Good morning boys!

No apple-picking for me though, just 8 hours at a desk with the rain lashing at the windows - and oooh! a bit of sunshine! - must be spring!   Keep your chins up (only one each of course) - you know what they say about an apple a day keeping the doctor away - well, with so many apples each day, you'll be the healthiest people ever!

Ian Thomas, I cannot believe that you've been walking around with a broken collar-bone for months! Didn't it hurt?! You poor soul, what a time to get injured. SO disappointing for you to have to miss so much time. Hopefully the season won't be in full swing for long before you are able to play though. What is the name of your team? Had a look on the website but there seem to be loads of them.

HAve discovered that I can't write you a letter as no-one knows your address! Any chance of you emailing it either to me (address on this message) or to Barb & Kev?

Went bowling in Stroud with my parents/brother & sister in law on Sat. - discovered that I am better at it left-handed than right! (let's face it, that's not difficult!) - good fun! Then went to see 'The Queen' at the cinema and cried lots! Still sorting out my flat, have complicated matters by moving furniture between rooms - have restocked an entire charity shop with what I've thrown out, and the bin-men are on overtime! Other than that, just work - end-of-year stocktake last week, very cold outside but nice to get some fresh air and sunshine for a change. Don't tell Kev, but I'm visiting the Thomas household next weekend - I like to take him by surprise in case he arranges to be out...!

Cheers me dears, hope you're having fun and still honing your domestic skills to perfection! lotsalove - GM xxx

hey guys hope u r having fun in NZ.  hows the rugby going? wot is the accommodation like?  email me wit some news!

hope all is well

laurence

 ps. just seen the pics of the leaving do...

hey guys sounds like you had a good time with the other boys u will have to come up again as im over next wednesday so u should make another excersion up or i will come and visit you!!!!jimmy we are now one game from twickenham we beat totonians 28 nil and saturday and griff scored twice but i set him up!!!!really s*** to hear about your collar bone roll i cant belive u played with it broke!!!!!will i have a suprise for u when i come out....i found your brown bear hat!!!!!!well i will see you guys soon hopefully let me know if u want me to bring anything out for you!!!lots of love and kisses josh xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx p.s maller got some gud beats cuz u guys cudnt give them to him on his bday!!!

Hi Ian, Just read your latest message - seems like you had a great time in Auckland.  Did they know what hit them when you all hit the bars!!  Is the beer stronger out there, like their players? Hope your collar bone is not too painful - bet it will be rotten for you watching the others play!  You may be pleased to know that we may have been eating the apples you picked, although your signature wasn't on them!!!  Keep on enjoying the experience, and making the most of your time out there. Love as always N & P xxx

hi will. urgent message. can you give me THAT DATE. cheers mate.

luv brinky

hey everyone,

Thanx for all the messages, we hae just got back from an extremely hectic weekend in auckland, so are all feeling pretty tired right now, especially after the long drive. Went to watch the Auckland Blues play the Highlanders friday evening with Dan, Noah and their contact. It was a very memorable experience especially as we got in free! The stadiums wern't as atmospheric as back home, not a scratch on the shed! but the quality of rugby was pretty amazing to watch at times, as to be expected. Got a good tour of Auckland on saturday night, i think we visited every pub/bar going, and if we didn't, it certainly felt like it. Updated news on my collarbone for those of you that don't know, apparently i broke it back in October and strained the ac ligament, and have re-strained it at training, so now i am out for 6 weeks...gutted!  We have our first game on saturday against some elite highschool team, so that should be good to get a standard leveler for what the seasons going to be like. Until then however its back to the orchards for the next four days, and the lovely, lovely apples! haha.

Hope everyone is well, good to hear from you all, the boys xx

hi guys

Fancy going to New Zealand with a broken collar bone Ian!!!!!

Today i've been to a hockey session but i've had to wear your stroud socks because my long socks are all dirty

Only downside is i got hit in the face with a hockey stick and now have a black eye!

love chris 

 

yo yo yo peeps.

just thought i`d pop in and say hello to you three lucky sods. Had my operation on Wednesday, i`m out of action for 8 weeks . the colts and county are REALLY missing you. oh who are you playing for cause i want to see if they`ve put their new international signings on the tinternet yet.

 

oh well, good to speak to you, hope to see you soon.

lots of love, brinky.

 

WWHHHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

YOU CANT SEE ME!

YOU FEEL ME PLAYA`S!! 

Boys

 Hope the trip to Auckland went well and you enjoyed the experience of a live super 14 match - must be very different to Kinsholm. Busy week for mum entertaining (Tom & Anne) staying and me working late at work. Watched Charlie last week beat Wales U18 in a friendly, tommorow big day for Stroud as they play their cup quarter final. Will be helping mum with lara as i am off on a boys ski trip with Mike et al on Sunday. Will call over the weekend

 love dad

P.S. Forgot to mention that it's my birthday tomorrow - hope you've remembered to post my card Ian....

(Just kidding! I may get around to writing YOU a letter though)

Hi boys - hope you're having some fun amidst all the domestic stuff - can't help smiling to myself at the number of times household advice features in these messages - I thought you were going abroad for fun and rugby, not to learn how to cook and clean and eradicate ants etc...!  However, it sounds like a good idea to me and a much better idea in the long run - as my ex-boss used to say when giving someone an unpleasant job to do: 'It's character-building!'    Just think what HUGE characters you'll have by the time you get back!

Are you sure your parents haven't sold you all into slavery?!