Well I'm speechless - what with the heli-dive and the underwater dancing!

It sounds fantastic Ben - what amazing experiences - I can't wait for my gap year now!!

See you in two weeks time!

Ps all well here - chris is playing his flute at a concert in Dursley parish church this evening. I spoke to Ian this morning and they'd just done a dive off Poor Knight's Island which they'd enjoyed his money still hadn't come through though and he's losing weight!

Have a lovely couple of weeks. with lots of love from us all xxxxx

Well thank you kindly ma'am! It's my aim to raise a smile!

The little people are in the bar above the box when you are typing your message in - click on the little grinning face next to the U and it pops up a little box with a choice of smilies for your delectation! I rather like them myself, I rarely enter a message without at least one. This is my favourite!

Very rude of me not to leave amessage for Ben really, since this is his board! My apologies Ben, you sound as if you're having a fantastic time flirting with danger and partying hard! Better make the most of it, we can't offer you quite the same lifestyle back here, in spite of my earlier message. Everyone's looking forward to seeing you and hearing your tales of adventures under the sea. Give that Ian a big hug when you meet up with him and tell him I hope he's being a Good Boy! Bye now - enjoy the rest of your stay!

Hello everyone hope that your all well not long now till i am back.

I had a very nice evening the other day with a few friends and the all got together a brought me a heli dive. On sunday we will be getting a ride out in a helicopter then jumping out in full scuba gear its going to be crazy.

Hi Ben,

I can't help but smile at Jane's message -how do you put those little people on Jane? I especially like the winking one!

Anyway, not long now Ben -two weeks today and you will be on your way-we can't wait!!! Your last trip sounds very scary and like Barb said I think it is time you came home when you start pulling those sort of capers.

We are very busy at present-lots going on at school and a trip to Devizes to review the trip. We had a lovely ball on Saturday the weather was very good so lots of champagne on the lawn before we started!!!! We also had a lovely evening with Jen for her b'day and with Barb (I hope you sent her an email?)

Looking forward to you meeting up with Ian you must be very excited. I am going to have a quick look at your photos and then I'm going to have a cuppa and put my 'feet up'

Lots of love Mum xxxxxxx

Oi, Nana Jill! Who are you calling 'sleepy'?

We have Speedos in Gloucestershire too you know (well, not ME personally, obviously!), just not the weather for wearing them in public very often!

AND I'll have you know that there are some VERY fierce newts in Barb & Kev's pond, and Kev's arranging for some tadpoles too, to spice up the Gloucestershire diving experience a little for Ben's return... Anyone can hand-feed sharks after all, but how many people do you know who have hand-fed a tadpole?!

I second that! It sounds absolutely terrifying - definitely time you came home!

Ben please come home soon your dad is going grey with the stress of you and big tankers !!!!!

Gloucestershire is much safer - if not a little duller !

see you soon

Hello everyone from a very rainy Sydney. During the week Carl and I had a crazy dive we had planned it for a while and to the best of our knowledge no one has done it without the scooters,we dived across Botnay bay! It is 1.5km across a shipping channel with huge tankers going over and strong currents.

We had to plan it very carefuly with tydes and weather and also the equipment we needed to dive the distance as we would not be able to just surface. We had Twin Tanks and pony bottles hung across us to provide us with enough air but it was so heavy!

The dive was very scary with bad visability and strong currents we were just kicking constantly with very little to see. It took us about an hour and when we saw rocks and a familier dive site and the shore it was amazing we had done it!

We were aiming for a dive site called the steps which we hit smack on which is very impressive over that distance, the only trouble was the walk up with all that gear and legs already like jelly it was a killer.

What a dive we did it and not going to do it again!!!!

Check out the photos.

Hey Ben, diving sounds awesome. Can't wait to get out there and try it out. Had my first encounter with a shark the other day...in an aquarium (not quite as adventurous) but i did get to feed it which was pretty cool. I was wondering if you had a number we'd be able to ring when we get to Sydney? Not long to you go back now is it, looking forward to it, or wishing you were staying for longer?

Hi Ben! Just a quick message to say we hope you have a safe journey home. Sounds as though you have been having some wonderful experiences out there! It will be quite dull for you back in sleepy Glos.!! I'm sure we could find a bed for you if you decided to try out the diving in Cornwall! Look forward to seeing you soon. Love J & B xx

Hi Ben, Lovely to hear from you. Sounds like you had a really amazing time and I'm glad that you didn't have to curtail anything due to being poorly. We're really excited about seeing you in a few days time but glad that you'll be able to meet up with Ian before you come home. We spoke to him last night and he's looking forward to meeting up with you when he gets to Sydney. They're leaving the house today and setting off for South Island for a few days but there are a couple of dives they want to do on North Island before they leave NZ so they won't have too long there.

As your Mum says we're counting down the days now and I'm sure Jack knows that you'll be back soon. He came to our house a few days ago and was so well behaved - even Zig tolerated him in the kitchen. We haven't done much this week but Chris and I did go to Stroud Canoe club last night which was fun. We weren't cold at all which was strange considering the weather we've been having lately.Had a successful trip to Cheltenham with A Mary and she got a good report from the hospital. She's looking forward to seeing you too.

Anyway, had better do some prep for school now. Enjoy these next few days and take care. Lots of love xxxx

Hi Gus, what a wonderful surprise to speak with you today. I was just cleaning the shower with my marigolds on -picture the scene-when you cheered me up no end.It sounds like they got their pound of flesh but you have obviously gained enormously from the experience.

So now into the final part of your trip-I am sure it will go very quickly and you are so right to make the most of every moment. June 1st tomorrow, so we will be counting the days-I am not sure whether Jack understands but he is being constantly reminded of your return by his Auntie Barb, who is extremely excited!!!

Barb and Chris came over today and we went for a walk down the woods, managing to dodge the showers. Jack is now lying at my feet absolutely exhausted! Yesterday I went to Bath to do some shopping and tomorrow I am going with Barb to take A Mary for a hospital appointment and then going into school-after that the half term will be near enough over and it will be back to a very hectic term. Like you I'm sure the time will fly and before we know it you will be home-don't worry I shall have that kettle on!

Lots of love Mumxxxx