Hey Helen. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope you are having a fab time, though from your last message it sounds like you have already been celebrating. It has taken me ages to read through all the messages since the last time I wrote, I'm afraid I have been very slack and not been on the webpage for a while. It seems that everyone is ok, I can't wait for Chicago's when you get back, I expect you to show yourself up! My parents are currently in Sydney and enjoying themselves in the hot weather. I am taking my brother and sister to Heathrow soon as they are off to New Zealand. So it will just be little old me left in the UK!! Boo Hoo. Skiing was great fun, but very tiring. Met a lovely guy but didn't get a snog as his parents were with us all the time, also didn't get a number, I am rubbish! I will have a look at your photos soon. We will have to have a night in watching your dvd's and looking at your photos when you get back! Will email later. Enjoy the rest of your birthday! x

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me! Oh dear i'm 25! God my life is going far to fast. Well, i have made it through the outback and i'm finally in ALice Springs. Team Pomme hit alice springs last night with avengence, more about that later! So then my week.....

Monday: Left adelaide very early in really bad weather had to re direct our route as there was serious flooding. Along the way we went to see some aboriginal drawings in caves and finally after about 10 hours of driving we watched the sunset and got to our random hostel in the middle of no where, but the town had 5 people living there and a pub! That night i ate kangaroo, camel and emu. Lovely!!

Tuesday: Left the middle of nowhere to travel again to the middle of no where in the flinders ranges. Once there we did a hike up Wilpena Pound and saw the fantastic views across the ranges. It was stunning and bloody knackering! That night we stayed in a sheep station hostel and had a camp fire.

Wednesday: Got up at 4am to start our mamouth journey to Coober Pedy. This was the bit of the journey where we entered the outback. I'm not joking we travelled for about 10-12 hours and saw nothing but the outback, you forget how vast this country is. Got to coober pedy which is famous for opal mining had a tour around the town, which to be fair didnt take long at all and then a tour of the mining under ground. IT was really interesting as most of the town live underground due to the heat as it can get up to 60 odd degrees. Even when we were there it was stonking hot. After our tours we went to look for opals ourselves, no luck i'm afraid! That evening we had pizza and then went to an underground bar and then stayed in a hostel with was also underground. Oh yeah also, i went to the toilet with a red back spider which is the deadliest spider in oz!

Thursday: Up at 4am again! Solid driving again for the whole day again, i suppose it was lucking that we had a good group on the bus, we kept ourselves amused! By the evening we had finally got to Uluru/ayers rock and had a look around the cultural centre and watched sunset with a glass of champers and nibbles! What a sight tho, ayers rock is beautiful and it feels so weird to say that i'.ve seen it now. That night we stayed in a campsite, had a bbq, and then slept outside under the stars! Fab! Until you hear the hollowing of dingos and wake up with a mate telling you that there was a hunts man spider next to her last night! Nice!

Friday: Lay in and got up at 4:40am! Watched sunrise at ayers rock and then walked all the way round. Its massive, it took up ato n hour and a half. IT was really good to do as you can touch it and get to see what it is really like. After that we drove to Kata Tjuta (a collection of rock like ayers rock) and did another walk through the mountains and saw some more spectactular views. IN the afternoon we drove to kings canyon and stayed in another campsite with a camp fire and slepy outside again. This time i woke up and i freaked myself out thinking that dingos were in the camp! Also the toilets has red back spiders in all over! You feel very vulnerable going to the loo with a red back just to your left butt cheak!

