Hello there Rubus & Eddus,
Aell I have to say, it looks like you're having rather a splendid time on your jolly travels and my sides are splitting with jealousy. However, it will all become quickly irrelelvant as I have some bad news...... you're going to have to come home. You see, much as I hate to admit it, in Ed's absence the football team seems to have gone to s***. Please reassure Ed that it is most likely nothing to do with him though, otherewise his head might expand even more than it already has done due to that excess beardage he seems to have accumulated since leaving blighty. One love, and peace out under the sun, man. Ed - you just need a pipe and Jesus sandals to complete the outfit.
Anyways, keep having lots of fun and then taunting us all back here by posting the evidence on the WWW. Missing you guys, and can't wait the photo-marathon upon your return.... I know Ed is already salivating at the thought...... oh no, he's just fallen asleep and is dribbling.
Safe travels and keep in touch
Shuvvers aka Mike xx

Well we have just returned from a great weekend in Leeds - boating in Knaresborough, footy at Roundhay and a day at Harewood House. We even spoke to a couple of Northern folk who informed Bernie that we should "move up North as there is never any trouble and 26 pubs in Otley, if you like a drink!" The boys had a great time and we watered your plants, cut the lawn and attended to a little bit of DIY. It was great to speak to you Ed the other day, look after yourselves. xxxx

Yet another holidaybites the dust! (Well, for us teachers - except Rob - anyway). Of course, yours goes on and on and on... We are actually enjoying some warm temperatures now - probably why not many people are messaging you - we're all too busy burning in the few hours of sun we're allowed. Great family weekend followed by decorating in Rudston, and hey presto! a week disappears! Cricket not looking too good, Ed, you might have to come back and help out... not with footy though, because England seem to make sure they play poor teams, to ensure huge wins.....until the real thing, of course. Glad to see Ruth still emphasisies the challenge, and has forgotten all sense of style. Amazing how soon the NZ factor has impact! Ed needs to be careful, he might get mistaken for a real explorer with that beard! Hope Arthur let you pass.....

Hey, love the new set of photos and guess what the main discussion topic will be in this message.....yep, Ed's fuzzy bear face!! Ruth, please could you tell us all the medical condition whereby although it is clearly obvious that your hair is a kind of brown colour that when you 'grow' a beard it comes out as a horrible ginger/orange type of thing?? Do you have to have the status of a college lecturer or outdoor rambler to obtain such an effect or is it merely a progression into old age where your body doesn't know which direction it is going in?? Anyway please tell him not to stand too close to your hairdryer in case it disappears!! It is Lilly-Jo's 4th birthday today, so I will pass on your love and best wishes. I might even tell her that I can get a signed photo of 'Bungle' from Rainbow!! Look forward to speaking to you soon and take care of your good selves

ginger bum fluff on ur face eddy boy whats all that about??
ha ha
all i gotta say ! = D x

Hey you crazy guys!! Sounds like getting more into this out doors stuff than nic scott! Before we know it you'll both be booking into triathlons! Me and Mike had a little outdoor craziness at the weekend. Decided to go camping in the lakes with the wind and the rain and then climed this hill called Blencathra with this ridge called Straight Edge right at the top. It was only when I was half way up Straight Edge that I realised why it was called what it was and I nearly crapped me self!!! Had to go back down but then got stuck on a patch of moss and cried! Helpful Mike was laughing his head off!! Anyway, off to Scotland tomorrow for more fun and frolicks. Went to Anthony's on Friday...we have to go when you get back it was AMAZING- the best food I've ever eaten and I've eaten alot of food. Anyway, must dash at lovely out of hours. I bet you're really missing it Ruby! Love to both of you xx

Hey there, Sir!
You look like your having fun, lucky you! Vietnam looks ace.
ARGH History exam in a week - i'm slightly stressed, but I've learnt not to be as stressed as last year, and it's worked cos i've only cried a couple of times! Haha!
Oh, and you ran away on your adventure before giving me my sponser money for the long march - nice tactic, but i'll have to chase you down when you get back next year!
Anyway, carry on having a blast and I'll see you next year!
x Laura x

Greetings from wet and soggy Market Harborrough where it never stops raining and to complete a miserable day, the Tigers have just lost to Sale in the Premiership Final !! We have just had a few days away with Dave & Sylvia in Herefordshire where the weather was a little better than recently so we managed a good walk on Tuesday in between the showers!! Your mother now has a drink problem having acquired a taste for cider. It is Bank Holiday week-end here - the cricket looks as if it will go England's way in the second test. Can't think of much else at present - we are off to dinner at Victoria's complete with a bottle of cider for mother ! We look forward to your updates and send lots of love, as usual, to you both. Mum and Dad xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Im sure you didnt miss the eurovision contest!! only reminds me of weekends with Grandma and Grandad when Mum and Dad went off to the Great North run, but yes my student staff made me feel very old when they said they were having euro parties and I realised they weren't even born when I was living it up with Grandma and Grandad!! This is just fantastic, being able to see you on your travels, the pics and the postcards are fantastic. Envy you loads. Glad your having a fab time, and I will teach Mum how to view this soon (have tried to explain in text and on the phone, but not working so far- Di if you can help, please do.). Love to you both. T xx

