well mike gill louis and daisy another week gone by hearing all the news seeing all the pictures the children look fine the four of you look like your having fun the hotel looks lovely.Sorry to hear your getting ripped over your food and hotel bills mike has made a hit with the now it's gills turn to have one one with the boys good night god bless.

This message was typed by abbie xx

Hi Gill, Mike, Louis & Daisy

Looks like your having a fantasic time. Love looking at your photos especially the captions that go with them (although some where missing today) they make me laugh. Loved Daisys parasol. I read your blog post all the time, well when I get chance in work. Never get a minute at home. Were going out for tea tonight for Nattys birthday. Our life is so boring to yours, although me and Uncle Dave did go the theatre to see Brick up the Mersey and it was sooo funny, Dave kept on asking for a tishoo.

You know me, not much for words but thinking of you all the time.

Lots of love, Take care.

Auntie Gill

More fabulous blogs and photos. By the time you finish you will be able to write a book and be tourist guides!

We love reading about all your adventures and all the fab places you are visiting. I can never remember where I've been never mind all the details of the buildings etc..

Louis and Daisy really look like they are enjoying themselves and I can't say I blame anyone for thinking that they are gorgeous because they are.

Abbie and Adam are coming tonight. No doubt they will be looking for the kids and missing them like mad. Must say it is much quieter on a Thursday night now.

Nothing to report here except I got off early to have my hair trimmed and when the hairdresser saw it she took a deep breath whilst shaking her head and said "not enough time to take that on". I was a bit shocked as I thought it looked ok but she said she would come in specially on Saturday to sort it out!! Watch this space - might be wearing a hat after saturday for some time!!

Hope that computer or camera does not wear out as I don't know what we would do without the blog. The Sykpe has been a bit shakey lately but heres hoping it settles down.

Love to you all miss you loads Speak soon

Hello all,

Kermit, the leader of the muppets here.

Nobody appears to be updating you on the soccer! I can only assume that JJ is sharing his excitement through Skype?

Anyway in case you are not aware the blue noses are top and share their excitement with the blue half of Manchester.

It's been great to see Rooney, break his foot and the dirty git, Ronny get sent off for a headbutt last night. This leaves them mid table with 2 points from two games and very few strikers. The Mancs in work are all in tears which is great.

The red men defeated "Too loose" 1-0 in the champions league yesterday and I'm taking Shaun to the home leg in a few weeks. Myself & Casson are going to see the Chelsea game on Sunday and the Mancs are playing City in the manchester derby. Needless to say if Chelsea win and the Manc lose, Chelsea will have a 7 point lead 3 games in!

Anyway back to the play ground. Enjoy yourselves.

Kermit

Gday Schmichael, Gill, Daisy and Lou. Awooga to you all. I dropped you a short mail the other day Mike but MJ said you didn't get it.

Looks like you're all having an amazing time! I guess the kids'll remember it forever... Definitely lucky you met that Spencer bloke, sounds like a top guy... Not a great deal going on here in ald Larndarn tarn. We all moved out of our flat yesterday. Which was gay. I cant believe how much stuff I've accumulated, had a nightmare shifting it all. Gonna be dead easy just chucking it all in Mums loft though ... I think I'm just gonna be like Roy Cropper from now on (not married to a bloke) but carry my life around in a Tesco bag - deffo don't wanna have to do that again.

Gonna be leaving London on Friday and it's my works leaving doo tomorrow. Going to an Arabian place for food for my night out and then to the comedy store. Take it easy you lot. Keep enjoying yourselves I'll see you soon in Aussie.

Dave.

hi guys,just looked at the latest photo installments,the place looks fantastic and a lot more tourist friendly;i really liked the forbidden city-how opulent?especially when you compare it to the poverty that people are living in.the chinese children pictured are so cute,yes even the girl with the strange hair accessory!

our computer has been going haywire;it seems to have a mind of its own.1 day,fine;next day 1/2 hour to get on internet(if at all)kev has finally been able to sort the skype thing, after much kicking computer and swearing!

take care&love to you all.xxx

ps.was daisy really eating rice?!

pps.lovin that pink parasol mike.

Hi all

It was great to speak to you today you all look so well.

Just been looking at your photographs they are amazing its difficult to believe people actually live like that we dont know how lucky we are.

Louis and Daisy are looking as gorgeous as ever. Looking at pictures of them brings a smile to my face.

Love you all lots and missing you more than ever.

Joanne, Daivd, Harry and Alfiexxxxx

Hi Mike & Gill

Glad to see you are having a nice time. On my travels in China I would only say that nothing is how it seems. It is different and unless you see it for yourself, it is impossible to explain it to anybody who has not been there. I would strongly recommend that you hire your guides from your hotel they are approved and recommended and they will make sure nothing goes wrong. It is worth every penny or Yuan. Before you went away I told your dad about the guides, did he forget to tell you?

Hi Gill, Mike, Louis and Daisy

It was so nice to speak to you all over the weekend and especially the kids.

I'm made up Ella got to see you all too, even if she was being a chimp and wouldn't sit still!

Your friend Spencer reminds me of the time we were in Cuba on our honeymoon and got friendly with one of the barmen. He invited us to his friends wedding on our last day. But when he took us into the back of beyond I did fear for my life and think I was never going to make it back to England and thought I'd never see the family again.

But I couldn't have been more wrong. Forget the bride and groom, me and John were the guests of honour.

Anyway I must dash or I'm going to be late for work.

Great pics, really enjoying reading all about your adventures.

Love and hugs to you all.

Miss you lots.

xxxxxxxxxx

hiya gang. Kids love the photos and check every night for new ones. loads of hugs and kisses to Louis and Daisy from Yasmin, Chantal & Nathan.

P.S. Mike are you getting to see the football?

Oops got my email and message board mixed up. Sorry about that!!

The weather here has been quite good over the weekend, but a bit showery,managed to get a quick barby in, but they have given out a bad weather warning for later this week, gale force winds and lashings of rain so I think you are in the best place.

Have you been to the great wall yet? Bet Daisy and Louis will still be stealing the show. Mind you Gill, I noticed you were also getting in on a couple of the pics now. Only Mike to go to have the full set!

Lots of love - Speak to you soon

Hi Mike & Gill

Have found your hotel on web.Follow the link.According to the blurb on the site you can use the facilities as follows

Hotel FacilitiesGuests who stay at the Somerset Apartment Hotel also have the privilege of using the following services at the Run Hai Yuan Activity Club (located close by) at 20 % off: Fitness centre, heated swimming pool, sauna, massage centre, snooker room, and salon. Discounts of 15% off will also be provided at the Run Hai Yuan Activity Club's restaurants and café.

http://www.sinohotelguide.com/beijing/xiangxieshe/index.html

Location: In southern Chaoyang District, within close distance to many of Beijing's important business centers and tourist areas. Hotel Add: No. 6, Nanxinyuan West Road Chaoyang District, Beijing. Post Code: 100021 Hotel Tel: 86-10-58511902