Hi Guys

I'm feeling a bit guilty because I've recently learned from Ian that you'll be on your way home in less than three weeks and here I am sending only my second communication since you left. Sorry!

It looks and sounds like you've had the time of your lives, which makes me wonder how you feel about coming back to England. I'm guessing that you'll have been keeping up with what's going on here while you've been away, so you'll know that there's a general election imminent. Actually your timing is spot on - you'll arrive back here having missed all the media hype we're currently being subjected to in the run up to May 6, something which I think most people here are sick of already. You'll also be leaving Australia just as the summer there is coming to an end, and arriving here as it begins, which will be nice for you.

You'll probably also have heard about the volcanic ash cloud fiasco in the skies above the UK. Another example of you choosing a good time to return, since if you'd decided to do so last week you would probably have faced disruption to your journey and extra expense which I'm sure you could have ill-afforded. Flights are more or less back to normal now, so I think you'll be ok.

It's been great that you've kept us all up to date with your exploits with the pics that you've regularly posted on your travel site, although I have to confess to having felt a bit envious at times. Life here for us is just ticking over as usual. The most noteworthy bit of news we've had recently is probably something you already know - Ben's had his hair cut. Not seen his new barnet yet but am looking forward to doing so.

I'm also looking forward to seeing you both again, whenever that turns out to be. I hope you enjoy the rest of your time in Australia, and above all wish you a trouble-free and safe return journey.

Take care and see you both soon.

Stuart

Hi

Have really enjoyed looking at your photos and keeping up with your travels. There are some fabulous shots. The beaches on the Gold Coast look superb, (I think that's the cprrect place).I'm amazed at how empty they appear too, just my sort of beach. 2 pictures made me smile, one being the gondola - don't expect it would be as expensive as Venice!! and also the sign saying you had taken the wrong route or was it a joke?

Enjoy the rest of your travels and keep posting the photos.

love deb and paul

Hi

It was lovely to hear you this morning, wishing me a "Happy Mothers'" Day. Thank you. Jo came to Church with me and got me the traditional bunch of dafs and foliage. I got one for my mum who is sat with me now. We have had lunch and I thought I would write to you - Grandma is fascinated! Thank you and Jo for the web cam so I can skipe. Looking forward to seeing you both. I think Kate's mum and dad are ahead of the game on this one!

Mum/Grandma was fascinated to see you ahd been to listen to Nigel Kennedy because Brenda Burgin, who joined a cruise ship in Sydney Harbour, and one of the outings was to go and listen to Nigel at the Opera House. Did you see her?

Glad to see what a fantastic time you are having. As we all say - keeping loking after each other - do not get to complacent - and enjoy yourselves.

Love Mum Grandma, Dad and Jo XXX

I have been looking at your photos

Great Photos!

Views of the opera house and harbour bridge look really good and the Blue Mountains are fabulous too! Have to say Hyde Park beats the one in Leeds. In fact Sydney appears to be a lovely city.

Your travel wheels looked much more upmarket than I was expecting!

Love mum x

Hi Kate and Henry,

Once again, your last Melbourne album of photos was a treat, but I forgot to mention that in a previous set, the warning sign about snakes gave me a couple of sleepless nights!!Take it easy and stay well clear - those blighters can hurt if they manage to jab you!!The 'Neighbours' event looked good and even I recognised the chap in the photo with you both.What was his band like?It certainly seemed like a good atmosphere.Neither of you look too ecstatic in the police photos but under the circumstances, I guess that was understandable!The idea of a free city circle tram made me smile - keep on seeking out those bargains!Do I take it that Henry managed to get you to another cricket game Kate - this time at the magnificent MCG?I thought that would never happen again after the high level excitement of Lancashire Lightning versus Warwickshire Bears!If you did go, I'm pleased but jealous that you've seen to one of the iconic grounds of the cricketing world. Then again, Henry may have been there by himself while you went shopping Kate.

We've had a good break and feel rested after a half term week off.Last weekend, we had a walk in the Peak District and got lost - which was great fun!!I was trying hard to remain calm and unruffled but I suspect that my face was a picture and gave away my true feelings!As I said in my last message, we went to Cinemac for the second time in a fortnight to see 'An Education' and both enjoyed it a lot.I'm not sure whether it will reach you there, but if it's on and you can see it, it's worth a look.'Lovely Bones' is on next week! Watch this space!!

On Monday we brought Gran over to stay for a few days during which time we had some time shopping in Macclesfield; a day in Buxton and a visit to Hale to get the last of Granddad's Toby jugs.(The ones that didn't sell in the auction!!)I was delighted (not) when Mum took up Gran's offer to have one.I always said that we'd never give those ugly things any house room but it's now firmly ensconced in the kitchen, grinning at me every time I walk through the door!!Granddad will be laughing his socks off as he looks down at me pulling a face!!While Gran was here, we booked the three of us on a four day trip to Paris in the summer, which is something to which we're all looking forward.

Mum and I had our traditional half term train trip into Manchester on Thursday and did our usual round of galleries and shops.Mum got some tops from Marks and Spencer's and I bought a half price Kevin Cummins book of Mancunian musician photographs.We finished the day thriftily in Strada in Spittlefields using our Tesco tokens on what should have been a £50 meal, then came home via Deansgate and thought of you using the very same station during your Castlefield/Quay Street days.

Yesterday, instead of going for another walk in the Peak District, we decided to slow down and spend a relaxing and quiet day at home reading.I managed to get through the whole of the latest Nick Hornby novel (another of my close personal friends) - 'Juliet, Naked'.The fact that I finished it in a day tells you that I enjoyed it, especially the early bit that describes a sad middle aged bloke's obsession with an obscure American singer songwriter.The guy in question is pathetic enough to be going round the States having, his photo taken in lots of places associated with his hero. Ring any bells?It certainly did with Mum but I couldn't see it myself!In the second half, the story became a little implausible but still forced me to do a quick bit of self analysis just to check that my hobbies haven't got too far out of hand!!I concluded that I'm just about on the right side of OK but Mum might beg to differ!

This morning, Mum's back at work, so I did my usual rounds in the still freezing Macclesfield - cash machine, newsagent, Caffe Nero, charity shops, the library, Waterstones, W H Smith and Tesco!!I even had my phone on for long enough to send you a text. I've turned it off now though!

Hope you're both well and continuing to have a great time.Look after each other, and we'll be in touch again soon.

Lots of love.

Dad.

Hi, Kate & Henry!

Here I am at your Mum & Dad's again. Just been looking at your wonderful photos on this website. I am so impressed with them, its a pity old folk like me aren't welcome in Australia as emigrants or I might be on the next plane!

Thank you so much for the postcard. I loved hearing from you and when it arrived, it really made my day!

I'm so glad that you're both having such a wonderful trip and looking forward to hearing all about it in person when we see you again. In the meantime just continue enjoying yourselves and take care of each other.

Love

Gran

Hi Kate and Henry,

How are you both? Well I hope! I really enjoyed your last set of photographs and blog. I also appreciated the tip of the hat to the Beatles but was sorry to read that the bar wasn't open for you! My favourite two photographs so far are the one of you on a bike Kate and the one just after you'd been pecked. I hope that didn't hurt too much, but the look on your face was ......erm...... a picture! I'm delighted that judging from both pics and text, you two seem to be having the time of your life! Long may that continue! The dolphin and Great Ocean Road experiences do seem to have been standouts so far, but you do seem to have a wealth of highlights from which to choose. I'm sure you'll have lots more equally enjoyable highlights.........well.......er............further down the road! (Rimshot)

Try not to worry too much about the time passing - just enjoy each day as it comes and live in the moment. Carpe diem baby! By my reckoning you're still only one third of the way through this trip of a lifetime! Loads of time left yet!! Enjoy each minute while you can.

We've just broken up for half term, so I'm pleased to be able to have some time to myself with time to slow down, have a rest and recharge my batteries. We're going to have Gran to stay with us for a couple of days in the early part of the week and then Mum and I will have some days out walking, probably in the Peaks. We're even planning a trip to the palatial Cinemac to see 'An Education' tomorrow night. What a fantastic Valentine's Day treat eh? Henry - thanks again for your vouchers. We went to see the John Lennon biopic 'Nowhere Boy' a couple of weeks ago. Jolly good it was too.

OK. Gotta go. Hope things continue to go well for you both. Take good care of each other.

Love from Dad.

Hi to you both

Great to see more photos of your travels.

Surprised to see Penny Lane in Kuala Lumpur! Did you go in the Beatles Bar?

Hope all is going well in Melbourne and you have some success with your job hunting.

We're all fine here although its still very cold. Sure temperatures are better where you are!

Take care of yourselves.

love mum x

Hi

Hope you two are well. How is Oz? Have you any photos yet? Have you seen the penguins yet?

We are all well. Jo has a place at Newcastle Under Lyme - where Lucy went. She has an interview at MMU so all going well for her.

Al the best - enjoy yourselves.

Love Mum xxx

Hey you two,

Enjoyed looking at the pics. Looks like you're enjoying yourselves. I had to laugh at the one of Kate taking a slug from a bottle of water - it looks like the weather you've been having is in marked contrast to what we've recently had in the UK. It's snowing again today in London, and temperatures are still hovering around zero degrees all over the country.

Hope all is going well, take care.

Stuart