Hi Ben,

Told you I would get round to sending you a message. Last night Christiane sent me some photograhs, through Messenger, there was a lovely [dashing, actually] one of you and another one of your 'tidy' bedroom - you're undoubtedly in the master class in this area! Well done with all your diving challenges - can I really show-off and tell people that a friend of mine is a master diver? Good for you, I'm really proud of you. Enjoy every minute.

Just about to take Bonnie out [in the wind and rain!] Give my love to Michael, Christiane,Tim, Sam and Kate. And love to you. Can't wait to see ou all again.  Joanxxxx    [Van sends his love and greetings]

Hello how are you all? Had another busy week diving nearly finished the dive master course and am nearly a master scuba diver which is good. Been doing the deep diver course on saturday and on sunday i had to lead the Clubs Shore dives. Good news Abyss Scuba Diving won the best dive shop in Australia for the second year in a row so well done because most of you voted!!!!!!!

Not alot else to report hope that your all well. Ben.

Hi B, I hope you are ok. I have had a better week with zak this week as he has now got over his cold. I took hime to a huge soft play place yesterday (just like trumbleland!) He had so much fun and so did I! How has your diving gone this week? Have you got any ideas for what you will do after Christmas? Where do you think you will go?

I can't believe that we are in December all ready, time is flying! But BBQ turkey doesn't sound quite right for Christmas day! I am sure it will be wonderful and on the bright side you might escape the sprouts over there. I have got to face Uncle Sprout on Christmas day!!! (i love you really Uncle Kev just not the sprouts!)

Speak to you soon

loads of love Jen xx 

Hi Gus,

Had a better day today, been teaching this afternoon and helping the children plan a christmas display. The weather is still wet and warm and not the least bit christmassy yet-but I am not complaining. I had a Governors meeting last night, which got quite late but no meetings tonight so home to a cooked meal if your Dad has got organised. Not much news really -you've heard about the family things and the rest is sort of normal at the moment. We have been invited down to Nans for lunch on Sundayand we are out to Judith and Rogers for supper on Friday. I am on a course tomorrow so I will be playing 'catch up' on Friday. Hope all is well with you. Keep smiling

Lots of love Mum xxxxx

Yes fishing in the sun was great but a pint in the rose after shooting would also go down very well! Its strange being here with all the winter activities going on and it getting hotter here. Dan and Ollie must be getting very excited about father christmas. We ordered the turkey the other day not sure how we can BBQ it though!

Hope that your all well love Ben

Hi Ben - you look so well!! Seems ages since we've seen any photos of you, so its great to see you looking so fit and tanned. Still have the hunter streak though I see! I bet you'd rather be fishing in the sunshine than shooting in the rain! Horrible weather on Friday but I believe Jack enjoyed it!  Took Dan and Ollie to the Christingle Evening in Nailsworth and got soaked but they enjoyed the Christmas donkey and the noman!! Gramp and Aunty Mary came to lunch on Sunday and we visited Nicky and Nick in the afternoon, up to Barb and Kevs for cake and wish Chris a Happy Birthday - so quite a family day. Mum Dad and Jen filled us in on all of your news so we didn't miss you toooo much! Thinking of you in all of that sunshine!!  The house looks very smart - so good to see where you are living - still had visions of the West Wing!! Take care.

Ben, may I use your message board to communicate with your old man (that's your dad, by the way) as I don't think he's worked out how to access his emails at E&K? Alan - I'll pick you up and dust you down if I see you. By the way, did you see that all-in-one ski suits are back in; will you be modelling one this year? (if you do you might prefer a looser fitting model).  

Pleased to hear all is well with you  Ben, and don't let the Man U Chelsea result on Sunday spoil that - it's only a game after all.

Hi B, I think that I came to visit you at the wrong time your new house looks amazing! I also can't believe that you caught all those fish. I am afraid that I haven't got anything exciting to tell you, I am just glad that it is the weekend as Zak has had a really bad cold and high temperature all week (not good company!) I hope all is well with you. Take care. loads of love Jen xx

What lovely photos Ben. The fish are huge and you look very scary with all those weapons - Chris will be very impressed when he gets home from school. The house looks very comfortable and the Barby seems quite big so I expect the fish were soon cooked. Just doing some laminating for school and Ian has been sent home early because there's not much work on. It's been really wet - I envy you your sun-kissed look!!

Bob and Lindsey got their pup yesterday -he is gorgeous just like Jack!!

Have a good weekend

Love as always xxxxx 

 Ben Not a good time to be English (602 for 9 dec ) but just remember you are part Irish and they stuffed Austrailia in the rugby at the weekend. Harret has taken Jack out shooting to day they are all going to get very wet the forcast for the next few days is not good high winds and rain but the great news is its snowing in  France off in 3weeks cant wait i'm sure you will me missed who will pick me off the slope this years?  speak soon  Dad

Hi Ben

Pleased to hear from you and especially good to see some photos. The house looks really posh-lots of potential and it seems to be in a lovely area. Not too sure about the fish it's a bit like when you arrive home with a load of pheasants! What sort of fish are they? Also the idea of sticking a spear into a fish is very unappealing to me-but still. Harriet was very sweet last week, when she brought Jack back she asked if we would like some pheasants-you can imagine my response!

Things here are very busy-next week we will begin the build up to Christmas. We have the bazaar on Saturday so that will be the start. Christine, Barb and I went down to Clifton for mass in the cathedral last Tuesday-it was a spiritual experience and also good to catch up with the gossip. Monday will be Christopher's birhtday so we will probably meet up on Sunday.

Pleased to see you looking so cheerful -and brown

Keep your pecker up even if the cricket is ---- Lots of love Mumxxxx