all your pic and messages were fab, i'm so glad you had such a great time hope to see you all soon xx love to everyone xx
David And Dawny
chào!
Glad you made it back safely with a lifetime of memories. Knew you would love Vietnam. Hope to catch up soon and see all the photos. I guess Ashford is pretty dull in comparison, although I am sure your experieneces in Hanoi will come in handy when navigating the new Ring Road!
G?p l?i sau nhé love to you both D and D x
Peter Lewis
Welcome back. You might at least have bought decent weather with you. Fancy a trip to Wales theis weekend!!!!!!!!!!!! I know for sure my time off when it eventaually arrives will never be anything like yours. A true refresher!
Looking forward to seeing you
Peter, and family
Anne, Sue and Frances
Debbie Doo
Hi Ya, Sorry I haven't had another chance to tell you what a brilliant reading your time has been. I have felt that I have been there too! Yeh some day!! What a fantastic experience of memories to bring home & remember for years. Make the most of your last days ahead, thinking of you Debs, Pete & Nicole xxxx
PS.I am doing the race for life on Sunday in memory of our fantastic Dad. I haven't trained so not looking forward to it, but have been assured there are a few pubs on route so might have to call in for a quicky!! Have put you down for a tenner! so make sure you bring some spends home!! Luv ya xxxx
Anne Rutland
HI U 2 - I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO FIND IT VERY HARD ON YOUR RETURN (A BIT LABORIOUS) STILL BRYAN HAS GOT HIS NEW JOB TO LOOK FORWARD TO AND JANE STILL HAVING TIME OFF FROM SCHOOL - CHILL!! DAVE AND I ARE OFF TO SPAIN ON THE 30TH JUNE SO NOT SURE WHEN WE WILL SEE YOU BOTH, WHAT DATE ARE YOU DUE BACK? WE ARE STAYING WITH FRIENDS WHO ARE TRYING TO TALK US INTO MOVING TO SPAIN OFFERING DAVE A JOB, WITH THE RAIN AND WORK AT THE MO, IT IS RATHER TEMPTING. WE DID HAVE A HOT W/END 9/10TH HAVING RYAN FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, QUITE FUNNY AS WE WENT TO HAMSTREET SUMMER FAYRE, RYAN IS POTTY TRAINING SO NOT HAVING HIS POT WITH US I ASKED IF HE WANTED A WEE IN THE FIELD, THIS BECAME A NOVELTY, BEER TENT, TEA TENT, FOOT PATH YOU NAME IT WHEREVER THERE WAS A BIT OF GRASS DOWN CAME PANTS AND OUT POPPED LITTLE WILLIE! WALKING HOME DAVE GAVE HIM A SHOULDER RIDE, (I WAS REALY HOPING BUT NOT TO BE!) MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR LAST FEW WEEKS - SEE YOU SOON LOTS OF LUV SIS XX
Kezza
That Bamboo train sounds brilliant - I want a go!
We're having a garden day today. This is going to be interesting. I think the last time I nurtured my inner botanist was when I renamed the 'bloodyoli' age 5. We're about to go and pick up our strict task master for the day (Nan), who's pulled a few strings and got some pretty wicked garden shizzle together from various family members. I've pulled the short straw and will be strimming the jungle down and sonar-ing the moles in the back garden. Ash won't know what's hit him as our designated driver and token male on this project. In the highly unlikely event that I find that I like gardening after this (mis)adventure, I shall be more than pleased to help you with the flower beds when you get back, otherwise please assume I shall remain in Canterbury under the premise of hard work.
Think I'll give you a call today as circumstances have changed againre: my return date to edinburgh (I'm now doing my observation at highworth so won't have to go up to Ed until the 23rd) I may as well wait for you 2 to arrive back and then we can travel up ensemble? Anyway, parle bientot. Keep it real homeboys. x
Jane
Hi Julia and Claire
An August gathering at our place sounds good - I don't think we will be taking any more holidays this year, so any week end would be good for us - best ask Julia first when she has a free week end!! Nearly at the end of our travels now and what a remarkable journey it has been - we will be sad to leave Cambodia even though it is hot and humid but we are looking forward to coming home and having a rest!! We have both put on weight by eating too much so will have to diet on our return.
See you soon
Julia
Hullo Explorers! I hesitated to post this message as the last one on your board is also from me!
If you were computers your hard drives would now be on overload with all your images seen and info gathered and stored! The human brain is a wonderful thing and we should always remember to keep the infernal internet in its place! Despite how great it has been in providing this link with you two through your journey.
