Loving the new photos especially the arthouse images of Fraser Beach and the crazy sky, very creative!!!! You both look so happy and relaxed, it's inspiring and certainly illustrates the benefits of getting away from it all.
Who knows a career break could be on the cards once my gorgeous money sucking boys leave home. SAGA probably organise backpacking trips too eh?
No seriously, it definitely makes me think of the bigger picture and all that's out there.....
Thanks for the e-mail Em, you are a star managing to keep up with us all while you're so busy.
Ponderosa Lamont/Beattie looks braw and I'm so impressed with the awning. Pimp my ride has nothing on you two!
Hope NZ manages to follow on nicely from the awesome time you've had so far. Looking forward to the next exciting instalment. Miss you loads xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Oi Beattie,
answer your e-mail. You are already 3 points behind the mighty bairns. What are your travel plans in the next 8 -9 weeks, I'm coming out to Oz & NZ in that timeframe

Enjoy
Stuart Laing

Hiya Emma
Your blogs are making me want to go travelling.NOW!! I figure that having worked for ELC for only 8 months that they wont let me out just yet. It seems like you have been gone years. Your travels sound fab whats next? Life here plods on, the kids are just as crazy and I am reguarly travelling to Rossie.My little house is slowly getting sorted and I am enjoying living by the sea. seemed to have got into a pattern of old lady hood ie going for my morning walk with tea in hand and sitting on the beach in the evening with my cup of tea and book!! I think this job must be ageing me significantly. The new office is ok though a bit of a germ fest-you cant open the windows at all. I am thinking about bringing in my brother in laws ex-army gas mask to wear for the winter.
I look forward to hearing more of your exploits soon

love

Sarah

Hya Aunty Em nd Uncle Fuz how are you doing in Australia? R u 2 enjoying it? Me and mum got our hair done 2 day nd i got a short side fringe it iz smart as we r going on our hols on Monday 2 Bulgaria can't wait 2 get a suntan im going 2 have 2 lye in the sun all day 2 follow up 2 u 2 wen u cum back i have got my i-pod all sorted with summer songs we will b banging the tunes up and down the hotel hall ways oh well speak soon have a good time with wot eva u 2 are doing cant wait 2 hear 4rm u 2 luv ya both and miss you frm Mon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxooooooooooooooooooooooo

Hi am very jealous of you both sounds like you are having an amazing time. Emma could you text me your phone number again, my phone is broken and has deleted all numbers!!!

Megan is doing really well she is one can you believe it, she is now walking and causing me lots of grey hairs.

Take care xx

Hi both, oh my god what have you been up to!!!!!
It looks absolutely fab. Sorry for not being in touch earlier, just don't seem to have enough time for breathing at the moment.
Thanks for Euan's card, he had a smashing birthday barbie - man kept sober cos I fell over the night before - as you do!

We are having a heatwave at the moment - unbearable working in the bakery, but the boys have persuaded us to invest in a 10 foot swimming pool which should be arriving tomorrow. Will try to get some photos uploaded for you.

Take care, miss you lots
Kath & the gang in Wales

Hi guys, glad you're both well and enjoying yourselves - it all sounds amazing. Its great reading what you's are up to - you could write a book about your adventures and sell it on to fellow travellers (although I'm sure someone has already thought of that one!). I like the sound of the help exchange dooda and a bit of luxury for you this time (you deserve it I'm sure after your farm work!). Well i see Theresa's filled you in on Wickerman - had a fantastic time (sadly didn't manage to blag any free tickets but i did try!). Reverse bungee - excellent but with eyes closed! I'm also still on recovery mode - wish i'd taken the week off. I was in Berlin a couple of weeks ago with the girls - amazing city and luckily we had Lynne for the educational questions and guidance (she'd be thinking she was back on the school trip with us traipsing after her!). Jen was fantastic with the map which also helped. We'd arrived for the Love Parade (unknown to us) which would have been good but we knew if we'd went little else would have been achieved so resisted and just went along for the last hour! Well i'm hoping for a quiet August as July has been mad (and expensive!). Take care.
Pam & Sef xx

Hello folks,
Back to normality and in my cupboard at work. Am actually quite pleased to be in this windowless space today as it is so hot in this hospital that people are visibly melting in front of my eyes! But as we have no natural light in my clinics or office it's a little cooler. Funny how everybody moans about the weather and when it starts to change they'll all be moaning about the rain! Myself I am loving the sun, and as I am off every thurs, fri and sat I feel like I've been on holiday every weekend because it's sunny!!
Speaking of hod-i-lays, Wickerman was truly great! After having to repack the car 3 times before leaving Annan to accomodate 26litres of frozen water and enough food to feed a small country(including what seemed like a whole cow and pig for the BBQ), Carol-Ann, Pam O, Millie-Ann and myself arrived on the Friday morning approx 11am, to find base camp fully erected and rather bleary eyed campers (Pam P, Fuzzy, Christine, Sef, Ross and Darren). To celebrate such a good position in the camp (in family camping area) and being on holiday Carol-Ann, Pam and I felt it totally appropriate to open the champagne straight away. So by the time we managed to make it to the field to see a band at 3pm we were quite drunk. It was at this point I refrained from further drinking to retain some memory of events. Millie's first live band was Grim Northern Soul which she viewed from Uncle Darren's shoulders with her mouth almost touching the floor- completely mesmorised she was. Then not content from watching she proceeded to make her way to the sound system stage and tried to get to the sound system to assist. She was very unhappy indeed when both Mummy and Auntie Carol-Ann dragged her away (much to the amusement of the sound crew).
Pam and Ross partook in a reverse bungee in one of those circular cages that fling you into the air. Pam was drunk at this point (dutch courage she said)and when she came off wanted back on (this was after accosting the owner of the farm -who went on before them- and demanding free tickets for next years fest!). Even Sef managed to drag himself away from camp to watch it (although we did have to force him considerablyto come and t hen he went back to normal mode of camp security guard and stayed put the rest of the weekend).
All the kids seemed to have a wild time and were particularly fond of the caravans. In fact all us adults are quite addicted now too and predict a convoy of caravans for next year. Didn't get to see many bands myself as had Millie to cater for but the ones I did see were v good. Millie particularly liked the Blockheads and even clapped when they finished their set! Friday was foggy (but warm) most of the day and Saturday was scorching all day, so that must be the first Wickerman to be dry (tho it did rain alittle overnight sat). Saturday I inadvertantly was blitzed on white wine (a novelty for me as I am a red wine girl but when in Rome) and Ross put me to bed at midnight so did not see the burning. So returned Sunday and now it's Wednesday and am still knackered!!! Sure there's lots more to mention but have a patient to see now so will end this blog for now. Safe travelling. xxxxx

