Hi there we have just looked on the message board and honestly, we have sent messages since the one on here. Where have they gone - it's mystery. Have spent a lovely half hour trawling through your latest pics. How nice they are, tramsporting us to another world far from the wind and rain that we are currently having. I detect a very fishy theme, we are still hopeful that you will find similar in the canal with your magic touch! I'm glad you have had lots of different weather having been to New Zealnd en route, so this will not be a complete shock to the system on your return. But what's bearable in a place like that is less bearable in one like this! From where we are, it feels like the country is going crazy in a political and financial sense and the speed at which it has happened! Oh well there is time enough for all that when you retiurn. Won't be long now - but do relish the time you have left of your trip. Much love xxxxx

Hiya,

Just thought I'd drop you a quick line. Weather here is bright but cold. Very Autumnal, I like this kind of weather. I start 4 nights on onday so am trying to psych myself up for this. Gemma, I've got a new job. I'vfe finally managed to escape the hell that is ward 6!! I start on the 3rd of November.

I hope you are well. I'm missing you soooo much. I've got a countdown going til I can see you again. Take care. Love ya.

Lynnette xxx

Bonjour! Yes we are back. As you know we are always b*****ingoff (thanks Yana) Some adventures and glory be some sunshine too. Much refreshed and catching up with everything, mainly work unfortunately. I suppose someone's got to fund the next holiday. it's really cold here and I can't get warm at all. Thought we might have done the wrong thing though when we got to Avignon. After a really hot day, the heaven's opened. We were parked at a riverside sight (lovely views of 'le pont' etc) on a pitch opposite David and Carol divided by the campsite road. Well it bucketed down, David had water coming off his roof and through the seals in his windows at the front, towels and buckets were required. After half an hour of this the road began to fill up. First it was like a stream, then a small river. We thought we were going to need an ark to get out! Luckily, the pitches were slightly raised up from the road level (me thinks through prior experience n'est pas?) but we were stranded and watching as the water rose on the opposite pitch creeping ever closer towards our van. Front wheels already in water it began to ease off thank goodness and Dad fearing a similar flood in our van as we had dealt with in david's waded across in barefeet like the true trooper he is. Wtaer was up to his knees and it had all happened in a matter of half an hour! Anyway all was well. The van was dry inside. The water began to drain away, but it took a long time. I was all of a do as you can imagine but afterwards we had a laugh about it. After that weather wise it was more settled and we had sun alot of the time. We've had alot of laughs oncluding David getting fancy with the French and instead of asking the rather pretty waitress for 'lait' for his tea, asked her if she had a 'lit' (bed) instead. he got a very funny look and when we went back a day or two later, she was still giggling! Definately not ' get your coat, you've pulled - more 'bludy hell these anglais!' David has driven us around so that has been a change from navigating the roads ourselves. Ex police drivers don't mind being aggressive with the locals, so there have been many incidents when anglo/ french relations have been stretched! All the time we have been away, Gramps has been ok. Gail has kept him happy and reasonably well and I haven't been worried at all. So now it's back to reality as they say. We know that now it's October you will be thinking about endings and new beginnings too. We are looking forward to your return but enjoy the time you have left. England can wait a bit longer I think even though we'll be happy to have you both back. Happy belated birthday to Gemma, you will always remember your 30th I guess. Take care where ever you are now. We will see you soon. With all our love xxx

Peace out ?

I'll give ye 'peace out' when ye get back....right on t'nose end !

happy birthday Gem, what did you do to celebrate? can't belive you're 30 now. had a quick look at some of your photos and they look great. when is your yr up? x

Happy birthday Gemma!

Can't believe you're still out there trevelling! Hope this msg comes as a big surprise to you and that you're enjoying the finish of your journey. Sweden is getting colder now and we would love to go away again. However, we do enjoy our new apartment and the luxury of having our own shower and fridge... All the best wishes from us!

/ Nick and Caroline

Happy Birthday Gemma, hope you have a great day...seem to think you mentioned celebrating youre 30th in Fiji, cant think of a better place to have a birthday. Looking forward to seeing you when you get back, not long now!

Love from both of us.x.

Now then Affro and Gemma, apologies for not being in touch for so long...I know how much it must brighten your day when you see i've posted a message.

I'm three and a half months into my new venture and can't complain really. Just on the brink though now of my first autumn and winter which will bring to light new experiences and challenges (should be drier though). Started Uni the other week, every monday until next June/July in Harrogate....well, not every Monday, you know what uni term time is like. Tank and the lads will be keeping me in ale though at the matches as i'm a student, can I borrow some of your clothes when you get back so I look the part ?

It's all change for Simon & Helen aswell, Helen's running a boozer in Horbury ! Simon's elbows have already made indentations in the bar.....I tell ye, it's crackers over ere....100 mph !

Looking forward to your return, i've bought some Homer Simpson glasses (the ones with eye balls painted on the front) for your slideshow presentation.

Take care the two of you and.....................................Up the reds !

Hiya mate - was weird seeing Remarkables lok so different. I definitely preferred them in the snow. Your scenic flight looks like ours over Milford Sound - Awesome! Glad you're feeling better and enjoy North Island. xx

Hiya Guys.

Gosh your photos are fantastic wish we were there but must admit it will be nice to see you in a couple of months. Thanks very much for our post card it look amazing but very cold on the picture. Well Matthew Daniel is in with the Big men now is is working for the man who sponsors town the casino red man (hes trying to get a box for you all when you get back). I have got another new job but this one is doing what i really wanted its in the community in Batley so i have had to give backword to Barnsley. We havent really been upto much although we have done a little bit of traveling ourselves yep thats right we have been to Blackpool hehe. Dan doing ok with work and im quite happy now im finally qualified. Well your mum and dad have decided to b***** off again (must be nice). Nothing really happening in Grange Moor just same old same old (your not missing anything). Im sure you enjoyed your experiance of skiing it looks fabulouse. Well theres marons wedding on 19th of this month so that should be nice. Anyway going to go got patients to see (poor them). Will speak to you soon, continue enjoying your travels. Speak soon love the 2 most important people in your life (hehehehe). x x x x x x x

Hi both. Thanks for postcard and now a feast of photos and news. it looks amazing and you both look really well. We can see that NZ did not disappoint. As you know we love mountains and we can almost smell that air from looking at your photos. Gemma you are intrepid - so now you can ski - fantastic! I can sense that you beginning to think about home now - but do continue to enjoy what you have. We are likewise looking forward to seeing you and know that you will be aware that it will be a massive culture change after the adventures you have had. You will require a canoe if this rain doesn't stop though. the weather continues to be terrible. We can't wait to get away again! 26 degrees in s of France warmer than where you are now but I guess that's only temporary! I can't remember where you go next. But your Dad wants a job in New Zealand so can you find anything for a slightly crumbly but still active old git? I have to say that I myself could work there tomorrow as i have contacts!!!Gramps is not too bad - stable at the moment. I feel ok about leaving him for a while anyway. Gail is the most important person in his life and as long as she's there everything in the garden is lovely as far as he's concerned. Everyone should have a Gail when they get old I think. So - for the moment - look after yourselves and we will get in touch in a week or two. As always with love xxxxx

Hey up you two! Great pics of NZ but not so great ones of me!! Can't believe it was only last week that we were there! We had such an amazing time. Definitley want to nick some of the pics. By the way some of the ones that you said were Lake Tekapo are Lake Pukaki that we stopped at before we got to Tekapo and our camera battery had died. The pointy mountain was Mt Cook. Let us know what else you're up to. Lots of love Katie and Justin