shona Hi Ewan, Was good to hear from you the other day even if you were in LA while im stuck in miserable england. I've just sent you an email with some details about a job vacancy for a trainee quantity surveyor which sounds quite promising, take a look and see what you think. Look forward to seeing you soon xx

Helen Taylor Hi Ewan, Having a quick break at work so thought that i would send you a message. How was Fiji? |Haven't heard anything from you for a while but thought that we wouold get a phone call when you get to USA. Your gran's visitng us at ther moment but don't know how long she's staying ffor so she may well be home by the time you get back. I've booked the morning of the 19th off in case you want to do anythig and if you don't that's not a problem. Weird to tgink that's only 12 days away. Hopefully the weathr wil be better than it was when you left in March, but don't hold your breath. I'm really tired and in desperate need of a relaxing holidya so can't wait to get away to Malta even if it is wishing my life away Good to think that we'l see you soon. Enjoy the rest of your trip. Be safe.Hxxxxxxxx

Helen Taylor Hi Ewan.long time no blog. This has something to do with strying to settle into new office base, getting used to using a laptop and having too much work to do and ge nerally feeling stressed, sxtresed and more stressed. I had a lovely day in the garden 25.7, when it was gloriously hot and I was really pleased with my efforts at the end of the day,even if I had to have 2 showers to get rid of thedirt. The weather has been fab recently, very very hot, and sunny also sticky.However now that its the first weekend in August it's rainaing and windy, with some sunny showers. Iwas speakingto Charoltte this am and she took Gran,Jim,Nancy and Rita over to KirtyandDavid's last night. They're going to visit John and Caroline tonight and then they're off home. I guess you'll catch up with them soon. can't believe that you'll be home in 17 days!!!!! Sent the 2nd lot of money off today so hopefully you'll besplventon the last leg of your trip. I was hoping that we would have finished the house before you got home, but srurprise surprisde we haven't. Atleast the bathroom/wet room is useable if not completely finished. Looking forward to hearing from you when you get to the USA. Lots of love.Be safe HXXXXXX

Dad Great photos again! I got to the bottom of the page of your last blog, but wasn't siure whether it had ended - thought there might have been more but didn't know how to get to it. Re my last message - we did indeed have the delights of Gateshead Ikea, but I survived. Shona's house is looking good. We're having the first decent spell of weather - hope it lasts until weekend. Got your message re money. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

George Edden Hi Ewan, hope you're having a wicked time on your journey. Your photo's look fantastic and that would be my dream to do what you've been doing.I saw Ali at footy on Saturday. Take care George.

Dad Good to hear from you this morning, thanks for the call. We're a divided house today - your mum is on strike and I have crossed the picket line. We'll probably never speak again. We're going to Sunderland this weekend to sort out Shona's house. I believe a trip to Ikea is involved - oh joy! Enjoy the rest of your trip. Love Dad

shona hey! hope you are enjoying new zealand. i was having a look at the photos you put on facebook and it looks amazing! then had to spend time trying to explain to dad how facebook works but i still dont think he got it. i've been slaving away at monsoon for the past two weeks ( did 44 hrs this week,which nearly killed me!) and have got a job at county hall for a week or so as well so that should pay for my holiday and most of what i owe hsbc. What date is it that your coming home because me and mum keep having debates about what date it is? hope your ok and having fun. lots of love xx

Helen Taylor Hi Ewan. Good to hear from you. Money oni ts way.When are you going to do the skydive? Dad's just checked your parcel and its from Vietnam. Have had a couple of weekends at home and off to Siunderland next weekend. Shona now has two jobs and working very hard to pay off her overd5aft. Fiat Punto has almost replaced Skoda in my affections. A lot easier to drive and good sounds. Currently listening to the best of Neil Diamond ie Cracling Rosie etc. Still have your CD's so don't worry. Hope your well and happy. Be safe. Love HXXXX

Dad Hi Ewan, Liked your latest photos. Must compare them with the ones from 25 years ago, when you get back. I presume that you are now touring around NZ. As your mum said, we had a very busy time the weekend of Eilidh's wedding. On the Sunday I dropped her and Shona in Newcastle to catch the train and drove down to Yorkshire to do some walking (and drinking) with ols school friends. Watched the Final of Euros in pub in Yorkshire. Well deserved win for Spain. We're going back to Sunderland next weekend to finish off Shona's move. She's got a job in Monsoon, and may be working in my office for a couple of weeks. Have you heard anything about your application? Hear from you soon, love, Dad

