Greetings little nomads!
I trust you're both well and making your preparations to enter the land of Oz, you know, the usual bits'n'pieces, a cork hat, inflatable kangaroo... Sparkly red shoes (sorry, wrong 'Oz')... Its been a while so here's a quick update in truly efficient bullet-point format! * My jaw is now intact and I've progressed from mushed-up-mushiness to solid food! Wahoo! * Portugal aka our busman's holiday was very lovely and we consumed tonnes (not literally) of fish. No scabbard I'm afraid Mr & Mrs Thomson (perhaps its regional?) but lots of dourada, cod, "frog-fish" (a poor and v. off-putting translation of monk-fish), amazing sardines... We were in our element! * Mutti & I went to Kensington Palace for Diana's 10th anniversary last week which wasn't so cheery, we had afternoon tea at the palace and then we saw 50% of Take That casually jogging through the gardens (which was very cheery). What do you do when that happens I hear you say? Waving your camera and looking rather needy you chase after them of course! Haha!... If only it was Robbie... * It was Mat's mum's (Carolyn's) 60th on Friday. Unfortunately they had to go to a funeral though so we took Carolyn and Leslie out for a 'day of fun' around Londinium yesterday and what a blast! Whilst in the queue for the London Eye (YES! The *flamin* London Eye! My 3rd time and I hate heights!) we saw Jamie Oliver and Poppy and the other one (hmm, assuming an edible seed theme probably Sunflower or something) in their very own capsule. My pride in spotting them soon turned to shame though when the whole queue caught on and started snapping away like the Paps! Oh dear. * Mat and I are in dire need of a holiday (this time one which doesn't involve a work conference) but we're struggling to think of exotic yet budget (Hmm. How does that work?) options... Any ideas? Perhaps we could synchronise somehow?... Haha! Only kidding! * Incase you're wondering yes, Mat is still alive'n'kicking. He hasn't dissolved in a physics lab somewhere never to be seen again. We've both just been uber, uber busy. No excuses though. I'm sure he'll be in contact soon... Well, I'm not that sure!
We're v.much looking forward to Christmas (seeing you that is, not the hype and panic). Guess what, only 105 days 16 hours and 14 minutes to go! (Depressing?) Oh and Danny, do you have plans for your birthday? Since you're out of reach perhaps I should buy a pressie and cake for moi, in honour of you of course!! :-)
Stay safe, be sure to implement the ol' "slip-slap-slop" and remember don't eat pork! byeeeeee! love c xxx

Hey B & D

Great post from Cambodia - bet you're really looking forward to the delights of Oz now!

Back from our short hol in France.

More pic's please! :)

Lots of love,

K&A xxx

Morning!

Can we have some pics of beach action please?? Or some more comedy falling off wild animals?

Congrats to team Thomson/Thorne on the blog of the day. Gold stars all round!

Love and miss you both

Ni x x x x x x x x x

Now I'm 'Blog of the Day'! 1 - 1. Get in.

ps - Think blog selection owes more to randomness than article quality.

Really enjoyed reading about your travels. Bernard says you ought to be gald of the rain the temple of a thousand buddahs is not somethinghe wants to repeat in 100% temperatures and 100% humidity!

Had a very boozy evening with the rest of your family Beth at Richards wedding. It was good to see Nia she looks really pretty with her short hair and trim figure. The hotel in Mellor Brook was also to be recommended!

We are all off to Ireland for New Year I think Riverdance may be the theme. Master classes for Irish dancing will start on the first morning.

Only 4 more weeks of working and then I will be dragging Bernard off on a gap year (or two)

Enjoy the rest of your adventures. Now I have managed to access this blog I will no doubt be in touch again

Hi both,

Sounds like you're having a whale of a time on your travels. We've just finished a bank holiday weekend here and mine involved going to Mat Roberts' (my house mate not Mattie R) wedding on the Friday and attending Macca's 30th on the Saturday. I always said I was better at keeping in touch with people than you Dan.

It was slightly dazzling seeing so many Langwith stars but a great time was had by all.

Really enjoy the blog but can't help thinking you should lay off the visits to pickled dictators.

Take care of yourselves,

Michael

Hi Dan and Beth your blogs are brilliant it's just like reading a book it makes you feel part of it especially with things like the motorbikes and the children running away screaming cos of Dan's white teeth feels so real. Can so imagine it happening.
It is a small world or a spooky one cos wasn't you both thinking of living in Dulwich when you come back home?
Also i tried to get on your blog of the day but was obviously a day late and got a girl called Carol Hopkins writing about her journeys now is that spooky or what?
Can't find any photo's of Hong Kong did you say you put them on blog?
Anyway got to go cos just lost my message so annoying didn't know if i could retrieve it tried but failed, so frightened going to lost this one too.
So must dash love you both take care always love mum xxxxx

Hi Beth and Dan,

Just enjoyed catching up with your adventures. Spoke to your dad today - he says you are off to Australia soon. Jonathan and Joy are going to Sydney on 16th Oct for three weeks, working their way up the east coast in a camper van - will you have moved on by then? - if not, perhaps you might bump into each other. Take care both of you. Janet xx

Hey Dan and Beth, good to hear that your travels are not as hectic while you are in vietnam, except for your hair raising motorbike ride.

ok , so i'm curious as well. What the heck are pickled people, i have an idea though.

hope you have taken more photos.

talked briefly to uncle ray the other day and asked if i was reading your blog. take care

Susan.

Just uploaded our blog to see its 'blog of the day' on the STA main page - GET IN!!!

Hello my lovely sis and Dan!

Whats this about the pickled people? I'm very confused! Can someone explain??

Spent a cracker of a weekend back in aber for the karate reunion. Lots of silliness going on and lots of catching up with old faces. Went to a secret garden party event in cardiff on fri too - New York Funk v's London Punk so we all went dressed as punks! Ripped t-shirts and spikey blue hair! I must have been a punk in a previous life - absolutely loved it!!! Will email you some pics shortly for your amusement.

Thanks for the mail over the weekend - glad you've finally found a beach and dusted off the bikini!

Missing you loads x

Ni x

Hello all,

Just spent a pleasant time catching up on the photos you've posted while we were in Portugal. Loved the one of you with the baby elephant Beth. Do you remember the elephant that stuck it's trunk through the car window in that Safari Park in Spain? You weren't so bold then! Glad you had a good time in Hong Kong, also very glad that the typhoon decided not to pay a call!! Your postcard was waiting when we got back from holiday. Taid also got his - he was amazed it had only taken 2 days to get from Hong Kong to Wales!

Message for Claire and Matt - If you get a chance when you are in Portugal try the scabbard fish (not to be confused with sword fish but both delish- if you like fish that is!) Also if you go in the sea be prepared- it's beautifully clear but cold enough to take your breath away!

Hi to Clare and Chris (in Cyprus) too! Ked and I are both OK. Hope it's not too long before we see you.

That's all for now, cariad mawr xxx