Pleased to see you are both still having a good time.
I can understand why you stayed an extra week with Mick & Jan It seems like a lovely place except for the snakes.
Must be like a 5 star Hotel with the bath robes and everything else.
Hope you leave the Bath robes behind and do not take them for the Camper van.
You will take it bad when you move on from there.
Not much going on here in Annan Lanya was talking to Simon yesterday and he said Fuz had been on the phone to him.
Craig went on his hols on Friday with Joanne and esmy and Bruce and Bruce`s family.
Stephen is in the North of Scotland Just now his ship is guarding the Queen just now she is Cruising there to celebrate her 80th birthday.
Stephen is home in 2 weeks for his Summer leave.He is going to Tenerife with Nicola for his hols.
We have been having some great weather just now hope it keeps up.
There does not seem to be many messages posted lately maybe everyone is too busy sun bathing or away on there Hols.
Keep posting them photos they are all very good except for the snakes I hate snakes.
Both of you take care and keep enjoying yourselves.

hello,
How you doing? it's the eve of Wickerman and indeed the trepid explorers (aka Ross, Darren, Pam, Fuzzy and Christine) have already gone ahead to secure our normal pitch and ensure our village is assembled for the masses tomorrow! Ross and Darren have trundled off in Darrens tranny van with Piddle and Shirley's caravan firmly attached and extremely full (I hope firmly attached - as Fred did the tow bar am sure it is totally secure). Naturally the Woodman survival instinct has kicked in and have ensured there is enough stuff to keep us going for a year and to tackle any eventuality that may crop up! Carol-Ann and Pam O are also participating in this side of things, which should mean we can supplement our stay by setting up a shop on site and supplying the whole festival! Millie-ann is fair excited- naturally she doesn't know about wot but we keep saying she's going on her hod-i-lays (Em phrase adapted into our household) and she starts running about. She will be a real festival chick, especially as she is now dancing (which resembles some sort of mad 'must improve my bust' manouvre.) Carol-Ann is taking care of protecting MA's hearing and has purchased her a pair of earphones - As worn by Apple - Gwyneth Paltrow's daughter. No idea how much they cost but feel certain they will spend very little time around Millie's ears and far more time being lobbed about the campsite! Didn't have the heart to point that out to Carol-Ann! We have in our possession 2 caravans, many tents one tranny van, a gazebo and a marquee, windbreaks, 3 BBQ's (including our huge one on wheels) hundreds of chairs and hopefully thousands of bottle openers! There is a large possee from Annan attending the fest this year and you will be sadly missed.But we will toast you with our smuggled in champagne (no bottles allowed which sent Carol-Ann into major panic at the thought of having to drink boxed wine, but they are cunningly hidden in the caravan now). Speaking of champagne am still managing to abstain from it. Had one glass (yes glass not bucket) last Sat and then declined. No paralytic for me!!! Feel quite smug about controlling the champagne addiction! (Notice i say controlling and not curing!)
Sounds like you're having a ball. And it's lovely to see the pictures. You're looking lovely and slim Em. My belly has proved an unusual drumkit for Millie-Ann- think it's the rippling effect she likes. And think she thinks my boobs are tomtom drums! Both Ross and her think it's hilariously funny for some reason!
Well, that's all for now. Post wickerman update to follow..........

hiya folks
well it's friday night here thank goodness and one week to go-yeehah!
thanks for your text this morning em was dead jealous of your pint(even though it was only 8am!)
the sun is shinning here and i believe that we are in for a nice weekend.
babysitting for the black crew tomorrow as nicola is off on fiona's hen night to blackpool.
luca has booked himself into hustlers tomorrow again for a game of snooker with michael macca it's dead funny they act fair grown up when they get in!
monaca and bruna tried out for the cheerleading yesterday 100 girls for 30 places they had to do a 1 minute routine and attend an interview. so they should find out over the weekend it's for the gretna angels. one of the question was 'what would you do if your boyfriend was in the crowd whilst you were cheering?' she answered that she would ignore him which i was ok about but i would have rather she said 'boyfriend, what do you mean i'm 12!' jeez one of those moments when you feel really old!
have not yet read the annandale but will get one later and keep you posted if there is anything going on.
take care and have loads of fun speak soon em
love you hayleyxxxooo