Hello one and all! Can't remember when I last wrote so this could be a bit of a long one! We are finally settled in our new homes in Chalok Lam now - it's taken me a while to get used to sharing my bathroom with geckos called Granville, spiders, ants and all manner of other creepy crawlies, but I think I'm getting there. Washing my hair in cold water seems strangely normal now too. My bungalow is cute - very very basic but to be honest I don't spend much time in there at all. (There's a picture of it under Photo Albums - have a look!). Our timetable for school is pretty good actually - we teach from 8.30am to either 10.30 or 11.30 each day - apart from Tuesdays when we can have a lie in and start at 12.30. It's all been a bit of a shock to the system - all nighters and early mornings don't seem to go together very well! The kids are adorable - I love them to bits! The picture shown here is of my pattom (primary) 2 class - they are 6 and like little monkeys! In the picture they're holding up badges with their names on - but they're pretty much all called Mai, Nai, Poi, Bat, Ban, Oom, Im, Ig etc!! Shout one of those names in the classroom and 10 of them come running! I've got 3 classes, pattom 2, 4 and 6, but sometimes I teach the anuban (nursery) kids too. They're only 3 and 4 and sooooo cute! Teachers in Thailand seem to have a near God-like status. The kids are so polite and respectful - they bring our lunch to us every day and clear up afterwards as well! We had an amazing weekend - we got the boat over to Koh Samui on Saturday and bought bikes in Tesco! Managed to get a really decent (not by your standards though Nick!) mountain bike with full suspension for 4,490 baht - about 55 - 60 pounds! Then we had to bribe some little Thai men to drive us back to the port (cos we couldn't ride cos the roads were too busy and we needed to practise riding first!). Have got a photo of me and my shiny new red bike and will try and put it on the website soon! When we got back to Haad Rin we couldn't be bothered to make our way up north again so we got a bungalow for 150 baht (between us!) locked the bikes inside and went on an all nighter! Such fun! Made it back the next morning in a bit of a state! Went for a really long ride yesterday - rode to Thong Sala, which is the nearest town. Chalok Lam doesn't have any clothes shops so we were all in need of some retail therapy! Can't believe I managed to ride 10k!! Am determined to have thighs of steel by the time I come back! Hee hee! Off to Haad Rin tonight for a few buckets - have been feeling really isolated up here and fee the need for some company. Am having a great time and getting on really well with the girls but it's so quiet up here we're getting cabin fever! Right - not sure what else I have to let you know - but am sure I'll think of something when I get back home - doh! Love to you all - keep the messages coming! xxxxx PS - Mum - don't worry about the AA - I might as well be covered for when I get back. There'll be some weird entries on this months one too - for the stuff I bought in Tesco! x