Hi Ian - sorry we haven't left a message lately but life has been pretty hectic ,but I do check the site to keep up with what you are up to. It will be great for you to meet up with Ben - are we about to have another diving fanatic in the family? As everyone has said you were both really missed for Gramp's birthday but I'm sure there will be more get togethers organised when you come home - Family camp perhaps!!! So glad you're still having fun - enjoy it all and don't waste a moment. Take care, and love from us all.
Ben
Hi Ian so your doing your diving thats cool. You should of been in the pool today so are hopefuly looking forward to tomorrow as you hit the ocean. Hope the skills are going well mask flooding fin pivots and all the rest. planning a couple of crazy dives with you when you get here we will dive with the sharks with a bit of luck and there mad,last time i did it there was 15 so we will see.
Good luck let me know if you have any probs see you soon.
PS working on the barrier reef for two weeks as of wednesday taking people diving should be ace as its the best operator on the reef, and they go to the outer reef with all the big sharks. Cool. something you guys should plan to do.
Mum Dad And Chris
Hi Ian,
Hope the match went well and that you've had a good weekend. You'll be waking up to your diving course by the sound of it. We're thinking of our beds and I've just collected Chris from Ninjitsu. I spent two long days at the Education Lake and am pleased to tell you that your mother has her 1* kayaking certificate (and badge). It was great fun and a really good group of people but absolutely exhausting! It rained non-stop today but wasn't too bad yesterday and we had the capsizing so we were wet anyway. Now we've got to do a river trip before we go on to 2*. Chris was also at the lake this afternoon as he's got a couple of sailing sessions booked so we were both on the water together.
Chris starts SATs tomorrow so will be like a Hobbit and have second breakfast at school every day this week. Dad's at badminton and I'd better go and make sure that C is washed and scrubbed before I hit the hay.
Hopefully speak to you soon, take care and lots of love.xxxx
PS Thanks for taking the Napier photos, Jane will be particularly pleased!
James'mum
Hello James, Great to see the photos of Napier, it looks a lovely place to be. Dad, Charlie and Grandad watched the Glos/Leicester game this afternoon, and were pleased they hadn't gone up to Twickenham. Never mind, always next year. Charlie's mate from the U18's went on for Leicester in the last 10 minutes - quite an experience for him! Grandma enjoyed her birthday last weekend, and luckily the sun shone beautifully for her BBQ. Jenny and John came to stay, and Beth and Manda's brother-in-law were also here. Sorry to hear the car is falling apart (from the sound of it!) Bet you wish you had your little Citroen with you! We're pleased you're doing the diving, it'll be good to dive in Fiji and Australia (if there's any money left). Charlie tried to ring you today for a chat, and will try again. Rose sends her love too. Did I tell you Lara has started doing ballet at Stratford Leisure Centre on Saturday mornings, and she now has swimming lessons every week - she loves it. Charlie out this evening to celebrate Luke's 19th birthday, a much needed break from revision. I think he's revising- although he mentioned playing a lot of pool on the computer yesterday! 2 weeks until his first exam. Jenny's son Mark knows you'll be in Sydney in July and is happy to put you up. He's your second cousin if you're wondering where the family connection is! Will speak to you soon. loads of love from us all. xxx
Jill & Barry
Hi Ian. Just been looking at the latest photos - quite a nice place, by the looks of it! Good luck with your diving course. It will be good for you to be able to meet up with Ben and exchange stories before you both come home - expect you are looking forward to that! Take care as always, Love N & P xxx
Ian
Hey,
Just to let everyone know there are some randoms photos on the site of abit of Napier town (i tried to capture the art deco aspect), us playing minigolf, and the results of our baking sessions! Another couple of big games today with both teams playing the top teams of each league, so we'll jsut have to see how that pans out. we've booked our diving course and that starts next monday! can't wait for that. Hope everyone is well
Ian x x x
Mag
Hi Ian, I am so excited that you and Ben are able to meet up. It sounds like you are having a wonderful time but I can't believe how quickly the time is going. You and Ben were missed on Sunday -not the same without you and you will both have such a shock when you see the little boys -they are amazing! We all had great fun on the train waving to people as we went round!
The weather has been quite wet and chilly after our hot spell. We had a whole school photo taken and just managed to dodge the showers. Your mum came into school today to try and have a last 'push' before SATs next week. I will give her a ring shortly to see how she got on.
Keep taking care of yourselves and enjoy every moment-lots of love Mag xxxx
Ben
Ian your mum said that your looking at doing your open water diving if you want i can sort it for you to do here?
Either way i will take you and anyone else that wants to for a dive. Then you can do some on the reef .
Let me know.
Tim (Matt's Dad)
Hello Boys
Just a word of condolence for Matt after Chelsea failed to win the Premiership yesterday. Hopefully Gloucester getting to the Premiership Rugby final will be some consolation. Ruth & I have just got back for staying with Roger and Chrissie in Haverfordwest. Weather great on the first day. Yesterday got rather soaked during a 2½ hour walk along the cliffs. Saw some Red Kites (that's a bird to you!) and a raven?s nest. Hope the rugby, beaches and birds are just as good in Napier. Love Dad
PS Trust you have sorted out your finances and 3 account!?
Ian
Can't believe i'm missing the rounders, thats not on at all. I think an honorary rounders match is in order when we're all back home!
Quick update on the rugga front, colts lost 19-17, guttted, nothing to do with the female referee who didn't have a clue what she was doing.....haha. Prems had a good game, won by 2 points, last play of the game drop goal, I don't hear anyone complaining about a drop goal win now...
Matt's lady friend has just arrived from america, and we baked cookies this afternoon, great! Not much else to report on, apart from a few car issues, apparently our water pump is broke so there is no water in the radiator (explains why the car gives out after 15 minutes driving) But hey ho thats life.
x x x
Ben
No chance Barb the rounders will go ahead!
Mum, Dad And Chris
Hiya,
The beach sounds lovely but I expect the sea is getting cold now so I wasn't too envious!
Another week has passed and we've been busy as usual. We had a lovely time at Jenny and Joe's. There were 16 of us and we didn't feel overcrowded in the flat at all. The twins were little angels and no one fell over the balcony which was a bonus! We went out for Gramp's birthday and had a 2 in 1. Chris had a large pie and ate quite a bit of it but fortunately there were plenty of us to help him out! Gramp told us about the 'phone call and said you sounded well Ian.
Dad's home today as he has some time off in lieu. Chris' computer is still playing up but only seems to do it in his room - when Dad takes it to the 'den' it's fine..... Chris got stage cast creator so he's desperate to get his machine up and running.... he's also checking ebay for a cheap PS2 every day and looking forward to tomorrow when he hopes to mow the grass and earn some money! He's missing his brother an awful lot.
The weather has been hot and sunny most days this week but they forecast rain for the weekend. We're off to Burford on Sunday so perhaps the rounders will be 'rained off' !!!
I hope the match goes well - we'll be thinking of you later on. Lots of love xxxx