Hello Son. Good to hear from you again after what seems like ages. You seem to be enjoying and absorbing all the many charms of India. Shame it has to end soon. Were you surprised about mountains of luggage on the train? Forgotten the Indian family that completely boxed us in with their stuff on the Eurostar last year??!!

Hope you'll be enjoying the rest of your time there, perhaps even with a passing festive reference to Christmas? It promises to be a dull and damp one here. Sales on everywhere and retailers going bust daily. Oh joy!

Merry Christmas greetings and lots of love and thoughts from all here. Looking forward to seeing you at Heathrow on Sunday morning. Pop.

Nephew - pull yourself together. No one sane leaps out of a serviceable aoeroplane. Your cousin Jules did a free fall course in the states but he's army and doesn't understand these things - you should now better. BEN.

Hello again. Good to read about Sydney at last. Sounds worth a visit one day. I think that steep "train-type thing" you mention is called a funicular -- we rode on one back in July in Quebec City, remember?! By the way, what's "generally swimming"?! Would I enjoy it, do you think?

Enough for now, you're probably thinking. Hope I haven't blown my birthday present! Keep the blogs coming and enjoy the South Island.

Jealous!

Louise is in Auckland waiting for you to contact so she can show you around - your mum is not sure this is such a good idea. Dave and Brian send a message - "hi big boy hope you are having fun and being careful" shouldnt take much notice of those two has-beens!

G'day Son! Good reading, but don't get too far behind. More pics please. Hope you got back the shoes you left on the boat. Not your nice new boots I trust? Enjoy it all, lucky you! Pop.

More pics with you in, please

Hi Little Bro, looks like you're having a great time. I am completely jealous!

Look after yourself and update your blog!

Jules..x

Yo Bro, the blog is making good reading but you're at least a week behind!

Take care, Bro

With Dad reading your blog. Great stuff; please update soon! Miss you loads xx

Yo! Just found this - Big Bro put me onto it. Keep writing - and how about some pics?

Not too many roo steaks now, and mind you avoid the crocs!

Take care. Happy travels.

Hello Kempy. Sounds like you're having a good time down under. Two comments:

1. More smut. We need to know whether we need to organise "the party" when you return.

2. No posts since 25th September. The credit crunch has eaten the City and we need something to keep us entertained.

Take care matey.