Well Dad met up with Uncle Tony and Aunty Fi in Cheddar last night. Only 2 more days to go to the finish line! They watched the footie together which was probably a terrible experience.
Lara went off to the ball from Sarah Gregory's house in a vintage bus. She looked lovely! She is currently at Emily's house after a sleeepover. I'm picking her up later.
No other news
love
Mum xxx
Favourite Auntie
I am liking the sounds of your trips you are having a fab time! Unexploded boms also sounds a little scary - make sure you take coloured dust in your pockets and then at least if one gets you it will will pretty!
You are rubbish at hide and seek - Thomas found your chocolate egg and was planning a midnight feast for it! Hannah enjoyed decorating your room in its lovely new colour.
I WANT A KOALA! It's my birthday before you come home and if I can't have you kidnapped as a present then I WANT MY KOALA!
Barry has got a temp job whilst waiting to help you at university with your writing and reading. I love your dogs and Mo's dogs are cute but your dogs are favourite - especially the thich one who tilts his head when you are talking to him. Thomas still wants Buzz - or the brown one whatevre his name.
You take care and take more photos - avoid car sickness by WALKING! What's been the worst thing you have eaten and what has been your biggest surprise so far?
BE GOOD!x
I've actually quite liked most of what I've eaten Clare, but when I was in Hanoi I did eat cobra, and did a shot of it's still-beating heart, which was a wierd experience to say the least.
On my way to Vientiane I think I'll be avoiding car-sickness by kayaking, so there. The coloured powder might not be a half bad idea, but there are no koalas in Laos, so you can't have one
What chocolate egg???
Mum
Hi there
Just met Judy in the supermarket. Can you pass on your Dad's sponsorship details please (and to anyone else)
Bradley 5 back in action - Immodium and serious cycle repairs worked a treat
love
Mum xxx
Posted the link on facebook and tagged a bunch of people, glad that the Bradley 5 are riding again- not so glad that your idiot sister is posting on my message board again.
Happy Friday!
Mum
Wow! I went off for 5 minutes and there was a reply. We have agreed to share the scarves thankyou - which seems to mean I have to get them from Lara's room.
It's a nice day today - hope dad doesn't get too burned!
love
Mum xxx
Mum
Hi there - well the knee problem seems under control Dad has managed Tues and Wed without much fuss. He has gone for a massage tonight having gone over Kirkstone Pass today.
2 of the Bradley 5 have fallen by the wayside - Ian has sickness and diahorea and Matt's bike has issues.It's such a shame - they've looked forward to it for so long!
Mt thompson has written to ask Lara to come and train the next set of altar servers - she'll start them off before the holidays and finish them next term.
Class 2 loved everything - especially the bracelet and the lantern.
love
Mum xxx
Shame about the other riders from Bradley- they must be gutted, but looks like Dad's having a good time now, free massages and physio etc.
Glad your class liked the stuff, but you didn't like coconut toffee? Hope war hasn't broken out over the scarves yet- if Dad's not there to referee I worry about it.
Mum
Don't fell too sorry for Dad - the physio thinks he will survive.
Your parcel arrived - there's lots of yummy stuff in there. Not too mad about the coconut toffee myself, but Lara thought it was lovely. I love the Chinese lamp - so pretty and all the scarves.
Nice to finally see some pictures - try to take more of the people you see!
I'll let you know how dad got on today a bit later
love
Mum xxx
PS Lara loves you
Mum
Don't fell too sorry for Dad - the physio thinks he will survive.
Your parcel arrived - there's lots of yummy stuff in there. Not too mad about the coconut toffee myself, but Lara thought it was lovely. I love the Chinese lamp - so pretty and all the scarves.
Nice to finally see some pictures - try to take more of the people you see!
I'll let you know how dad got on today a bit later
love
Mum xxx
PS Lara loves you
Lara
Naddy, I didn't tell you that berries and cream iced smoothies were discontinued - i know that would probably force you to knowingly stand on a mine. It's the maple and pecan slices!! NICHT GUT!! Butt... there are some amazing rocky road muffin kinda things which are quite good. Not quite the same though is it? And I've become SUPERCHEF at home because I can make scones better than mum's - I might try to recreate the slices...
