I thought there was going to be a detective story on the box tonight, but guess what, they've changed it to some football match. I am busy preparing samples for my website this week; it is quite relaxing really but I'd rather some real work came my way. It is early days and at the moment there is not a lot out there. I suppose you are still awaiting news. I have ordered some etches so that I can make some coaches to represent the Tutbury Jinny of about 1920. I'm already preparing plans for the steam locomotive of that time. Looking at the map the area where you are now looks as if it has a spectacular coastline. The hairdrier is now hard at work. Lots of love. All the best to you both Dad B

Hi Ruth!

Remember me? Rolleston. Bell ringing. Shropshire Easter people camp 2000? Friendship bracelets, lost mother somewhere between the Swan with Two Necks pub in Staffordshire and North Wales-NOW do you remember me?? Met up with your mum and dad on Saturday which although was lovely was also a sombre occasion. I expect you've heard about Jenny Hanson?

Well Ruth New Zealand eh? You lucky lucky girl. Who is the gorgeous young man? You both look as if you are having the time of your lives. Good for you!! Paul and I that's my fella were planning to have a month in Australia over Christmas and New Year but my work went belly up and finances gad to be reviewed. I had a month in Australia with a frined in 2003 but Paul hasn't been there so Australia and New Zealand are on our "things to do before we die list". I've left Staffordshire County Council Fostering Service-thank the Lord and am now doing some freelance fostering assessments for Derby City Council and a couple of independent fostering agencies. I'm also working three days a week in Nottingham which I may not stay with 'cos I'm working with two very strange women who do my head in. I'm too old now Ruth to put up and shut up. If it doesn't suit me I'll just walk away. Life's too short and getting bloomin' well shorter. I was 56 yesterday!!!!! I've been with Paul for nearly four years. We've known each other for forty years. He said he fancied me when I was sixteen. It took him forty bloomin' years to ask me out. No-one could accuse him of impetuousity could they?!! My mum had a stroke in 2004 and I persuaded her to move to Rolleston from North Waled where I could bettermkeep my eye on her. It quickly became apparent that she wouldn't be able to live independantly any longer so she sent to live in Westfield House in Rolleston opposite the almshouses. She was reasonnably happy there, grumpy but hey she's her daughter's mother. Anyway the bloomin' place closed last April soI had to find her somewhere else to live. It's such a lottery trying to find somewhere good. I read al the Inspection reports on the web but even if these places have a good report it doesn't tell you what it feels like to actually live there does it? Any way a district nurse spoke highly of a rest home in Hanbury so she moved there last April. If she was gumpy at Westfield she took grumpy to into new territory completely hen she went there. Any way the doctor gave her some anti grumpy pills and she's a different woman now which is a bit scary 'cos my mother hasn't really ever done "sweet" but "sweet" she certainly seems to be now. She's probably privately sticking pins in a Janet effigy really and prowling the corridors of Far Fillimores at night scaring unsuspecting fellow residents but as long as she does "sweet" with Paul and I we're happy.

Paul and I had Christmas and New Year in St Lucia which was pretty fantastic. It was his birthday on 24th January and i took him to Naples for a few days as a suprise bbirthday treat. Man did it rain!!! I have never seen rain like it. I seriously started to wonder if Vesuvius was on the rumble again. My birthday yesterday was less hectic. We met a friend in Derbyshhire for lunch and then sat in front of her log burner playing a trivial pursuits type game and then........then the snow came!! My friend Sam has a lovely little cottage out in the wilds near Matlock. You have to climb 60 rickety stone steps to get to it, there is no other access. I looked out of the window and suddenely we saw a white out. We quickly scuttled down the 60 rickety steps again to our car in the farm yard and came home before it got any worse. It is still snowing so I'm taking advantage of it and have decided not to go into work to-day but stay in bed and write to you. It's not a day I usually go into work anyway but the agency is having an OFSTED innspection this week so I said I'd go in to show solidarity.

Well Ruthie you have all my news now. I told you mum I had a big conscience about you as your mum and dad gave me your address at uni and I really did intend writing to you there but Staffordshire County Council was slowly killing me and when I wasn't working I was sleeping. Sorry Ruth! I thought of you often.

