happy birthday kate, you old crow. Thought i'd take the oppurtunity to partake in a bit of long distance abuse as it has been a long time. I have only now just about got over my sore head after you drank me under the table in Florida, and almost got us shot by some rednecks, nice one. hope you have a nice time in Aus, it appears New zealand was alright then. Shame I didn't get to push you out of the plane, it could've been so good. Bye for now, and because i haven't had the chance to say it for a while, "Czyrkoooooooooooooooooooooooooo" Si.

Hello all, Czyrk I think you must have totally lost the plot with all the ridiculous things you have been doing lately, so long as when you return home you are willing to settle in front of E4 with a bottle of red and resume old habits I shall not be too scared. I see from the board that you are needing a bit of TLC on the message board front so here I am, an e mail and a message in one day - now that is devotion. My business banking thing went well and the business banker is my first customer, perhaps I will be a millionaire by the time you get home after all. Aunty Sal is about to message you so your Mum may have competition for the person who can post her message the most times. Much love and HAPPY BIRTHDAY Nat xxx

Hey Kate - I'm reading, completely lost track of where you are now though, but wherever it is am sure it's fun! Have a fantastic Christmas Much love xx

Hi Kate, Wow sky diving - you are braver than me I would have chickened out of that one! Zorbing looks like so much fun. I am slacking off now waiting for the end of the day (it is only 8:40 so I have a long time to slack). House situation appears to all be sorted we part exchanged it in the end so the new one might be ready by the time you get back in April. Hope you have a wicked birthday/Christmas/New Year. James

Hello All So glad you got our card Jane, and don't worry, I've been called worse things than Jooles in my time :-) And I quite like the additional 'e' after 27 years of Jools! I really hope you're not too sad when Chris moves out - I hope it all goes well for him. Send him my congrats on buying his own place. Krate - I just had to write today as your skydive photos are amazing! I am more jealous now than I have ever been...and am also quite jealous of the red high heels. I miss you loads when I hear about you going out - I want to come!!! Have a truly fantastic birthday babe and enjoy your sunny Christmas. I'll be thinking of you and just hope the package turns up at some point! Loads of love Me xx PS Is the girl you're celebrating your birthday with called Amy? It's a long shot but GMTV did a live link yesterday morning to Sydney and there was a girl from Wales on there called Amy and her birthday is on Christmas Day! I thought it might be too much of a coincidence...

The sun's out!!! Means I had to buy a load of sundresses today, but they were much cheapness. And now also have an outfit for my birthday which involves some very cute red high heels. High heels!! I'm so sick of bl**dy flip-flops! Red shoes, no knickers, eh mum??? Anyways, all is well here. Don't feel I have my bearings in Sydney yet at all, other than in the shops, but it's a good place to start, no? Glad you heard from Claire mum, I hope my card gets to her, but it's not looking good! And Jools, just ignore my mum - she wants to try as many different (incorrect) spellings of your name as possible! She means well :) Miss you all (a lot!) Have a mince pie for me...xxx

Where is everyone? Shall we let them off love as it's Xmas, and very wet and very foggy. Your sky dive sounds amazing, I haven't found your photos yet but will check my E mail after doing this. I really enjoyed our chat at the weekend, I'm helping Chris as much as I can. He's really working hard on his flat and seems to be enjoying it all. He's going to move in proper on the 27th, I'm going to miss him so much it will be really weird but I'm trying to remain positive and think about all the extra wardrobe space I'll have. I had a card from Claire and also Jooles and Ben (Merry Xmas jooles and Ben i'm afraid I didn't get your address in time to send you a card). Clare didn't comment on not being in touch just said she hoped I wasn't missing you too much, sh's very sweet and I'm sure she'll get round to sending you a message soon. Have fun and I'll speak to you at the weekend. Who would have thought that you'd be in Sydney for this birthday, last birthday. Does that make any sense? Loads of love Mum. PS. Stay safe.

The sky dive sounds amazing babe and I am SO jealous - I would love to do it but am petrified of heights so would probably chicken out at the last minute! I've seen zorbing on the telly and it looks hilarious! So funny! Can't wait to see the pics. Didn't you get dizzy?! Have a safe journey to Sydney and enjoy your joint birthday celebration. Wish I was going to be there with you. I may not write again until after Christmas as I'm off work from Thursday and then we've got a manic time ahead - driving to Wales on Saturday morning, then back on Sunday evening, then to Mum and Dad's for Christmas Day and Boxing Day! Is this what happens once you have in-laws?! So, have a wonderful birthday babe and enjoy your Australian Christmas. I've heard if you're in Sydney for Christmas Day you have to have a dip in the sea! All my love Jools xx

Thought I should let you all/both/is there anyone out there?! know that I am leaving NZ tomorrow lunchtime and we're heading for Sydney. NZ has been fab, but I'm looking forward to being in a proper city again. All this fresh air's getting to me! Hope the Christmas shopping is going well. Miss you xxx

I DID A SKYDIVE YESTERDAY!!!! It was amaaaaaaaaazzzzzzzzing! I wasn't even that nervous, but then that was probably because I had a very calm man strapped to my back...We fell out of a plane from 14000 feet, meaning a minute's worth of freefall (when it feels like your limbs may get ripped off, and then about 5 minutes spiralling around checking out the views. Amazing. The day before that we did something called Zorbing. Look at what it is on the link below... http://www.tourism.net.nz/new-zealand/attractions/adventure/zorbing/rotorua/ It was truly one of the funniest things I have ever done...can't remember the last time we laughed so hard! I'll email you people who've taken to sending individual messages when I get a sec. Miss you all xxx

Hi All I'm back! So sorry I've been quiet of late (not normal for me I know!). I got caught up with emailing and neglected posting on here :-) It's lovely to hear all your news Kate - that boat trip sounds like my idea of Hell. I'd be sick at simply the sight of it! I need to catch up on your journal entries and photos I think. They've just changed my computer at work from a MAC to a PC so I'm currently trying to get to grips with this new fangled technology! All is well here for me - we've got our Random House Christmas party tonight from 6pm, with free drinks all night. It's a Grease theme, but as usual I'm opting for the little black dress in favour of a Pink Ladies jacket! Then on Thursday it's our departmental Christmas party, which starts at 12pm and is free drinks all day! Then I have Friday off work and am having champagne afternoon tea with Amanda and Lesley...good Lord, my liver will be in a right state by Saturday! When are you in Sydney babe? I can't keep up with all your travelling around! Sounds like you'll have a fun birthday bash - would love to be there with you to celebrate, but I'll raise a glass or two in your honour on the day and we'll have a proper celebration once you're back. Anyway all, take care and have a lovely week. Jane - hope you're well and all geared up for Christmas! Lots of love Jools xx PS Where's Nat gone?!