Andy Hey jim Just been looking at the old pics from thailand - you got some funny shots I didn't have. How come whenever I took a photo you were pulling a funny face... I'm pretty sure it's not intentional. Anyway, I should stop reminiscing. I got to start saving for the next trip. Hows life in Qtown treating you? I hope it's getting cold. You should get a snowboard! Sweet As Bro!!!

Cath and Mike Hi James Just seen your latest photos - jealous as hell! Getting ready here in Wales to beat Ireland at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow! Hoping to get enough tickets for the England v Wales match for your Mum, Kate and Matthew to go with Mike. Love Auntie Cath and Uncle Mike XX

Pre Jimbo!!!!! Whats happening with the pics and site you joker! We wanna see whats happenning Down Under except for England getting whipped at the cricket! You managed to find yourself an employer yet? Be good to hear from you Take it easy

Becks Hi Winston Just looking through your pics, glad to see that jamesy smile we have missed it! Looks like you're having an amazing time, looking at the pics has made me even more determined to save up and go see the world! Well hopefully if all goes well I will see u in Oz in November if you're still there! Cu soon (chill winston) Becks x P.s. Not loving the beard!

Dad Am I the only one using the messaging board? So you have arrived in Cairns. You must try Johnny's Bar. Full of travelling weirdos. You'll be at home. There was an Abbo used to dance around the main pillar in the middle of the dance floor on his own. Obviously you'll be going out to the Great Barrier Reef. There's a lovely port nort of Cairns called Port Douglas. Very lively. And up in the Rain Forest about 100 km north of Cairns there's a small outpost/tourist town where you take an old steam engine on the same route that the Gold miners took many years ago. you go right up into the mountains. Then you come down by cable car across the rain forest. They tell me it's a fantastic view. I was too scared to look. Did you see the Sweden game. A real Curate's egg but we qualified and avoid the Krauts. Kate emailed me a brilliant write up on the game by a Postman. I will forward it to you. Ecuador next. Must beat them ( he says praying). And then th eDutch or Portuguese to dispose of. Wallop Brazil in the semis and show Argentina the way in the Final. Peasy. Hope you enjoy Cairns. It should still be pretty warm even though you are there in winter - it's sub-equatorial. But Sydney and Melbourne will be quite cool. Enjoy the area and the football

Dad Got your message OK. Seems like you are having fun with a capital F. Good to hear about getting PADI. Might take it myself this year. New place in Stansted does it on a crash course. England had agreat first day in the footie as you know despite not playing well. Magnificently taken own goal. But we are top of our group and virtually qualified. We are having a hot spell here and I seem to be in London most days and it is unbearable. Nothing else uninteresting to pass on- but you are missing yet another classic male voice choir concert on Saturday. I will get you the CD - don't worry. Take care. Keep writing. Dad

Dad Well, with the World Cup about to erupt there's little else in the news apart from John Prescott. Top news is Wayne Rooney's metatarsal. And he's got a sore foot too. England beat Hungary 3-1 in our first warm up game with Gerrard (that man again), Terry (first goal for England and only just!) and Crouch (yes, the lanky git got a cracker) all scoring. Best man on the park though was Joe Cole. Yet again. What a gem he is. I've got the full list of games and permutations all set up and it could be Germany and England. Of course - it may not be as well. But we can be optimistic. Other than that , England beat Sri Lanka in the second test at cricet to go one up with Kevin Pieterson getting a fantastic 142. And every British tennis player is out of the French open after just 3 days. Would hve been two but play was held up for bad weather. Don't throw your racket away- there's chances yet. Your pictures are great. What do they give the tigers- opium? Oh and where is Lau? Does it exist?

Dad What do you think of the new chef?

Cath & Mike Sunday 07 May Hi James Your Mum forwarded your email to us - sounds like you are having a great time. Can't wait to see the beard!!!! Looking forward to the next report. Love and hugs - Cath and Mike X X