It's lovely hearing about your adventures around NZ. It brings back lots of memories for me as my Grandad lived there for many years and he loved exploring. We also had everything you could imagine made out of paua shell - cuff links, table mats, rules - you name it we had it!
We also had hundreds of pictures of sheep. My Great Uncle Tim had a big farm north of Auckland - and the slides were marks "More of Uncle Tim's Sheep!"
Have a great time. Hope the umbrellas aren't out all the time.
Tim
Chris
Another batch of 'Wish I was there photos!!! xxxx
Richard & Jill
OK, OK - Richard didn't mean you guys to take it so personally (about the lack of messages last week!). Great to hear from you all and thanks for the news of your great start to the summer (NOT!). Actually we had 23 degrees today in Waihi but it's gone cool again this evening. A&P will answer yours separately, Nige, thanks for the news, T&K definitely a good honeymoon destination, the rain will keep you inside on other activities! Actually look out for some pictures of the Mills Reef winery, we thought it would be a good venue for a wedding reception (Stephen and Kristel take note!! J&FG well done on the run/walk (FG had better RUN if we're sponsoring her next year!) G&G, love your country to bits, so much variety EVEN in the weather (back to shorts today!). To all, photo of Jill and Richard together with a very extraordinary stranger (to most), read next postcard for full details! Lots of love to you all, we're "off to the Coromandel, as they say around here! R&J xx
Jax & Fg
Looks like Sunday's are a common day to check in and leave messages! Big 'Thank You' from FG for the necklace and fridge magnet. Necklace has only come off for showering and school (jewellery not allowed)! We both completed the 'Race for Life' 5km at Weston Super Mare today of which we are very proud! Hollie was a late entry and walked the course with my friend Nic's daughter Jess, myself and Nic ran the full course without walking at the grand old age of 36 putting our children at age 19 & 13 to shame!!!!!! Was a glorious day and very emotional to read all the messages of lost loved ones to Cancer! Get in training mother am signing you up to join us next year!!! Was a truly great day in many ways and the sun shone down on us all morning. We too are missing seing you both in the photo's so post one soon!( If you are reading Sal you & Chris owe me £20!) (sponsor money)! Sending as always all our love etc especially today as we are grateful for having all our loved ones with us! (Even if it is temporarily by e-mail, website, text or phone). Still missing you loads. J & FG xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Nige
Hi Rich, I can,t believe you,re camping !! No Brighton this year, I do think a big saving on expenses was the reason ! Never mind, no one of importance there this year, all the personalities and DO,ERS were either doing or having fun.
Take care my friend
Nige.
Sally
Hi there campers. Just doing my weekly check in before i zoom outside to enjoy the gorgeous sunshine!!! I agree can we have more photos of you - George and i have been playing spot Grandma's green coat. Glad to see teddy still making appearances. Susan and Micheal came to lunch last Sunday and susan was not at all surprised at the weather you have been having!!!Not much news our end. George had another football session - nearly scored a goal but celebrated anyway by leaping around and hugging his mate. I'm off to Dublin next week for 2 days -looking forward to it as i have never been to Ireland before - not that i will get to see much as i am visiting a Salvation Army Centre there. George is doing cultural week at school - his class are doing France and he has to dress up in french costume - anyone out there got a beret i can borrow!!!! The children will also be trying french food - George doesn't beleive me when i said that it will be frogs and snails!!! A heron has eaten all our fish in the pond- our plastic heron didn't do a very good job of deterring the real one. George says thanks for his kiwi jigsaw and penguin cards - he loves receiving your little packages. keep smiling. Love and cuddles Sally xxxx
Angela & Peter Leroy
I've just discovered this wonderful site having recieved your automated email response. We had forgotten how long your jaunt was lasting and so had sent you a photo of the Noynoy milk that we bought during a week's stay in Crete! Anyway, since we are planning a trip to NZ and Oz next March/April, it's been good to see where you've been. Our main question is about your van. Is it a Maui Spirit 2S? We've been looking at the options and someone recommended a 4 berth to give more space. Yours doesn't look that big though, so is it OK? Where do you store your cases? Are the dining area seats comfy enough? Sorry to interupt your travels with these questions, but it would be great to have first hand advice! Enjoy it all. Love to you both Angela & Peter
Tom
Hi, Sorry I've not posted in ages. I have been looking at all the photos and postcards though. Looks like you're seeing some amazing things despite the less than perfect weather. NZ is now firmly at the top of my "want to go" list. Possible honeymoon destination perhaps...? Can't believe you went through Marlborough and only went to one vineyard!! Or am I mis-reading things? Hope you both continue to have a great time and keep up the excellent stream of photos. Will try to post more regularly like a good Godson! Lots of love, Tom and Kelly.
Gary And Gail
Photos l;ook good through the mist and the thermal activity. The 'rare' takahe is in fact a very common pukeko (or water hen). They are so common that the government has announced an open season on 50,000 of them around the country. They are a pest on the damp fringes of farm land and are probably more common in the Nth Island than further south. Keep up the interest in ornithology. The meteorology practical is nearly ended...so far you have a very creditable 75%. Regards to the trusty VW and best wishes to the passengers.
Chris
Ok - remiss of me not to leave a message last time. Another set of WOW photos - even in the rain. Does this mean you'll have to go back when it is sunny?! We are in a sunny spell at the moment. David currently on the high seas 'working' !!! I'm left holding the puppy (literally). Anyway, I feel proof is required that you are still both on this trip and talking to each other as we have had no photos of you in any of these locations recently.and it is the only way we can keep tabs on you both. Missing you, but trust you are having fun. Chris xx
Richard & Jill
Only two messages in 6 days? you guys must be getting bored with us! no worries, we prattle on regardless! Col, glad the folks are back, we'll have a Kiwi reunion when we get back! Simon, thanks, for the update, jealous of the weather changes but not of your endurance of the Canaries in one of their less glorious seasons! Thanks for followoing us, we'll be back to Norfolk as soon as we can in August. For the rest, read the postcard and enjoy the photos (of rain!)R&J xx
Simon
Now then Noisy Noy, I think you must have known something when you elected to leave the country while our beloved Norwich City still had several games left to play. Had I known the same thing I would have come with you! Their final position just three places outside the play-offs does not reflect the abject performances I had to endure.
Anyway, that's depressing and you guys are clearly having the trip of a lifetime - or is this simply the latest in a whole series of 'trips of a lifetime'!? I can't keep up with you, and it certainly seems like that to us impoverished souls left behind. Still, the British weather keeps us amused. I left Norfolk a couple of days ago with the outside temperature at 6 degrees, and came back with the sensor reading 27 degrees. Having packed for 6 degree days, the journey home was uncomfortable to say the least. I hadn't, of course, bothered to get the car's aircon system refreshed for the new year yet - still, it was great for losing weight, and that remains a priority on the wish list. Not in reality, just on the wish list.
Life in the Swindon offices continues in much the same old ways, though I have no doubt this observation will prompt your first thoughts of that organisation for many weeks. Musn't complain though, it's a living - however humble - and there are some good people still there!!
Enough of all that though, just thought I would let you know you are both much missed, and remind you that Norfolk beckons when all other further-flung adventures come to a halt - howver temporaray that halt may be for you.