maureen and joe Hello RUTH and ADAM JUST A NOTE TO WISH TOU A HAPPY BIRTHDAY,a merry Christmas and a Hppy New Year. Rosey keeps us informed about your career and your ; itchy feet; We hope you have succes from you applications and have a happy succesful future. I am using this site because we do not have your e mail address. Maureen and Joe

Mum B. Snow and blue , blue sky , how beautiful it looks. Great to see you both (and George) of course having fun in the snow. Loved seeing the pictures of you and the amazing scenery. Loads of love as ever from us both xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dad B Well done. Were you just smiling for the camera or were you really enjoying the event? Your bicycle looks very similar to my new one, only mine has more spokes. I must buy you some mudguards. Lovely weather here this weekend, but the volcano is still erupting so no flights. There will be some empty desks in the schools as people cannot return from their holidays. Talk to you later. Love and congratulations Dad

Mum B. Your day look to be great fun. Or as you would no doubt say 'awesome'. Fancy the Beatles still being alive in New Zealand! I loved the close up shots of you Ruth, you look so well and happy. Pity that Adam was the photographer, on the other hand Adam takes fantastic photographs. I'd love a day out like that! Loads of Love as ever Mum and Dad of course xxxxxxxxxxxx

Mum B. I really loved the sheep racing. Did the sheep have names? I did notice the numbers on them. Also were you betting on the races. Looked to be a really fun day out. Brave souls climbing to those heights.

chloe hello ruth I mand a snowmn at my nannys I am missing you lots of love from chloe xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

chloe goodfelow hello ruth I mand a snowman at my nanns I am missing you hello ruth

Dad B May I have some seafood on one of those "pizas" ? What is the history behind the corrugated iron place? It has an originality all of its own. I saw a uke player at a Torquay theatre in the fifties; his name was Billy Uke Scott. Idea for Adam! The elephant in the sand looked just like one in a photograph taken in the thirties in Granny Baker's album. Love Dad

Chloe hello ruth thank you for my Book I am missing you love from chloe xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dad and Mum B We enjoyed the latest birthday pics. You used to wish for snow on your birthday and quite often you weren't disappointed. It's bitterly cold here but the snow stayed in the sough east and just about reached Birmingham. The flowers look particularly beautiful not to mention the sea and coastline. Stacey, Stephen and Chloe popped in, Chloe needs to dress up as Mary tomorrow so Mum rustled up a blue head dress for her and a shawl for her doll who's standing (rather lying) in for Jesus. In old England it is still your birthday so Many Happy Returns. Love you, Dad and Mum

Dave Hi Ads & Ruth Hey, I'm on your Photo Album, I'm famous! Thanks for making my trip to NZ so enjoyable, I had a great time. It was so good to see you both again. You're very lucky living where you do, so close to the beach and the lovely countryside. It's back to work for me now, the 5 weeks since I was last there has flown by. Will catch up on Skype again soon. Cheers, Dave

Dad B Hello Ruth and Adam It's wet here today, but I've still managed a post lunch ride on my bike. My second article on buses has just been published - different magazine this time, one that might pay me before they go bust. I should be busy working soon as the man is raising the official orders. I am going to Engineering Society tomorrow evening to hear a man speak on the new power station at Drakelow - Bernard is quite excited because he does like power stations. I may cycle to Draycotte in the Clay on Saturday to visit the steam traction engine party. I hope you are coping with the hand. All the best to you both. Love Dad

Janet and Paul Hi Ruth and Adam. I've started a messge previously to you but think I lost it when I returned to the photos to check on the spelling of TitiTiri Matangi island. As I was saying.......... We are back in sunny Rolleston-on-Dove and yes or yis as I've come to say, it really was sunshining when we arrived home yesterday afternoon! The flights were great and we shall definately use Air New Zealand again. It was very strange though arriving in L.A. before we had taken off from Auckland! I feel a bit spaced out to-day. We slept from about 8.30pm last night Tuesday until about 3.30am and I've been up ever since! It was lovely to see the photos of your house and the plants in bigger version than the ones you showed us on your camera in the restaurant. It was also nice to see the photos of your afternoon in (and this is where I got up to in the message I lost!) TiriTiri Matangi island. It was wierd to think that when you took those photos we were having an afternoon in Sumner just down the coast! I realised later that when I texted you telling you where we were we were actually sitting in Scarborough beach which is where the sea was calm. When we walked along a bit we saw the surf in Sumner where you said you had surfed. We had a lovely afternoon there. We moved on to Lyttleton in the evening and found, thanks to the wonderful Lonely Planet Guide which became grafted on to my person during our trip, a really quirky bar called "Wunderbar" and we sat on the balcony there watching the port activity. We also later found a really good place to eat in Lyttleton called Volcano which I would definately recommend. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in New Zealand. We're not sure that coach trips are our thing though. We spent alot of time avoiding "loud and aggressive persons as they were a vexation on our spirits" to poorly quote from Desiderata. However we will return to New Zealand so you can be assured of at least annual supplies of jelly babies,Marmite and Paxo! I'll give your mum and dad a call this week and tell them how well and happy you looked. It was really lovely to see you and to meet Adam. It made a great start to our holiday. Keep in touch and continue to be well and happy. Love from Janet and Paul xx

Phil House looks great. Ad - Where did you get those shorts - or did you make them yourself ;-) Hi Dave - curry when you get back?

Phil Yo Ski/Ruth. Sorry I missed you the other night. Will send an email soon. BBQ was good ta & Christine's curry went well. As I'm sure you are aware(?) Chelsea lost in the Champions league semi-final so that was a disappointment. Good luck with finding a job soon. I'll be in touch. Must go as I have a bit of pig flu ;-) - oink oink