hey guys, cant believe you're there, it looks soo amazing! it was so nice to hear from you and its great to hear you're having a fantastic time. il reply to your email later on...just wanted to post a quick message as i just checked out your pics- can't wait to see more. take care of yourselves and keep livin it up (sorry cheesy!)! much love, amy x x x x x x x x

Hey you two, hows it all going?? It looks and sounds like you're having an amazing time! Your photos are fab but remember to SMILE!!! No honestly they're great and i'm looking forward to seeing some more when you get time to download them. Vietnam sounds a bit crazy but i'm sure you'll get used to it. Just watch out for any strange ladies holding bunches of bananas...
Everything trundling along here as per usual - lots of school work and still working at the awful restaurant in the evenings. But I have managed to book myself a little holiday - i'm going to Morocco with Ellen for a week in August. Managed to get a cheap flight so thought we'd give it a go. It will be about a million degrees but it sounds like an interesting place so should be good.
Not got a lot else to tell you really, just that i'm thinking about you lots and that i hope you are enjoying yourselves.
Email again soon,
Take care, Claire xx

Great to see your photos today, it feels for me that you are really there !!

Vietnam does seem different and you are right - realise how fortunate we are. The trip down on wooden boat will be interesting - are you actually sleeping on the boat? We had a lovely weekend in Dorset with Ruth and Ken, walking along the Dorset beach. We went to Lyme Regis and was shown round a 15th century water mill. Also went to the theatre in Yeovel - all in all a good break.

Keep in touch - I think Sue and I are really benfitting from reading your entries and now we have photos to look at . Keep safe and together. Love Mum and Alan

Hi you two

How are you both doing........don't seem to have heard anything from you for a couple of days. I know you are on your own now as your guided tour is finished and you are off to Vietnam on Sunday from memory although I did get a little text earlier on today Boo.. Are you managing okay and did you decide to stay on for a couple more days in the same hotel.
I am at work, 1 hour left before the weekend, yiphee!! We are going to order a new bathroom suite tomorrow for upstairs so hopefully that will be finished before you get home. James if off to Ireland for a couple of days next week and Adam has bought a flat in Hertford - well I say bought.....everything seems to be going along okay so you never know he may not be at home when you get back. Thinking about it a lot seems to have happened in the nearly 2 weeks you have been away. I still haven't tidied your bedroom (I bet you're saying blimey..... can't believe it you never left my bedroom alone when I was there!! Will you be able to send some photos. I better go now as I have one or two things still to do and I am not going to be late today!! Take care both of you, love you xxxxxxx

Hi Boo and Mark

It was really good speaking to you both on Sunday. As we all said it is really amazing how close you sounded. As I am typing this you will be snoring away on the overnight train to Guangzhou ready for the ferry to take you to Hong Kong. Hope you had a good night's sleep. Just to warn you before you reach Hong Kong........ Gill said that you will have left the spitting behind in China but be ready for the pushing and barging in H K. Gill lived there for 4 years and still cannot get over the fact that they seemed to be oblivious to her and no-one gets out of your way. I was reading your itinerary and it seems that you have the option to book further nights in the same hotel. Have you decided to do that before leaving for Vietnam?

Have a good time and make the most of a comfortable bed. Try and send some photos. I would love to see both your faces - it seems a long time - have you managed to find some proper shampoo yet, if not your hair must look like a brillo pad by now -ha ha.

I'm off out for a meal with girls tomorrow evening to Elberts (I bet your saying ....what!! you're going to Elberts). Will let you know how I get on.

Take care Boo and Mark, Love you xxxxxxx

Hi again I've just got to ask Hayley - what does the Boo stand for!!? Forget the previous weather report - it is freeezing cold and raining now.

Keep safe both of you and stay close to each other. Love Mum & Alanxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Mark & Hayley

Well at last I have been able to access this journal! The address I had was not quite right and Sue sorted me out but I still can't access the journal on the computer at home. I am sending this from work. I feel I am more in touch with your holiday now - the Great Wall sounds amazing. The tour seems packed with sights to see and things to do - I bet you wish you had more time at each destination but Hong Kong will also be fantastic.

I am back at work now (ugh). Weather is not so cold now and spring is on its way. I heard from Sue Mark that you have managed to get a camera - which one did you get? Did you both sing at the Karaoka (not sure that is the right spelling). Will keep in touch Mum & Alan - I can give Claire the journal address now.

Boo

It was lovely to hear your voice earlier on - I will 'phone you tonight at 11.30pm and hope I do not wake you - will be around 7.30am Chinese time. What time do you have to meet for your tours.

If you want to dial home or mobile....this is codes to England
to dial home 0044(in front of home number) and then drop the 0 of 01992....i.e.0044 1992 552647.
Mobile......just dial as normal as far as I know - try and see when you have a minute.

Love you and be careful with all your exploits. Keep close to Mark always xxxx

Hi

Just a quick note to see how you are getting on. You will have seen the warriors at Xian and reading your earlier email a monk - are they as you imagined Boo. Well, I'm not going to stay any longer as I have to make the tea and then go to yoga. Let me know that you receive these notes from me and I will know that everything is working ok. Love you Are your boots comfortable and are your socks keeping your little feet warm?xxxx

Here is a little note from James.................

Hi boo and Mark, was only watching a programme on shaolin kung fu yesterday, seems funny that you are over there at the moment. Hope everything is goin well, as im sure it is, keep us updated and inspired... speak soon. James.

Boo and Mark

It was really good receiving your email, its really good how it works. Have you read the two previous messages that I have left for you Boo. Let me know so I know that all is working okay.
Well you certainly seem to be visiting some lovely places- do you have to walk far and is your back pack very heavy on your back?
What is the food like and is it very cold. I am sending this from work as I have stayed a bit late today to finish typing minutes.
I miss your little head on the sofa watching tv......so I normally have the entire sofa to myself and end up dozing off.

Nothing very exciting happening here although we did have a little bit of snow this morning and it is really quite cold. Are you managing to get a decent nights sleep.

Await to hear back from you (you are being good).
That's all I need Boo...... a little text and when you can an email.
I will probably try and 'phone you at the weekend - so I can hear your voice.

Have you managed to buy some more photo chips as the ones you have must be gettng rather full now.

I also found your toothbrush on the bed - are you sharing Marks ha ha

Is your card working okay.

I

Love you
Take care you and Markxxxx

Boo and Mark
Hi it's me again. I'm now back from work and it was strange seeing your car parked outside as for a moment I thought you were in and then, of course, realised that you are in CHINA!!
What have you been up to today and have you got enough warm clothes..........over to Dad and hope to hear from you both soon Love youxxxx

hello to u 2 have u had a real chinese did u get mums text ??? speak soon luv dad

Hello Boo and Mark

Just a quick little message to see if you receive it. Hope all okay - what is the weather like at the moment. Love you xxxxxx