Hiya Melissa and Steve, hope you're  both well and enjoying a break before heading for South Africa.  Things are winding down here and are pretty quiet.  Our Christmas bash at the Ivy was good, though we were in a private room and didn't get to see any celebs (though apparently Melvyn Bragg and David Gest were there, downstairs). 

Tuesday was the posh EADS do for all our clients at the Banqueting Hall, Whitehall, and we girls acted as hostesses, looking pretty good in our matching 'LBDs' and sashes.  It all went off well, everyone seemed to enjoy it - we got lots of praise.  We also got dinner and a few drinks as well! 

Rory and I are off to a cottage in Yorkshire for Christmas on 22nd.  Do let me know if you need any hints, tips and recommendations on South Africa, particularly Cape Town and surrounds.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you both !!

Jeanette

Hi Guys, How's things? Hope your both ok and are still enjoying the Ghana experience!! Bet your glad your at the beach now chilling out and relaxing hey. Well Christmas is fast approaching and of course i have not even started any Christmas shopping at all (typical me leaving everything to the last minute). Am still doing well at my Snooker and Pool seemed to have found a rich vein of form and my winning streak is continueing. Jess and I went up to Newcastle in the week Reading lost 3-2 after being 2-1 up at half time, still there 6th which is really good, no game for me today just hoovering and washing and any other jobs mum can set me. Had are meal out with my work colleagues last night at the Beefeater in Southcote which was ok am more looking forward to Jess's 2 do's in the next few weeks (everything paid for!!)

Hope your still having fun and a good time, stay safe and keep well!!

Chat Soon

Russ

Hello everybody!

Thank you for all of your lovely messages, it is great to hear from you as always. Here is a little update on Steve and I...

We left the orphanage yesterday... boo hoo!!! Was really sad to go but we felt like we were exhausted with it all- kids were hilarious and mischievous... and sooooo tiring! The kids gave us a great farewell- they sung us a song and then gave us lots of kisses and cuddles, we returned the love with their favourite thing that they go crrrrrrazy for.... TOFFFFFEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! It really was the true African experience- we will take away some great memories and we have some great photos which we promise we will put up on the site when we can find an internet cafe that doesn't resemble a tin can! ha ha. 

We now have just over 1 week left in Ghana to squeeze in some relaxing beach time and some much needed rest and relaxation. We went to an amazing waterfall last weekend and a monkey sanctuary in the rainforest- we fed the monkeys bananas, they loved it!

Getting excited about our next stop; South Africa- where there'll be lots for us to celebrate with Steve's birthday on 20th Dec, then xmas and NY.

That's it from our end but keep us updated with all of the news back home and most importantly... we need X Factor updates!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank goodness those bloodt MacDougalls have gone, Leona/Ben to win, get that silly Ray out I say! ha ha ha.

Lots of love

Mel (and Steve)

hiiiiiiii,

Hope you are both doing well and enjoying yourselves!

Not much happening at the mo - was over in London last weekend, which was great craic - met Christian and we went out for lunch - was great to catch up with him.
Just temping away at the moment, got snow boarding trip to pay for and hoping to squeeze in Uganda before i start the old TC.

Can't believe xmas is so fast approaching - iv done no shopping and have no money...ahhhh cinders for all

