Hello Everyone,

 I hadn't looked at the site this week so it has been really exciting to catch up on all the news. The pictures look super-you all seem so happy-but then why wouldn't you given the circumstances.Jen and Jo I hope the 'wicked camper' is proving to live up to it's name and that you are having fun making your way back to Sydney. I hope the driving licence has come through Jen, so that you are able to take a turn.

Ben-that gardener doesn't sound much good -you will have to find yourself a proper job!

We haven't got much news really-just working hard at the moment with quite a lot of meetings. Your Dad went to the doctor about his foot and there doesn't seem to be much joy at present. he has been offered tickets for Wales Australia at the Millenium Stadium so I think he is  quite excited about that. He has also started thinking about cars!!!!! The weather is still really warm with just a bit of chill in the evening so it is quite a nice start to autumn. We had lunch with Nan on Sunday -she was really well and very pleased to hear all your news. Stay well and happy all of you -lots of love Mum and Dadxxx

Hello everyone I am back in Sydney and have left Jen and Joe up in Cairns they are all excited planning there route back down the coast. We had a great time on the reef and rafting I have put the photos on the site.

I had a job  today helping a landscape gardener but he was so useless  he got sacked from the job so back to diving for the weekend and worry about the rest later.

Hope everyone's ok speak to you soon Ben.

Hello Jennster

Just had a look at the pics, you look like you're having a fantastic time!  Have been thinking of you sunning yourself in Oz but not too much as the thought of that and Katherine's parent's sunning themselves in Crete at the mo is a bit depressing!

Just over five weeks now til peanut arrives - scary!

We are missing you.

love Lx

Good Morning Cairns!!  Glad you all had a great time rafting, enjoy the diving.  Look out for sh sh sh sharks!!!!

Looking forward to seeing some more photos.  Mum x

Hi Everyone,

Sounds like lots of things are happening back home. Please say happy birthday to Steve for us! The London plans sound very exciting. It can be your easy practice run for next years camping 'Family on Tour!' (i know that I sound like a broken record!) We have just had an amzing day here. We went white water rafting adn it was brilliant. We are all very tired now though. We are going to get another early night tonight as we are diving and snorkling tomorrow. I am a bit nervous about what I am going to see under the water. I will let you know after tomorrow. Lovely to hear from you all. lots of love Jen Ben and Joe xxx 

Hello all of you up in Cairns! Enjoying my usual Monday morning fix on 'Off Exploring' , and not disappointed as could see a lovely picture of you all having fun.Although I've never been there - heard so much about it , its not too difficult to try and picture you all diving and snorkelling.  I know its a pressure but we really love hearing all of your gossip.

Now for ours! Steve is the big 30 on Friday - so off for a meal to Ruby's and then taking them to Bristol airport Saturday morning as they are off to Rome for a few days. Steve trying to keep it a secret , so just thought I'd tell the world!  Jo and Co and going away for a week to Devon. Nicky and Nick getting on well with the house renovations - new kitchen almost installed, just making a decision on the flooring. Looking forward to the Keiths on Tour London Weekend(Jenny please take note!!) which I'm sure wont be half as much fun without the younger members of the family, especially as we are staying in a 4star hotel and not a tent!! Christopher representing you younger ones - so think of him!! But I'm sure he'll be able to presuade his Mum to venture on The Eye - lets hope he doesn't leave it to the elder Christopher!!

Shooting season on the horizon Ben (oh joy) everyone asking about you and your adventures. Hullavington clay shoot next month - but still can't imagine you'd rather be here than there!! Take care all of youXXX

Hiya, What fun!! It's so lovely to hear from you. lots of love as always.xxxx

Hello up in Cairns at the moment its very sunny and we have been busy organising the next few days. Tomorrow we are going out white water rafting and then on Tuesday we are going out to the reef. Jen and Joe are doing an introductory dive and then snorkleing and I am just diving (no change there!). I will up date with photos as soon as i can.

Take care love Ben Jen and Joe.

Well football  makes a change from sharks, crocs and snakes! I think Jen and Joe must have brought a more sobering influence. I can't tell you how delighted I was to hear you on Friday-and surpised. It had been a day of moaning parents and I thought that was another. It was a good start to the weekend.

I have just been doing the Saturday jobs with the help of Jacko and I will shortly be going to the supermarket. All these mundane jobs can't compare to Cairns. I am sure you will really enjoy it and I am a little envious of the sunshine. I hope you get to see the koalas and kangaroos. As I write I think you will be up in the air so I expect Joe and Ben will be watching the films and hopefully Jenny you will be able to snooze again.

It was really nice to see a picture of Michael -he is looking really well-in fact you all looked really well and happy. Keep on enjoying it, keep safe and drop us the odd message so that we can all enjoy it with you. Love to you all Mumxxx

hiya everyone, It's so lovely to see you all together and hear that you're having such a fab time.

We're not up to much here - Chris is at scout camp which has a medieval  theme so that's right up his alley. He was supposed to camp last night but we had a downpour yesterday pm and they postponed until this morning. Hope the weather holds now. We had the St P's roadshow in the week and he's quite fired up about that. Ms Gittings came to talk to the children. He's been doing plenty of sailing practice at South Cerney ready to tackle level 3 at half term.

Ian is off to work at the R&C he's just been emailing the club in Napier who've got back to him with some prices for flat rental, job opps etc. He played a match a couple of weeks ago and to his disgust he had to come off the pitch injured fro the first time EVER. I think he's still in shock and the shoulder injury isn't right yet so he can't play for Stroud tomorrow which is a shame. He's booked a flight to see Izzy next week so that will be lovely. She's getting on well and was successful in her netball trials. We haven't dared to look at the 'phone bill yet!!

We went down to Chris and Chris's last weekend to book up the epic London weekend - this time in two weeks we'll be in the smoke dv. I'm thinking a lot about the London Eye but I'm not sure... I'd have no hesitation if it wasn't for you pesky kids taking all my bravery genes!!!! Watched the new series of Spooks which was great but didn't make me any keaner to fly.

Nothing else to report at this end. We showed Mark next door your shark photos Ben he was interested to hear about your adventures.

Carry on having fun XXXXXXX 

Hi everyone!

 Thanks for all the messages its great to hear from you! We're just waiting on our taxi to the airport now for our flight up to Cairns. We went to the footie match last night and it was awesome! It was at the Telstra Stadium (where england won the world cup!!). We more or less figured out the rules by the end of the game (with a bit of help). Sydney Swans won, which sees them through to the AFL Grand Final, so the crowd was mental at the end! But sorry guys I'm affraid we had a problem with the camera and we've lost most of the photos of the game. We'll leave a message from Cairns. Lots of Love Ben, Jen and Joe

Hi Joe & Jenny - Glad you're safe in Sydney and not still in Bangkok!  The Blue Mountains look wonderful - love the waterfall.  It was great to get your call Joe, the line is so clear!  Enjoy the game tonight and have a safe and fun time in Cairns.  It was Harry's 6th birthday yesterday, he's in his element in his Liverpool strip.  He played in his first football match last Saturday with the under 8's!!  Off to work now (yippee its Friday!  Keep in touch.

Love Mum x