Kate, personal message to you to congratulate you on the fab blog post. Lovsha.

I've heard the book about Michael Thomas (Dad's fave on the ipod) is a great read....And I love Time Travellers Wife and Kite Runner - (Just my ten pence worth)

p.s. thank you all for the birthday wishes. 25 is great. But I am tired and feel like death today. x

Hi,

Just thought you'd like to know that Mount Fitzroy is named after the naval captain of THE BEAGLE which was a survey ship working on the coast line of Tierra del Fuego. He is also the man who started what has now become The Met Office.

I have a very good book all about him if you're interested on your return.

Much love

Mum XXX

(fount of all useless info!!!)

Hey Nick you have this guy pegged just right of course I told him patagonia and showed him on the map. who said he never listens? anyway nice to hear from you. love to both . stay classy Santiago. xx

I know Paraguay have a footy team of sorts but never even heard of Patabloodygonia. You are over there trying to catch some soccer games are you not?

Chile - A goalie called BRAVO if I recall. Guess he always gets a good write up!!!

Will look out for the ManUre video and care for it accordingly/

Luvs ya

Thanks for all your birthday wishes family peeps!! Sorry I couldn´t be there on Sunday Lubes, sounds like you would have had a lovely day though; that was quite an illustrious crows to gather for you on your birthday! Thanks for singing to me too, you are a sweet bunch and I lovesha all!

Jan, thank you for your gentle sympathy for the trials and tribulations of being a United fan. . .just be grateful that no one is talking about your star player leaving as they´re too busy talking about ours!! Maybe we could use some of the 100 million quid to pay 4 for the Berb!! Oh yeah, I´m looking forward to a resumption of the Hughes/Stefanowicz book club this summer. ..I´ve got a cracker for you. . . I am certain you´ll love it but it is. . . SCIENCE FICTION. ..ooh, it´s a dirty word isn´t it!! Your geography HAS failed you in some respects, or maybe it was your ears as Marion yelled Patagonia and you heard Paraguay!

Patagonia is REALLY far south and was VERY cold! But really good fun and think Kashy has posted all about it, and she´s putting some piccies on now so get ready to ooh and aah!! Really beautiful there, and we had some more adventures.

Thank you for the money Marion (and Jan) it´s really sweet of you. I will be doing the choosing but I´m sure that Kash will be giving me some quite forceful prods in a mutually appropriate direction!!

I´ve sent you a little email of your own Mum, before I thought to come on here, it asks for help as usual!!

Happy birthday Luble-dooble-Mcgrooble-crooble-buble!!!!! Have a great day, are you at work today?!

Love love love

Me!

Happy Birthday Nicholarse! hope kate is half nice and the plane journey isn't too terrifying. i have to get a 13 row puddle jumper on monday to Toronto and nearly threw up just booking the ticket! its not even for fun!

looking forward to the piccies of flamingos and continuing to plan a day of wonder, pampering, splurging and gorging (aka my birthday) for when you get here.

m xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BIRTHDAY BOY!!!

So TODAY is the day Nick. Best wishes and have a great day - well reading this I guess it's a great 3 months! KT - be on best behavior and do something nice - maybe carry Nicks back pack for him!!

Reading all the goss is taking over from looking at your photos- that is until I saw mention of Man Utd and of course immediately blanked out. You bunch of saddos. It must be so tough supporting a winning team - and nearly fainting in the Final - gimme strength. At least us 'under achievers' don't share that same stress.

I am told by mumsy that you are in Paraguay - and here my geography will fail me - but assume that is quite far south and therefore rather cold. Isn't it the meat in the sandwich between Brazil and Argentina? So post some movies and such so we can take a gander.

Tom sends his best to you both and wishes you a happy day Nick. I think he is still waiting for his birthday card from you Kate!

Anyway - Ive kept this message clean. Just got a call from he village - they are missing me - so gotta run

Popsx

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, Happy birthday dear Nicholas< Happy birthday to you!

When we sung to Lucy on Sunday we all sung to you too. How sweet is that. Hope you have a fab birthday. Where are you and what will you be up to?

Will Kate be obeying all requests as usual on your bday?

Missing you both lots but glad you're having a great trip.

Lots of love,

Mum and Dad

XXX

Hi guys hope all is well in Patagonia sounds like you are loving it. kash i've transferred some cash into your account for Nick's birthday so I hope you can do something exotic with it but Nick gets to choose ok missing you lots and enjoying your trip at the same time how weird is that. love you both. xxx

where are all the stefanowiczs? oh and Happy birthday Nick you too Lucy.

- Its our birthday weekend and I'm loving it, cos you aren't here to steal my thunder!!!! Seriously though, its weird you not being here and I want you to come home NOW! Mum has a virtual WiiFit age of 35, Dad's is 38, Uncle Dunc is 59, and Aunty "Crowl" was 75! If I tell you what my virtual Wii Fit age is I might cry into my keyboard which would prevent me from finishing this message. Oh, by the way..Guido bought me a Wii Fit for my birthday. Mum and Dad have been down since Friday and A.C and U.D came round for dinner last night at Chez Coolio a.k.a Bedford Place. It's raining - typical Bank Hol weekend weather..Dad and Guy are off playing squash. Later on, Dan, Nat, Will, Joey, bump, Rich, "Crowl", Gunger Duncy, Roshie, Tom, Dave n Debs, and Gui and me are having lunchy/dinner on Oxford Street. It goes without saying that we'll be thinking of the Birthday Boy and wishing you were both with us all. That reminds me, I've got to book the table. xxxxxx

You too Mum, sorry it was so short! Did you manage to get Dad to watch it with you then? I bet you were a right wreck for penalties, you hate them!! I was terrible, from the 2nd half until Van Der Sar saved from Anelka I thought I was going to faint. I had to eat a packet of sugar!! But it is brilliant being a United fan. Although it´s a shame Tevez couldn´t have scored one of his chances, or Giggs had a right foot to spare Terry his misery. . .United don´t seem to just win European Cup finals; we totally crush the opponents´ spirits!! Kash and I went for a walk today, found a load of pink flamingos at a beautiful spot, and my team won the "best double" in football yesterday. . .does life get better than this. . .work starts in just over 3 months though. . .eep. Why is Dad being so slow in replying to my email?! It´s not like he has anything better to do!

Thanks for the "news" Luby, sounds good. . .no poodles!!!