Susan Gosh - we are very impressed by your travels Madeleine and we greatly enjoyed the card we received today from Bangkok, as well as the one from Sicily. Hope the diving goes well and we too greatly look forward to seeing you in September. You are missing a miserable summer here! All love fro us both Susan

Grandpa Hi Madeleine ! I have spent some time in Thailand years ago when after a Business Trip to Japan I took "holiday en route" - my Bosas did NOT approve - but spent time in Singapore before Thailand. Will show you my photpos one day. What a Land of Contrasts - whether it is food - sex - waterways - market stalls or what ! An incredible lanmd and I loved your description but definitielt a place where you need to have you "wits abaout you" and even better meet up with friends as you have ! Take care and lots of love - I know you can look after yourself but even so sa "Take Care". Loads of love - Grandpa

Vicki Koh Tao is lush we went diving there and loved the dive schhool everyone was lsuh!

Grandpa Hi ! What a berilliant description of the REAL India I rewmeber even way back in the 50's when I was in the Navy and visited the then Bombay. Incredible variations between the Rich - the Poor and the Penniless. The incredible bustle and filth - vultures gettring rid of the corpses "according to their religion" or the funeral pyres. You describle them so briliantly and the extraordinary extremes between Rich and Poor and the "Unspeakables" Hope you have a wonderful visit with Dad and SO GLAD you have seen and describe so brilliantly the more sordid side of extreme poverty and wealth and vast growth of their population ! Tell Dad my back gets better and better and am sure you will have a wonderful week together. Then on to Singapore and I believe silence for awhiole when in Fiji where you go subterraneian ? Wonderful what you are doing and best wishes for the next few weeks - I NEVER regret my time in the Navy during the Korena War - then the Suez Canal War - but never sadly got to new Zealand or Australia whereuntil about 2 years ago I had maintained contact with RAN or RNZ offiecers who joined and trained with me during the 50's. Lots of love and good luck - you paint with words a fantastic venture. X X X X

Paul Baker Hi Maddy, I'm in Davos, just to let you know that the Lorna fund have given you GBP400 towards your teaching in Cambodia - you'll get in summer so if you need it earlier borrow from Mum and Dad, all the best PABS

Tom Dear madeleine I spelt your name write sounds like your having a waaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiil of a time love your dearest brother tom xxxxxx ooooooo

Grandpa What a fantastic time you seem to be having and I was interested to read Angela's message to you. Are you doing any sketching to go with your Bulletins later ? Love Grandpa

Aunt Angela Dear Madeleine How fantastic India is now alive in my thoughts, I love your stories and descriptions and they remind me of my Indian adventure I can so relate to some of your experiences, keep having a fab time, travel takes a while to get into the flow, and India taught me just that. Such great visual stimulation and crazey crazey place for the artistic eye, wonder why I live here? Let me know when you experience Holy Day (I think it is called) when every one throws paint at each other, and the advice of not going out in the streets is worth listening to in my experience. Lovely to hear from you, have lots more fun. Loads of love from Aunt A and little furry ball wrapped up warm on top of the boiler.. Trumpie xxxxxxxx

Ibbs Wow, it is such a good idea of yours to do this! Your vibrant descriptions and maximum detail make me feel like I'm there with you sharing the experiences :)it sounds like you're having a fantastic time, a day enjoying nature definitely beats one spent in lectures!!keep up the blogging, you make my day everytime I read it :) Much love as ever x x x Ibbs x

Grandpa It has been an expensive weeek for mw as I spend so much time watching TV I have finally bought a Flat Screen HD set and am SO GLAD I DID - IT IS BRILLIANT. Then my Computer Printer died aged 6 so I had to buy as new one (only £50 though) but then had what is stressful for an old man I had to download the Software and get both it and the TV working ! I finally won but was relly stressed out so neededsome alcoholic refreshemt - nearly got drowned in doing so !!! Been out watching some Game Shooting as my hip and legs are SO much better and it did me a power of good. Longest I have walked or beenn out since my hip got bad in April ! Also first time out since dear Psimba went to the "Happy Hunting Grounds" but then ended up ata Pub where there was another shoot where Angela is "Head Beater" but she had just left but met many old Castle Combe friends to round of a great day. Glad you are so much hapier and relaxed now after hearing from Dad.Sounds great. Lots of luv - Grandpa

Gran and Ian We are so enjoying your blogs, you make us feel so much closer to you and cheers us up at the thought of the wonderful sea and sand instead of our gloomy dark skies. I keep referring to the atlas to find out where you are ! We look forward to the next one, so much better than the occasional e-mail. You are obviously having fun and a great experience. Lots and lots of love Gran

Grandpa Pity I can't have a Slide Show as I have to downloand and pay £32 for Javascript.AND Adobe Flash so just enjoying looking at the individual pics ! Luv Grandpa

Tom It sounds a like your having an awesome time hope you call soon love Tom