Monica Hey Emma, I'm home in 4 days- it's gone so fast! Windsurfing sounds ace, are you gonna be around for Kay's thing? I'll call u when I get home Monica x

Emma hey monica! sounds like you're having an amazing time!how much longer have you got travelling?I just got back from a weeks windsurfing or attempting to on wed!Just back up in glasgow working for a week then back to newcastle for a few days so hopefully catch up when you're back, enjoy the rest of you're time! love em x

Monica Sorry about that, the map is now correct and yes, we are still travelling together, she hasn't given up on me yet- I think she only wants me for my debit card though... ;-) Didn't get to do the walk in the end, the guides cancelled it for all the days we were in Taupo but Rachel did a sky dive yesterday, I did not as I am a wuss but I think I will one day. Gonna see a Maori dance this evening and go zorbing tomorrow, you sit in a giant inflatable ball with water inside it and roll down a hill, sounds ace! Sorry to hear about the punctures and the phesants, but the bat sounded cool, you should have kept it!

Mum How come the website says you are in South Island and Rachel is in North Island???? Hope you are still travelling together! Ride into work was a disaster. Got puncture at Denton Burn and had to walk in looking a real wally in my kit pushing my bike - kinda advert for incompetence - got great bike but can't mend a puncture (well - I think I can but didn't have the repair kit coz I thought Kevlar tyres were puncture proof..... clearly they have not been tested on the detritus of Leamington before....) Did you get up the volcano in the end? love Mum

Dad sorry to hear about Ts tendons but glad he's OK for France. Margies off downhill cycling to work, so I'm collecting her tonight. Unfair really, as she's dropping it off for a service, and anyway the General's not much lower than here. Dog's having a quiet day, exhausted after annoying the Chopwell peasants for at least acouple of hours. We had to go back to drag him away from his favourite haunts

Cathy Hi Monica! It sounds like youre having a great time, i bet its an amazing place! Im in Bosnia now, weve been here about a week now. Teaching the kids was difficult as first as they dont speak much english but we are getting better at it! I will send a proper email round to everyone soon boring you all with our trip so far... Take care, and hope you have a great time the rest of your trip! Cathy xxxxxxx

minch Guess what disturbed my doggy slumbers tonight? A bat in the in sitting room! Harrriet and Lizzy screeched and screeched (and I barked and barked - great fun!) The boring old parents got it out the window eventually. And they shut me out. Party poopers! It was going round and round in circles, made me very dizzy and very excited! Better than Bill Oddie with his binocculars and silly hat. Now, just time to get onto that bed before Mum gets out of the bath...... shhh! Goodnight.......

Monica Just to let you know I've put a load of photos from New Zealand up now, sorry if there are a few random ones there, I did it in a bit of a rush! Monica x x

Lizzy shouldn't you be working mum! don't listen to her mon, i'm sure they are of equal beauty on the one day of the year than the sun actually shines in scotland. hope the rest of new zealand is as good and the weather is better than here (cold and wet- you ain't missing much). the painter has just finished so the house will be looking lovely for you. lizzy x x x

Mum Wanaka may be beautiful but I don't think it could beat the susnet we had on Taransay.... or the day sailing from Plockton to Mallaig.. (huh, Mum in love with Scotland again.....! but it's true, Thomas will back me up - won't you Thos?).

Monica So glad you liked it lizzy, was a bit worried but thought it might look good in your room at uni next year. Having a brilliant time still, in Wanaka at the moment, it's so beautiful I want to live here always. Off to Queenstown tomorrow for skiing!!!!!!!! love Monica x

harriet i did not say that!!! i said i wasnt very good at expressing myself (hence need practice) which is true cos i do just ramble. point proven x x

Harriet and Lizzy Hello, thanks very much for my present its amazing. (h) im soooooo bored. (l) see i'm not entertaining her very well. b*****alltodoinnewclookinforwardtohavinuback. love us x x x (farewell not a command)

Thos Hi babe, how's the sun/snow tan? Did you manage to get to the top of the glacier in one piece? Did you have to slide back down?! It was unfortunate that we missed your family while they were up but at least it means we can have chips one day, maybe with sausages too? How about a 20-piece breakfast?... By sending this message I will hopefully prove that I actually do read your website, and I think that Rachel's hair is growing out nicely. I love you Mon, have an ace time, from Thos x x x

Monica thanks for the support dad, it means a lot x