i think the chances of Maclean getting any pecking done are somewhere between slim and none!! i give Pies more chance of getting pecked!! anyway, pecking in that cold weather can be hazardous!

Good news about the snow and you're maintaining intellect with scrabble. Thought I saw you the other day on the webcam of Big Cow ! Two more (black) hens have arrived and already laying despite being pecked by old residents - wonder if that happens in Thredbro to new arrivals? Beware T bones and fine living at start of season because you'll be down to beans soon enough when they realise they have underbudgeted for your apetites. Hope you get some punters soon to bring in the cash and to practice waiting skills. Sorry Ali, no contribution for your exhaust - try wrapping a pair of tights around the bit with the hole!

Good work father - i can imagine this to be nothing other than an extension of the Regular Commissions Board initiative test - which unfortunately fundamentally means there's a high chance of failure! I have however been saved the traumas assosiated with showing bikini clad ladies how to mount a button lift by a massive drop in temperature and a tom like dump of snow which means that unless there are any geordies here sensible clothing's a must! Yes for the first time in 6 months i've seen an aussie with all limbs covered. The snow has arrived - we had about a foot last night and it's still going, so hopefully we can christen the mountain tommorrow. I bought some skis for $65 - real classics, my blades have been waxed and sharpened, and if i cut off my big toe i may be able to fit into some old boots i found lying around the chalet! there's 5 of us running the chalet - Rob and Jane the managers, Nick who i met in Bris, and Jenna - due to the lack of snow there haven't been any guests yet so there's been a lot of drinking, cleaning, drinking and eating. Last night we ate T-bone steaks, with a bottle of wine next to the massive open fire place before tucking into a game of late night scrabble as it snowed outside - BRILLIANT

Dear 'Dad', my exhaust needs replacing too. Can you send a cheque to Ali Meier, £6 Regent Street, oXford. Much obliged kind sir!!

Could this be a continuation of your RCB? E.g: You have been sent on a winter warfare leadership course only to find a tropical climate and inhabitants in bikinis. Demonstrate how you a) Convert downhill into water skis b) Use a drag lift successfully through meadow grass c) recamouflage your white disruptive pattern suits to blend with sand & coconut palms d) What message do you send back to your Commanding Officer. ....You have ten minutes to consider the problem and the four months you elected to stay in Thredbo to perfect the answers!

Seriously delighted you have arrived all safe and sound. Have a look at the Antarctic Web Site - with some 10 miles of permafrost in Dronning Maud land (I'll tell you about that one day having sailed past it), some of the top snow might blow over in your direction!

Love Dad - and Mum, Wills, Poopy, Moppet (who has just cost us £77 for a complete vetinary overhaul plus injections), and the Poultry (fortunately no further absentees at evening role call).
PS Just spent £137 on your car for new exhaust.

23 hour plane journey through Bangkok, followed by a 7 hour bus ride and i have arrived at Thredbo, to be greeted by the lovely green mountains - yes the fact that they are called snowy mountains is a complete myth as far as i can see! Still start of the season, 4 months to go, heres hoping. Internet seriously expensive out here so must be brief also must make my way up to my chalet.

i cannot believe you deleted those last posts - i am most disappointed in you Chris - it's not like anyone actually reads these boards anyway is it??!!

quality weekend lads, quality.

Just had an awesome weekend back - wedding on saturday, bride's father is the senior partner at Deloittes so his stately home was more than an adequate setting for the most exclusive reception i've ever been to. Then on Sunday the old team was reunited as Tom hosted a fine party of 'real' beer drinking, bbq, garden cricket, swimming and of course Pro Evo 4. Monday saw 4 sets of tennis followed by a swim and a lot of ruddles back in my village pub. Im going back on the 9th June, i m contactable via my home phone 01252 850699, hoping to pack out my days as much as possible - and look forward to seeing any of you who are around.

Heyya

Looks like you had a nice birthday..haha.. what happened with your job? Wanna meet up in asia in october? Email, email, email.... Zara xxxx

NO BAKED GOODS, or adhesive products! You could get yourself in a lot of trouble Tom WJ! P.S i would like to add that i hold no responsibility for this boys uncouth nature....the word "c*** quot; should not be plastered accross this website so frivolously when it is read with great interest by one Colonel, a lawyer, retired General and my dad! Actually i don't think dad would know what it meant so you're off the hook there!

Definitely Pie ... mmmm ... sweeeeet warm apple Pie ...

well Mr Welfare, thank you for starting such an interesting topic of conversation. i can brealy contain my excitement as i contemplate the question you have posed me. my answer is..... wait for it.... Pie.