Hi R&J,
You are having a wonderful journey and thanks for sharing it with us through all those fabulous photos.
If you have time on your hands in Brisbane and want to prove it's a small world, call and see Bryan Hastings at Saltwater Classics, Norman Park, Brisbane, Queensland 4170. It's about 7 kilometers from the City centre and halfway out to the Eastern Coastline.
We met them through the internet and they sell some nice stuff. Viv has just bought a sweater from them.
Bryan and his Wife are planning to visit Ireland in late October and we hope to meet up with them, I wonder if they realize that it tends to be wet,cold and dark by then?
If you can do it ,it will certainly surprise them, and you can send me a photo so that I will recognise them when they come over.
All the best for now, keep smiling and God Bless,
V&T.
Lena & William
Hi R & J, nice to see you back in communication again! Have very much enjoyed your most recent photos. It looks very dry and hot. We've had a good spot of summer weather here in UK but this week its changed (probably due to Wimbledon). Hasn't the time flown since you left. I can't believe you only have about three weeks left of your incredible journey. By the time you get home, Will and I will be hyperventilating over our trip to NZ, only 6 weeks to go! Steve and Claire have already been skiing and are half heartedly looking for jobs. At least they now have a small flat (converted garage) where we can lay our heads for three weeks, along with the obligatory camper van. We are both beginning to enjoy life again and are doing lots of activities while the weather is warm. I have just booked my flight to go and stay with Terri and Mac at the end of October - I know they will spoil me rotten! Enjoy the rest of your trip. Take care.
xxxxxxLena and William
Choppy
How do you get shade underneath a coolibah tree then? It has hardly any leaves?? Australia just got beaten 1-0 by Italy. They were robbed in the last seconds of the game by a very suspect penalty decision - very unlucky!! Chopxx
Carole
Hi there! Cant get my head round the fact you've already had Sunday. The Oz side of the trip sounds fantastic and it is great keeping up with you. Just got back from church having learnt that Tracey's engagement is now official and she has a very pretty ring to prove it. Unfortunately I'm having a senior moment and can not recall her fiance's name. You will probably remember. Your family news thin on the ground guess they are all enjoying our summer. MY family are all fine Zanna and Chris had concrete delivered yesterday for their lounge floor - hard work in this heat reminded me of Rowberrow - so progress is being made. Zanna is now the proud owner of a red sports car !!! No not the result of the horses just hard work Love to you both from all the Carey/Yarnold tribe Carole
Jax
No updates??!! First time since you've been away that I have logged on and no changes to the site! Hope you enjoyed your Bungle Bungles on Weds looking forward to seeing the photographs. Quiet week here, weather turned out great for the weekend my first one off in seven weeks so did nothing but sit and read in garden yesterday! Gary phoned last night apparantley patio will be finished this week! Looks like you will be arriving in Darwin tomorrow so will check in again in the week. Not long now Mummy! love you both lots. Jax
Choppy
HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!! I, like Jacqs, was not as organised as Sal, but none the less I am thinking of you and send you a big electronic hug and kiss. The last three sunset pictures you have taken are brilliant! I am sat on a train travelling back from Leeds after Gavin's (Nadias husband to be) stag night. Went to a comedy club which was great - I left Graham in a club at 2am still drinking and by all accounts he didn't get back until 3.30am - i was told by Tinsel that i had to look after him!! Got a couple of days off now with Tinsel which will be nice. Love to you both.Bungle bungle, Chopxx PS - I want to see a picture of a Saltie please.
Richard & Jill
Days - glad the stuff arrived safely and hope Dad enjoyed his stint down here; will be glad to swop stories when we get back. Sal - tell NG that not every day can be a lucky one! There's nothing left down here to send, Mother has bought up all the shops!! Mike & Jackie - keep the barbie going we'll be round at the beginning of August! Colin, have a great time at Le Mans and best wishes to Ivo in his new job. Love to you all - now for Darwin! R & J xx
Colin
Dear R&J, bit of news from the frozen north. Jens H has quit to move to Australia. We are away for Le Mans this weekend, even the attraction of Audi running a diesel couldn't finally persuade my dad to come with us. Straight off then to Portugal as Ivo is leaving to go and run an Opel garage. Other than that everybody well. God Bless, Colin
Jax
Sorry been a while since last message, back to my summer evening cups of tea with neighbours in garden! Time for bed by the time i get in. All well here, FG exam results continue to trickle in and although not as spectacular as the MATHS improvement, improvements no less have been made so she has done us all proud all round! Just waiting for English results now. you will not believe how grown up she is becoming almost daily and am sure you will see a huge difference when you return! Speaking of which we can't wait now for you to come HOME! i know we shouldn't say it and we do want you to enjoy the rest of your trip! The picture of you both at the 'Valley of Giants' should have had the caption "I'm a celebrity get me out of here"! Looked really similar to the jungle set on Celebrity that Ant & Dec walk over! progress on the Patio picking up speed now weather improved! Unlike Sally have not been so organised on the Fathers Day card sending as did not think to get address from Itinerary! But will attempt to send photo thru the wires with home made version courtesy of FG on the day! Best get to bed, LOVE YOU LOTS. Jax & FG
Choppy
Also noted you are starting to clock road miles up now as well as total distance. I am well ahead on road miles and not too shabby on your total distance. The Land Rover has just racked up 18000 miles at 4 months old, most of those with an overweight 3.5 ton trailer on the back - what a vehicle!!
Choppy
Well, the tour has ended and my boys have gone home. We had an end of tour bash in Kent at Dans place. His local is normally quite lively but not as lively as we made it. Blew £300 between 6 of us on booze - LOVELY! Don't worry Mum, I was well behaved. Off to the civilised world of Ladies Tennis at Eastbourne tomorrow and then i am going into hibernation for 6 months. Will text the result of the 2nd England game but at time of writing 0-0 after 73 mins, things are not good!!
Love to you both. Chopxx
Mike & Jackie H
Hi Richard & Jill
I see you finaly achieved your dream of waking up in a vineyard Richard, that must have been something. Your photos have convinced me (or more like Jackie) that we should plan for this type of adventure. Just arrived back from Croatia after some R & R. This time all the family and partners went so that was differant, first time in about 10 years. Oaklands lot now enjoying BBQ's as the weather is really hot. I still have not mastered the art of coking withur burning things but after several glasses of wine nobody notices. It looks like we will have to have one when you get back and settled.
Keep on enjoying the trip/
Mike & Jackie