Nice to hear from you, to hear from you - nice! Sorry about that, couldn't resist!

Good luck for the Big Game - you tell your Aussie team-mates that if they do anything TOO nasty to you, we shall come over and show 'em a bit of Pommie initiation of our own...

Hey everyone,

Hope all is ok, we went to a beach yesterday, it was an absolute mission to get to, but worth hte effort it was really secluded, and the waves were massive. Even with Jimmy on my shoudlers the waves were still going over his head. Made a real change to the same old routine of not sdoing much.  The Colts have got a huge rugby game this weekend against their arch-enemies Napier Old Boys Marist (I say enemies because it goes way beyond basic rivalry haha) And then after that we have got 'pommie initiation' with the men, which we're really not looking forwad to, but we'll have to let you know how that goes after.

Speak soon x x x

Hi Ian! Just a quickie to say how much we enjoyed the Botanical Gardens photos- are you training to be a model with your pensive pose?!! Only joking, of course!!! It seems as if Jane knows me quite well, and, yes, I did enjoy  the speedos!!!Nothing new there, then! Take care, dear. Our love always N & P xxx

Hi Chaps! SOrry to have been away for so long (2 whole weeks!) - no, I haven't been sunning myself on a tropical beach, I've just been neglecting you.  Hope you have managed to contain your disappointment and struggle through the days....!

Great photos, I see - that's what I call thorough, even a photo of the inside of the garage! Ian, your Mum was well impressed! Went up for lunch on Sunday (compulsory cauliflower from Mr Watts) and AM took me round the garden and pointed out all the weeds etc. Needless to say, your Mum hasn't raked up the earth enough over her potato plants, but then what can one expect?!  (They looked fine to me, but would YOU argue with Auntie Mary?!) Was shocked to find that Kev now LIKES MARMITE  (double eek)!!!! Took them a jar of Guinness Marmite too instead of an Easter Egg (late of course, too old to change my ways now) - am gradually distributing it afar but you are the furthest I've sent it (good thing too, at that weight I can't afford the postage!) Glad the customs men let it through.

Barb, thanks for the warning about the Speedos, didn't get too much of a shock because I was prepared this time - Nanna Jill will be pleased to see more photos, I seem to recall that she was scrutinising the previous ones with great interest! And  again!! Ian Thomas, I'm sure your Mother has warned you about sharing underwear with people!! I'm hoping that they will have seen the inside of the famed washing-machine at some point, but if they haven't - just don't tell me!!

Beautiful sunny day again today - had to take my car for MOT and sat outside in the sun while I waited - perfectly glorious, could have sat there all day quite happily, but had to go to work in t'afternoon. Guess what - it passed! Only a bit of fiddling with the wiring needed - apparently every time I put my lights on all the rear lights were flashing - any poor devil driving along behind me at night must have thought the circus was in town.

Well, we decided that we liked the look of the view from your posh house so much that we are all coming to visit... Will be on the next flight over, just have to stop off somewhere to buy a pair of Rupert Trousers first!

Have been buying NZ apples (Coxes) and have noticed how exceptionally delicious they are these days, you are obviously doing a good job! Was wondering from some of the Botanical Gardens photos (how civilised is THAT BTW?!) whether you also have a new job as a catalogue model...? Worth a thought, you have perfected the 'gazing into the distance' pose beautifully...!

Well, enough wittering for now, must go and do a little work before it's home-time! Keep working hard and saving your pennies - lots of love, GM xxxx

Lovely photos of the botanical gardens - it's nice to see something of Napier and even better to see the two of you looking so well. Thought we'd seen the last of the speedos.....!

Just dashing off to work. Take care xxx 

Hi Ian - fab house! Great to see the photos and imagine you all especially on the patio with a tinny! (sorry is that more Oz than NZ?) Don't envy you the apple picking though. Life pretty busy here but with the usual mundane jobs.  Nicky has been really busy with the opening of the college - in fact I think she can barely keep her eyes open. Had to show The Citizen around last week and they put in quite a spread, photos of Nicky as well. She was distraught as she hadn't had time to straighten her hair!!  Nick has a permanent post at St Peters from September which is brilliant news for them both.  Its great to hear all of your news - keep it coming!

Hi Ian and Co,

Great to get your message. Not much to report from this neck of the woods. It's finally started to rain which is a bit more appropriate for April and actually quite welcome. There was a picture of Jon with his wife and baby on the front page of the SN&J. Apparently he'd been sacked from HH because they hadn't renewed his work permit. Poor chap - hopefully something will be sorted as it was his employers' fault....

Jo popped in with the twins yesterday and they chased Christopher around the house for most of the time. It was all great fun and Zig even let them give him a hug without clawing. We're all looking forward to going to Jenny and Joe's at the weekend. 

Take care and I hope you all enjoy ANZAC day. xxxx 

Hey everyone,

Only another 5 days at most of apple picking to go! yes! everyone is starting to wind down now, but after that the only other real work is working in the apple packing factories lol which i think we will have to do, so we'll have to see how that goes. haven't got anything planned for ANZAC as such, everywhereis shut andno work so will probably just use it to relax and see what is around our house as we haven't walked around much yet. However this was talk of going to the Tonagariro national park for the day, all depends how intrepid we feel when we wake up haha.

Keep tyhe messages coming xx

Hi Ian!  As your Mum says - What lucky boys you are to have such a beautiful house to live in! What a fantastic view!  You certainly seem to have landed on your feet.  We were impressed how tidy it is! Or was that contrived?!!! The car looks very good, too! Also well done on your rugby results - you all seem to be doing very well. It is lovely to be able to visualise you all and how you are living out there. Are there any more adventures on the cards? What about the dreaded word - work?  Presumably the apple season has finished now?  Keep the information coming - we are avid watchers here- but also keep enjoying the wonderful experience you have been given.  Take care.  Love as always N & P xxx

Hello guys the house looks fantastic.

Ian at the moment i will still be here in sydney when you arrive  so that should be great to catch up and have a beer or two.

What are you all doing for Anzac day?

You lucky, lucky boys! What a fantastic place for you to live - make the most of every moment! Thanks for taking so many photos you've really given us an excellent idea of what the house is like. Well done everyone on their rugby achievements this weekend. (I notice there are plenty of tools in the garage - does that mean gardening is on the agenda!!??)

Best go and finish cooking the lunch lots of love. xxx 

Hey everyone,

Just letting you know that photos of our house are now on the site if you want to have a look. Another good weekend for the rugby. Colts won 52-7 and the prems won, with Matt scoring on his starting debut for them, which is darn good. Anyway hope all are well, and we'll leave another message when theres more stuff to write home about.

xx