P.S. Meriel clearly tampered with my last message and changed the word "sweetest" for the word "best"! The cheek...!
Paul (Pompey)
Hi, hope the job hunting is going well, Meriel had a check form for you asking if you were safe to work with children, obviously we said you were fine to work with children just not adults, animals, food or heavy plant equipment. I have tried to email you but I have been drinking a lot of toilet duck again lately (it keeps your breath fresh AND prevents limescale build up) and it has clouded my judgement so I am not sure it will reach you. Got you postcard, keep them coming I am having a competition to see if we will have more postcards from you or more pictures of Neil on our wall by the time you get back. Does an art deco flat mean the previous occupants kids drew all over the wall? It is so hot here at the moment, you'd be loving it in our little office, we have replaced the Friday Quiz with a best butt competition for the moment, Meriel still wins that every week too. Take care xxx (edited for taste and for those eating their cornflakes whilst reading)
Mam And Becky
hiya both hope u r ok. sitting in my room with mam looking through this because we cant sleep its boiling hot here lol. ur house looks great cant wait 2 come ova and stay. probably be after christmas now. will u still be ther then? wb love mam and becky xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Paul
G'day all (yes they say that here too!) Bit of an update - Been here about a week now and all is looking up, even the weather. When we got here it was drizzly and bitterly cold, and we thought we'd made a bad decision coming here considering the heatwave in the UK. Anyway Christchurch has warmed to us, its quite British so we have found it easy to fit in. Christchurch has elements of Cambridge or Oxford - with its green parks, punting on the avon, and historic (maybe 150 yrs old) churches and architecture - So Rob and co would love it! Even English and Scottish pubs (no Welsh one - so there's room in the market!). Will just have to git use to the nz ick-cint. Its wontir here so it ken be culd! Jobs etc. We've been looking - i've had a couple of interviews so far and Rach has one now. Have found a place to lay our heads, in the centre of town too - a cool Art Deco flat near the college and park (and good local).
SI
So are you two chilling out in NZ after your rampant tour of OZ. The pics of your road trip look great, you certainly put some miles on Charlenes clock!
Paul I am not sure about you becoming more traveller chic or whether this travelling lark is gradually turning you into Chewbakka! Come on! I guess it will keep you warm during the winter months in the southern hemisphere, but could well hinder your chances of gaining employment!!
Take care and good luck with job and apartment hunting in NZ. Speak soon.
Mum & Dad
Glad all is OK in New Zealand. E-mailing is a little difficult at the moment - must get this computer checked. We'll try and find those certificates. Good Luck with the job hunting.
Rach And Paul
Hey everyone - thanks again for all the messages its really nice to hear from everyone and find out what everyone's been up to. We've been a little slack updating the photos and the diary but we've been driving around so much its difficult to find a minute to stop!!!
Anyway as you can see we're now in NZ and its blooming freezing - like a very cold day in Winter back home - but all day long!!! We've started looking for jobs and have signed up with some agencies and are looking for a nice pad to settle ourselves into - with heaters hopefully. Only been here since yesterday so haven't had much time to look around and see the sights - but after we find jobs and a home i'm sure well get around to it. Love to you all R&P xxxxx
JO
Hello you two, Just had a good catch up on what you have been up to! Photos are excellent although they are making us very jealous at work! I have just been on holiday for a week in Kos but that doesnt really compare to your adventure! Hope you are still having a good time and not missing home too much, the sun is shinning here for a change and the office is like a sauna, We have got your post cards pinned to the wall and are moving the marker on the world map as you go so we havent forgotten about you!
Take Care, Jo xx PS. We have brought a house!
Meriel
Hi! Hope you're both still having fun! Sounds like it and looks like it from the photos, which I'm very jealous about - love the ones around Ayres Rock, it looks amazing! Not very much to report on from work - except the way its going I think you'll be back in the UK before your temporary cover actually starts in the office! Well we did say you were irreplaceable! Anyway, keep the updates coming & take care!
Meriel
x
Lorraine
hi paul and rachael,it was lovely having you stop over at ours.Hope you have a wonderful journey over to Sydney!It will be great to watch your travels over the internet.Look forward to writing to you in New Zealand.Maybe we will fly out to visit you in the near future!
Lots of Love Lorraine,Steve,Daniel,Kirsty and Jack!xxxx p.s. Hi to Auntie Dorothy!!!!!!
Paul And Rach
G'day all, we're just stopping as we speak to get Charlene a good servicing in Brisbane, (Charlene's the camper!), and we have had to stop here to get all the bells and whistles checked before heading down to Sydney. Paul - already seen that one and its fab!!! - will have try and get 'Whale Rider' the definite Kiwi flick to swot up before we get there on the 4th July.
Life is good in the land of Oz, but the weather is a little damp. The sunshine coast so far has been a little more like the 'drizzle come heavy downpour coast'. Seen the GBR from the sky as we flew out to Lady Elliot Island on the reef (it was a winter deal - so not so flash, but at least we got the plane to ourselves for a bit!) The turtles (and fish) were cool. Hey the socceroos are through to the next round - bring on the Italians.
Paul (Pompey)
Hi. Summer has reached the shores of good old blighty and I have the big purple head to prove it. Glad you have kept the updates and photos going, it feels like I am on a virtual holiday when I read it, everyone will be travelling like this by 2020. Like the pictures of the two boulders called Katherine and Alice, is Alice the one on the left? Had Ella's christening, it was like a scene from The Omen as she really wasn't having anyone pour water and oil on her, then the vicar said it was the devil coming out, charming! Had a lovely party afterwards with family, friends and those two girls you used to work with.. what are their names? O well its not important. Hope you still loving it, loving it, loving it and keeping safe and well on your travels. Found a great film for you to watch when you get back "A Very Long Engagement", it has Audrey Tatou in from Amelie and it is just as good. Have kept an eye on the Welsh news for you as you know how I like to, great story about a farmer being mauled by a 42 stone pig complete with a picture... marvelous! Keep on treckin x