Hi Ben, thanks for the e-mail, and news of your exploits in NZ. When I asked Manny that you were asking what he caught at Venus Bay, his reply was something like: tell him MYOFB! The trip to Ground Zero should be interesting; expect it will be tremperature zero, as well. We have not seen Sandra's baby yet, but expect that will happen in the next few weeks. I am off to NZ on 7th March, and hope to hear from you b4 then. All the best & take care. Redfern.

Hi all. Just got back from a week up north doing a dive course at the Poor Knights Islands. Stacks of fish, rays, dolphins etc. Of course they got their whole summers rain in a couple of days AGAIN, but the tent continues to keep the water out (the 'bunsen burner' is holding up well too Kegga). I'm off to New York tomorrow. I'll keep you all posted.

P.S. Got my camera back yesterday (after 4 bloody weeks). Cheers Canon. Quality service.

Congratulations to Sandra. Look forward to seeing some pic's of Charli soon (what happened to the 'e'?). Sorry about the boring 'wilderness' stuff, but that's what you do in NZ. I didn't fly across the Tasman to drink at franchised Irish bars with a bunch of Kiwi's and Aussies. Could have done that at home. Will certainly be providing a review of New York and South American nightlife when I get there in a few weeks (if I can afford a beer in NY).

Yeh Benny whats with all this nature -fitness -wilderness stuff. Get that skinny little ass of yours off to some hostel bars and public houses of ill-repute otherwise before you know it you'll be inducted into one of those nature -fitness -wilderness sects that cooks all their meals on bunsen burners and dress only in paddy pallin thermals. Give us all an update brother...

Thurs 29/01/04
Hey Ben! Not sure if you heard the news or not.. but Sandra had her baby this morning (7:50am)! A little baby girl named Charli. All are doing well, I'm off to see her tonite after work so I'll keep you posted! She left work early yesterday with 'funny pains'..must have been mother intuition!!

Hope you'r still having a fab trip.. whats with all this outdoorsi stuff going on.. I want the details of the shopping, pubs, clubs!!! Nature shmature!

luv Bry

Hi guys. Just posted some details of last weeks walk. I've got 2 days here at Christchurch to clean my clothes, tent etc. and then I'm heading up north to the Queen Charlotte track. Thanks for the messages and emails. Hope you're all well. Go Hewitt and the Poo at the tennis.

Ben,
Hope you had a great New Year!

Good to see you finally worked out how to use your new toy ("The Camera"). Looks like your having way too much fun, time to go back to work??????????

Manny
PS: Did you get the e-mail I sent You?

Hey Benny - Just had a "short coffee break" with Sarah...kinda took 75 minutes...gotta love that public health system...she looks GREAT & relaxed & counting down! The extended photo album is also pretty impressive! Glad that you were able to conquer the 'control issues' to ride that 4-legged beast as well. Continue enjoying your adventures...shame you both didn't celebrate the 30th in Sth America (Santiago) with the lip-fest they had going there....now that would have been interesting...mind Sares' did look somewhat flushed in the car photos!
Cheers Sam

Happy Christmas and Merry New Year Benny. Looks like you are having a great time, but are doing far too much excercise and not enough drinking for someone on holiday for my liking, but I wouldn't expect anything different from a fitness freak such as yourself!! Look forward to seeing the continuing adventures.........(I have been putting that money away for that kidnapping in South America)

Sorry Benny, couldnt resist...Heres mine and Skulzees time for the pier to pub ..Set off from the Pier at about 11am put back 6 or 7 jars, then on to the Gunn Island for 6 or 7 more. By now the big fella was starting to look a bit messy in his stroke so he moved into my slipstream and changed onto the bourbons. I battled it out for a bit longer in the amber waters though. We found ourselves a bit unsteady by about the half way mark so we picked up some sustenance. 5 dimmies later we were back on track and the finish line was in sight. Both on the bourbons now and on the home straight. It was then that I moved into the big fellas slip stream and we finished the final leg with a couple of wide mouthed Melbourne cans. Before we knew it we had completed the journey and stumbled over the finish line and past the big Maori bouncers. I LOVE THE ESPY...... Our Pier to Pub time (and personal best) .... 5 hours 35 min 40 sec..

Happy NY everyone. I've just posted a postcard and some pictures from the last few weeks. I'll put some more up later tonight. I've even got some pictures of me. Good to see I've already had to 'adjust' the language from a Hore-bags message and delete another message from an anonymous poster. Any attempts at humour should at least have a name beside them. Hope you're all well and thanks for keeping me posted on events in Melbourne. Good effort in the swim on the weekend too.

Dear Benny, Is it true that you've started a refuge for physically & mentally abused sheep? Your compassion and willingness to help those in need is a quality of yours I admire immensely. Keep up the good work, mate! P.S. I think Naisy m##ked up. Couchie swam about 18 1/2 mins at Pier to Pub.