Hi Melanie - I see you are enjoying your adventures - I have seen some of the things you have been doing but be very very careful of the crocs and other animals.

Just now I am very busy with my Christmas Lunches (only 5 of these so far!)

Although spending a lot of time in pubs I am not getting drunk as it is lunchtime and I do have my standards i.e. no alchohol before the four o'clock sherry hour.

Your mum is helping me write this cos I have gone all shy with the technology.

I am looking forward to seeing you and I am missing you coming round to see me.

Take care - lots of love Nanny Floss.

I don't know why Claire's friends and family feel the need to disappear around the world for months, she's so kind and loving towards them!

Message from Julie..... Are you able to delete at least 2 of her messages??!! My laptop froze and it all messed up. I have told her next time she wants to leave you a message, I should write it and that she should stay away from things she doesn't understand!

Poor Miss Ives!!!

Hi Mel

Hope you are having a wicked time! (watch out for any unwanted diseases!!!! - those foreign men are full of abnormalities)

SORRY THATS JUST MEN IN GENERAL!

I am at Claire's at the moment with Julie, we have just had a pizza and are chillin out. Claire forced us to sit through your CD, i thought it was supposed to be a quick viewing, i thought i was going to have to get out me camp bed!!!

Don't worry we are looking after her so you don't need to worry.

Ok down to business.... i am thinking that your mum found atleast 6 socks in your room.

I say 6 as your mum is such a (MONICA OUT OF FRIENDS!) that there is no way she would allow anymore than 10 socks to linger any longer than a few nights.

Anyway i must go as Julie is getting slightly irratated as my message is going to be better than hers!!

Take care and make sure you bring back - PRESENTS! X

LOVE GEMMA X X

Errr Mel's been gone 3 weeks before her laundry basket was emptied - that room must reek - what kind of mother are you?!!

Well assuming this is the norm, I'll go with 48 socks.

Hi Mel - just a quickie Betty and Derek say 'Hi' and hope you are having a good time. Met them in Tescos in my lunch break so didn't chat for long however:

Their estimates for the sock competition were

Auntie Betty - 25
Uncle Derek - 15

Mum xx

I did read your last journal entry Melanie Jane and I am trying to think about other things than you leaping into gorges with a bit of rope attached to you - so will speak to my therapist and get back to you!!!

To all those who want to take part in the sock comp please get your entries in asap as no-one has got anywhere near the right answer yet and there is that bar of choccie waiting for you.!!!

Mel's mum xxx

hi!

sounds like your still having an amazing time, can't believe you did one of those jumps, very brave!! i bet your mum loved reading about that!! can't wait to see the dvd of it, only about 4 months to wait so it better be worth it, lol!!!!

take care and carry on having fun!

love olivia xx

oh and i guess 27 odd socks!

Hi Lady

Just read your last update & it all sounds amazing. Glad to hear your having a good time & so jealous of your bungee jump in to a gorge as ive wanted to do one for ages, but didnt really fancy doing one in the John Kennedy car park!!! Keep enjoying yourself & take care.

Lisa x

p.s you found me that African tribesman yet???!!!

And as for the sock competition i'm guessing 25.....

women are messy creaures after all. ;-)

Hello Melanie,

how the devil are ya, just read your latest update. Glad to hear your having a really good time and have managed to make some buddies to keep you entertained along the way.
Just to make you jelous though, i know you've got all this fancy dan stuff like white sanded beaches, walking with lions and cocktails but i'd like to point out, myself and the rest of us cool people in Aylesbury have got well err Aylesbury!!!! so there. Full of cool people, building sites, work places and of course Kingsbury square, the place of kebab shops, rubbish pubs and also The Litten Tree!!bet you've not forgotten about that place have ya??thought not!!!
Anyway enough of my ramblings, cant wait to see all your pictures, sounds like your having a fantastic time and have have visited some amazing places already.
And as a parting note, thought i'd let you know i have not forgotten about our arrangement, i'm still saving that 10p per week and shall continue to so when you do need me to buy you back as my thai bride i'll have enough in the kitty.

Keep enjoying yourself
Chris xx

Hey my first message on the message board!!
Thanks everyone for the posts they keep me very amused when I get the chance to get to the internet!!
You'll all be pleased to know it is scorching hot in Africa and the most amazing place - I really don't think anywhere can top it!!
Re pics because I am rubbish I forgot my USB lead therefore I am waiting to get further south where they have better technology and can upload them straight from the memory card!!

Re the sock competetion - I would say close to 35 single socks!! I am not loving it has taken you like three weeks to do my washing though woman!!!!

Going to enter another journal entry as I have just had the most awesome day at Vic Falls and a close encounter with some lion cubs!!!

17 is a good call Michelle! When I was looking for Mels passport, ( the day before she was due to leave ), I found 5 hairbrushes in there! I am going to guess 20. She's always wearing odd socks so that's only 10 days worth!!

p.s are any of them mine?