Glad to see you have arrived safely back with Ian & Kathy - hello to everyone. Derek if you catch any fish freeze and fetch back for the barbie over here !! Agree with Linds re the doughnut - you have to give them a go - great fun although Derek will need to wear his water wings for when you get ducked!!
Nicola, Martin & Chloe have been for dinner today - good to see them all again - Nicola looks well - this living alone seems to be working for her. Karen is broody after meeting Chloe - but mum don't get too excited you are still going to have to rely on the girls for the grandchildren !
Only 10 days to Cheltenham - which isn't good news for you guys as you will be back when I get home.
Anyway thats all for now - enjoy your remaining time with Ian & Kathy.
K&K
Mel And The Gang
glad you are having a good time,i hear there is a skip up your drive full of empty beer cans etc,don't listen to your surrogate daughter or nicola,hi to ian and kathy. mel and the gangx
Linds
Hi say hello to Kathy and little bro from me
sounds like all is going according to plan pleased to know you had a bit of naff weather just to keep you in touch with your own country but get this we are due MORE SNOW on tuesday fantastic!! will have a word with big G and see if he can make it last untill you get back
Well you might now know that the 90 mile beach is a tad shorter than you were lead to believe in fact only55 miles long , apparently when the missionaries travelled along the beach on horseback it took 3 days they knew the horses could travel 30 miles in a day = 90 miles what they didnt take into consideration was a good horse was only capable of 18 miles a day in the soft sand (TRUE)apparently!!!!!!!!!!!
How was the fishing do we now have to call you Issac Walton (the complete angler 1886) hope not too many boring stories of the one that got away on your return, photographic evidence will be required of any whoppers and may feature on the front cover of next months angling mail
Have you arranged the doughnut yet? hope your not going to let me down on this one!! Went hunting yesterday fell off twice didnt catch any foxes but frightened one or two, am very sore this morning, the hot bath and large whiskies dont sem to work any more
Amlooking forward to Cheltenham Festival and Kevin coming we always have a great time (Derby day in Auckland on Boxing day i will never forget with Ian Kathy Melinda and Daniel Danny boy played a blinder and backed the winner in the big race withcut the cakefantastic)hope you enjoy the rest of your time inNZ Bay of Islands is a great place to spend some time did you take the jet boat to the hole in the rock well worth the time not at all scary and you might well see some pods of dolphins they have their babies with them now so unfortunately no swimming with them but amazing to see take care love to all L
Sonya
Hello
everythin sounds like you avin a good time still you probably bak with ian and kathy now hope it better weather for your last week there.
hannah got uggs yest thanks will see how long they stay nice for
alex wants you to bring him a live kangaroo back!
lee back at work now so things bak to normal they have just gone off to football alex not impressed coz the other defender as broke a rib and he as to do all the work at the back so thinks they gonna loose badly!
Alex is on the radio on mon am promoting the play they doin in march they are in full swing practising twice a week as it gets nearer tickets havent come out yet but will get as many as i can its the week after you get bak
we off to bham tonite for doreens 70th how xciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
byeeeeeeeeeee sonya
Linds
sounds like your having a ball and already thinking of a return trip maybe we should have another family reunion in NZ but south island please dont like the sound of all that rain and cold weather we can stay at home and do that just think 53 of us all decending on NZ how cool would that be 2011 would be good give folks a chance to save up a few shilings Do you think we would be allowed in and how long before we all got deported (answers and any questions on a postcard )
Any way Derek you must get the rod out an sample some of that fantastic fishing out there it really is great way to unwind oh and if you want to get your NZ citizenship you have to do the doughnut thing {makes jet boat feel like a walk in the park) do a double doughnut with Norma ask Kathy for details oh and don forget to put your dentures somewhere safe before you go!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today we have seen the sun first time for 10 days, since the snow went it has been generally overcast and dry and fairly warm ,in fact the grass is just starting to grow but dont worry because by the time you get back Nicola will have given it a quick trim, something new, because she is probably now so bored with the housework she needs to broaden her horizons and deal with some real mens work (in reality Marting (whoops) will probably do it for her.
