Dear Laurenand Louise hi there pleased that you arrived safely in Australia .Roy just telephoned me with your travel itinary for the next few weeks it all sounds amazing!!! Good luck with the sky diving and i,m sure you willlove the Great Barrier reef. I,ve had the decorater roun this week finishing the psainting in the lounge its looking really good. I,ll be in touch again soon. Much love Mumxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hey Lauren, wow this website is a revelation! Mum thinks we ought to keep this up after you get home as a way of the Smith family communicating with each other coz she has learnt stuff from peoples messages she didnt know before! Just been through your photo albums and the places you have been to look amazing! You must have met so many new people and learnt so much about their different cultures and their way of life, it will be something you will never forget!

Nothing much happening at home, we hope the weather is better where you are! We do have our birthdays coming up though and I'm really going to miss you on my 18th! Cant wait to see you at xmas, if you decide to come home of course!

Have a great time in Australia! mum and dad send their love too! Lots of love from Hannah and Sophie x x x x x x x x x

Hello my lovelies!!!

My little heart weeps with pride at the amazing things you two have been doing!!! its so wierd seeing some of the photos knowing i've been in the exact samwe place at some point or another - you'll get the same feeling once you come to Oz-im sure Carls is already feeling it with me! how cool are we travelling this big round world?! cool chicks as Royston might say! lol.

Loving and missing you lots girlies! Keep safe and i'll see you in about 5weeks!!!! aaahhhh...

x x x x

Hi louise, have just read about your latest experiences, can't believe all I'm reading, sounds absolutely fantastic. I can just visulise the scene of you both pushing the bus in the mud(a great beauty therapy by the way) It has gone so quickly - will be opening presents before you know it. will be off for a short Christmas Hol. soon - its all go! Off to get some more Christmas shopping, Can't wait to see you, enjoy the rest of your amazing journey, lots of love to you both - nan xxxxxxxxx

Lauren it was such a lovely surprise to get your text message - thank you so much. I had a lovely birthday and your message made it extra special. Lots of love

Jan

Dear Lauren just wanted to let you know that i got your telephone message, so sorry I only missed you by about 10 mins. I was down in the garage busy selling the cooker!!

sad to have missed you good luck with your journey to Aus.

Popped to see Aunty Jan with Nan Jones this afternoon she was thrilled to get your text wishing her a happy birthday. We showed Nan your latest photos which she was really pleased to see. Love you,Mumxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Lauren,

Sounds and even more so - looks like you are having an amazing time. Love the photo's. Lots of drinking going on!

Hope you enjoyed Vietnam and the journey wasn't too long - how long did it take you to get there! I'm sure it was worth it!

You both take care and look forward to the next update.

Lots of love

Glen and Gem

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hey girls just had to let you know my ground breaking news! Yes after many monthes of trying I have finally managed to sell the cooker after an advert in loot. A lady from Abbey wood came with her daughter today to collect Hoorah!!!! They also saw the sofa and liked the look of it so watch this space. Anyway I,m glad that Roy has kept you up to date with more important world events. Hope Vietnam has proved exciting for you and wishing good luck with your travel toyour next destination

Australia don,t forget the high factor sun lotion while your there as your extra close to the hole in the ozone!! Have fun and continue to take care of each other, Love and hugs Mumxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character" Martin Luther King Jnr, Aug 1963. President Elect, United States of America, Barack Obama, Nov 2008. Hope you've been able to keep on top of this one guy's. History is made. Anyway Strictly come Dancing . . . ! Hope Vietnam continues to thrill, safe journey to Aus on Monday. As ever your loving Father. x x

Dear Lauren and

louise just a short message with some news.

I had a card in the post today to let us know that our old neighbours

karen and jeff have had their new baby. It was a little boy weighing 7lb 9oz and they have named him Adam he arrived on30th October I thought you would like to know speak to you soon lots of love Mumxxxxxxxxxxx

i

Hello Lauren and Louise,Sally here, Laura and Jessica's mum. Karen has popped over for a bit to eat with us this Saturday evening sp it has given Nic and myself a chance to see what you girls have been up to these past few months and I must say that I am completely jealous. It looks as though you are having a fabulous time. Will look forward to seeing future entries. PS. Billy Elliott was really good when I saw it. Love from Sally, Nic,Laura and Jessica. Pps. Sorry for any mistakes. I love computers not.

I Dear Lauren and Louise, I have just come indoors after giving my car a much needed wash. I ve been really lucky this week has been half term and although it has been cold the weather has been lovely and bright and dry. Dad has just told me that you arrived in Hanoi today and is raining hard there. I was reading your Vietnam guide book last night and it did say that there can be heavy rain this time of year.Hope it improves! I m really pleased that although I had to disconect the computer and internet box yesterday for Antony to do electric work when I came to reconnect justn now it seems to be working fine. The first thing I did was check your blog.It was great too see all the lovely new photos. Iparticularly liked the ones of you on the elephant. He looks as if he is smiling in the one when you had got off and were feeding him bananas.Some of the vies are fab, the waterfalls and sunset. It looks as if youve found a few new friends to share drinkss with and it was good to see proof of your cooking course. Auntie Jan is trying to organise to go out for as she puts a bit of a boogie!! for her birthday on 6th Nov which should be fun.Keep safe and carry on having a wonderful time Love and hugs to you both Mumxxxxxxxxxxp.s. both sets of grandparents send their love to!!!!!!!!