happy easter everyone! at the mo we're in new plymouth, going to see jack johnson! whoo! we cant wait! we're currently camping as the hostel we had booked over a week ago lost our booking! but its ok weathers alright and we've got it for free!!! (all that know us will know that this is one of our favourite words) well yesterday had an interesting start! i jumped 12000ft out of a plane attached thankfully to someone who knew what they we're doing! it was fantastic! one of the best things ive ever done and yes i will do it again maybe next time from a higher point! and ricky will do it too!!!! (yes you will ricky ill make you) i had a wonderful birthday, thank you for all the messages! we had beutiful weather up on the corramandel coast! i was spoilt with 24 presents from rikky (all things we could use and eat!!!) a lovely home made banner and cards from rick's, jason and becci. and also got all the cards people had sent over with dad! it we did sunbatheing and kayacking, had lovely home made burgers then watched the sunset on the beach with a glass (or 2) or wine! what more could i want??? i did miss seeing people from home i wont lie! but it was a good day! so thank you to all involved! hopefully hear from you all soon! xxx (oh and we are trying hard to update pictures and blogs but the internet is expensive and crap on the north island! we will be in auckland in two days so maybe we can do it from there!) bye xxxxx

Hello its was really great been able to wish you happy birthday on skype all that was missing was to be able to give you a big hug and kiss,hope you had a lovely day all them lovely english things to have. it was nice of ricky to bring england to you. I found where you are in my book so i can keep track of you again.............. Its sunny here today but very cold. Do they have easter in nz with all the choc eggs but we will wish you both a happy easter. have lots of fun chat soon love you lots mum and stu.

Well Happy Birthday Do not eat too many burgers today to make up for the last 6 months. Hope you have a lovely day and enjoy the Sunshine. Well the Sun has been shining all day here after raining for 3 days but it is still cold. Wish i was back out there with you as I am missing all the scenery and warm weather , but not the walking. good to speak and see you both on Skype yesterday , look after yourselves and keep in touch

Love Dad

well we're currently in the smelliest place on earth! well i think it is! rotaroa. we've not done too much another big walk this time up a volcano, took 7.5 hrs and was 18.5 km! very hard tiring walk! we've been making up for it since! we went to taupo for quick visit, then onto napier which was a very british seaside town! we're going on a mauri experince tomorrow nite( i hope theres something for me to eat!) hopefully do some zorbing during the day and a nice walk round the sulphur sites! anyway we're still here trying to catch up but finding to many rubbish internet places! so not able to sort stuff out as much as we'd like!!! anways speak to you all soon! and before long we'll be back to give everyone headaches! yay! love sam

Glad you're still enjoying yourselves. Dad said you're happy & he certainly enjoyed himself. I've seen the photos. They look beautiful. All the scenery looks wonderful.

I've got two lodgers in our home to keep me company!!! Two little Finches - Mother's Day present from the French Family. Extra work for me???!!!!

I see you've got the date to come home. Looking forward to seeing you. Lots of Love xxxx

Hi Guys, thanks for the birthday text, you sent it at 01:43 on the 4/3/08 and i received it on the same date but at 01:42 which is exactly one minute before you sent it "shades of back to the future". i thought the photos of the glacier walk were really good, alan looked as if he was having a great time, oh by the way no lack of interest here, I have been following your exploits when i can ,and showing my colleague anne all your great photos. she thinks they are great and you are so lucky at your age, to be able to do what your doing. well have to go now to pretend to some more work..........love doug

have a nice day

Hi Rix and Sam, Your photos and blogs are brill, I can never wait until the next instalment. They are so informative and inviting, and even more so like we are there with you. It sounds like you put Alan through his paces, I hope that the trip was enjoyed by all. Take care hope to hear from you soon love Mum xxxx

Hi y'all! (practising my american!)

so i hope everyone is well and not dead! but it does seem you may have past it as your all still very quite! anyway we're still having lots of fun! taking things very easy! although it the lastfew days we've done a 5 hour walk and 4 hour walk and a short 30 min walk! not too much! today its raining so we're taking a well earned rest! yes the swimming with dolphins was good, we didnt get any photos as we didnt want to damage our cameras. the sea was a little rough but we managed! anyway just a quick note to let you know we're dissapointed with lack of interest! although im sure you all checking up on us! message again soon.

samxx

Well I am now back home to the wet miserable weather after travelling for over 30 hours!Thanks for the smashing 2 weeks and hope you are not missing me too much.The scenery especially over Milford Sound and the Glaciers was awesome wasn't it and the weather was much better than expected.All DVD's and items now stored safely in your drawer awaiting your return in August.You are both having a great time and especially at controlling the purse strings so that you can do all those wonderfull things with much more to come.How did swimming with the dolphins go , bet Sam loved that!

Love Dad

Hi everyone,

Thanks as always for the messages. We have our return date now and it's 3rd August 08. We can't come homw any later unfortunately because our ticket is only valid for 12 months! I know, a real shame! haha. We're having fun in New Zealand now and trying to get the blogs updated. Alan has just left and we all had a fantastic 2 weeks. Hope you've read all the latest blogs and seen all the New Zealand pictures so far.

Take care

Ricky x

Hi to you all i just dont know what to say, but WOW AMAZING and breathtaking place you know i like all the snowy picture. the two i really like are the sunlight ones the one with no body in it and the sun just beaming down is fab. I hope you are having a great time and your dad isnt to worn out. He He................. We are all fine here we had our own bit of cold weather all frosty and white. We no hot water since sun and then somebody smashed out loo window so i have no hot water and a piece of cardboard for a window otherwise everything else is good. Did you fly in the copter . bye bye for now love you lots. XXX

Hi guys!

How's it going? all good i hope! I hope your taking care of uncle al!! Hi Uncle Al!!!! Hope your having a fab time and keeping sam and ricks under control (yeah right!) Hee hee! not m uch to say today as i messaged ya Sunday on face book, but i will tell ya that planning my wedding is supposed to be the best time of my life but it just doesn't feel right with out my Cheif Bridesmaid here! I feel like i'm plotting behind you back, its just weird! But don't panic too much i'm compiling a list of things for you to do when you get back and its getting long!! hee hee! only kidding! As If I would do something like that

Anyway Take care and stay safe! Missing you Loads!!

Love me! x x x x