Lovelovelove xxx
you're lying to me, I know it, the universe wouldn't be so cruel to me
Mum
The cockerel is one of Tom's menagerie - it has a sensor which allows it to crow whenever you go near. Tasteful (not)!
Dad suffered on the 3rd day of the ride because his right thigh muscles seized. He's had some physio and has been shown yet more stretching exercises. He reckons he'll be fine on today's ride from Glasgow to Kirkstone Pass in the Lakes.
love Mum xxx
ps Mines? explain!
pps Lara loves you!
The Americans, in all their infinite wisdom, bombed Laos a lot when they were fighting communism in Vietnam, and there's still a lot of unexploded mines lying around because noone ever bothered to keep a record of where they landed and the Lao government can't afford to get rid of them.Also, I haven't managed to swap my book in about a week so I'm rereading it for like the 3rd time, so I couldn't just spend a quiet day reading, but I survived the Plain of Jars, don't panicIf Lara loved me she wouldnt lie to me about Bean Loved discontinuing Berries and Cream iced SmoothiesPoor Dad, everyhing seems to be going wrong for him with his bikes recently, wish him luck from me
Mum
Lara nearly missed the maths exam - tought it was pm. Anyway school phoned, she got there late but was given time at the end as she was within the allowed time. She was distraught when I spoke to her but she soon recovered and was able to do the paper - so all's okay.
Dad has completed day 2 of the cycle ride, so that's 200 miles done. He had terrible cramp yesterday because of the new bike but has adjusted Bobbie to suit today so fared much better. He is less tired today but he said he just doesn't stop stuffing his face at every opportunity. (No change there then!)
Been to the church garden party all alone. It is sad to be Billy no mates! Everyone was asking about you and your trip - there had better be plenty of photos to show when you come home!
Those puppies can do no wrong so will not be cast out of Norwood Road, however if I get my chance the crowing cockerel statue will soon meet it's end.
No other news
love
Mum xx
PS Lara loves you and Dad says 'Hi'
Funny you should mention photos, in the package I sent home from vietnam there are 2 discs full of photos for you lot to enjoy.'crowing cockerel statue'???
Mum
Glad to hear you are at least missing something - had hoped it would have been me!
We had a great meal at Bean the night that Dad left (my belated birthday meal). Perhaps we'll have one on your return!
Dad is about half way through the first day's cycling as I write. He phoned last night as excited as a little boy. He'd taken Bobbie off on his very first ride to the flag at JOG and he'd alrady met new friends on the sleeper train as quite a few travelled that way.
Lara nearly missed her maths exam - luckily just got there in time. This I might have expected of you, but not my organised, hardworking girl. She's actually very bad for me because I fell in love with a lovely travel bag in Rachams and she made me buy it!!!! We now have all her prom bits and pieces and so she's ready for next Friday.
Nanny Mo's puppies are in trouble for digging up the rose trees. The plant pots have been put on the garden wall so the menagerie has to move on. Apparently one of them is quite bold, so there's going to be fun on Norwood Road.
I think that's all the news.
Love
Mum xxx
ps Lara loves you
Mum, of course I miss all of you lot, but you happened to mention Bean and I was hungry at the time and it made me jealous.
Glad Dad's made friends, though I wouldn't think they have too much time for celebrating in between rides, and he's not that talkative when he's tired
Funny that Lara nearly missed an exam, I never did that... how stressed was she and how did it happen???
The menagerie has had to move because of the puppies? When are they sending them back? :P
Mum
So - it has started. Bobby has been loaded onto the van and will head off to JOG tomorrow morning and I'm about to drive Dad to the station to get the overnight train to Inverness.
Just had the most amazing meal in Bean!
lots of love
Mum and Lara xxx
ps Lara loves you!
When I get back to the UK I fully intend to give you a list of foods which I've missed when I'm travelling, and very near the top of that list is a maple and pecan slice from Bean
