Hi guys, Just so you don't feel homesick - IT IS COLD. I have been trying to paint my shed all "summer" (lets rephrase that, since May - the last 3 months in other words) and there has not been A SINGLE weekend that's been dry enough to do it. If this weather was anybody's fault I would strange them, instead I must strangle myself. At least I would if I didn't have your blog to throw sunshine on my dreary day. (Ahhh). Hugs and kisses. J (PS: I have renamed the months May-August ... instead of summer we must call them bummer. Spring, Bummer, Autumn, Winter.

My orangey patterny top thingy is totally falling apart. Has huige holes in the back, looks more like an orange tent now.Got it for about 2.99 from Primark... bargain! xx

Hi Guys, Hannah, I want you to do something for me ... when you get back to the UK have your wafty chifony patterned orangey top framed. I have seen it so often in your photos it'll serve as a reminder of all the locations! Don't get upset now, and throw it away in a stomp and do anything reckless like BUY ANOTHER ONE, I am telling you, this top is iconic - it'll remind you too of all the good times. To be honest, Tom. I haven't noticed what you're wearing! Maybe its a girl thing ... nothing has caught my eye (that may be a good thing in a blokes clothes). Love Laos - it looks totally fab. Do you have a favourite location yet? Love ya, J

Well, this is frustrating! I sent you a longish message last week and there is no sign of it on the message board so I must failed to press the right button. Trouble is I can't remember what I was telling you.

Anyway, let's hope I do it correctly this time. It's Sunday afternoon and Pamela and Lotte are still in the pool, floating about and putting the world right. I have beeen watching the 4th. day of the Test match but it is awfully boring. We had a good week in London. I was involved with judging projects at the Royal College of Art. We had the Annual Meeting of Advisors at Helen Hamlyn's country house near Marlow. I say 'house' but it is like no other house you will have seen. Itwas built in a huge hollow in the ground and the roof is a meadow - grass and wild flowers. The building is 100 mtres wide, the walls of very high panels of glass in steel frames. The internal courtyard turns into a swimming pool with a few taps on buttons. One journalist who didn't like it dubbed it the TeleTubbies house! There are trees inside, even. But cosy it isn't!!
We went to see Poly Stenham's play at the Duke of York theatre. It is somewhat harrowing but exceptionally interesting to us because we knew the Stenhams very well before the Father died. The main theme of the play is uncanningly similar to the traumatic real-life family story. Polly wrote the play when she was 19. She won many awards with it and expects it to be made into a film next year. The real mother who, in the play, is a troubled alcoholic with drug addiction is still alive and we wonder what she makes of it.
London was seething with bargain hunters; all the Sales were on and the stores are aching for business to pick up again. But London is a good place not to be at the moment. We can tell from your great photos and excellently vivid messages that you are in a much better place. Sam and Beth are on a European tour by train. Sara, who is still suffering greatly from her torn muscle and strained archilles tendon, is in Spain with a friend. But noone is having anything like your kind of daily adventure. That's for sure.
Keep right on enjoying yourselves.......

Much love and big hugs.XXXX Hope these get through!

Great photos' of your Vientiang adventures and the flip flop odessey: the drama of Hannah's tears, Tom to the rescue; treasure in the cave... I think you've got a start for the next Indiana Jones script. Also great to see H on a bicycle and the cliffhanging the comic sign off as she struggles with the muddy puddle.

It's been pretty damn muddy here in London too; days of rain and wind have finally ceased and there's a little watery sunshine today. In a week's time we'll be on our summer holiday adventure too...recent weather in Cape Town was stormy and cold...but we're not staying there for long. lots of love to you both Charlotte

The most recent blog was great, your complicated journey and the stay in the village was well worthwhile as you gained a real insight into real life in that area.

