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)

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

thanks for the support dad, it means a lot x

When I was in Nepal they were lucky if everyone got a postcard a month. Hope Mum doesn't see this. I suppose yakmail is a bit faster nowadays.
While on about yakking Harriet told the assembled boat the other day that she couldn't speak clearly as she didn't get enough practice talking. I don't think anyone believed her.

Hello, by popular request (ie YOU MUM) I thought I better explain that the way to read where we are/ what we're doing is by clicking on postcards, then on state or something, then a list comes up of all the places I've written about. Will try and be a bit better about updating it, sorry! Just arrived in New Zealand, haven't seen much yet, we're in ChristChurch but leaving straight away cos we'll be back here in a few days to see it properly. The bus pass we have seems a little confusing but hopefully we'll sort it out and get lots of skiing done, it seems really cheap, I might even get my horseriding in which was going to cost the earth in Oz but looks well worth it here. Will leave news soon xxx

It's a dog's life. Got sent to Alcatraz again while they went off in some damn boat which won't allow proper dogs on board. Survived at usual and returned smelling very sweet (I think there may have been complaints about doggy BO by some of the punters.....). Now revelling in usual habits of sofa and bed while they still feel guilty about booting me out..... won't last long, have seen glint in Mum's eye already so will need to do the big eyes mournful act as best I can.
The house I knew has gone too. No carpets in the hall and stairs for a start! I mean to say, where can a dog sleep now? I think one is coming and it's going to be PLAIN. Oh no! all my misdemeanors will be picked up and there will be no loose corners for hiding bones...... What has got into them? Come back soon and try and talk some dog-sense into them coz I have failed. Minch x

CHEEK!!! i sent u at least 2 before now and uv only jus replied! anyway, is the queens address the rite one to send it to? harry p is excellent-lots of sweet romance lines in it! not much happens for most of the book but its still really gd, pos 2nd best yet (to prisoner of azkaban). il reply 2 ur mail that u EVENTUALLY sent now xxx

We're back on dry land. I think we missed Sea Trek and Thos about 4 times in 7 days by margins of hours..... poor mobile reception and our limited manoeverability mostly to blame...but we have agreed to meet up in Tarbet for fish and chips, a date for next year. Sailing went well. Weather was pretty dire but had one or two fab moments: sunset on Taransay, early morning on the Shiants, a gorgeous evening in Plockton and sailing through Kyle on the last day with amazing views. That's summer in Scotland I guess - when it's good it's so good you forget about all the grotty days. We have now collected the dog and started the usual post-holiday routine of fruit-picking, opening post, washing etc .... Lizzy is home tomorrow - Yipee! keep safe. Mum xxxxx

Hi Moncs, started a message last week but got distracted and never finished it before going to France for Richard's 50th. Its unbelievably good weather for Scotland in July so I'm off to the hills tomorrow and will not see your parents on their way south but it sounds like they got to Mallaig despite much stressing over packing the car and have had a good time.
Needless to say I have lost the e-mail address of your friends who are going to Spain can you send it to me. If Monica has any friends going to Spain in August who are reading this can you phone Billy and let him know what time you are arriving in Jerez his number is 0034658382237. I have given him the date but was unsure of the numbers and the flight
Well its a 15 hour day and a 4 am start tomorrow if I do all 8 Munros as planned so I'm off to get some sleep.
Love Ali

At Allys on way to Mallaig and Skye. Spoke to T yesterday, great to hear Sea Trek is going to be around the Uists next week; means we should see him unless the weather is dire. Took dog to kennels yesterday (sniff sniff) and had crazy day at work/getting ready. Eventually arrived in Glasgow near midnight. Now it's off to Tescos for food (and wine!) and Harry Potter for H..... Not sure there are many internet cafes on Eigg etc but will be in touch when we can xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Mum

Mum is having a campaign to get rid of white at home, so the hall, landing/porch will all be different when we get back. No doubt she will want to stain my whiter than white character next. Looking forward to seeing Sea Trek, but it all depends on weather etc xxxxx Dad

Monica - Glad your pictures are good and that you are having a good time. NZ is great too. Enjoy. I did appreciate the pictures.

Hellooooo! Just back from the Whitsundays, the tan is beginning to appear but new zealand will scare it away soon no doubt.
Hello vic- hope you're still having fun, my french is improving, spent the last few days bugging some poor french girl to talk to me so I spoke in french and she spoke in english and we both got a bit of practice. Show the spanish men a picture of scary jim and threaten to set him on them if the chat up lines dont stop! also, I need kareoke practice, please help.
Lil, have u heard about the exams yet? good luck! Gonna see angharad tonight, will mention u! was it st hildas? She does lots of running. The boat we were on this week had Al's old next door neighbour on and a guy who plays rugby with JJ. Mad.
Hello everyone else, harriet, send me an e-mail!
Monica xxx