Alex Dear Steph I've been following your blog which is brilliant, and it fun to see where you are and view some of your photos. Well done for finding the time to keep it up to date - it makes very jealous when I am sitting at my desk! I'm going to show Mark the next blog because he has been to all the places that you have been and are currently in - he will certainly be jealous! Finally today, we have had a lovely sunny day, and the winter coat has gone to the dry cleaners - lets hope that the good weather will last now.... Anyway, I write with exciting news - that Mark and I are engaged - he asked me to marry him crossing the river in Prague - and I said YES! Its all very exciting and we have had a lot of fun celebrating with family and friends. Its been a busy time as I flew over to Sydney to see Isabel and Rollo at Easter time. I had a wonderful two weeks with them both, spending some time both in Sydney and also in Melbourne and a few days travelling down the Great Ocean Road. Saw hundreds of koala's! It is also very exciting news about their baby arriving in October! Another trip down under to be planned! Mark and I are walking the length of Hadrian's Wall next weekend, it is a 5 full day walk - its 83 miles in total. A group of 9 friends are all walking together so it will be good fun - but a tough challenge in parts! I am training this weekend and buying some snack bars! Keep blogging and HAVE FUN!! with love Alex. xx

Susanne Stedman Hi there Stephi Nick has just left his computer for a bit (they are umbilically joined), so have spent my coffee break going through your blogs. It all sounds wonderful, keep it up. It sounds as if your accommodation has been good on the whole, if brown water has been the only problem! You are very brave swimming with all those creatures in the Galapogos, (I must say I rather like the sea to myself, I am what you could call a waterwimp)and in the Amazon, but I would have loved to see all those birds. It is still cold here, although we have had some nice sun at times. We have booked ourselves in at a B&B at Harman's Cross for your Dad's birthday celebrations next month, so hope for somthing better by then. Well must off now and prepare some food etc as we have Kate and Alex for 4 days starting tomorrow, while Roger and Juliet go off for some R&R to pamper themselves! Look forward to your next blog Love Susanne