Dear Min and Mrs Min

Thanks for the email, I never thought I would ever receive a correspondence from Ho Chi Minh City. Is that no just ootside Brechin City?

As you are now in Oz ignore all the baiting you will get from antipodeans about the Ashes. Just tell them "You sillymidoff crickets a poof's game" and I am sure you will get rid of them. I learned that response when I did my Duke of Edinburgh's Diplomacy Award. Just email me and let me know what hospital you are in and I will send you a bag of frozen peas for your bruised googlies and black eyes. (I suppose they will have to be black eyed peas.....oh never mind.)

Anyway have a wonderful Christmas and New Year down under and I will certainly be thinking of you as I raise a few glasses of swally over the period.

Well done getting through the first leg of your adventure without misadventure and look forward to reading of your future exploits during 2007.

Here is my all time favourite Crimbo joke, my present to you this festering season. All the best Jim.

When four of Santa's elves got sick, and the trainee elves did not
produce the toys as fast as the regular ones, Santa was beginning to
feel the pressure of being behind schedule.  Then Mrs. Claus told Santa
that her Mother was coming to visit.  This stressed Santa even more.

Then when he began to load the sleigh one of the boards cracked, and the
toy bag fell to the ground and scattered the toys.

So, frustrated, Santa went into the house for a cup of apple cider and a
shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered that the elves
had hidden the liquor, and there was nothing to drink.  

Just then the doorbell rang, and irritable Santa trudged to the door.
He opened the door, and there was a little angel with a great big
Christmas tree.  The angel said, very cheerfully, "Merry Christmas,
Santa. Isn't it a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where
would you like me to stick it?"

And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas
tree.

Dear Eric & Margaret

It's been really great following your travels and adventures and has brightened up many a gloomy day in the office!  We're spending Christmas with Mum and Dad in Arbroath and looking forward to lots of festive fun and cheer.  Wishing you both a bright, sunny and warm Christmas.  Nollaig Chridheil!  Love Gail & John xx

Hi Eric and Maggie,

I take it you are both very well and still enjoying a life of leisure. I think its such a great idea to maintain a website like this as a way for friends and family to keep up with you. To be honest,  I can't really think of a better time to be a Scott in Australia. Enjoying the sunshine at Christmas and drinking beer while watching the stuffing being beaten out of England in the cricket, struggling to avoid a 5-0 whitewash. Anyway, I wanted to wish you both a very merry Christmas and all the best for the coming year.  If may be permitted to talk shop just a little, back in the office its been a very interesting time. We recently lost 5 members of staff for varying reasons in the space of a month creating a state of chaos, to be frank. Our team leader went on sick leave for 5 weeks with extremely high blood pressure. Well the upshot is I have now been given temporary promotion to HEO which may become permanent in the new year! I know you will be pleased to know I am progressing and was wating for confirmation before I told you. 

Well, must go but compliments of the season and I will definitely stay in touch.

Take care,

Derek 

Hellllloooooooooooo.  Just a quick message to Wish you both a Very Merry Christmas.

 We are just about ready to begin the festivities,just  a few more groceries to buy.  Hannah is very excited and every day asks when Father Christmas will be visiting with her presents.  She was Mary in her Nursery play last week.  she looked so sweet all dressed up.   Apparently she was given that part as it involved no speaking.  I think they were worried if they got her talking that none of the other children would get  a word in edge ways.  Well you know how she likes to talk!!!!!!!!!  Dont know where she gets it from!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway have a fab crimbo.

Love

The Chorleys

 See previous message.

Sorry everybody: a senior moment. They are in Bangkok just now , not Saigon.

In case anyone is wondering what has happened to Eric and Margaret they are having a bit of bother with their internet connection and are unable to post anything on the site.

 They telephoned at the weekend to say that they were now in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) preparing for the next stage of their journey to Australia and Christmas with Margaret's family.

Hopefully they will be able to sort the computer problem in Oz and start reporting once again with their news and pictures.

 Eric and Maggie,

 I hope you are enjoying your trips all around the world. Eric, guess what?, i have got a promotion in Gifted and Talented Team as EO on the 4th floor, I have to thank you so much for the wonderful advise, guadiance, mentoring, in fact you area really great,  you put my feet in to the right way and your advised you is still echoing since the day you left  DfES. I am really short of words, Just got the goodnews, so i thought i need to share it with you. Once again, thank you so much for everything. Olubukola, Academies Group, DfES.