Keep safe Linds x
Peter Ridehalgh
Hi Derek,
Sounds like you're having a fantastic trip.I'm not jealous or anything I went to Morecambe last weekend!. See you when you finally arrive back in Blighty. I always think of you whenever we find a nut in the powder.
Cheers, Peter R
Kathy And Ian
Hi to you both, sorry the weather has not been the best down south, we are still warm but have also had some rain which we really needed. Looking forward to going north with you guys on saturday, hope the weather will be better up north. See you both friday.
John Angela Jenny Poor Relations
hi there great to read about all your extreme activites,when are you doing the tandem bungie jump?sounds like a great place to be,no wonder ian settled over there,i agree with sandra,how are you going to get back to normal after this,are you going to be catching up with june while you are there?if so tell her we said hi.speak soon take care angelaxxxxps fred and lizzi got married on saturday it was a lovely wedding,thanks for the card.
Sandra
Hi Derek and Norma....the blogs are so entertaining from your family and friends I am sat here wondering how on earth you get time to do all that you are doing....it must take ages to read up on them all. I suppose a glass in one hand and the laptop on your knee is a favourite pastime when you have finished exploring for the day! I have loved looking at the maps and tracking you on this journey...it really has been an "off exploring" type of holiday for you both. How will you ever settle down once you are home...it will take forever. Nicola is fine. I saw her today trudging off to Uni...but looking well. I'm happy to dip into my pension if necessary if Nic thinks keeping you there would be helpful to her!! If I see a "For long term rental" sign at your house I will let you know so that you can make contingency plans....Have you got your Howick t shirt Derek? I bet you have had to get an extra case for Nic's presents from all your destinations but having you home will be the best present ever for her I know. Not much going on around here at present. I can't compete with your news except the bus was on time today for work and it was a 2A! We travelled very slowly along the A59 and looked out over the suburban vista through murky mud-splattered windows of the bus (genuine British mud thrown up from the roads). We alighted at the Railway Station and I bid Nic farewell and walked the rest of the journey taking in the morning air and soft, gentle breeze in the proud city that is Preston.....well at least the mornings are light now and the evenings are spinning out as well so that's something you can both look forward to...ha ha.....any way carry on having a great time and be safe. Love to you both xxxxx Sandra xxxxxx
Kevin & Karen
Hello,
Glad to read you are still enjoying NZ. Beginning to wonder whether you will ever come back !!! Am seriously jealous about the jet boat ride - sounds fantastic.
Karen & I were out with Philip,Clive, David and wives last night and had a great time although stayed at Philip's overnight and woken up by the twins jumping on top of me at 8.00 am this morning - not a good idea after a night drinking with Clive in particular. Nicola, Martin & Chloe coming for dinner next Sunday.
Hope Hannah had fab time skiing and Alex learned how to be the new Robinho and soccer school. Hannah - how bad are Liverpool couldn't even beat City !
Anyway keep enjoying NZ and look forward to the blogs.
K&K
Sonya
Hello
sounds like you still avin a gid time in nz shame about the weather but i am sure it will get better again
hannah back from austria last nite she had a fab time no broken bones
they r bak to school tomorro after half term alex was at football school all week which was gud coz i was ill most of it that why not been doin blog last week
lee had splint off and bak tomorro he nearly had has much time off as you two!
not much xcitin to tell you will wait til you come bak to tell you about the 4m we won on the lottery!!!!!!!!!!!!!
byeeee Sonya xx
Nix
so guys who is up for clubbing together to buy this b and b so they can stay there. i know im in............. could maybe stretch to a tenner with a little help from martin!!!! hahaha be better then the shelterd accomodation i have picked out any day!!!