Hi Mel Just looked through all your photos (which took quite a while!). It all looked very exciting and very beautiful. And it was nice to see some of the guys you've been hanging out with. I am glad to see you have become a proper traveller - your headband seems to have permanently attached itself to your head and since when did you wear multicoloured beaded jewellery! You look lightly sunburnt in most of the shots too which I always think is a good look when abroad. Hope Australia is living up to all expectations too. It is cold here and dark when you get up and dark when you get home which is obviously a cheery and uplifting environment to exist in (I also have a sore thoat). But Christmas is taking my mind off it - made mince pies and iced spice christmas tree biscuits at the weekend. Yum! Although I don't think my body is responding well to the sugar rush that munching so many of them in such a short time span has provided. Could not stop yawning at work on my afternoon sugar come-down. Anyway must get off to bed. I am in work for 7.45 tomorrow so up at 6.30. Yippee! All my love Michelle xx

Hi Mel, It looks like you are having a great time and met some good friends. I noticed Kenny has only posted one entry on the journal so I must be your best Uncle now that I have made my second entry. I just came back from Singapore on Saturday morning so we must have been quite close for a while. The dogs are okay. I had a great idea and painted the wool on Ben Brown so it blends in to his fur. He has stopped bleating and eating the grass. Alfie was okay when I took him up the hills last week and managed to get close to some sheep. It was okay until he saw a gang of three which was too much and he headed back to the truck. It was a bit of a set back but I am going to continue to work on him. Ben has learnt to open the tumble dryer and get the clothes out the trouble is he doesn't know how to fold them and iron them yet. A couple of weeks ago he pulled Alfie's food container off the side and they both ate all the food and then half the plastic container. Last week he ate a bag of rabit food and you would not of wanted to see the aftermarth of that episode. Have to go now Emerdale is coming on and as you know I never miss an episode. Have a great time in Australia and if you see any blonde boys with big ears who are about your age and resemble me don't mention where I live. Love Paul.

hey, sorry i got a bit carried away there and posted a message without actually writing anything!! anyway, glad to hear you got there safe and sound even if it was a bit of a hellish journey! i thought it was gross enough that there was worm living in your foot never mind then exploding and seeping out!!!! just looked at all your pictures (which took quite a while) they look wicked, althouhg i was a bit worried about the ones where your right next to lions and cheetahs!! looking forward to some new posts from your new continent! missing you still! love olivia xx p.s. CONGRATULATIONS MICHELLE! i think you must be the cleverest person i know!!

Hey everyone - I have finally put pictures online....... It took me forever and cost me a fortune in internet time so make sure you look at them!!

Hey Glad to hear you got there safely even if it does sound like the journey from hell! Your Fred story made me and Nick both feel quite ill, but at least he has gone now. Sorry to hear you are feeling a bit homesick. Must be a bit wierd to be on your own after being surrounded by all your tour for so long. But soon you will be on another tour with lots more new friends. I'm sure you'll get over to Africa again soon as well and keep in touch with everyone cool you met over there. Hope you get some sleep and enjoy your time in Darwin before tour begins. Take care, missing you lots too, hopefully speak soon, Michelle xxxx

Err that is gross. I never did like the sound of Fred wiggling around in your foot so I am glad he has finally gone. Glad to hear you got to Oz ok. Sounds like a bit of a nightmare journey but that's the worst lot over with. Told Julie you were on your way to Oz last night and she's very jealous. Told her she'd be spending the festive season with me so what more does she want!! Well got to go as don't want to be late back to work. You know what my boss is like, he'll make me get him drinks all afternoon!! Oh and congrats to Michelle and to Vicky Hutt.

Congratulations Michelle on another super good grade!! You are officially a total geek!! I am glad your pic is better than the last time - although it would not be hard your last one was s***e!! Even though Dad did spend a fortune on them!! REMEMBER DAD YOU PAID A FORTUNE FOR PICTURES SHE HID IN THE LOFT -- make her pay you back It is more christmassy in Australia than it was in Africa - but oh my god it is boiling!! Going to bed now - will try and call at the weekend Love Mel

Hi Mel Cape town sounds amazing and i'm sure you'll get a chance to go back and spend a bit more time there in the future. I have been thinking of you today and your epic five flights in a row. What was your STA travel rep doing when they booked that one! Had my graduation today, all went well, and got another picture which I think is significantly better than last time. Although that would not be very hard. Found out I got a distinction for my masters, did not realise until got into ceremony and read the programme. I got to go up first and everything! I'm feeling totally christmassy as well, me and Nick put our tree up yesterday and it looks amazing, even if I do say so myself, we have a colour scheme and everything and I have made a christmas candle display (which I think Nick secretly hates!). I have also wrapped all my presents which are sat under the tree as we speak. I would send you a picture but my camera phone sucks and I don't even know if you have a camera on your new travel phone. Hope you managed to get your feet a bit cleaner and actually catch all your connecting flights. I am hoping that you find Australia just as exciting as Africa and make lots of cool new friends. Lots of Love Michelle xx

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Hi Melon have not wrote in a while so thought while i had a spare 5 mins would drop u a line, very busy at work as usual, feeling a little tired as well must be due to getting a fat belly lately!!!! my knees have recovered since i fell over a few weeks ago they are just scared now. The trip sounds amazing although the thought of that worm made me shudder!!! sam asked how you were the other day (my sam not your cat ) hope your looing forward to moving on to Ozzie land say hi to homeand away people for me. talk soon. x x x x x x

CONGRATULATIONS VICKY!!!! looks like our school day predictions were all wrong! (well all except one)!! hope your last days in africa were really good, look forward to hearing about some new adventures from Oz!! take care love olivia xx