Howdo matey, how are things going? I can't believe you bought some TNT :) that mine sounds like a really fun place to be haha. Better with the alcohol, no wonder why the miners retire early I bet they go blind first :)

I'd love to have a ride down the death road I bet that was a seat wetter. I don't no if you know but I cycled down to Maidenhead last week. It took me two days, with a bit of cheating (I caught the train from Coventry to Oxford) lol.

Can't wait to see your next pics, talking of which what's that green stick you were chewing on? :)Hope you're both ok and having fun.Ste x x

Hi Guys,

Is everything still OK? I met Lt Hegginbottom (I think that's his name) here at Aquinas today and he sends his regards. He says you're doing exactly the right things to get you well liked by the Naval Interview Board.

When do you start up the stinker trail, or have I missed something?

Now that the kitchen is just about finished, I'm concentrating on builing a large ark. It was so bad last night that even the roads around our house, 700 feet above sea level, were flooded! I dread to think what it must have been like down in Stockport where all the rivers converge.

Mum has finally admitted defeat and bought a girly pink mobile phone. Her old brick may just end up in a hole in the garden!

I'm all alone in the classroom pretending to do some work. All of our kids are away because we have been having induction days for new students. Everyone here constantly asks how you are going on and many of them have access to this Blog.

Last week we had the Summer Fair and it turned out very well even thought he weather had been appalling all week. We held it on the sports field which had dried out amazingly well and the weather held until about 5pm whenthe heavens opened. We were absolutely soaked by the time we had dismantled the gazebos. Fortunately, lots of people stayed behind to lend a helping hand and it all went well.

I organised a "silly sports" event; egg and spoon, 3 legged race, wheelbarrow, sack and tug-of-war. It went down great except you will probably find pictures of my bum all over Face Book etc because in the wheelbarrow race, the guy who was pushing me walked slower than I 'wheeled' and my pants came down!

Keep on sending the pics and messages,

Take care and have fun.

Dad G

HI Phil ,

Wow what an adventure you guys are having, I cant believe this whole set up it is wicked! Well what can I say but keep having fun and see you soon. Plus the sand boarding looks so much fun - doubt they do it for skiers like me- only for the dudes on boards!

All love

Philippa x

Hi Mum!!

The stick of rock thing was a reed from Lake Titicaca. The ate it like it was a banana, but it tasted more like mud!!!!! We've got tons of photos to go up bu the computers are so slow its taking forever!! I think we may end up burning them to a CD and showing them to you when we're home.

It sounds like you're having some crazy weather back at home. The photos of Sheffield sounds crazy!!!!!!! Glad the kitchen's coming on OK! I'm looking forward to seeing it!! Can't believe we only have 11 weks left now!!

Anyway, I hope you're all ok. Has Dad's thumb healed now?!?!

Speak to you soon, Love Nick xxxxxx

What on earth are you eating Nick it looks like a giant stick of rock!!!

Your adventure on the salt plains sounds fun!!!! probably the one trip that will stay with you always.

The kitchen is looking fabulous. still lots of bits to but but not long now!!

Weather here is totally rubbish here, sun, rain, sun, rain, rain, rain, and more rain. Dont know if you heard but Sheffield was flooded, the worst area was Rotheram, the dam wall has cracked and threatens to break, I think there is a great deal of work going ahead to stop it doing so. Even Meaadow Hell was flooded and closed. I've downloaded some pics but they on are my pc at school i'll send them when I get a chance.

Well off to do some kitchen stuff, take great care of yourselves on your great adventures, tons of love mum G xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

sounds like you had an eventful time on the salt flats! i think it might actually beat our experiences with nancy the drunk cook! It´s got to have been amusing tho with Pingu and the hoff!

We have just finished our 8 day skiing trip - bloody amazing! Nick, you´ve gotta try it! We are hooked!

Off to Buenos Aires in a few hours - can`t believe how much ground you´ve covered already!

When do you guys do the Inca trail?

Can`t believe we have only six weeks left - we feel like crying! Don`t want to go back to flooded, terrorist invaded Britain (by the way, strange how we appear to be in a safer place than those back home innit?!).

Hope all is well, keep enjoying yourselves! (as if we need to tell you!)

soph and andrew x x x

p.s. have you seen your brothers hair?! Im gonna have to buy him an afro comb!!!

Hi Phil

Photos look amazing and your stories (Graham's been emailing them round the office) are brightening up a very wet and gloomy TW! Glad you made it safely down the "Road of Death" - was slightly concerned your cycling might be as good as your driving ;-) Wish we were doing something even half as exciting!

Take care

Nicola (and Ian)

Buenos Tardes Amigos

I want to come and join you! When did you arrive in the Sahara to ride those sand dunes? Bolivia sounds like a cool place.

We almost have a completed kitchen now, so the saga is about to end. There are still loads of small jobs to do but nothing outrageous.

Stephen has gone on his epic bike ride to Maidenhead with a rucsack bigger than yours - and he's only going for a few days. I bet he wishes it was all downhill like your journey on a bike.

Chris has bought a weird synthesiser thingy for his guitar and he's making horrible noises that frighten the local cats - and me!

We've had awful weather lately and Sheffield was particularly badly hit with flooding. Parts of the town were so flooded that the air-sea rescue service from RAF Kinloss had to fly down to rescue people off rooftops in the town. Even worse, one of the dams near Rotherham has developed cracks and looks close to breaching. During the night thousands of people had to be evacuated from below the flood area.

Worst of all - it's our Summer Fair this week! All shall be well - I hope!!!

Take care guys and don't risk cycling down those riduculous mountain roads too often.

Love Dad

I've got a cooker!!!!!! No sink though but who needs to wash up, bit like Rosa Road Nick, you'd be right at home!!!!!

Actaully Nick, memories of Rosa Rd came to mind on Fri, it was my detention duty, in the canteen, and yes we stuck to the floor!!!!! sound familiar?????

Just in middle of a thunder storm at mo, guess where Topsy is????

Piccis are great but can we have them the right way round please we're getting stiff necks!!!!!

Off to clean up for the night, take care of yourselves and continue to have plenty of fun

Loads of love Mum xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Glad to see that the comapass came in useful! Great to see your first photos. Keep them coming so we can all follow your amazing journey. The beach looked wonderful, a bit different from our sunny weekend away in Filey - want to swop??

Take care. Enjoy. Lots of love Jo Darren Jay and Megan xxxx.

nicholas, the pictures are lovely, but can we have them the right way up please?!!!!! if we can learn how to do it surely you can!!!! the paragliding looks cool tho - hopefully we´ll be catching some air over Rio - can´t wait!

we are currently in el bolson where we are honing our skills as the pied pipers of stray dogs!

hope you are both well x x x x x x x x x

More paragliding pics to come!!!!!!!!!