Take care

love lots

Kathryn xx

hi babiss and son in law, Ahh! Well the old mum finally has a wk end in pitts. Ihave been away for 5 wk ends on the trot. Its been gr8 fun but house and gdn taken its tol. So today Im trying to play catch up.Well the hall is finished i can't tell u how fab it looks. They have done a superb job.The walls were emulshioned and pretty smooth. I am more than happy with it. they are superb i have treated us to have the dining room done this mon!!! So i have the unenviable task of clearing out the side board!! How scary is that!! Mega day came and went, it was very busy i really earned my money!! Bought russ a pair of diesel jeans for his b day. he looks very nice. just got to get him some new bits to go with them! WE are both fit and well. Cats are quite good. The garden looks a bit sad. MAY do some pots this wk end. The computer is moving this sat thank god! Its cramped in russell's room.Each job seems to be getting done the new hall lights go up this week.Iam currently lookig for a nice antique piece of furniture to go at the top of the stairs by the stain glass window.It looks so much bigger with the computer gone. Its all money of course. new door furniture as the old are scruffy. its taking shape. you will approve!! I hAVE MISSED U THIS WK, ALL OF A SUDDEN IT HITS HOME YR NOT IN LONDON AND POPPING BACK.cHRISTMAS WILL BE NON EVENTFUL THIS YR AS I ONY HAVE 1 DAY. Never mind i've got a lovely break of 4 days off over new yr. That will be most welcome. On sat 16th of dec i am off to a beautiful period house called Gridlington hall, FOR A VERY POSH BLACK TIE. the Karen MILLEN Will be out to play.Ihave used all of yer evening bags it has been such fun choosing!! They have been to lovely places lately. I HAVE SPED UP my e mail but cant get to gruips with caps lock. Eventually when i lift my head up to see what i've done it all in caps or not at all !!!! POOR old mum. it makes amusing reading for yr friends, well my darling i'm off to pot u like shops and val is off to the clothes show and George Michael this wk!!!! AUNTY O SENDS HER LOVE, aLAN HAD HIS B DAY HE'S WELL.

sO ALL MY LOVE BABS love to stevie wonder.

Yr crazy mumma x x x x x x x

Hello Melee & Steve

I have borrowed Paul's laptop & Char has set me up with an e mail, so I have joined the 21st century!

Pleased to hear you arrived safely & you are coping with the heat,mozzys,weird food & disruptive children. Just remember it'll always look good on your c.v! Work busy but I am looking forward to a wind down before Christmas.  Am getting rid of Char to Notts tomorrow as she is starting to eat me out of house and home.  She will only be back there for 2 1/2 weeks before breaking up for Xmas. Alan doing his usual countdown before his birthday - it'll be low key compared to last year.  Have tried to contact Stump a couple of times to no avail.

Keep up all your good work,take care.

Val 

Sorry i missed you guys last week, been quite busy with work and having a boyfriend! (Well sort of, maybe, who knows, ha ha!!)  Hope you on internet soon for more updates.  Sound great where you are, still very jealous!  Just worked out that I can read your postcards!  Doh!  And i rated them too!
Thought i'd also comment on this official x-factor site, Ray to WIN, McDonalds OUT!
Take care girl and boy, love Laura xxxxx

Hello everybody! Cousines especially, great to hear from you both. Char, so sorry to hear that you are back home although sounds like you will be back student life asap now that you are back on the pain relief. Hope you mouth gets better soon hu, you will be back to those dirty kebabs in no time! Oh god I would kill for a kebab now... ahh with lots of the dressing...ummmmm!!! Lauren your email message made me laugh a lot... I miss those days of lounging on the sofa.. am guessing maybe a hangover is responsible for your lack of activity... a bad hangover is always the sign of a good night out I say!

Oh yes and please please please keep us updated on the goings on on the X Factor- we miss it so much! Ben and Leona to win i say... can't believe that bloody McWotsits are still in it.... who is it voting for them?! Criminal i say!

Gotta go cos no internet time but stay in touch!

Lots of love xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hello cuz and Steve!

Sounds like you are having an amazing time even though its sounds like hard work getting the kids to do anything you want them to! Bet it is so rewarding though, makes me think I shoulld do a bit of something like that when I go on my travels. I'm at home at the mo unfortunately. Everything had been going really well but the graft vs host disease (when oyur body realises its not your own bone marrow and tries to attack it) that I've had in my mouth has got much worse and is so painful to eat so have lost some weight again. So came back to see hospital and they've put me back on some drugs which should hopefully sort it out and they want to see me again on tues so hopefully I'll be back at uni after that. Very frustrating as I had got my appetite back and am actually hungry but is very difficult to eat damit!

Mummy is sat on the other sofa knitting away and says its cold, wet and windy. She hopes you've got the kids under control. She has been at work today but has tomorrow off so might have a relaxing day. Paul also says hello and hopes you're both well.  

Eton Road went out of xfactor tonight, it was them and Ben in the bottom 2 which I was very surprised about. So those bloody McDoodles are still in it, its an absolute joke. Leona is guna win it I reckon, she sang I Will Always Love You 2nite and it was amazing!  

Enough for now, will message again when I have more interesting things to write!

Lots of love,

Char, Val and Paul x x x x x x