Hello.... a message to say a big thank you for my birthday present - well chosen Ruth!. I have had a fab day and have been spoilt rotton, which is good considering I have been abandoned on my special day by mum and dad! We are all enjoying the regular updates - you really do look like you are having a great time (what gorgeous travellers you make!). Look after yourselves, we miss you loads. xxx

Glad to see you are both continuing to have a great time on your travels and more importantly that you are still talking to each other! Maybe all the 'togetherness and great couple' stuff I said in my speech really was true (as if we didn't know) and I hope 'Team Bowman On Tour' continues to prosper....Anyway, apologies to Rich for not posting a message for a while but I've been busy doing not much in particular. Dionne has come up with the great idea of changing all the rooms in the house so that Lilly-Jo will have the larger bedroom and we will be couped up in the 'spare room'. I have been enhancing my D.I.Y. skills and can now fill small holes with polyfiller (respecto!!) and at the weekend will be replacing a shelf! Work is good, the weather is s***e and the golf s***er. Shot a 90 yesterday and as a result the prawn bucket was empty but as you always say 'at least you look the part Abbo!'. Looking forward to the World Cup unlike the natives of Nova Scotia (remember that quiz answer Four-Eyes?) who are busy buying Trinidad, Paraguay and Sweden tops to support the other teams in our group. Rooney will find out on Friday if he will make it so I'll let you know if you don't manage to find out in NZ. My girls send their love and looking forward to your next chapter. P.S. Don't know where Tiday is or how he is getting on because he won't answer his phone. Hope to hear from him soon....P.P.S. For your information, there was no bell on the first hole of the course I was playing on yesterday!!

halllloooooo. very impressed with the old web site... all your planning Im sure Rubs!! and lots of messages.. v popular.. hope ed is not seceretely writing lots of messages to himself!! how rude of me.. just jealous Ed... ham and i were billy no mates on our little adventures abroad!!
anyway sorry didnt get in touch sooner with a few top spots to hit in NZ. have been doing a little bit of holidaying myself in the Red sea. Went to Dahab, and managed to avoid being caught up in any bombing incidents!! and great choice for muchos cheap 5 star luxury.. You know what hamish is like, enjoys dabbling in a bit of danger and is not one to say no to a bargain. As you can imagine my mum was highly amused by the whole idea. but back safe and sound after seeing lots of tropical fish and burning my feet to a crisp while attempting to learn to windsurf..
Enough, enough

well it looks like you have made quite a healthy indent into the the north island
some quick recommendations on places to go in the south island....

wine tasting tour ... a must.... you can go to Hawkes Bay, Malborough or Nelson.... my recommendation would be Nelson if you are pushed for time... as there are also some wicked craft places dotted around too.. you would love them rubs.. ed watch out for ruths shopping .... There is an amazing hand blown glass shop.. v cool......
Def stop in Nelson if you have time.... and you can head up to Able Tasmin national park... amazing beaches... you can do a combined kyaking and walking trip... def a top ten... beautiful.

swimming with dolphins in kaikora, obviously maybe a bit cold to do that at this time or year.. but could go whale watching there instead.. also pretty amazing.

doing ice climbing on the Fox glacier was great fun... if the weather is ok the helicopter trip up to the top of the glacier is meant to be amazing.... brill photo opportunties rubs!!

if you are still in your camper van, it is worth finding a little out of the way beach on the wild west coast on the south island and camping on the beach... stop anywhere... when if its a sunny day the views to the southern alps are brill.... and you can pick up some funky drift wood!! just what you dont need.

Now Queens town is a must. But I prefer wanaka .. and some good walks from there... amazing views over the lake from the moutains... treble cone good for skiing ( hmm if there is snow!!). recommend the canyoning trip from wanaka.. might be a bit nippy
QT- must do all the crazy activities... great back packers if you are sick of the van.... butterfly lodge..

milford sound is beautiful.. a must... if you have time you should go to doubtful sound too, much more remote and atmospheric..

christ church will prob be on ur stops.... its art museum is quite funky...

If u are desiring a bit of hot spring action again... hammer springs is the place to go on the south island... warm those cockles ohh err...

well, im sure you lost interest about a third way down... hope its been a little bit of help... enjoy nic xxxxxx ps have you got any room in your camper van???