sophie's mum Hi and a belated happy birthday Michael. So sorry to hear about your grandpa. I know Sophie will be a good support as she was very close to her granda. Will send a card to your mum and also would like us all to go to Bengal Brassiere when your return - oops just to let you know Michael I broke your bottle Joop - but bathroom smeels nice!! so if you see a nice bottle of smellies in duty free can you get one to replace unless we can get cheaper here in perfume shop!! love Liz

Dad Hello you two, I hope that you are fit and well and having a good time - altitude sickness allowing. Wanted to wish Michael a Happy Birthday for today... you'll be asleep as I write, but is should be there for when you wake up. See you both soon. Dad

Carol Bradford Hello Michael & Sophie, or is it Sophia... I am getting confused about that now!!! Hope you are still having fun wherever you are, I keep looking for the next chapter in your travel blog but you have gone very quiet. I assume you have little access to the internet. Anyway the main reason for this message is to wish Michael a Happy Birthday... have a good one... see you both soon. Love from Carol Neil and co!

John S Hey Guys, Thanks for the postcard. We got it yesterday. The Leeds 8 say Hi! Hope the trip is going well, not had chance to read much of your blog recently. I don't know if it's me, but it seems that every other picture is one where either of you have a drink in your hand! It'd be good to have a catch up when you're back. Michael, if you're looking for a job, there is a secondment to cover Amanda's maternity leave if you're interested, lol! BTW, the note you posted offering Sophie's baby sitting services is still in the canteen, lol! You had any interest?

Mum Hya Michael and Sophia, Very glad to get message from you the other night. Was getting worried after you said you would ring and didn't. Hope you have recovered from the altitude suckness and are enjoying your time in S America. Grandad Phil's funeral looks like being Friday 11th as they have had to do an autopsy which delays things somewhat. Everything here has been so awful since we got back from Bali, it seems ages ago, and I am exhausted again. Had a good time though and went white water rafting and elephant riding amongst other things. Not quite what we expected though as the traffic is a nightmare and parts are extremely primitive and dirty to say the least. The weather was good though and we did get a bit of colour. Everything here going ok I think with arrangements for Becci going to uni. Iy will be nice to have you 2 back in Leeds though as it is going to be very quiet and strange after years of chaos and mess. May however find time to do some things I don't normally get chance to like reading some of the history books I have bought and never got around to, and sorting this darned computer out. Have fun both of you and be careful please. Looking forward to having you back. Will have to arrange a late birthday celabration when you do get back, although you will be straight back at uni anmd no doubt exhausted from that. Havent seen Liz and Pete yet with everything else going on so must arrange something when Liz gets back from Uganda, whenever that is. Talk soon. Lots of Love X

sophies mum Hi sophie, well what are you up to now , where are you, seen or done anything exciting. I am off to Uganda on Sunday so will probably not be able to contact you when there love mum

Mum Michael, Please check your e-mails if you get this first or call me. XXX

sophies mum Hi Sophie, sorry I missed your call on your birthday, hope you liked the cards and the email. How was your day? , did Michael surprise you like he normally does!! love you loads Mum ps now my office is up in the attic - no distractions out the window so no excuses bfn

Frank Hi you two, I hope everything is well and that you are enjoying the experience of a lifetime. Becks came round the othjer day and I was going to give her cards for you both so that Christine and Colin could bring them out to you, but, like Carol, I missed the deadline - - C&C had already left. Doh!!! So.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOPHIE! Keep well, Dad.

Carol Bradford Hi Michael & Sophie, we hope you are having a great time with your mum & Colin. we meant to send birthday cards out with them but missed the deadline so "HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOPHIE" for the 18th hope it is a good one. the latest news from Leeds is that Phil still in hospital but coming home this weekend with a care package of 4x daily to be upgraded with a night visit too when necessary. the wedding plans are all going well and Lee & Susie have had there respective Stag & Hen events... lots of photos to show you when you return. Lee having another meal out for those who couldnt make the weekend... sorry you couldnt make either! I did contact Becci but she said she was ok and didnt need anything!!! the house looks to be ok from outside!!!!!! Will see her at the wedding. have a fab time together... love Carol & Neil

Mum Hya you 2. Been very busy sorry. Grandad Phil not very good...........been in hospital but coming out soon I think. Klaus taking a lot of time too. Had to buy him some walking boots as back paws bleeding from dragging them. Very good. Getting new tablets which cost a small fortune but old ones made him very bad with the runs etc. Finished decorating the office............looks good. Will ask C to send you the booking from for KL. You will have to give me a ring sat morning to arrange where you will be so we know. Sophia's mum and dad finding it a bit hot in Cyprus..........they are having a heatwave and it went over 40 !!!!! Weather awful here.........another washout summer! Becci back and looking ridiculously brown but got cold. Waiting to here about Manchester uni and a Philosophy course! Talk soon. XXXX

sophie's mum Hi sophie, can you check your email something urgent to respond to

Mum Forgot the XX

Mum Sounds like you are spending as much time drinking and in recovery as you are travelling. What happened to the 'we'll be too busy and we will lose loads of weight from all the excercise and lack of booze'!!!!!!!!!!!! We are going to Liz and Pete's next Wednesday night for a drink and chat etc before they go off to Cyprus later this month. Not long now until we meet up with you both............I am counting the weeks down and will soon be counting the days. Glad we didn't leave you to sort the accomodation................don't like the thought of a bed full of ticks!! Klaus still okay, I have to put cream on a very sensitive area each night..........not nice!! It had better work as the one tube cost £60 and that is without the cost of the tablets he is on as well. It's only money though. Mike and Helen are over from Cyprus so we went for a meal with them last night to the new Agrah in Bradford. Very nice indeed. Have a great gig efulump outside the restaurant. Colin is away tonight so the house is deathly quiet with Becci away too.........peace glorious peace! A bit boring actually.....I prefer the chaos anyday. Off to get some tea anyway as it is now 8pm and not had it yet, then an early night is in order as have to be up at 5.30 to walk the dogs again. lI shall look forward to the next posting.

sophie's mum hello , your time in Vietnam sounds amazing. Replaced dad's budda with a cheap tatty one for the garden,atleast may not get nicked this time. the photo of the bronze one looks just like dad!! Sorry I missed your call lots of love Mum