Hi verina and toby! How lovely for you to have summer approaching again this year! I have finished  my job in Shanklin [ they are closing for winter] and am waiting for a second interview for ajob in London as a french speaking PA / house manager / private chef for atop photographic agent [ fashion]with homes and offices in Paris, London, New York, Africa. Will let you know.Simon has not been well - more X - rays  today [ heart valves] Saw G and GDad, Sue and Stef  onSunday. cooked lunch for Simon''s daughters and Gson as they all visited in case he was dying. I sent acouple of texts to you. It seemed that you always called me when Iwas at work so I missed you but enjoyed listening to your messages. Stay happy! Summers coming! Love Mum xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Yeah, I was a bit dissapointed in Powelly's form! What happened to this raging party animal from London? The old fella couldn't even handle an Aussie night out................. I've never met a bloke who falls asleep so often.......... Weak as pi$$............. Oh, by the way, Nikki and I watched the grand final in bed struggling with a hangover from hell............

totally forgot to write about last weekend, it was Powellys last night in Melbourne on Friday so it true Brits style we had to go out and get wasted!!!

We went to a Fitzroy a cool area with lots of bars and resturants, to a Greek resturant, it was having a special were you paid 50 bucks and had a banquet and all you could drink wine, champane it was a great meal ended up nearly being chucked out the resturant because we were all so drunk!!! Proceeded to get even more drunk in another bar, I blame Nikki for her endless rounds of 'pancakes and dougnut shots!!! we lost matt for about an hour to find him throwing up locked in the toilet, very classy!! staggered home in taxi at bout 2 am, Matt's flight was at 4 am din't think they were gonna let him on the plane  if he was still drunk!!

Had made various plans to go to BBQ watch the AFL final with friends from work, go out and around melbourne to join in with the final festivities and we ended up watching the match in the flat, near to the toilet as we were both feeling a little sensitive, ropey from the night before!! never mind the match was such a tense game the best final in history aparently there was only a point deciding the match!! Go West Coast they won in the end, watched the last 15 mins of the game in suspense at Federation Sq surrounded by hundreds of fans such a great atmosphere.

Tne we went to to Royal Melbourne Show in the evening to meet Sarah and Ollie, cou

hi all,

very excited we have just got tickets for a festival in melbourne on New Years Eve the line up encludes the following should be wicked

 SILVERCHAIR, THE LIVING END, XAVIER RUDD, UGLY DUCKLING, EVERMORE, THE FREESTYLERS LIVE, END OF FASHION, MYLO DJ SET, THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS, FAKER, LIOR, KARNIVOOL, MIA DYSON, ASH GRUNWALD, BOMBA

going with powellys friends Kris and Nikki cant wait!!! its on Phillip Island just off Melbourne (abit like Rottness!!)

its starting to warm up here in Melbourne, toby is coming back from work each day browner than ever while i sit pastey in an office!!! no fair!!!  Just been out for a works lunch today on the south bank of the yarra river it was gorgeous didnt want to go back to work!!

Toby is meeting some great people at his work lots of backpackers we went out on Tuesday night with his friend Kiwi Tom and his girlfriend Leanne had a wicked night out bit of a dance in Cushion bar St Kilda only $4 dollars a drinks so was feeling a little green at work the next day!! They were a great couple on there second year of working holiday visas (thats pretty hardcore in my eyes dont think i could manage 2 years out of a backpack!!

 Right better get back to work feeling a little typsy only had a glass of wine, must be the heat!!! speak to you all soon missing everyone wish you were here!!

 ove and hugs Verina x x

Ve contact me asap please and I will ring you back. Toby's cheque from insurance arrived at franchise st hence delay in sorting I banked it at Hsbc check on your account  about £112. I have a new e mail now [email protected] speak to you soon lots of love and Ds Mum.xxxxxxxxxxxxx

hi, just had an exciting lunch break at work, went to see Australian Idol in Federation Square, with my mate from work Suzanne, it was so funny we were running round like star struck teens, trying to get a glimps of any of the finalists. Fed Sq was packed out with kids trying to get into the sq as it was all blocked off. So we decided to have a look around the side of the river where we spotted Dean, Mutto, Johnathon (the guy who's already out!) and the judge Marcia who was practicing with her band got some photos too how sad!!!! we were feeling about 12 yrs old by the time of leaving!! but it was prob the best lunch break so far on the trip. Its the AFL footie final on sat with a pre-match march on Friday lunchtime so might go down at have a look at all the footie players parading through the streets. AFL is so huge out here the Aussies love it!!