Saturday: Got up early to do a hike across kings canyon, it was spectaluar. The views were amazing, i dont think pictures do it all justice. After lunch we drove to Alice Springs, along the way we spotted wild camels! Arrived in Alice early evening. From then on the night got extremley messy! I got free champers in the hostel bar as it was my b'day and eveyone sung me happy b'day while i stood on a table! Team pomme went to another bar in alice springs, and that is where it all went wrong for me. After shots and wine i a little messy, apparently i was dancing like a kangaroo, yes i was jumping around the dance floor, when we came to leave i fell over outside, kerry carried me back to the hostel where on the way i decided to phone mum and dad. Spent abit of time in the hostel bar and then kerry and adj put me to bed. I'm on the top bunk with no ladder and aparently i they had to lft me on to the bed, then i needed the loo. I proceeded to undress myself by just taking of my belt and then passed out. Next thing i know, i wake up fully dressed! So now its my b'day and i writing this email to you all nursing a bad hangover, i finally got out of my going out clothes at lunch time after saying goodbye to a team pomme member. I was only with these guys for 10 days but it has been such a laugh and i'm gona miss them all like mad. Me, kerry and kim go to darwin together on tuesday but the lads are going to other places.

So thats about it, helen is 25, in alice springs nursing a severe hangover and its 30 odd degrees, its all very weird! Thanks for all my texts and b'day cards. I hope your all ok and are not laughing at me too much about my drunken stories?!

Bye 4 now i'm off to sort out my head!
Love Helen xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sorry the last message was from Gemma not Helen. I hate computers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Helen,

Just to let you know our plans to australia as our trip is now coming around very soon. We are booking up to swim with the whale sharks on mon 24th april and diving/snorkelling weds 26th to the Murion island both from exmouth. The email address of the company we are going with is: www.exmouthdiving.com.au. Just is case you are fancy joining us if you are around at the same time. Craig is now definately staying out in oz as he has managed to sort out his visa.

The changes rooms at fareham are now open to join the new gym, it looks really good. However as we guessed they have now put up our membership. Kara and I did spinning this morning and then went for a Swim and sauna. Kara managed to press the emergy alarm in the sauna which was very funny when the life guard turned up to rescue her.

Hope you have a great birthday tomorrow it sounds like you will be celebrating in style! Sorry we can't be there to join you.
Love Gemma xxxxxxx

Hi Hellie, I hope you're enjoying the new leg of your adventure! Sorry to hear you didn't find a job in Melbourne but it sounds like you've thought it all through and what you've decided is the best way to go! And the last part of your trip sounds action packed so at least you'll go out with a bang! Thanks for the birthday card, I haven't opened it yet as its my birthday tomorrow but I may not get chance to email tomorrow so I'll say thanks now! I hope you have a great birthday in Aus, I'm sure it will be a memorable one (as long as you don't drink too much and wake up in a bush somewhere). Things are fairly busy with me. Have been travelling quite a bit with work lately so its been nice to have a bit of time at home this week and sort my life out! Plus Andrew went in to hospital to have his knee done last week so I have been "nursing" him for the last two weeks. He was threatening to get a little bell so he could ring it whenever he wanted something but he went off that idea after I told him where I'd stick it if he did :o) He's been a pretty good patient though- not too many man-like moans of "oh the pain!". Going out for a meal for my birthday tomorrow night in Windsor, which should be cool. I think that's it from me really! I am eagerly awaiting the pictures from the Neighbours party so I hope you find a place with decent internet soon! Hopefully they are not as scary as Lisa's were! Hope you're having fun whatever you are doing! Happy birthday for Sunday! love Lynds xxxxx

