hey nia, that sounds like fun! you got any going spare? i've been looking for one of them for yonks(!) c x

Hi Daniel and Beth. Hope you are enjoying your travelling round the world. We have seen some of the blogs and photographs of you both and the exciting places you have visited. Well Daniel your birthday is coming up and whatever you will be doing enjoy and have a wonderful day. Grandad, and all the family send their love to you both. We hope to see you sometime in December for now take care of yourselves. Love and miss you. From Nan and Grandad Hopkins. x x

Haha!!! I agree, the 'boat woman' is the prime contender for 'Photo of The Blog' award. Gets my chuckle muscle working!! :-) c x

Photo's excellent so funny especially the one of the local boatwoman can't stop laughing Beth you really look a picture. You both really are keeping us entertained. Subtitles perfect.
Love mum (Dad hasn't seen them yet)xxxxx

Wow wicked photos! It really is like something from Lord of the rings - the land of the elves with all the tree trunks growing out of the buildings. Is that in China? wicked. I wanna go!

Well all is well in the 'diff - wrote a blog to Lucy T last night so hopefully we'll catch up soon eh! Wonder if she still has those multicoloured round glasses? Prob not.

Good to see photos of you both - nice arty one of you Beth in the door way - maybe i'll start loking for some nice photos frames for you to put them all in.

Best go - got a remote control kettle that needs taking out for a spin...

...love my job!

x

hello to the both of you ,great pictures,what an adventure your on, so interesting to see how the rest of the world lives .what stories youll have on your return .keep safe take care of each other. lot of love xxxxxxx

G'day Daniel and Bethan,

long time no blog. Sorry, Ive been rubbish I know. Havent even had time to book me and Claire a holiday if its any consolation. Our destination of choice is getter further and further south the later we leave it. Its the maldives now, which we blatantly cant afford (and its rainy season anyway). Speaking of which - what was it like in India in rainy season Dan? Will it be a complete disaster of a holiday or just a thorough downpour for one hour everyday?

I hear youre now in Sydney. Land of an opera house shaped like a sail (apparently) and a large coat-hanger shaped bridge. Is it good to be back on sovereign territory? With clean water etc etc? Also, isnt it the rugby world cup now? Could get interesting......

Happy Birthday for next week Dan. Is it the 21st?

Enjoy your travels, Matt

Hey Beth and Dan,

Great photo's!!!

Enjoy your travels down under, while you are there you must try some Kangaroo Jerky, it is really good. I tried some this summer and was tricked into eating it and it was yummy. So give it a try and let me know what you think.

Stay safe,

Susan.

Great news that you will be seeing Bryce! Give him my love - you are both missed here - team coffee is just not the same!

Cathy

Hi Daniel and Beth

I'm very pleased to hear about your impending arrival in New Zealand. I wasn't even sure that you guys were going to make it this far. I hope this country doesn't disappoint after all your exciting and exotic experiences. In reality NZ is actually pretty much just the same as the UK - except the people here talk funny, the weather's better, the cost of living is cheaper, the bureaucracy isn't so bad, strangers sometimes say hi to you on the street, there's no underground tube system, there's more hills and things, and the beer is colder.

Luckily you guys are flying in Christchurch, which is by far the most English of cities outside England - so there shouldn't be too much culture shock! I might be able to pick you guys up from Christchurch and drive you back to Dunedin if you want. You arrive on the Sunday of a long weekend - the Monday is a Bank Holiday (although we call them Public Holidays here), so I had already been thinking of going up to Christchurch for the weekend, where I have a sister and brother living. Regardless of whether I do or not, I can obviously sort out accommodation there for you if you want it. And you can always catch a bus down south to Dunedin. The trip is about five hours and costs about 12 pounds each.

I look forward to seeing you two. I might have to arrange for you both to do some guest lectures at the university though.

Bryce

Hey Dan and Beth - sorry not to have sent you any exciting news form DCMS for a while....there will be a reason for that !!!!.. We are all now back from out holidays - nothing to compare naturally ! I as ususal took myself off to France for lots of food and wine and am now on a 12 week programme with the lovely but very strict Craig in an attempt to get rid of the excess blubber so that I can eat alot at Christmas! You will not be surprised to hear that things here have not changed too much, twinning rumbles on, I am off to an efficiency meeting soon...yawn.....It is funny everytime someone brings back goodies from hold they send an e-maul saying that they are in the ususal place by Dans desk !! Oh a few of us around here have been to Prince concerts - just BRILLIANT! And we have a fantasy football league - I am rubbish! You missing the football ?

Will you be getting to NZ after OZ or is that one country too far???? Prof Bryce will be disappointed if you don't make it. Had lunch with Natalie on Monday - she says hello (enjoying FCO) as do the rest of the chaps here.

hoo hum better get ready for a very exciting trip to DCLG....keep having fun

love Cathy

Claire what on earth did you do to your jaw?? Glad your back on solid food though.

Thanks for posting more pics team Thomson/Thorne. Really good to see your smiling faces and the places you've been. Good to see your both looking good too - happy and tanning nicely! I would back up Claire's comment - slip slap slop all the way in Oz! When do you go?

Went to Ruth's (lived with her at uni) wedding yesterday - Greek theme galore! From the very long ceremony which no-one (apart from the greeks) understood, to the do which was traditional greek music and lots of taramasalata. No plate smashing though which was dissapointing but probably for the best. Very interesting wedding traditions though.

Not much else new - though i did go big truck driving last week!!! Loads of fun. Will be doing my proper training in november me thinks.

Will put some photos on facebook soon - i promise!!

Love you loads and loads

Ni

x