Dear Eric & Margaret

Just been right thro your travellog (again) for a mid week pick-me up. Jealous, whose jealous.

Sounds and looks as if the awesome adventure just gets better and better.

We had a family weekend in the Yorkshire Dales, followed by a Montrose flying visit to celebrate Jan hitting the big 5 0 (its a secret, but I know its safe with you).

- Great, but not quite comparable re exotic grandeur.

 Keep on keeping on! Your long (mid) life batteries must be rechargeable.

 Have a Merry, Merry  Xmas and a Happy New Year (where ever you are)!

We'll raise a glass or three in your honour.

All the Best

Ken & Jan xx

Hi Maggie

Finally managed to access your site!  So apologies for not getting in touch before now.  It's funny because my daughter is also on her travels.  Currently in Thailand and shortly due to move south to KL, Sgp, on to Bali, Fiji and like you, Christmas in Australia.  Things are really no differrent here in the office so you are not missing much.  But you knew that already!! Anyway, take care of yourselves.

Philip

Hi M&E, got your package for the girls, they really liked the bags and the surprise inside, thanks. I sent an e-mail not that long ago..not sure if you got it though. Enjoying reading your adventures, fantastic idea having it on the net!! Hope your both well, love Louise

Hello you two; sorry I have not been in touch on your board yet, but having been watching with some interest recently and seeing your itinerary, I feel its important that you have some extremely invaluable information before you get down to visit our Antipodean friends.

Love to you both, C xxx

Questions about Australia (answered by Australians)
Q: Does it ever get windy in Australia? I have never seen it rain on TV,
so how do the plants grow? (UK)
A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them
die.

2.
Q: Will I be able to see kangaroos in the street? (USA)
A: Depends how much you've been drinking.

3.
Q: I want to walk from Perth to Sydney - can I follow the railroad tracks?
(Sweden)
A: Sure, it's only three thousand miles, take lots of water...

4.
Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in Australia? Can you send me a list
of them in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville and Hervey Bay (UK)
A: What did your last slave die of?

5.
Q: Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Australia? (USA)
A: A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe.
Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the pacific which does
not... oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night in
Kings Cross. Come naked.

6.
Q: Which direction is North in Australia? (USA)
A: Face south and then turn 90 degrees. Contact us when you get here and
we'll send the rest of the directions.

7.
Q: Can I bring cutlery into Australia? (UK)
A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.

8.
Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? (USA)
A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which
is...oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night
in Kings Cross, straight after the hippo races. Come naked.

9.
Q: Do you have perfume in Australia? (France)
A: No, WE don't stink.

10.
Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you
tell me where I can sell it in Australia? (USA)
A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.

11.
Q: Can I wear high heels in Australia? (UK)
A: You are a British politician, right?

12.
Q: Can you tell me the regions in Tasmania where the female population is
smaller than the male population? (Italy)
A: Yes, gay nightclubs.

13.
Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in Australia? (France)
A: Only at Christmas.

14.
Q: Are there killer bees in Australia? (Germany)
A: Not yet, but for you, we'll import them.

15.
Q: Are there supermarkets in Sydney and is milk available all year round?
(Germany)
A: No, we are a peaceful civilisation of vegan hunter gatherers. Milk is
illegal.

16.
Q: Please send a list of all doctors in Australia who can dispense
rattlesnake serum. (USA)
A: Rattlesnakes live in A-meri-ca which is where YOU come from. All
Australian snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make
good pets.

17.
Q: I have a question about a famous animal in Australia, but I forget its
name. It's a kind of bear and lives in trees.(USA)
A: It's called a Drop Bear. They are so called because they drop out of
gum trees and eat the brains of anyone walking underneath them. You can
scare them off by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out
walking.

18.
Q: I was in Australia in 1969 on R+R, and I want to contact the girl I
dated while I was staying in Kings Cross. Can you help? (USA)
A: Yes, and you will still have to pay her by the hour.

19.
Q: Will I be able to speek English most places I go? (USA)
A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first.

20.
Q: Is it safe to run around in the bushes in Australia? (Sweden)
A: So its true what they say about Swedes.