Flash How there grumpy - when you back? - it's the mighty deece next Friday - GET ON! - you ready to come 'ome then? Drop me a line whn you back and we'll hook up for a pinter j x

M&D Fantastic blogs, sounds like great experience. My internet cafe beats yours...outside in the shade with the sun shining and a cool breeze.Guess I won't be going to the wall, stepping machines not my scene. Keep on enjoying M&D

Richard S Sound like China is an experience, have you had people taking photos of you!!!! Or shop assistance following you around shops. Warriors are amazing Enjoy Beijing, the Wall, Forbidden City, etc.... Have you tried Chicken Feet ? Apparently it is the best part of the chicken according to the Chinese.

M&D ABBA SOS

JP Richard S: I loved NZ, I'm definitely going back - maybe clockwise round the south island next time! Cheers for the shout on Pig & Whistle - nowhere seemed to be open late enough (4am finish) and I had a lousy cold, I think watching that rubbish with a cold was appropriate. See you in the championship... :-( A: I'm going to manage about half that, if I'm lucky! Mind you, I'm also planning a wine tour and a trip to Newcastle, of course ;-) Claire: with you on the Marlborough SB - Withers Hill my favourite to date. Wineries tour on the agenda next time I go to NZ... Simon: did you go there as well? I heard it was where all the big k*** hang out. Felt a bit weird taking a photo there to be honest. Cheers for the contact numbers btw. Hayster: back in time for Glasto, hence not seeing the deece - very jealous :-( Keep the gags coming - back in toon early July, see you soon.

Haytster hey man - sounds like the tour is going well - My tickets came in for the mighty deece the other week - get on! Did you know that Oz has the worlds only poisionous mammal? - the duck-billed platypus has a venomous spear behind one of its legs... ah well Two beavers go into their new dream home and as they enter, the first calls the the second: "Shut the dam door!"... ok ok I'll go! - When you due back mista?

Simon Big Man! You did the urinals at SLO that look like a waterfall. The picture just doesn't do it justice does it? Glad you're having a great time pal - sorry not been in touch. Man U lost tonight - me heart bleeds. Speak soon. Simon

Claire don't suppose your travel budget extends to a crate of marlborough's finest sauvignon blanc? bit difficult to fit in a backpack anyway SO jealous (its pouring down in london). enjoy!

A My recommendations for Oz would be - the obvious Sydney stuff; harbour bridge, opera house, manley beach. Also blue mountains, byron bay (12 hr overnight bus trip but well worth it), great ocean road and kangeroo island. And of course ayers rock if you have time.....awesome! Your hitchhiker sounds ermmmm interesting!!!

Richard S I am sure the Pig & Whistle will have the match on in Queenstown.

M&D £500 for a window cleaner seems reasonable to me. After all, ours, an Everton fan, has to travel to Wembley next weekend, stay overnight then cough up a lot of money to a tout cos he doesn't have a ticket. It may be cold where you are but I bet it isn't as wet as it is here. Glad you are enjoying the trip but why do I have to solve such hard sums to post amessage, can't they make them easier?

Richard S Glad you made it to NZ, it sounds an amazing trip so far. I am dead jealous, but it brings back loads of memories. Gets dark early in NZ at this time of year, so you will have to hit the pub. Seen many camper vans ? I think the country is full of them. Are you doing a round trip of the South Island, we went on a good walk around Abel Tasman. Just think Captain Cook made it from the North East down to New Zealand so I am sure you will be able to cope with your maps. Looks like you will still be playing us next season, although I think your escape route looks more possible than ours (everyone has to lose and we have to make up a 5 goal difference, and we haven't won away in the last 11 matches - not a chance!!!) Happy Travels

A Fair comment but that was 6 years ago!! Yeah forgot to tell you about the sock thing - I lost loads of pairs!! Also tip to make your bag less bulky....roll your clothes instead of folding. Much neater, easier to find and less bulky! A x

JP Broonie: I thought your dream was inter-railing in Europe? Bertie turned up at the airport to see me off - I'd already checked my hold luggage though, so I couldn't sneak him into NZ. Disappointingly free-range rooster-free here so far. Simon (again): looks like I was right about the false dawn of hope :-( CC: I'm still getting lost driving :-( Say congrats to Gav and Ian for me! A: er, how long were you travelling for?! M&D: good to speak to you today, sorry I was a bit sleepy. Chris: good plan, the hoodoo must all be down to the pub. Telegraph and Bridge seem a bit far to walk? But Tilleys might be all right - no idea what it's like on a match day though (obviously). Chris (again): I think I heard a sign on the radio in the car today, but I don't know how to interpret it. An advert came on for a restaurant called Robbie's in Kaikoura - and the theme tune was 'Blaydon Races'. The very next ad was for a telecoms company called 'Black and White'- and it must have said 'B&W' about 52 times during the advert. So I listened especially carefully to the next ad - which was promising me an 'encounter with dolphins'. What does it mean?? Are we being relegated to the NFL??

A It's official I'm really jealous! Your trip sounds fantastic, keep up the blog as it is LOL stuff. Hope you enjoy NZ as much as the Cooks. Ax