Am just back from school where a bench which is being built - concrete blocks and cement and due to be rendered and smoothed over this weekend - ready for our next Artist in Residence project; the Gaudi bench - in the style of his ceramic-bench parapet at the Parc Guell in Barcelona. (I was inspired when I visited in 2004 when Jess was there doing her TEFL course!) A mosaic artist is spending 6 days with us from the 26th and will be covering the bench in designs created by the pupils. The heavens opened this afternoon after school and we had the mother of all downpours - I rushed out with a colleague just before it truly got going and covered the newly cemented seat area with polythene sheets left over from last year's Artist in Residence project - a mural of three huge flat hardboard tree shapes, painted and printed by the kids. Much anticipation from kids, parents and staff as the bench has taken shape!
Jess visited Ankor Wat in 2003 and said it was absolutely breathtaking, I think they saw it at dawn or sunset, which is supposed to be magical. The heaven / hell depictions sound very similar to Medieval Art friezes made for churches in this country! Torture and endless variations of for the sinners!
You must both now be super-fit if you weren't before with all the climbing and trekking on glaciers, crumbling stone stairs and swimming with all manner of sealife!
Looking forward to your pics of the temples et al!
lotsaluv,
xx
P.S. Are you at the final stage of your travels? Or is Thailand next? When do you get home?
Julia
well - who'd a thought it - bring on the 50-somethings!!! swimming with sharks and rays, and JanieB with only one flipper and Bryan doing the Galahad thing. I am well impressed, as they say in this neck of the Essex woods!!
Just back from a lovely evening of art with Gerry - an exhibition at the Hayward...Anthony Gormley, the sculptor - Angel of the North, and a new installation, "Event Horizon", of figures - cast from Gormley himself - placed on the tops of buildings in a 1.5 km radius of the gallery sculpture terraces - on the top of buildings, silhoutted against the sky. Plus a vapour room, where you can't see more than 2" in front of you, amazing. It's all about the concept. !. Then on to the Member's Restaurant at Tate Modern (yes, I am a member!) to drink a glass of vin rouge on the outside terrace with the superb vista of St. Paul's across the river and a floating choir making its' way up the Thames - part of this weekend's panapoly of events fanfaring the re-opening of the Festival Hall after two years' of re-everything. Exciting stuff.
Outlined my idea to him of running an art course at his house in Provence next summer. He loves it! Apparently I must get started now with a web page!! This is all part of my plan for when I retire!! If it takes off am thinking maybe I could do it full-time, in my own little abode somewhere in France!!
Well, am waiting for the next lot of photos from you intrepid travellers!! Am beginning to think that settling back into life at Hedge End, lovely as it is, may be a tad difficult for you!! Lovely hearing about all your experiences, thank you. And thank you also for the lovely panoramic postcard. Keep your flippers on and keep adventuring! xx
Kezza
Aaaaaai M&D!?
That Emu story is very funny! I can just picture it now! Been back down in Trash Vegas for a few days, but in true style b*****ed off the day after I arrived. Had a frantic day getting a few things ready for Gem's Wedding tomorrow before dashing off to see Sazzle for a couple of days in Oxford after she finished her final finals. Now back, utterly broke and broken after I slipped on a bottle and landed on my arse in some delightful establishment in Oxford so now walking around with a swollen ankle & an OAP flesh coloured tubi grip around it. Had such a lovely time in Oxford, we went for a deeelightful champagne evening in one of the bigger college's deer parks & bumped into a couple of rahs from Edinburgh randomly! Saz has got a lot of lovely mates, was good to see her in her element!
In other news I've been placed in London somewhere for Teach First which means I'll be a lot closer than Manc or the Midlands which were the other options. I'm pretty pleased about that. Saz and I are thinking about moving in together somewhere in London if she finds out that she's been placed there in her Home Office job. We shall see.
You'll have to advise me on the best holiday destination for my little August adventure...sounds like you've got a lot of ammo!
Big big snogs, x
Kathy
Hi Jane and Bryan,
Fantastic to speak to you the other day , even under such sad circumstances. Felt as if you were in Ashford nor the other side of the world. Nadines funeral is on Tues 5th, don't feel bad about not being there as you will be in our thoughts and will be there in spirit. Nadine loved to know where you were on your travels and always admired your going off and making the most of life. Looking forward to getting together with you on your return. Lots of love Kathy XXXX
Bryan
Nice one David - I wasn't naked but admit it was a horror picture and wasn't too pleased that Jane loaded it up - but am sure I will get my own back!
In Perth now and trying to book a trip to Ningaloo Reef to swim with Whale Sharks but not having much luck as left it a bit late. May have to drive 2500 Km as flights booked! Or could just stay in Perth area and relax. I thought UK was basking in warm weather - made my day hearing we're missing the cold and wet end to May.