak to you soon love Ben