Now it's my turn to show off....! Just writing this message looking out on Central Park NY, from my hotel room on the 36th floor! Weather is glorious here and New York as wonderful as ever. Had a lovely time with Melissa and Rob on Saturday and Sunday. We went to dinner at a swanky restaurant called Gotham Bar and Grill and on Sunday. Melissa and I went for a walk in Central Park and had brunch at the Loeb Boathouse. There were boats out on the lake and loads of families strolling around enjoying the sun. It's one of my favourite places. Melissa seemed pretty happy and loving where she's living now. Have to go now - breakfast just arrived . Sorry we didn't get to speak to you on the phone. Tell Sam the first Test was drawn despite forcing the South Africans to follow on. Hope the trip is still going well - I think you're due to give us an update. Love Dad x

Now it's really sunk in. I'm sitting outside in the hammock the sun hitting my back. I'm watching Stemsy run freely. And I think of you. I think how your like a wild horse exploring a new territory. I think how your like Millie when she was a kitten going through the cat-flap for the first time. I'm listening to Far-far dreamily. I'm still thinking...

Emily and Sam. Wow. You. Must. Be. Having. The. Time. Of. Your. Life. Writing the words come spilling out of my head. Emily your extraordinary. Sam your spectacular. Emily your amazing. Sam your incredible. Emily your fa... I'll stop there otherwise I'll bore you with my mindblowingly long list of Emily... Sam...

This is your destiny.

Lots of love,

Phoebe xxxxxxxxxx

Hi both of you!!!!!

Lovely to get your latest news and hear that you are at the coast so hope you will be getting some great seafood and chilling out for awhile.

We are expecting storms here the heat and humidity have been incredible I am sitting here at 9.30 at night with the perspiration running but it hasnt rained for weeks so we are all dying for it!!!!! It would be lovely to talk on skype infact I have got to go to get the bedding in as apparently Valencia has just had 40 litres in 20mins or something incredible....love you lots enjoy yourselves!!!!!!mumxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hiya

I've just got my SATS results! And my report, Dad was so pleased with me he gave me a tener! He he! Just got my new Uniform for my high school!

I can't believe I'm going to High School already! Ifeel so much older now which mum isn't very happy about! ( she says I'm growing up to much! )

My swimming is going really well I'm getting alot faster now. Amd I've just moved up a group so . . .

I don't want to leave Greenway now! I no I haven't been there since year 3 but it feels like I have! I can't wait until we go to France it a shame you can't come this year! But atleast your having a blast there!

Dad went to New York this morning I asked him to wake me up to say goodbye but he didn't! I was getting up anyway becaus of swimmnig!

My mum might of already said but I'm doing my leaving play a week on Monday ( she might of put the wrong date! )

I had a great time on my Induction day at Millais ( I think thats how you spell it! ) I'm with my two friends from school Alicia and Holly and My new form teacher is really nice! We've already made friends with two girls from Northolmes which are really nice and we get on with them really well. I'm really pleased because our first language is French and my second one is Italian! I've already learnt, Cho, Bongourno, Mi Chimici Chiciami ( I dunno if thats how to spell it! ) that means Whats your name? Mi Ciami means my name is . . . And I've also learnt the colours and the numbers up to 12 but i won't tell you them because you'll probably die of bordom!

So hope your doing well!

Lots of love always Sabrina xxx

Thanks for msg dad and sylvie, glad to hear all is going well. Dad tried calling you, sam and tom loads yesterday...we wanted to catch you at the cricket! did you get my voicemail? sorry we missed you but glad you had a great time. (sam is secretly holding out for that chance next year you mentioned!!!!). safe flight tommorow dad, love always too xxxx

Great to read all your news. What's the weather like now?We are all well, the train journey to Peterbough last Saturday was so easy we will probably never drive it again. We were very well looked after and as usual ate too much! Rory has finished his GCSEs and has left school! Sabrina and Dan break up from School in less than 2 weeks. I don't know where this year has gone. It feels strange Sabrina leaving primary school. She's in her leaving play Bugsy Malone next week. I feel abit sad although it'll make my life easier not picking up etc everyday as she'll catch the bus like Dan.

