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

House looks great. Ad - Where did you get those shorts - or did you make them yourself ;-)

Hi Dave - curry when you get back?

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

Happy Easter to you both. Just finished lunch with your mum and dad. Your dad is putting photos on the digital photo frame for me. Best wishes .

Big model aircraft and rather impressive soap box carts; there must be plenty of time for hobbies down there. I didn'tknow you did synchronised swimming!

Went to Derby yesterday on the Villager; what a depressing place with so many vacant shop units and the model railway shop shut. Potts were open.

Hope the show is still going OK

Love from Dad B

Lovely to see more of your area. Fish and chips for a week judging by the size of the fish. What a crazy swim race with no markers. Was it on April fools day? Beautiful blue sea and coast.

Also note that Ruth you look very trim and fit.

Keep enjoying the job and New Zealand. Loads of love to you both xx

Yo ski/Ruth - just checked the site. Great house - are you in Switzerland?? I like all the furniture...

Hello Ruth & Adam, just done the matha exercise!

We think the pad is definately you, think its that pointed gable with the two tall windows. I liked the ferry, it looked more like a ship than the Lymington ferry. Wildlife looks interesting. Hope Adam's back is better and Ruth has recovered from the flu - can't escape the flu not even in NZ!

I am going to wash the conservatory today - Wow! Sent an article on buses to a mag. yesterday but haven't had it rejected yet. Mum is running a couple of expert patient courses this week and we are going to the hobbycraft exhibition on Saturday - got 2 free tickets. Oh yes and it is Engineering Society on Friday - all about Dinky Toys and Hornby Trains - what more could one ask for.

Love from Mum and Dad B

Hello Ruth and Adam,

I just had a look at your photos and seems you both are having a wonderful time out there. So pleased to hear that you have secured yourself a good job. All the best with it.

Dimple x

Hello Ruth and Adam . I've just seen your lovely pictures. My word aren't you lucky. So glad to hear you have a teaching post and I wish both all the best. Lots of love Joan

Congratulations Ruth on obtaining your teaching postion. I look forward to hearing all about your college and students.

IT'S SNOWING!!!! HURRAH!!!