Nick, love the glacier. Amazing that it's next to rain forest, very strange. I loved NY, a real buzz, you'll love it too i am sure! PS, no glaciers!

john

Perhaps Matthew should stick to bananas in future. I think it tops scrubbing celery with soap. A music hall pair ! It certainly gave us a laugh today.

Don't tell Matthew I told you, but earlier this evening he came running down the stairs saying "something's following me". When he got to the bottom and looked round he'd dropped the satsuma he'd been carrying round and was about to eat, which was rolling down the stairs behind him!

BEWARE SATSUMAS, THEY'RE COMING TO GET YOU . . .

Gethin only made it into the book because when Janice mentioned calling one of our cats 'Elsie', he commented saying it was almost as bad as Irene! I'm not sure that comment was harsh enough to go in the book, but alas, it has! I don't think Gethin is the favourite any more - that leaves an opening for me to try! :o) (Gethin laughed at this!)
Willow is currently sat on the arm of the sofa next to me, purring very loudly. We bought them a few new toys today, although Willow found my hair tie on the side and played with that for about 20 minutes! I don't know... you spend money on things and the best things appear to be free! Freddie is currently curled up in 'Gethin's chair'... Needless to say Gethin doesn't sit in that chair much anymore - it's not so easy to see our tiny telly from that seat!
Lovely to chat to you yesterday. Like I said, I'm hoping to use some of your amazingly beautiful photographs in my tutoring sessions that start this week! I'm hoping the young man I'm tutoring will come out with some creative words... but I might also be expecting too much! Keep enjoying NZ and I hope you have some snow boots somewhere for NY!
Miss you and love you lots,
Big sis xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Make the most of New Zealand because the East Coast of the USA has very heavy snow - and I mean VERY HEAVY SNOW. You'll be the only twit in flip-flops and bermuda shorts! We've got some more snow forecast for Tuesday but hopefully it won't be much. Did you know that Gethin has finally made it into Nan's book - he's got a way to go before he has as many mentions as you though! It was great to talk to you yesterday - and to hear about the dolphins swimming around the bay. It sounds very similar to Dinton Pastures! Enjoy the South Island! Lots of love, YLM xxxx

I do know how to spell "HERE". It was early in the morning before the brain got into gear. Grandpa was still in bed while I was dealing with the washing, breakfast and learning how to operate our new TV. All this technology when I am nudging 35 again. (Grandpa says I can't even count anymore). I have managed to do the sum however so you should get this. Love Nan

Hello Nick, No internet yesterday!! Used the "IDIOTS" instructions from our friend Gethin and hear we are. NZ looks very beautiful. Thames Water man called on us yesterday. He came to UK to work for 2 years. That was 7years ago. Where from...? NZ. He told us that if all the Kiwis living in OZ returned to NZ, it would sink. Good job you are leaving soon. Can't wait for your return. Lots of Love N and G

English homework finally completed last night, taken to school in green school bag, carried round all day in green school bag, brought home again, in green school bag. Mother said to child "did you hand in your homework", child looked sheepish, said "no". AAAAArrrrrrgh.

Meanwhile child's Mum had a simple form to complete and return to school, had to choose two (out of a choice of four) suitable times for parents' evening. Put rings round the wrong two times, had to cross them out and put rings round the other two. Teacher will now think child's mum is completely illiterate and cannot even complete a simple form!

Child's mum cannot complain as child is planning to cook a romantic meal for two for his parents on Valentine's Day. Child can however only 'cook' Monster Salad, maybe followed by ice cream!!

Hope you haven't seen too many cows - I hate cows. They have a tendency to follow you in fields, or stare at you as though they're planning something . . . watch out!

If Matthew forgets his homework book - get him to do it on paper and stick in his book! The 'I forgot to take my book home' excuse doesn't work with me in school! Paper is a wonderful thing...
We haven't had snow for a while, though the site manager at school had to shovel the last of the snow pile that was taking up my parking space the other day - I've been parking in another teacher's space - sneaky!
I'm with John on wanting to see the LOTR scenery. Not that I can sit still long enough to watch one of those films (let alone understand them!), but the scenery looks amazing! My head of year told me that you should visit Milford Sand as apparently it's beautiful, although I'm sure there's plenty of beautiful things there.
Cats are arriving Saturday afternoon. We have now bought a basket, a thing that hangs over the radiator for the cats to sleep in, a (slightly ellaborate) scratch post, a carry basket and 2 litter trays (apparently they like separate trays!). We're very excited, although we are waiting to see what their characters are like before changing their names - I have a list that covers 2 sides of A4 paper from my kids with suggestions... A lot of the names appear in the Ice Age films - I have since been told it was on last weekend!
Anywho... 6 working days til half term! I'm so ready for a break - I didn't get home until 10pm last night, but that was because I went straight from school to the first part of my cricket coaching course. I'm shattered!
Let me know of any cat name suggestions - I really wanna change the name Irene to something more youthful-cat-friendly!
Miss you xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

We don't have any SNOW.

We do have a child who won't do his English homework, has had it since Monday but kept forgetting to bring the exercise book home! I've booked the said child a flight to NZ & he's on the way to see you now!

NZ looks beautiful - Graham hasn't looked at the pictures yet but I'm sure he would be quite taken with the place - if I can ever wean him away from going to the Lake District!

Love J, G & M

Oh, the English homework book has just appeared in front of me - does that mean I'm supposed to do it?

New Zealand looks very volcanic - when did the last one erupt, and how fast can you paddle in your kayak?!!!!!!!

John's still got snow, and we've still got big piles of snow that haven't melted yet. Amazing. It really should stay the other side of Hadrian's Wall where it belongs!

EastEnders update - the storyline is still "who killed Archie Mitchell?", as he got clobbered over the head, in the pub, with the bust of Queen Victoria. They really should make an EastEnders Cluedo set!

Enjoy the rest of New Zealand! YLM xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Nick. Very nice to see the latest pictures. It's snowing here again...

Just off to watch a volcano disaster movie...

xx