Can you put my freind Natashs, who lives in brazil on your wen list, she's like to hear about your travels;

her e mail address is: [email protected]

Hi guys, It is so wierd seeing you holidaying up the Mekong. When I was your age 'the Mekong Delta' (Vietnam) was synonymous with war, agent orange, bombs, helicopters, guns, death. And here you are taking photos of the fabulous sunset (bet it was better in real life ... always is). Am so happy that things have improved for the people in that whole region of the world. Love your blog - thanks for taking the trouble. My life seems, by the day, more and more dull. (Compared to yours). But don't let this thought stop you! One day you will be old and boring too ... ha ha ha. Love ya, J

Hey there H & T,

lovely to hear about your recent adventures, and see pics. By the way loved the pics from Angora Wot (sp?). All well here, suns out at last hoorah summers arrived. We successfully left Churt last w/end; it was very tidy and clean and the garage here in London is now really full of stuff, so lots of sorting to do.

Simons making himself pretty scarce now exams are done, he's going to Dale today (Sunday) back Thursday and then off on his European travels until mid August.Saying goodbye to T&B was tough but Tipsy seemed to be adjusting to moving up to Lizzy and Button is now in Dulwich in her own bedroom equipped with a sofa, comfy chair, table (to look out of window) wardrobe (to hide next to) and chest of drawers(for her ski gear and diving equipment). She has a wooden framed wire covered door so she can see out and look at the other 12 cats that live in the house when they wander by; after 2 weeks she can come out and look around the house if she wants. The woman there, Ann is putting out feelers to see if there are any older people in the area who might want an adoption, so lets see how things go.

Went to Brighton last night to stay with M&D eat yummy lobster; had a breezy sunny walk next to beach this morning but back here now.

lots of love to you both from Mumma Charlotte and Dada Andrew

Dear Hannah- have just got back from an amazing walking holiday in the Alpujarra mountains in Southern Spain as part of my birthday celebrations and I did think of you at the top of one of the many mountains I trekked up on the 17th June no doubt celebrating your birthday in style- Becca left a Happy Birthday message on facebook from us all so hope you got it ! Am still loving all the pics and blogs so keep em coming!. So this is just to say a rather belated but very Happy Happy Birthday to you with lots of love as always from Sarahxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Alxxxxxxxxxxxxx Bexxxxxxxxx Benxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Jessie xxxxxxxxx and Emmaxxxxxxxxxxxxx!

FYI: Tom and Hannah write the blogs TOGETHER!

very annoyed cos I did a message and the thing wouldn't post it.

going off to cool down and will try again later

Your time must be hours ahead of ours so we reckon you had your birthday yesterday, in which case we are late in sending our "happy birthday" wishes. We have just come back to Menerbes after a few days spent with friends further along the coast and near the top of a mountain in Italy. We thought of you especially when we had climbed up a winding path through the undergrowth of a mountain covered in chestnut trees to find the most romantic stone and slate 'cabanon' you can imagine. It was built at least two hundred years ago as a shelter for peasants and their animals. Our friends have bought it and will renovate it as a week-end hideaway.
I'm surprised that you missed the two scuba diving stories that became world news. The first was off the barrier reef in Australia. Two English divers didn't surface when they were supposed to but the boat stayed, flashing lights and making a lot of noise. The Australian rescue services pulled out all the stops but found no trace of them. Then they reappeared on a reef after about two days. The news was in the fact that no-one believed their account except the newspaper that paid about $100,000 for their story. The Australian coastguards are sueing to recover their costs.
The second was in Indonesia where three divers were swept away by strong currents and disappeared. They were spotted after three days on a deserted island with no water or food but with giant lizards that could easily kill and eat humans!
So, don't stray too far from the boat!
We could use some of your sunshine. Spring didn't come to Provence. Instead we have had thunderstorms and hailstorms and days and nights of drizzle. But change is promised later this week.
Sara is the only current casualty in the family as far as we know. Her torn calf muscle is going to take at least 3 months to repair.
The boys will have finished their exams by the end of this week. Then comes the awful wait for the results. We bet you are pleased that no-one is going to ask you to go through all that again.

So, happy birthday! Much love to both of you. We are following you through Tom's excellent messagesa and the glamourous photos.

XXXXXX G&T