Hey Helena, had a bit of a technical hitch with the last message it wouldn't work on my pc so i did it on someone else's it still didn't work so i went third time lucky and got all three!! Modern technology, eh! Right confession time, on 6th May i will be out a bit later than all of you cos i forgot i've got a ticket for the army vs navy rugby match at twickenham that day. Last year i made it to the pub by about 10pm so i shouldn't be to far behind you all. If it happens that i don't end up going cos i give my ticket away then i will be there at 8pm sharpe but i will let you know nearer the time. Nothing much has really been going on here, had a text argument with mick on thursday which was great it's one of those 'nice to know who your real mates are' things. I've e-mailed you today with the latest update on me, not sure what you'll think though!! I will write again at the weekend with any gossip from our cowboy and indian night out on Saturday. Take Care, loads of love Jules xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hay people, i have finally found the internet and now have reception on my phone! Over the last few days i've been in the middle of no where! I left melbourne on thursday heading up the great ocean road and then on to the grampians (lots of trees and mountains) I did it with a backpacker tour company and it was fantastic. I had such a good laugh and met a real good group of people, some of which are going on to the alice springs tour tomoz, so i'm really excited!! I have tried to download my pics but the computer is so slow and i gave up. Sorry! During this trip we watched the sunset over the 12 apostles (big rocks in the sea) climbed a mountain in the grampians and had a wicked night out in adelaide last night. There were 4 brits, 1 i met at the neighbours night on monday. I asked him if he was in the games as he was wearing a tshirt and he said yes he's a squash player. What a fool i am, he has taken the piss out of me ever since. (rob on the message board by the way) The others are a real good laugh and they'll all be in alice for my b'day and sounds like its gona be a big night out for everyone. Yay!! Anyway, adelaide to alice springs is the next trip, 1200km in total in 6 days, we'll be camping out under the stars, watching sunrise at ayers rock and generally soaking up the true australia in the outback. I'm really excited! Not to sure when i'll email next, it maybe next weekend when i get to a proper town! Hope your all well and happy? C u soon, as i can say that now! Love Helen xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Just had a quick look at your little website jobby and its cool. I bet all your friends are jealous of you meeting somebody who competed in the commonwealths (4th in the squash remember....sucker) and that will teach you not to talk to strange guys. Also I hope you wont forget the story of the wheelchair incident as it is definately one of the highlights (maybe low point) of my entire life.

Anyway enjoy the rest of your trip (I might be on part it) and have a good birthday

Rob

Hi Helena. I am still in shock that you will be home in 45 days time. I cant wait to see you. Things here are fine. The weather is very slowly improving. I hope you can come to Newquay with us as it wont be the same without you. So far everyone is going except Lorraine. I will keep your birthday card and present safe until you return, hey we could have a birthday night out for you what do you think. I am still waiting to see the neighbours photos so hurry up and post them.

HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY DEAR HELENA. HAVE A FANTASTIC DAY xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Well best go as work is calling. Look after yourself. Love Holly xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Yo, yo, yo people. Shell, m'dear good to hear from you! Put the kettle on i'm home in 45 days!! Yes people i set off tomorrow on my long trip up north and then down the west coast. I'm very excited and i just hope the tour company i'm with are good. But then again i enjoyed the magic bus in nz and i was a bit nervous about them, so i'm sure i'll be fine. If not i'll use this ere website to moan about all the losers i'm travelling with! Well, last day in melbourne. I wandered around the docklands, fed sq, watched us get beaten by the oz's in the basketball in fed sq and walked down the river. It is packed here at the mo so it'll be good to go somewhere very, very remote! Said goodbye to teresa and her mates nat and rob tonight after a drink along the river. Yes, its was a final goodbye for me and t i'll see her in 7 months when she finally returns. So then, i'll email as much as i can which i'm sure i'll be able to do as i'm staying in hostels most of the time. So its a goodbye from Melbourne and a goodbye form me for the time being..smile, i'm home in 45 days!!!! By the way i'was talking to t about chicagos on the sat i return and she laughed at me and said i'll be way to tired, but i will get thru it for my chums!! You may just need to wake me half way thru the night! Ha, ha!!! Bye for now. Loads of love Helen xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hello again, just re-read my message and noticed I've missed out a word - should have put wishing you a slightly early HAPPY BIRTHDAY, silly fool. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hey Hunny, just as your friend Shell has said, I hope you get this message before you set off. I will try to ring or text you on the actual day but with you being out and about in the outback I may not get through so if I can't heres wishing you a slightly HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I hope you have a wicked 25th - you are certainly doing something different to celebrate it - definately 1 to remember. Enjoy the last parts of your journey - I will keep checking this site incase you get a chance to update us. Take care of yourself and see you real soon. Love and miss ya. Me.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx