Sof Sounds busy! But good busy. Think you're lucky to have seen some wildlife - we saw a red kite on the way to Ciren which is probably the highlight of our winter! Oh, and we've had a rat staying this week, she's recovering from surgery so needs some R&R. I'm pleased that there's been no mention of noodles for while! Keep having fun. Looking forward to you coming home tho! xx

Mary Keal I am exhausted just reading your blog!!! Very very jealous of the skydive - that was the thing that James and I really wanted to do but just could not find the time when we were there! As usual it all sounds amazing - you lucky people! Hope Hel is feeling better Mxx

Janet Sounds great. Have been to some of the same places - I loved Cathedral Cove. I also preferred South Island but think it was because the icicles were truly amazing. We were there in their winter. Enjoy the rest of the trip.

Mary Keal I am soooooo jealous - completely wish I was with you although as I am still on crutches I think I might be a slight handicap to your adventures!! I loved South Island - so will be interested to hear what you think about it! Love to you both Mary xx

Sof Sounds fab. Imagine Rotorua is much like parts of Yellowstone with the smell, but the thermal features are quite amazing. Sounds like you've got an action packed few weeks left and it's great you're managing to catch up with friends too. xx

Mum It all still sounds amazing and you really are fitting a lot in! Homeward stretch now. Does it suddenly seem as if the past few months have flown by? Take care, M&D

M&D Happy New Year you two! Weird to think that you were already in 2012 while I was having a spot of lunch! Well jealous of all you have done so far, and so much more to come. What an incredibly small world to have a 'Bennies' reunion so far from home - or maybe you all just enjoyed that particular geography lesson! Take good care, can't wait for the next update M&D x

Mary Keal Totally jealous - again! Sounds brilliant - you had a much better New Year than mine which was spent sober and playing cards with friends - we totally forgot about midnight!!! Enjoy NZ - more jealous thoughts - it will be sweet as!! Mary xx

Sof Bell's Beach? Surfing mecca? Named after me and my expertise after 4 surfing lessons in Costa Rica...I said I didn't want it to be a big deal so there's no big sign there for me or anything. I'm too modest. Well jells of the penguins. xx

Janet Johnson Glad that you are enjoying the trip. It brings back memories of our visit to Sydney in 2007. Wish you both a very Happy Christmas. Janet & David xx

Mary Keal Am so jealous of all you are seeing and doing - and Edd I am most impressed that you managed to eat an apple that wasn't a Pink Lady - travel obviously broadens the palette as well as the mind!!! Not much going on here - James went to Amsterdam today for 4 days - hope he remembers something about it!! I am booked in for my knee op on the 9th January - first human in the world to have it done!!! Most excited! Keep having fun!! Mary xx

Sof Sounds amazing. And I'm glad to hear that an apple has featured!! We had snow in Fairford/Cirencester yesterday and there's more due tonight. It's flipping freezing and dark by 4, so enjoy whatever sun you have knowing we're seeing little of it (though there was a touch of blue sky here today!!). Hope you enjoy Melbourne. xx

Sof Sounds fab. I'm very pleased for you that you've had a Dominos hit - I must do that myself soon... How many drinkies had you had before walking into some random's room!?!? xx

Maria & Jerry As always, amazing stuff! Good that you've finally got a 'rest stop' and some proper food (bit of a distance for a bit of Polski though!). Hope the rest of it goes well, M&D

Sof Veggies AND salad!! Finally!! Now I feel much better for you :o) Perhaps you should pick up some multivitamins just to keep you ticking over...?! Very impressed with your snorkelling adventures - black tipped reef sharks are very cool. Hope you got to hold a bearded dragon when you went to your reptile show - there's one at Dave's college and I've now got quite a soft spot for them! Hel - draping a snake around you? Very Britney Spears! I'm impressed. I love that Edd was official photographer! We're also both very impressed with the cassowary sighting - don't get too close to them tho, they're like modern day velociraptors!! xx