Dan has some friends that he sees on the weekends. In fact with your dad away and the kids out tomorrow doing stuff with their mates I'll get a few hours to my self! I think I might take them to see the new Will Smith film Hancock later on Saturday, it looks quite good. I have met a few girls through Alison and one of them had a drop in coffee day today in aid of Cancer research which was enjoyable. There is a girls cinema trip coming up to see the new film Mama Mia that has had good reviews. There are also girls nights night ever 3-4 weeks at a different pub in town which i try to make when I can. It has helped me get to know new people. I have also met quite a few of the parents at Sab's swimming club who are really friendly and easy to get on with. One of the mums said last night her mum had won £2.3 million in the lottery on Saturday, it was in the paper this morning! They still paln to carry on working apparantly!

Any way, really glad all goes well with you . take care and lots of love to you both, Sylvie xxxx

Ems, lovely to catch up with your latest news. You're becoming quite the travelogue writer. Had a great day with the boys and John Bell at Lords yesterday. Not only was it Sam and Tom's first visit to the hallowed turf of the MCC, but we also witnessed some of the finest cricket from an England side in many years. Needless to say one or two beers were taken during the day! Today - after the second day's play - England declared a few runs short of 600 , Pietesen scoring 152 and Bell 199. It doesn't get much better than this , unless of course you are exploring a Bolivian market !!! I'm off to New York in the morning and will be meeting Melissa and Rob for dinner at a favourite restaurant. Having dinner with staff on Monday: visiting New York Times on Tuesday and Associated Press on Wednesday Wednesday - flying back Thursday night. Hope to catch a bit of music while I'm there. Saw Nana and Grandad and Helen and Jim at weekend for a bbq - wind was so strong Jim had to cook the food inside. Everybody talking about your trip ! Hoping, somewhat forlornly, that we get a heatwave a couple of weeks before you return so we don't seem quite so hideously pallid against your bronzed selves. Looking out on the leaden sky this evening that seems as likely as you eating pretend rabbit. Love always, Dad x

Just wanted to thank evryone for the lovely messages, especially my grandparents because i know getting on the internet and writing blogs isnt something you do everyday. So thankyou, it means so much to hear from you. Love to you all xxxxx

Ems

Well done on your degree , clever girl , just as we thought. You worked hard and you earned it .

Big shock to hear of your illness and happy it's now all gone and you're a fit girl again. It's such a joy reading all about the past few weeks - you put it down so well. What a wonderful time you're both having with so much to see and do. Both keep well now to enjoy it all. All those lovely memories to cherish. Can't wait to read more!

Love and take care of each other and our love to you both.

Nana and Grandad xxxx

Dear Em

I'm constantly reminded of your brave and fearless exploration of an area so vast that Christopher Columbus thought he'd discovered another world and not the trade route he'd been petitioned to find. The King of Portugal was doing all the financial requirements and naturally was expecting Gold Silver and Myrr ( and a pearl necklace for Mrs Queen ).

Just like Phillip , we are anxious to see you soon , but very apprehensive about the standards of hygiene at any level !!

The Portuguese , the Spanish and the French all waiting for 'Gold and Silver Harvest' and almost half the force of soldiers , sailors and horsemen died of unknown diseases . I don't think we (in the european area ) have any faith in their sanitation ideas so get near UK and sanity and get home soon!!

We're hanging on ! awaiting your return - Make it soon !

Love Grandad xxx

Full of admiration at how you're both coping with such challenging situations! I can particularly relate to weeing by the side of the bus, as I've had many an interesting and unusual toilet stop in the past myself. Glad to hear your strength's returning and hope the rest of your trip is safe, exciting, and memorable for you both.

Lots of love,

Helen, Jim, Lauren, and Rory x x x x

Hi Emily,

What an adventure you're both having! The bus journey sounded scary, not to mention the toilet facilities, or lack of! The main thing is you have recovered from your sickness and seem to be taking everything in your stride, seeing places we only read about or maybe see on TV. It's great to be able to follow your journey and share your experiences. Keep looking after each other.

Lots of love,

Nanna & Grandad x x

P.S. We are going to Italy (Lake Garda) for a week on Wednesday, July 15th. Moira, John, and Dorothy are joining us.