As my mum lives in Hanbury now I take her to church there so haven't been to Rolleston church in months. Ian Whitehead and his band of spooky people don't improve. I'm still in touch with Malcolm Birt as is I think your Dad. Malcolm has more spirtuality in his little finger nail than Ian Whitehead will ever know is possible.

I haven't been bellringing for a couple of years now although I do miss it. Are there any bells to ring in Christchurch? It sounds as if there could be.

I'm off now for a bowl of porridge and some luscious honey mixed in. This is the first time I've "posted" anything on a blog so I hope you get it.

You take great care of yourself and also of that gorgeous man of yours. Good luck in your travels. I look forward to keeping in touch with your progress and adventures.

God Bless and

Love and very best wishes.

Janet

xx

Hi Ruth and Adam

Have seen your pictures of N.Z. wonderful for you. Had to stay at Jenny's for one week Ha! Ha!

Hope you find work soon. Love Auntie Stella

Had a very nice lunch with your mum and dad. Sort of celebrating your dad's pending retirement. Your dad is kindly putting old photos on the digital photo frame I had for christmas.

Been looking at your latest blogs, you certainly seem to be enjoying life. However I reckon I could walk into the sea with a surfboard under my arm! I'm not sure about riding the waves though.

Anyhow all the best with the job searches. Best wishes.

Hi Ruth and Adam,decided to call in at Barkers for some good local sausage and who should I bump in to..., bearing in mind its been 12 years now since we left Rolleston. Your Mum and I have had a good natter while the poor chap behind the counter politely carried on with his tasks. I suggested he could make us a cup of tea but he had run out of biscuits,shame, so I brought some bacon (not that I needed it but I felt it was polite!)and we carried on talking outside the shop....

Ruth your photos are amazing goodness, it must be breath taking being there.

Your Mum thinks you are possibly 40mins from my Aunty Olga's, if you feel you would like to call please do. She has recently celebrated her 83rd Birthday as well as becoming a Great Grandma for the 2nd time...I just wish it was me that was turning up on her doorstep!!!

Dont get rid of the camper van, I feel a need to use it!

Enjoy New Zealand and good luck with the job hunting.

Hi Ruth & Adam, Lovely to hear from you again, we kept looking but no new photo's, then missed when you did put some on. Everything about N.Z. is just ideal for you 2, the outdoor activities that you enjoy. Hope your able to sort out work soon and life would be near perfect.

Love to you both Jenny & Arthur xxx

Hi Both - South Island looks amazing. Didn't know you were passing through Napier, if you do again check the phone book for the Clement family, bout 150 of them between Napier & Wellington. We were the only ones that stayed here.

Like the sand surfing shots, was the sea too cold?

JC

Hello Ruth and Adam. Of course we absolutley love to catch up with you and your new life in NZ. It looks stunning! Wallabies seem lovely creatures, I don't know how Basil would take to them. Are the hot springs in South Island less sulphuric than those in North Island? Must be a lovely experience soaking in one of them and looking out at the snow covered Southern Alps. The underwater pics remind me of Hans and Lottie Hass's films on tele in the sixties. Then you needed to be wealthy to own an underwater camera. Does anybody know the origen of the boulders or are they a mystery like Easter Island? Keep taking the pictures. All our love. Mum and Dad B

Hello Ruth and Adam

At last i have seen your NZ pictures. Very impressive albatross, dolphins, hot springs, Christmas parade and trams. Maori art interesting - touch of celtic there? Impressive trees - that Acer in our back garden has a long way to go! Surprised Adam hasn't found a hat in NZ. Sand boarding could be a bit abrasive. Fancy naming a place after me - must have been desperate! It looks a super place with lots do do, keep on enjoying it all, network and you must find a nitch. Love Dad

Hi Ruth and Adam, Happy New Year to you both. Hope you had a good one. Celebrated with your mum and dad, and played "pass the parcel "as you do!! I think you have seen pictures !! All the best for 2009 and hope all goes well. Love Auntie Jan and David xx

Hi Adam & Ruth,

Thinking about you both at this time of year, hope all is good with you, have a great Christmas! Lots of love from the Smith family, cheers.

Hello folks

Hope you had a good birthday. Did you ppppppick up a penguin!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

From the Goodfellows and Threlfalls and Barkes!!! xxx