Helen Taylor Hi Ewan, can't believe that my last messge was s long ago. Why has life been so hectic? Another wedding (Eildhh' sand Stephens) moving Shonainto another house and various bits of socialising and trying to deal with a new manager at work (VERYVERYDIFFICULT!!!!)oh and of course there was moving office bases asa well. So pretty much the same as normal then. Your first parcel arrived yesterday,so it's in your room unopenedd. Got your pc from Guernsey??????? and so did your granny Helen who was SO PLEASED. Glad that you and Samhad such a good time. Haven't heard from her yet but hope that she phones soon. Can't believe that its nearly the end of the 1st week in July. Just back from a curry with William and Sara and Zak, James,Jade and James and your dad and Shona and I. Evryone asking after you. Lelly has caught up with your blog and was very impressed by details so far + photos. Hope NZis going well and that your enjoying the sking et all. Love you. Be safe and keep in touch. HTXXXXXXX

Kay Hey there matey! Thank you so much for my birthday card!! Didn't realise you traveled as far afield as Guernsey on your world tour ;) Spain was awesome - me and lu have just booked to go to Croatia in August. What date are you back? -x-

Lucy Good morning! Feel like I haven't actually spoken to you in yonks - I don't have internet access to my emails/facebook at work, I can only get on your page before 9! But I shouldn't complain because they just made me permanent, had all the interview stuff and now I'm filling out all my pension stuff. Feel like a real grown up! So I'm really bored atm, Kay is in Spain and I've been left all by myself, just watching the footie and wimbledon, this new job is tiring me out and I don't really have the energy for anything else (maybe a bit of guitar hero). Anyways, Kay gets back on her birthday and then before you know it, it will be my birthday and you'll be back with a present for me! Say hi to Sam, and send us another postcard Lx

Helen Taylor Hi Ewan, Haven't left a message for ages cos we've been in Italy and work was manic before going away. I'm stillk grieving for my Skoda,but I'm getting used to my Fiat. No scratches or bumps yet. Italy was beautiful and very wet a lot of the time. However it was great to see everyone and we'll be meeting up for the wedding in 3 weeks. At least the sun was shining when we came back.I'm still getting ober the total (very plesant and totally unexpected) shock of now having an eternity ring!!!!!!Just when I think DG can't surprise me, he does. It's very beautiful but a bit big so has gone to be sized. The bathroom/wetroom very nearly finished so may not murder Nigel asfter all although I had hoped to come back to a complete end to the mess and guddle today, but never mind one more day should do it. Loved the photos and hearing about your latest adventures. We've been to Chaing Mai, and it sounds as if it's grown a wee bit since then. Hope you have a good time with Sam. give her our love and maybe she could phone us when she gets back to let us know how her trip ewent. Could you please sdesnd your granny some pc's of your travels . She would really love to hjear from you. Her address is Flat 2B, 8 Jamieson Street, Glasgow G42 8HA. Really missing you but glad that youre having such a fab time. All the Taylor/Gibson family + extended lots send their love and bestwishes. Love you. Be safe

David Just got back from Italy to read your blog and see the photos. You're cetainly taking advantage of all the opportunities, which is great. We had a good time. Heather and David's house is fabulous. Was our 25th anniversary on Weds, so we all went out for a meal and I had bought your mother a ring. The shock nearly killed her. Weather was pretty miserable - was great the day we got there but rained every day after. Ate and drank too much! Thought we might get a chance to see Italy play in the European championship while we were there, but their first match is tonight and they're losing 3-0 to Holland, so wouldn't have been a good atmosphere. Have a new? car - 5 year old Fiat Punto and yes it has power steering. Give our love to Sam. Love, Dad

maureen weston Hi Ewan - you must be about half way through your adventure now - just perused through your photos and feel very envious of your experience - never mind I've just joined the over 50's back pack association!! We are off to NZ on the 19/6 till the 9/7 then going to the Cook Islands - I understand from your mum you are also going to the cookies - if you want to meet up sometime during that period just e:mail me or Claire - you have her e:mail address I think and it would be good to meet up. we can send a photo to your mum and dad! Anyway, have fun be safexx