Hey Kirsty!!

Wow, wow and WOW!! I have been shocking at keeping in touch with anyone so this is Claire Thomson from RYLA in case you've completely forgotten who I am (which you'd have every right to have done!) I'm at Uni here in St. Andrews and am living in the same Hall as Catriona Corbett. I happened to notice she went to South Queensferry High and I asked if she knew you...she does lol and she passed on this website. I have just been sitting reading everything you've been up to and nosing at all the photos and what can I say...WOW!!! Everything you're doing is so you and I'm so glad you've got the opportunity to do it all :) You're looking really well and it looks like you're having an amazing time!!

Last time I saw you you were working in Monsoon in the Gyle and were saying you were going to New Zealand for your gap year...is that what you did originally? And now you're where you are? Well like I said I'm here at St. Andrews and absolutely loving it. I never thought I'd come back to studying if I took any time away but when I look at all your photos I feel very in awe...you're so lucky! I'm studying German and Psychology (and beginners Italian...for the extra credits which are needed this year and also for my sins - or so I believe!) and it's going well. Meeting loads of new people (some good, some...not my kind of people let's just say - but the majority are great!) and trying my hand at a few new things...it's all good! Are you planning on going to Uni after the Summer or maybe just waiting to see what you think? When are you back to our bonnie Scotland?!

Right well I'd better get going, drop me an email/message some time if you get the chance or I can just have a read on this - what a great way to keep in touch with people!

:) smile! Loads of love, Claire xx

PS I happened to scroll down - you have a zillion Claires, sorry for the addition of another one!

Had a fantastic time on our deserted south sea island, photos to follow on Kirstys photo album. We stayed in a little wooden chalet looking out over the blue/green South China Sea complete with deserted sandy beach, palm trees the works. Rosie you have to book this trip! It was a wee bit like Ardtoe, except of course the water was warm enough to bath a baby in!! The mud volcano was more of a hippopotamus' wallow but looked lots of fun, I remained a mud free zone and took charge of the cameras. Boys, don't get too worked up when you see the photos, but it is a wee bit like mud wrestling. We ate our evening meal on the huge verranda of the main bungalow building, watched the sun go down and then enjoyed a ferrocious tropical monsoon, complete with lightening. The rain beat on the roof so hard it was difficult to hear ourselves speak. Back in KK now, just had dinner and on our way back to the hotel.Well, best head off to try and pack, still a bit worried about the baggage allowance and Kirsty's extensive shopping collection which I have to somehow pack into the suitcase.

Hi Kirsty and Fiona. Just back from a super trip to Canberra. Visited the parliament building and various other parts of the capital. The botanic gardens, the embassy area, the mint, stayed in a very nice appartment and have just arrived back. Have been round to see Uncle Joe and cousins Joe and May and some second cousins. A really good two days. Have just had a lovely meal and am not feeling a lot of pain. Definitely one grade up from the Hyatt. Have avoided discussing politics (well almost) with Jim. Hope you survived the volcano.
Love
Granny

Helooo again! Glad you're having/had a great time with your Mum and Gran...and the mud volcano sounds fun! Thought you'd like to know I am def going to America now, though I don't actually know where yet! there is so much to do now, I have to go to Belfast to get a visa aswell. But should be fun. Also, quite worringly my mother had a dream about you the other night lol, where you turned up at the door and said you'd just decided to come home, and then you came in and made yourself some toast! haha she's missing you methinks!! Anyways, was nice to talk to you the other week, byeee x

Sorry Granny,but I seem to have your nice skirt (maybe you haven't even noticed you'd lost it).I gave a talk to a group at the Deaf Society last night which seemed to go down quite well. The President of the society is a member of the local Rotary and was very interested to hear about Kirsty's GAP project and also the connection to Rotary in SQ. We are heading off early tomorrow morning to visit an island with a mud volcano and will be staying overnight so might be out of touch for a bit. I'm hoping there won't be too much trekking through the jungle or climbing involved, will let you all know when we get back.

Hi Colin- sorry for major delay- completely forgot to reply to your post. Thanks so much for the advice on the camera. Ended up getting the Cannon IXUS 65. Trying to update my site, but I'm soo busy just now. Will def be an increase of updates once I'm back at the school. Ta for your help. Kirsty x

Hi Granny, thanks for your posts. Glad you arrived OK, Mum tried phoning you but the network was busy. We're getting on fine here, mum's just typing up her presentation for the Society for the Deaf, which we're doing tonight. Hope you have a fabby time i Aus. Really enjoyed having you here and was great showing you round. xx

Hi Kirsty and Fiona
Now with Jim and Chris. Good flight, no problems. Had a nice lunch and a shower, washed my hair and am now going to bed. The family are coming round tonight for supper.
Love Granny

Sarah dude, well impressed at the conquration of the mountain! Ya beast. We still cant geta friggin date to climb it- we're just gona rock up and hope for a bed half way up. If not, we'll just camp out. Sarawak was good- didn't really rough it tho- it wasa hotel deal with zee family. Twas good tho- got some sexy ass pieces of batik art and cavings. So ur gona be in Cambodia when we are! We arrive just after u finish doing ur placement- fancy travling through Vietnam with us? We'll be in Cambodia for a few days then going to the South of Vietnam and heading north. Lemme know if ya wana come with- would be fabby. Not heard from the bear recently, wondering if he's charmed any more girlies in Aus. Oh yeah- me and mum have saved Georgie and we're taking her in for some relaxation therapy to the Hyatt hotel in KK- rockin. Keep lettin me know whatchar doin- missin ya!! xx

Hi Kirsty, Thank you very much for making me so very welcome, I have enjoyed meeting all your friends. The trip to Kuching was magic, I may never walk again, but it was worth it. I admire you tremendously for the effort you are putting into your placement. Visiting the school and seeing your living conditions has made me realise just how hard this posting is. Good luck with the rest of your travels, Love you Granny xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Back in KK after a most enjoyable time in Kuching, checked back into the Hyatt. Granny flies to Sydney via KL tomorrow afternoon. Kirsty's pal Georgie (who's been feeling a bit poorly) is coming to KK to join us at the hotel for a bit on R'n'R which should be fun. Mum

Oh yeah by the way, my confirmation came through about the voluntary work in Phnom Phen (so excited) and I'll be there from 29th April til 26th May working, then I'm freee to travel once again =)