44 degrees!! Blimey. It's a bit cooler here, I have to say; 'bracing', as they say. Still can't get the cars up to the playground, so we decided as next door aren't here, we'll just leave them where they are. The Council leaves piles of grit at intervals along the lane, but they haven't come as far as us, this year, so it was a bit of a trek to get the little we used. Good craic. Supposed to snow a bit more tomorrow, so we might get snowed in!! Iain says it's just like it always used to be up here, years ago.

Safe jounney to Cairns and catch up again, soon.

Stacks of love to you both, for now.

xxx

Hi Kiddos (Kiddoes?)

I'm looking forward to reading your blog on Melbourne, as you'll soon be leaving for pastures new. Not that I can complain about your keeping in touch, in general; you're great, and it's very much appreciated.

Look forward to the next installment. Stay cool! (And we'll all try and stay warm!) xxx

Hope you are enjoying Australias heatwave whilst we are in the depths of the big freeze!!! Yes we actually had snow for 24 hours, the sand dunes and beach were completely white. Yvette went up to louisa's farm they sledged on a lilo and then quad biked back up the hill. Love the photo's, we watched the tennis on tv, it must haqve been awesome actually being there. look forward to your next blog love you loads mum dad and yvette xxxx

Thank you! (Ordinary life is going to be very boring!!)

I read about the temperatures at the Open! Told you you'd need a knotted hanky!

Safe journey tomorrow. xxx

Hi Sweethearts!

I really hate to moan (no, honestly, I do!) but can I direct you to your own message, posted on 19 January (yes, you read that right; THAT long ago!), and I quote: "Will write a big blog when we finish the bottom bus". Now, I don't want to be picky, but where are you? Exactly. On top of that, you've had quite long enough to compose the next blog (in fact, time for several, frankly). You're off to another country in a matter of days, so can we please have the next installment of the New Zealand story - the last proper blog was 10 January! (And please note your use of the descriptive word, 'big', in relation to the promised blog.) You won't get any book deals if you don't keep your blog up, that's all I'm saying!

Catherine is getting a tad bitter that most of her family is currently enjoying or will enjoy exciting travel / holidays! She says she wouldn't even mind having severe gastroenteritis if she was somewhere exciting and could come home tanned - and probably thinner!! An allusion to poor Tom and his suffering in Argentina. Will we recognise him when we eventually see him?

Anyway, stacks of love to you both, for now xxxxx

Hi Guys. For some unknown reason your names came to me yesterday, I remember you had a blog and google did the rest. Probably seems light years distant but I was at the Tulum hostel in your early days. It's an odd fact but I remember that, strangers though you were, you were the first IN THE WORLD that knew about my planned wedding. It's happening a week Sat. Funny thing travel !

At a quick glance you appear to be having fun. Just thought I'd say hi. Keep on truckin. Happy travels

Paul

Hey,

We are on the 'bottom bus' at the moment staying at a place called Dunedin which is meant to resemble Edinburgh but doesnt really. Went on a great wildlife tour yesterday and the Cadburys Factory tour today. Its more chilled out here, lots of wildlife and walking which is a nice change from Queenstown. Will write a big blog when we finish the bottom bus. Hope you are all well. Love Rose and Mike xxx

Blimey, what fabulous photographs! Some of those are absolutely stunning. Looks like that was a bit of a trek - and not for the faint-hearted! Brilliant. (The shades were very cool - I know they were necessary, but still cool, man!)

Rose looked like she had fun on her skydive, as well. It was great that the weather turned out so good and you could really enjoy the view.

Keep having fun! Love to you both for now xxx

Okay, I'll be honest it's Mum doing the typing and the messing up!! (I know, you'd already guessed!): lol

What I was GOING to say was: phonecall AND blog AND photographs, all in one day!! I should have kept either the blog or the pics and spread them over a few of the leaner days!! Only joshing. Nice to get so many treats in one day. And thanks, Don, for the little prompt to our son...... Iain has been trying to get his younger son to call HIS mother from Brazil to little effect, so, good on you, Mike.

New Zealand looks such a lovely country and we're all so pleased that you're having a great time, there. Could we have a picture of 'Mike the Bee', please? I think that needs to be recorded. We take it the mullet didn't last, then? It wasn't long enough at the back for the real McCoy - cf old pics of your Dad in the 70's for inspiration!! (Well, ok, and me! )

Iain is at the match at the moment; they're playing West Ham. The only thing I know about West Ham is that their strip used to be plum and blue, which I always thought was quite nice!! I have no doubt they will beat Newcastle, like everyone else does, so no change, there, then!

Anyway, continue to look after yourselves and have fun. Hope Rose does the sky dive; you made it look a lot of fun, Mike. Looking at your buddy-man, it did strike me that that would be an ideal job for you, Mike!! Only a thought. lol

Loads of love to you both for now. xxx

Hey you two,

Fantastic photos (down to Franz Josef, etc) - awesome country. You're both looking great. Some serious tan now developing. Great to see you relaxed, on the horses, on the beaches, partying, etc. Some extreme enjoyment there. Horseriding looks great - fantastic way to see the place. And the furry-antlered deer - you liked him then Mike? Maybe you could bring one home?

Lovely to see the photos and hear from you. And really fantastic to see that you're having such an awesome time. Look after yourselves. Love to you both.

Dad & Theresa. xx

I see your last post only has a one-star rating! Hope that wasn't me moving the cursor in a random fashion. I actually wondered if Rose had written that one as it was a decent length!!

Sounds like the whole of the UK has been suffering! North Devon, South Devon, Norn Iron, Yorkshire... nowhere's safe, but it's good we're all well in time for work! A & J - were the people you talked about in your message swimming in the SEA every day? That's just wrong. Bit like Geordie lasses on a night out in Newcastle (they don't wear much!).

Hopefully, catch up soon. Much love to you both for now. xxx

Just seen the sky dive pictures tht looks so much fun!! Mike u looked as though u were lovin it! well i cant make this long as meant to be revisin which is sooo borin ahh well nice hearin from you and have a great time speak soon i am sure lots of love yvette xxxxxxxxxxxxxx oh and mike new years u looked sick good effort haha and rose nice make up least u were havin fun hahaha xxxxx