 Well better get back to work, speak to you all soon love Verina x x x

Hello, just a quickupdate, i've started working for Harry the Hirer putting up marquees etc, its f***ing hardwork!! working with a good bunch of lads and its always outside, so not complaining too much, been working from 7 till 5 most days. 

Havent seen Powelly since wednesday, he's gone to stay at his mates summer house about 2 hrs from Melbourne, should meet up on friday before he goes back.

Verina's been working hard too getting back into office life. 

Take care.xxxxxxxx 

Well i had an exciting day at work while toby and Powelly live it up seeing the sites!!! Matts been here 3 day and they have been pissed everyone of them. Enjoyed an evening of cocktails at the Carlton Yacht club and a lovley italian meal met matts friend Kris and Nicole on Monday. then had a bbq at Kris last night which was lush the food was gold first aussie barbie of the year!!! the boys went to Healsville today to a wicked animal park , drank lots of red wine at the dandenong ranges and drove through tthe yarra valley wine region sampling along thre way. Just been to the cinema to watich Nacho Libre pretty funny you would like it Jack its got old school wrestling in it!.

Mum  and dad hope you had a good holiday, also have you managed to get through to STA about the insurance for Toby's tooth or should we try again from our end?

Hope to speak to you soon love v and t x x

Hi Toby & Verina

Your latest photos are great ! I love the street art and beach huts. Good for you both - getting jobs. Last weekend was the Bestival -we felt like we were there as music was so loud all night. We have been to Manchester for a few days to go to a christening and stayed in a sweet B & B on the moors.Gran & Grandad have now got new stairs thanks to Joe. I have grown loads of chilli peppers this year - so have been making sauces,jam and pickles today. Take care and keep enjoying yourselves - loads of love Sue and Stef xxxxxxx

Hi Everyone,

Hows it going? weve just updated even more photos!! Having a great time in St Kilda, everything is on the up as weve both finally got jobs so its time to start saving!! Just finished my first week working as a receptionist in a finance firm called ipac. Its been abit wierd gettting back into the swing of working again. Its great only a short tram ride away in the main CBD Collins street, on the 19th floor so ive got a wicked view out over the city. The people are really nice and friendly and they say they can keep me on for at least 5 wks so thats a start!! Toby has been doing some landscape gardening much harder graft than me but he's really enjoying working out side. He and Ollie our flatmate have been working together they both start working for a firm called 'Harry the Hirer"next week putting up marquees at big events including the grand final of the aussie rules footie final at the MCG and the Melbourne Show all the horseracing events so should get to see a bit along the way!! This work is til xmas so were pretty sorted!!

We went out on Wednesday with Ollie and Sarah had a really nice Thai meal and few bevvies afterwards, also went to funky bar last weekend you may see the dodgy photos!!! bit pissed!!  Looking forward to seeing Powelly next week showing him the sights!! theres a festival on in the park so hopefully go to that if Tobys not working. Weather is getting sunnier by the day. we went for a lovely walk along the coast to Brighton today saw some wicked beach huts, we think you should revamp the hut mum and dad!! 

Right we are going to have a couple of beers now watch the sunset will speak to you soon.

P>S Hope you had a wicked time at the Bestival!!

Sorry to hear about the break-in Gem and Knighty, hope you get it sorted ok thats so harsh!! Well done about the job Gem!!

Happy Birthday to Lisa hope you had a wicked day!!

Mum and Dad hope you enjoyed France will ring you this week!!

Bec hope that the move is going well!!

Heidi and Robbie congratulations on the engagement thats so cool!!

Jest been enjoying the latest pictures , what a marathon drive . Spectacular,and what a hero Toby, doing all the driving. We're off to Northern France on Monday for four days staying beside a river in forest region. Back at the end of the week for Arthur's gig at the Horse bridge on Sat .night Jack is joining him on stage for a couple of numbers. All local SGI's have been summonsed to attend! All for now .Lots of Love ,the old folks xxxxxx P.S.' Eggs and Bacon' won the battle of the bands and appeared on the H/B festival stage .Headline in local rag read 'Lifeguard Jack's band make a big splash!'

Hi again guys, forgot to say Verina i don't have your telephone number so can you text me it please because of probs with handset i have swapped it over. also heidi is getting married to robbie, he proposed on monday evening this week she is excited and happy. shes moving to liverpool in January and has got on her play therapy course. i am still applying for jobs, but going to apply for teacher training and looking at education therapy ma courses! you know me i will still be figuring things out in my 60s! just about to catch up with Julie for a coffee and sandwich. i will miss her, did i tell you she is councellor for Alvaston council? she is getting grief from the other party at the mo. i was so proud when she won the election. its great that she will make a difference especially for the young people. ah well better go loads of love and hugs to you Becsxx