Dear Son and Daughter-in-Law,

Philip has just shown me the latest lot of photographs - looks like you are having a great time despite the difficulties you face with what we take for granted - running water and electricty 24/7

Keep up the good work, fight the good fight with all your might, onward Christian soldiers, yea though I walk through the valley of death I shall fear no evil, Fling Wide the Gates!!

Father

It's 1am on the night before the Summer term starts and I'm doing what I normally do when insomnia strikes...drinking neat vodka and reading your blog! What did I do before you went to PNG? I'm following your exploits with horrified fascination...I'm sure you're having a great time but I'm glad the only jungle I'm experiencing is the classroom one! Stay safe... we miss you. Carol Oaakshott xxx

Hi Mike & Alison

We had a lovely few days in Cornwall and enjoying some time off work! Tomorrow night we have Jackie & Victor and Jenny & John coming round for dinner so will raise a glass to you!

Looking forward to the new Dr Who tonight and pasta for dinner!

Weather has been good for Easter - quite warm and sunny although I think we've had the best of it in our little corner of England!

All's well at the house and nothing much to report. Our lives seem very dull and boring compared to yours but I'm sure you're missing us all like mad??!!

Love to you both, Sue. xx

Hi Mike and Alison. sounds like there's a lot of effort in the most simple tasks out there..

Things are all okay here, sorry to tell you Mad Dogs show room at the top of the road caught fire today and has been pretty well destroyed. It's the second major fire we've had in Leigh in two weeks (the big timber yard went up in Glendale gardens).

Mike we've been pretty busy at work but I'll get back to you via email soon. At the moment we are down in Newquay and won't be back home till wednesday... I'll drop you an update on things..

All the best,

Bob and Sue..

You certainly seem to be having some problems, but you're not the only ones - we've just run out of tonic!

Love B

Just been reading about the landslide and thinking how disappointed the children must have been not be able to get to their game. A challenging environment you're in.

I thought you might enjoy the following:-

After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospective teacher said:

'Let me see if I've got this right: You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behaviour, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt messages, and instil in them a love for learning.

You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self esteem and personal pride.

You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a chequebook, and apply for a job.

You want me to check their heads for lice, recognise signs of antisocial behaviour, and make sure that they all pass the final exams.

You also want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents in English, Spanish or any other language, by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card.

You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps.

You want me to do all this and then you tell me. . .. I CAN'T PRAY?'

Thank god for that - I thought my eyes were failing along with my brain!

What is an Alison seat?

B

Thank god for that - I thought my eyes were failing along with my brain!

What is an Alison seat?

B

Sorry about the quality of photos on latest blog - I redced them too mch in an attempt to upload them more quickly. we,ll redo them as soon as.Hope everyone is well and happy

Hi

This is for Peter. Sorry to be so long in replying to your wonderful ode. All is good between us, I feel loved once more.

Hilary

xx

Hi you intrepid adventurers! Your blogs and pics certainly are interesting and entertaining and makes us realise how we take so much in our lives for granted.

Bob & I had a couple of days away in Aldeburgh in Suffolk last weekend. Had a lovely relaxing time and although the wind was quite cold we were blessed with lots of sunshine. Great hotel, open fires, good food, great views - although not as good as yours!!

This weekend we have the Dive Show at Excel so no R & R for us until next week when we head off down to Cornwall on 2nd to deliver Alex to his new home! He has an interview at Truro College on Friday but is still waiting to hear from the other jobs he applied for. Faye is settling in well and is really enjoying her new job. She also seems to have quite a social life too! We will stay a few days and then head back home probably around 8th or 9th. Do you two lose track of the days/dates? Ah no, I expect Mike is far too organised for that!!

Looking forward to more news & pics from you soon.

Lots of Love from Sue & Bob xx (aka your P.A. and Head of Security!!)