Hey guys,

We have just got back from Frasier Islans which was amazing, we had the best weather possible for it. 10 of us all piled into a 4x4 to drive along the beaches and camp up every night which was an experience, never ahd to dig our own toilets before! Saw plenty of wildife including dingoes, rays, turtles and even whales out in the distance, and made some good friends. Our next stop is Airlie beach where we are going on the whitsundays cruise which will be really cool.

Really looking forward to coming home now, onlt 11 days left. I saw the photos of dad's party, wish i ahd been there, and i'm glad to see that Ben is still wearing that hoodie, although hoping he has washed it by now!

Speak to you all soon xxx

Hi Ian - again! We were thinking about you today when we watched Australia beat South Africa by 25 - 17. It was a good game, with S.Africa leading by 17-10 at half-time. Don't suppose you were in the crowd but imagined you may be! That's grandparents for you!!! Just thought you may enjoy this snippet of useless information! Take great care, all of you. Love N & P xxx

Hi Ian. Hope you are enjoying your time in Oz. We enjoyed looking at your photos. It won't ne long now until you are back in wet, chilly Britain, so make the most of the sunshine!! Take care dear. Our love always N & P xxx

PS Message for Jane! Thanks for putting the photos of Kev's party on. It was great to see them. We were so very disappointed not to have made it, but circumstances worked against us yet again! We were there in "spirit" though, you may be sure of that. Thanks. Love J & B xx

My photos from Kev's party are on

http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/5962094

Anyone should be able to look at them (and if you have a Photobox account you should be able to order copies etc. I believe)

Well Ian, you missed a good party - and of course the party missed you too - the pasties were scrumptious, the beer was good and Uncle Chris was speaking French! Never did work out why, but it could have had something to do with drinking French beer... Disaster struck when the barrel from Nailsworth brewery ran out, but - rest assured - they all found something to keep them in the state to which they are accustomed! I'm willing to bet that at least one person didn't make it to work on Monday... And yes, Kevin, I do mean you!

The weather was atrocious of course - good thing there weren't any more of us there, we;d have been in the shed - a few brave souls ventured outside for a few moments (including Matthew, who had great fun on the little slide) but it proved too much even for them and they had to return for a bracing draught of whiskey - purely for medicinal purposes of course. Matthew settled for swiping Auntie Jean's pasty instead, sensible lad. He was running around all over the place chasing Jack, although he wasn't too keen when Jack returned the attention - Kev said it reminded him of you and Phil & Jo's dog when you were little (ah!).

Hope all is well with you, looks like you're enjoying life although I must say there were a few of what I believe might be described as 'well dodgy' photos in the last batch uploaded...

Got to go now, work is a-calling to me - take care, lots of love - GMxx

Hi Ian,

Just had a look through the photos looks like you are having a great time! Saw Ben today who came back with lots of stories from Oz, sounds like he will be back soon. Hope you enjoy your last month, see you when you get home. Love us x

Great photos of the surfing - can you teach me the standing up with crazy arm actions when you get back? Glad to see you had a beer or three in the hot tubs of Rotorua, I remember doing exactly the same when I visited 17 years ago - has the smell got any better yet?

Drying out after the floods and looking forward to a good weekend to see Travis and James Morrison at Westonbirt. I went with Mike to Goodwood to see the festival of speed on Sunday. What a place to see fast cars - nearly got run over by a vayron! A definite must for a trip next year.

Enjoy Oz and not too much of the amber nectar!

love dad mum charlie rose and lara

What a birthday present for your Dad, Will, to see the photos of you surfing and STANDING UP! 48 years and he still can't do it ~ Gutted, he's absolutely gutted. Gem has been offered plenty £ for your surfboard ~ not sure what happened as pennies were a bit tight to go to California...... Glad to see that all the money you boys have been subbed is going on essentials....... Mahoosive floods chez nous a Angleterre (just remembered Barbara is a French teacher, aplologies) Big problems all over the country, but Nympy is at the top of a hill and it's all draining in to our field instead! We could provide enough electricity for the whole of the SW ~ serious waterfalls and quite confusing for the ponies. Dave's JCB is going to be stuck down there for months I think! You all look so much older and appear to have designer stubble, definitely looking sculpted! Not sure if I can cope with any more photos of those speedos ~ I find myself flinching as a new album pops up...... SEE YOU SOON!! YIPPEE! You all look so GORGEOUS. Xx8

Was that you Ian disguised under a mauve wig? I say it was, Alan is not sure! Anyway hope the party went well and that you all enjoyed it-it looked great fun!

From your Mum's message it sounds like you are off on your travels on Monday-keep safe and have a wonderful time -lots of love xxx

Hi Ian Just thought we'd let you know that we spent a few days last week (Wednesday to Sunday) with Mum, Dad and Chris. It was great to see them again, but we missed you! It was good to have a few words with you even though the signal was quite bad. Good to know you are all O.K. and are still enjoying your experiences. look forward to hearing all about your adventures when you come home! Look after yourselves, all of you, and good luck in Australia. We have just watched New Zealand beat South Africa by 24 - 21 - a close call. S.Africa led right through the match until about ten minutes from the end - an exciting match! Love N & P xxx

Hi guys

just making sure the rest of you don't feel left out!!

Much love me xxxxx

Hello folks!

What busy lives you are all leading! Hope all is going well.

Have you met up with Ben now then Ian? How strange for you, meeting your cousin the other side of the world! Hope you're having fun - I won't say 'don't do anything I wouldn't do' as that might cramp your style a bit (hmm - more than a bit, probably!) but just don't get doing anything that I wouldn't do with anyone unsavoury. Or with any sharks.

That didn't quite sound the way I meant it, I don't mean to suggest that you have a fish fetish (although I;m not sure about Ben - has he written any messages that don't rave about sealife...?!) - simply that I'd prefer it if you didn't get eaten - or even slightly nibbled - by one.

The Thomas Family Message reminds me that I forgot to mention the new summerhouse (not remotely like a shed at all, shan't be making that mistake again - I don't think Grandma ever forgave me for that one!) - it's very posh and we christened it by eating strawberries and ice-cream in it after popping in unexpectedly the other weekend after our visit to the lake. (I did try for Gin & Tonic, but Grampy didn't have any, but he came up trumps with the strawberries - quite delicious.)

Anyway, lunchtime is over so had better go and do something mind-numbingly dull for another few hours (big sigh)... raining again... have to try and think of something more exciting than a commode for Kev's birthday and for my Mum... wish I hadn't mentioned G&T now, it sounds like a good idea... hope K is planning on having some at his party as well as Cornish beer... today's big news at work is that our Estimator brought biscuits (chocolate ones, even)!! (That may not sound like a big deal to someone who is the other side of the world feeding sharks, but he's been here about 8 years and - being renowned for his um... economical ways - has never done it before!!)... Lots of love, GM xxxx