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
Chris
Man, I remember the shark sandwich discrepancies.
Looks like you're having a blast, diarrhoea excluded. And you missed the match (I'd have swapped my seat for your dose if I could have).
Did you hear we had a goal disallowed and theirs was 2 yards offside? That we hit the post and Schwarzer made 3 career best saves? And Aaron Hughes, of all the bloody tee-total turncoats, made a goal mouth clearance? And Bassong was sent off? And we sucked, as usual?
Still, we had discussions about changing the watering hole for our Championship stint. Lots of suggestions: Tilly's, The Bridge, Telegraph etc. What do you reckon?
CC
Hi John,
Hi John,
I'm more than a little envious after reading your blog. Sounds amazing. Laughed out loud at the car hire trip and the road closure - was sounding more like an adventure story!!
Not much to report back here. Ian is still on a high and Gav hasn't stopped smiling - even when back at work!
Take care
M
Just a little bit envious but definitely feel you should have someone with you-ME! I know what you mean about the roosters-I still think fondly about the dogs in Corfu who had barking conversationsand contests every night. How come the dogs here are just noisy. Keep safe
M&d
Seen lots of clouds and not a little rain. Only exotic birds about are bedraggled pigeons. Am expecting exotic fish to come swimming up the street any time now. Watched a match last night that had crossed the date line several times. Rush, Aldridge and Daglish scored for Liverpool Legends: Shearer failed to score for AllStars despite being managed by Ricky Tomlinson. Bet he picked up a few tips though. Charity match as you may have guessed. Carry on Enjoying your trip
Broonie
What a result with the rooster. I usually have to cram one into my suitcase, just incase my destination is roosterless, but you've come up trumps.
Bet it seems like you've been away ages...? Not much news for you (that wouldn't bore you rigid in your current state of mind), but remind me to share a couple of amusing stories when you're no longer on manana time.
No need to apologise for Johnny Cash. But an apology definitely owed for living my dream. So enjoy it!
JP
M&D: 70% chance of rain tomorrow! What I've seen so far looks amazing though
Mrs L: no, I seem to be off the grapevine - I was more interested in your arrest in SF story actually....!
Simon: didn't see the game, so I don't know whether this is the final glimpse of hope before the twist of the knife. I think you're down though... I think you'd be disappointed in my road trip music as well, I tried to go west coast-ish. Highlights were Grandaddy, Green Day, Metallica, Kiss and Johnny Cash - sorry!
Andy R: are you really moving to Thailand?? Are you still with Xinna? What's going on?? I won't get there unfortunately - this time round anyway...
Bob: cheers for the messages. Can't believe how well all of the results have gone for us. I've ditched the drill bit - I couldn't carry it off if I knew it was there...
Conrad: you've just been to Bangkok, now you want to go to Mexico, are you mad?! I hear Afghanistan is nice this time of year...! Take care - are you at Glasto this year?
Chris: you're worse than me. I am ashamed to report that some of the twitching may be rubbing off though - but only in tropical climes, they seem more interesting. I think I've seen several kokakos in the last few hours - I'll try to get some snaps
Adam: I'll definitely be back in August, and let's definitely hook up.
All: many thanks for the messages, come them coming!
John, 11/5/09 Aitutaki
M&d
Kia Orana
Just done the Google tour of the Islands. Looks fantastic, wish we were there
M&D
Mrs L
Hi John
Just caught up on your blog, laughed I narely cried! Christ, I hope you're still alive after the car hire incident! Life at Sage is much the same, all totally jealous that we stayed and you get to set the world on fire (is that next on your list?!) Latest news is Julie Miles has gone although I guess you knew that judging from your reliable sources. Discovering america doen't get in the way of goss I trust?! Have a great time wherever you;re heading for next (note to self, check travel planner!) and try not to put yourself in danger involving traffic (you loon!) Enjoy! Clare xx
Simon O'
JP does Jack Kerouac! Jealous as hell but total admiration for taking on your mid-life crisis with both hands. I was just tootling about Horsley the other day when a vintage TRIUMPH convertible went past and thought wistfully about how my American Graffiti days never really happened..and now there you are living the dream..so...what's on your radio?? Don't forget to pay full tribute to the King, Sun records and Buddy Holly..Just wondering where you'll be watching the Tyne Tees Debacle tonight.. here's hoping there's a tear in your beer just for the one night! May the least crap team prevail!
Way to Go JP..( temporary summer job-Russell Crowe's stuntman in new bar-brawling blockbuster v Mickey Rourke-think about it!)
